The journey took 21 hours and 15 minutes to complete.
A 92-year-old man is making news and breaking records after completing a roughly 24-mile hike across Arizona’s Grand Canyon.
Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, who now lives in Berlin, finished his record-breaking journey over the Grand Canyon on October 15, 2023. According to a Guinness World Records announcement made on New Year’s Day, Burdio is the oldest individual to cross the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim on foot (male).
Burdio’s expedition, which lasted 34 hours and 2 minutes in total, including 21 hours and 15 minutes of hiking time.
According to the global authority on all things record-breaking, it took Burdio 11 hours and 15 minutes to hike from the North Rim Trailhead to Phantom Ranch and another 10 hours the next day to climb from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim Trailhead.
Burdio’s record-breaking performance was not his first time hiking across the Grand Canyon. Burdio got the notion to attempt the record while hiking the Grand Canyon with his kid.
“I had read about the previous record holder, Mr. John Jepkema, whom I admired immensely,” Burdio told Guinness World Records. “I knew that I was only a few months younger than Mr. Jepkema had been and thought that I had a great shot at setting a new record the following year.”
Burdio began training for the historic trek in January 2023, about nine months before embarking on it, by walking eight miles every day.
The record attempt was initially scheduled for early 2022, but it was postponed owing to inclement weather.
Burdio began his hike at the North Rim and took breaks practically every hour.
“I was very tired after those first five hours,” Burdio said. “But what surprised me is that after about a 15-minute break, some food, and electrolytes, I recovered and felt strong again to tackle the next seven hours.”
Burdio stated that his positive attitude and ability to take it leisurely during difficult times helped him complete the hike.
“I think of the next step and the next, and not how far I still have to go,” he remarked. “Then it is not so overwhelming and very doable.”
Burdio developed a passion for trekking when his wife died of ALS in 2006. Burdio made it a point after her death to return to the sites they had been together, even taking his daughter and 9-year-old grandson on a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim climb.
According to Burdio, the most interesting aspect of the hike was the individuals he met along the way who encouraged him.
“Truly the best thing was meeting all the people on the trail, that support and kindness and just happiness was wonderful,” he told me.
Burdio came into a group of firefighters on his journey who made him an honorary member of the Tucson Fire Department by handing him a Tucson Fire Department patch.
The 92-year-old also expressed gratitude to those who traveled with him to see the adventure.
“Can you believe that two people who would usually cross the Canyon in eight hours agreed to be witnesses, walked at my speed, and were unwavering in their support,” he went on to say. “Julian Coiner and Peter Todd are truly unusually kind and wonderful people.”
The hike taught Burdio that it is never too late to attempt anything new, even in old age.
“I began living a healthy lifestyle really at age 76,” he told me.
Burdio is said to be contemplating another Grand Canyon climb this year.
“My son-in-law already has a cabin for October 2024, when we want to see if we can go with my son’s family,” the man stated. “But first, I need to see how I’m doing.” “I’m getting old.”
