Comments on: Grand Canyon, the Google Street View version

By: Jonathan Badger

Jonathan Badger — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:33:00 +0000

So you make an exception for evil technological headlamps? Why? Unless it is a flaming torch built from the bones and hide of a coyote you killed with your teeth, you aren’t getting the true spirit of the outdoors.

By: simonbarsinister

simonbarsinister — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:35:00 +0000

Applying to Google now.

By: GawainLavers

GawainLavers — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:15:00 +0000

Gargoyles

By: t3kna2007

t3kna2007 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:44:00 +0000

This makes me really dissatisfied with my current physical location. The almost-smirk on Ryan Falor’s face must be for actually getting paid to do this.

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:43:00 +0000

Given the speed of hiking those trails, it is hard to forget the actual experience of being in the canyon.

The Google works can’t easily replicate that. Nor the state I was in after hiking in and out in the same day. While I was truly intrigued by those rim to rim runners who passed me, I thought that they were quite missing the point of being there.

By: Robert Holmén

Robert Holmén — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:48:00 +0000

Even “second” seems to be giving it more than its due.

By: David James

David James — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:42:00 +0000

I’m torn on this- on the one hand, it means that I can poke around some of the corridor trails online, which is awesome. On the other hand, I refuse to even carry a GPS on backpacking trips in the canyon and elsewhere, so this just feels wrong somehow. If it’s battery-powered and isn’t a headlamp or the like, I’ll pass- give me some paper USGS quads and a decent magnetic compass any day.

That said, I do recognize that I have a technology problem. :P

By: David James

David James — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:39:00 +0000

Agreed on hiking with that kind of gear. On the last two Canyon backpacks I went on, my starting pack weight was around 40lbs including water for that day (one was a 7 day trip, the other an 8, IIRC), and that was much tighter to my body. Anything that’s not right next to your back can really throw off your balance, and while the trails that Google has mapped are corridor trails that are mostly highway-like, balance is still relevant.

That said, it looks like they kept the batteries and heavy portions of that setup low and close, so it might not have been too bad overall.

By: David James

David James — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:29:00 +0000

Did you happen to take the time to head up to check out Upper Ribbon or Upper Upper Ribbon Falls? We tried to make it up to Upper Upper on our last trip, but vegetation finally got the better of us… Absolutely gorgeous country, and there’s not really much of anything like it. (Two canyon backpacks myself, and my wife and I are planning for the next one already, with the hope of working our way up to the Royal Arch route in a year or two!)

By: for_SCIENCE

for_SCIENCE — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:19:00 +0000

I don’t see the problem. While this is second to actually getting out and hiking, it’s nice for those of us that to get to a NP like this is a months-long production.

By: Ben Atkin

Ben Atkin — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:55:00 +0000

Is nothing sacred?

By: glatt1

glatt1 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:28:00 +0000

This is truly a wonderful thing. I’ve hiked the canyon twice and it’s great to zoom down into my favorite spots. Of course, it leaves me wanting more. Why didn’t they do the North Kaibob trail? I’d love to explore Ribbon Falls again.

By: Bill McGonigle

Bill McGonigle — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:08:00 +0000

Very nice! When we went as a young couple we didn’t win the camping lottery, and my wife wasn’t up to the challenge of doing the descent and ascent in one day, so I missed out. So this is even for people who go but couldn’t get down into the canyon.

Also, I’m a hiker, but hiking with that kind of gear on looks quite challenging. I played around on the rim when I went, but probably wouldn’t with that kind of lever on my back! Thanks, Ryan, Steve, and crew!