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Counted 14 switchbacks on the Grandview Trail and it changed how I plan my water
So I hiked the Grandview Trail off the South Rim in March and decided to count every switchback on the way down just to have something to do. Hit 14 before the saddle, which doesn't sound like much until you realize each one drops you into hotter air with zero shade. I had packed 2 liters thinking it was a short 3 mile down and back, but by switchback 9 I was rationing sips like an idiot. The real hack I figured out is to check the topo for switchback density instead of just mileage, because a tight zigzag means way more sun exposure than a straight grade. Now I write the count on my hand with a sharpie before I start and turn around at the halfway number no matter how good I feel. Anyone else use a weird made up rule like that, or do you just go by elevation gain?
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