Grand Canyon R2R advice?

Not a whole bunch of info since we haven’t went yet but me and a couple of buddies are thinking about doing it next year and have been looking over everything we can find about it and talked with a coworker that went rim to bottom and back up.
There is a Facebook group that is called
“Grand Canyon rim to rim”
Join it they have a ton of folks giving advice on what works and what does not.
From what I have seen is the following is what I’m thinking.
Mid to late may is the window don’t go in June.
Gaiters and trail runners no need for hiking boots.
Trekking poles for the descent since you’re starting going down.
Long sleeve sun shirt with hood.
Small backpack 20-30l with hydration bladder.
Water filter and tablets in case water pipes are not working “ seems to be a common issue” and you may need to get water from the river in the bottom.
Salt tablets and electrolytes and set reminders for water breaks.

I trained like crazy on the stairclimber. Cardio was on point. Nothing prepared me for the punishing descent that is the South Kaibab Trail. My IT band flared up and I was down for a day (Phantom Ranch in the bottom of the canyon isn’t a bad place to be. Next day on the way back up all was well. The descent was much harder than the ascent.

We made it a 5 day journey and started at North Kaibab. Downhill was brutal on mostly my thighs. Stair stepper, treadmill, and weighted vests were part of my preparation. Prep for endurance, not strength is my 2 cents.
Day 1 camped at Cottonwood, Day 2 Phantom Ranch, Day 3 hung around Phanton Ranch. Day 4 Bright Angel, Day 5 out of South Kaibab.

I've hiked rim to river. We were taking a rafting trip down the river.

The hike from the south rim down was not bad. Mostly gentle slope down. We started at 5 or 6 and we're at the river by 11ish.

I was late 20s when I did it. Had to carry my day pack and my dad's (total about 70lbs).

Domt have any info on the north rim.

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Last week I started using the stair climber once a week along with 2 runs plus 3 full body lifting sessions

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Make sure you mix in some long walks off path with a pack into it. I did 11miles at 17min pace a couple of months ago. And I was whipped more than running a 5k at 8min pace.
Just miles on foot and the small muscles of navigating even stepping up and over a curb works the body differently than a run or stairclimber or treadmill. Your miles may vary based on age im 48.

Training on a stair climber is overkill. I don't remember steps on the descent. It's pretty much all a slow windy path down. The biggest deal is the length and the sun. There's not a lot of shade on the upper part when you are the cliff side and once you get lower there's no breeze. It's just hot.

You'd be better off training on a treadmill that can incline to get your calves used to the slope.

Me and my father did it last June (2023). We did north to south. If you are trained it will still be tough but is doable. We started down the north rim at 5am as well. The downhill really got to my older father and he struggled the 2nd half of the downhill (miles 5 to 8). He’s a big time marathon runner but the downhill got him. He recovered along the 8 mile flat part. The uphill from Phantom to Indian Garden was fine. From Indian Garden up the Bright Angel it was a slow go but we rested along and made it. It was awesome.

Halfway thru our drinks were terribly hot. For instance, I haven’t had a Body Armor in a year because swigging down hot body armor was disgusting. I would definitely make sure you have your ride waiting for you at the top of the North Khaibab because you will be shot and you won’t want to walk another 3/4 mile to the lodge or cabins. That’s why we went north to south so our ride could have a fun time at the south rim while waiting for us and getting us to a shower and bed. The north is very barren, but beautiful. I’m an adventurous guy, but I won’t do it again in one day. I’ll definitely do it again over a few days but I feel like a little enjoyment was lost by the grind and mental game, if that makes sense. Bottom line is if you have really trained to be on your feet for 10-14 hours then you’ll make it. And take enough food to keep from bonking. I bonked the last hour and it was a struggle with minor cramps. Sleeping that night was tough due to cramping. Then we drove back to Georgia the next several days.

I meant less amenities. Not landscape wise. When you get to the top of the south you have civilization. When you pop out the North Khaibab you have beautiful wilderness.

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I meant less amenities. Not landscape wise. When you get to the top of the south you have civilization. When you pop out the North Khaibab you have beautiful wilderness.

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I see what you meant now

Can’t go wrong either way, a day at the canyon is a great day.

We usually start around 4am