Living the School-Year Theme Step-by-Step: Dr. Solsrud Hikes the Grand Canyon

Every year, Brookfield Academy chooses a theme to frame specific goals. In November 2008, Dr. Robert Solsrud, Head of School, found himself living out this year’s theme: “Be Uncommon: Appreciate, Aspire, Accomplish,” as he reached for a personal goal.

BE UNCOMMON Fewer than one percent of the 5 million annual visitors to the Grand Canyon actually hike into the Inner Canyon, where the mighty Colorado River courses between steep canyon walls. Dr. Solsrud became one of those uncommon adventurers when he hiked to the floor of the canyon and back.

APPRECIATE Dr. Solsrud stood in the cold, thin air at the South Rim’s 7,000 foot elevation, ready to take his first step down the South Kaibab Trail on a 7-mile descent to the floor of the canyon. He had anticipated this moment for eight months, ever since a stranger he met at a sandwich shop told him about his own Grand Canyon hike, piquing Solsrud’s interest. He read everything he could get his hands on about hiking the canyon and trained hard in preparation. Thankful for good health and the opportunity to undertake this adventure, he now stood at the rim, ready to test his mettle.

ASPIRE The aspiration to successfully hike in and out of the Inner Canyon was fueled when Solsrud watched the Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman movie, The Bucket List (2007), about goals the movie’s characters wish to accomplish before they die. Solsrud made hiking the Grand Canyon the top priority on his personal “bucket list.” He’d always enjoyed hiking and keenly appreciates the beauty of nature.

ACCOMPLISH He did it! When Solsrud safely returned to the rim from the 10-mile Bright Angel Trail two days after his descent into the canyon, he experienced relief first, and then a great sense of accomplishment. “I was so happy to have had the experience. Descending and ascending on the trails makes the canyon part of you in a way that cannot be experienced viewing it from the rim,” he said. “I now have a vastly different appreciation for the canyon. I didn’t really know what it was like until I hiked it.”