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John Hollenhorst ReportingA man at the Grand Canyon is wrapping up an incredible year with a stunning accomplishment. He claims he's taken the grueling hike across the canyon 106-times this year, and you'll never believe how old he is.
Maverick Gaudreau is proving the old adage that you're only as old as you feel. If what he claims is true, it would probably have broken a much younger man, except a younger man has apparently never tried it.
When tourists walk to the rim of the Grand Canyon and look down, most would consider a rim-to-rim hike a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But this guy is averaging twice-a-week, all year long!! His name is Laurent Guadreau, but he goes by 'Maverick'.
Laurent "Maverick" Gaudreau, Rim to Rim Hiker: "By 'Maverick' because there aren't many 80-year-olds that do the strange things I do."
That's right, 80. He's hiked up and down the mile-deep canyon more times this year than most octogenarians ride an elevator.
Laurent "Maverick" Gaudreau: "I can't explain it! It's just there!! And I want to be in it!!"
Hiking from the South Rim it's seven miles down, 14 miles up the other side, 21 miles each way. On the 42-mile round trip, he usually spends two nights in the canyon. Maverick started when he retired to the Grand Canyon ten years ago.
Laurent "Maverick" Gaudreau: "Two years ago, all hell broke loose, and I did 42 times across the canyon, and last year, 45!"
For his 80 birthday year he set a much higher goal.
Laurent "Maverick" Gaudreau: "Instead of 80 candles, I crossed the canyon 80 times."
He achieved it October 7th and just kept going. Now he claims well over a hundred crossings in 2006.
Kay Hooshmand, LaJolla, Calif.: "Whoa! Keeps you busy. Hah. Hah! Did you enjoy it?" Maverick: "Absolutely."
Other hikers he meets on the trail know it's not easy.
Kay Hooshmand: "I actually did a nine-mile round trip yesterday, and at the end I thought, well, I had to stop multiple times. It was very challenging."
Kay Hooshmand: "If there's one thing that would retard aging, that's exercise, exercise, exercise."
How long can he keep it up? Well he says his goal now is to keep going until he's 90.
Kay Hooshmand: "People are, 'Don't you get bored?' And that's just not the case. The more Ido it the more I enjoy it."
We can't independently verify Maverick's claim of 106 crossings this year, but park rangers regularly encounter him on the trail. The official park spokeswoman says there's no reason to doubt his incredible story.
