Man, 92, Who Began Living a ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ in His 70s Breaks Grand Canyon World Record

Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, 92, is officially the oldest person to cross the Grand Canyon rim to rim on foot

A 92-year-old man recently went on on a record-breaking hike of the Grand Canyon.

Guinness World Records confirmed last week that Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, who currently lives in Germany, is the oldest person to cross the Grand Canyon rim to rim on foot after having made the trek last October. The previous record was set in 2019 by American John Jepkema at the age of 91.

In an interview published with Guinness officials, the nonagenarian said that he has hiked the Grand Canyon numerous times, but that he decided to try for the record in 2022.

“I had read about the previous record holder, Mr. John Jepkema whom I admired immensely,” he remarked. “I knew that I was only a few months younger than Mr. Jepkema had been and thought that I had a great shot at setting a new record the following year.”

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Burdio’s hike took on a personal poignancy, as well. His wife, who was his traveling companion to such places as Macchu Pichue and Mount Everest Base Camp as well as the Grand Canyon, died in 2006 of ALS, USA Today reported.

As part of the healing process following her death, Burdio revisited the places the couple used to go to, including a trip to the Grand Canyon with his daughter and grandson.

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Last January, Burdio — who told the record-keeping organization that he only “began living a healthy lifestyle” when he was 76 — began training for what would become a record-setting hike by walking 8 miles every day.

And when it came time to actually begin the hike, he admitted that the first five hours were difficult.

“I was very tired after those first five hours,” he said, noting that fortunately, after a 15-minute refueling break, he “felt strong again.”

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Burdio also recalled meeting other people during his trek who cheered and supported him. He had already become sort of a celebrity among fellow hikers when news of his record-breaking attempt was first reported by an Arizona local television station and then shared on a hiking Facebook group.

“(There were) a lot of people asking me, ‘Oh, you are Alfredo. May I get a picture with you?'” Burdio told USA Today. “We lost a lot of time making pictures, and they (would say), ‘Oh, you are my hero, you are my inspiration.'”

The 92-year-old credits his healthy lifestyle, which he says consists of three key tenets, for keeping him fit enough for new adventures.

“My secret to a healthy life is based on three things: eating healthy and drinking water, walking for 30 minutes a day, and sleeping in the dark of the night for eight hours,” he told Guinness World Records.

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According to the record-keeping organization, Burdio’s trek from the North Rim Trailhead down to Phantom Ranch took 11 hours and 15 minutes, while his hike the next day from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim Trailhead, which took 10 more hours. So in total, he ended up hiking for a whopping total of over 21 hours.

“He feels happy and very proud,” Burdio’s daughter, Anabel Aliaga-Buchenau, told USA Today of her father’s record-breaking hike.

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