Laurent Gaudreau has hiked rim-to-rim 82 times in the Grand Canyon so far this year, and he figures he might make it to 100 crossings. Even so, he's a bit concerned that his trek times are slowing.

Betsey bruner / arizona daily sun

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FLAGSTAFF — Laurent "Maverick" Gaudreau has just completed his 82nd rim-to-rim hike in the Grand Canyon in celebration of his 80th birthday.

Since January, he says he has hiked rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon a total of 82 times, logging 3,444 miles. (A rim-to-rim-to-rim round trip, with two crossings of the Colorado River, counts as two hikes).

The hikes have been to honor his birthday, which he celebrated May 8.

His motto, "I absolutely refuse to act my age," is emblazoned on his commemorative T-shirts.

"I'm happier and healthier than I've been in my 80 years," he said. "I certainly need to find out what allows me to be in that state of mind, so I can pass it on to other people."

Gaudreau, who lives with his wife in employee housing at the Canyon, is retired from teaching and the military reserves in Colorado. He wants to write a book about his trekking experiences and tell people it's never too late in life to get moving.

"I've seen what a tremendous change it's done in me to really get out and move," he said. "Some of the people are really picking up on this. I talk to people on the trail, and the people say, 'You're an inspiration.' "

Born in Ludlow, Mass., Gaudreau's ancestry is Canadian, and his first language was French. He was stricken with polio before kindergarten and spent six months immobile in bed. Miraculously, he awoke one morning and could suddenly move and get out of bed.

He hasn't stopped moving since. He has some hearing loss, but is in great shape. As a fit senior, he comes in a compact, 5-foot-6-inch, 130-pound package. He says his resting pulse is 50, similar to that of a super athlete.

"If you'd told me 10 years ago I'd be where I am, I'd have said you are crazy," he said. "I have a feeling each day will get better than the last. There aren't many 80-year-olds who can say that, so I must be doing something right."

Shirley, 70, his wife of seven years, always tells people her husband has "silver hair, legs of steel." She also said he's a good and kindhearted man.

They met in the Maswik Lodge at the Canyon nine years ago. She was working for the Grand Canyon Association, and he had applied for a job as a server in the lodge.

Today, Gaudreau is devoted to his hikes, while she still works in several association bookstores.

"We have a wonderful life up here," she said. "We both love what we do, and we have a nice place to live in. I always say, 'I'm going to die here.' "

Shirley said her husband has done rim-to-rim hikes as long as she's known him. In 2005, he made 45 crossings. She doesn't worry about him when he's out on the trail.

"His health is wonderful," she said. "When he leaves, I always tell him, 'Don't forget to come home.' It will never stop until he wants to stop."

For his birthday treks, Gaudreau has usually taken the same path. He allows three days for each round-trip hike.

He leaves the South Rim and hikes down the South Kaibab Trail. Crossing at Black Bridge, he travels to Phantom Ranch on the other side and camps at Cottonwood Campground. On the second day, he hikes to the North Rim and then back to Cottonwood. The third day brings him from the campground back up to the South Rim.

He carries only a 15-pound pack with two liters of water.

Using a walking stick, his pace is measured and sometimes he feels his age.

"I'm no Speedy Gonzales," he said. "I once crossed the Can-yon in 10 hours and 40 minutes, but right now it's slowing down."

On the return trip, he stops for refreshments at the ranch.

"In order to reach the South Rim at a reasonable hour, I have to leave Cottonwood at 3 o'clock in the morning," he said. "I try to hit Phantom when the canteen opens at 8 o'clock."

He has some favorite places along the way: the hike along North Kaibab Trail from the trailhead to Roaring Springs, the view at Bright Angel Point and the first couple of miles on Clear Creek Trail before Phantom Ranch.

"It's all run-of-the-mill, borderline spectacular," he said.

His goal for the balance of the year is to keep trekking, possibly topping 100 trips. Gaudreau also wants to start lifting weights again.

"I have a supposition the loss of muscle mass is one of the reason I'm going slowly," he said. "I've got to get back and start weightlifting and see if the times change."