Grand Canyon

[pnut]

So, I just lucked into a grand canyon trip at the end of this month. I am looking for advice on things you would take/wouldn't take based on similar western whitewater trips. Obviously food and raft support etc. is taken care of, boat, gear all that got it, tent drybag. I am talking about personal/clothing items not related to paddling that maybe you didn't think you would need and wished you had or what you brought that you ended up not needing. Any advice/opinions etc. always appreciated.

pnut

[waterhog]

your balls to run the rapids dont forget those dude and also think little and act much

[pnut]

word, gonna have to unpack/find those between now and then but since I won't have much choice should't be a problem

[Jaytee]

Pack lighter than you even think. Stuff dries quickly so you can really get by with very few things in circulation.

Be very, very diligent with sunscreen. I sunburned the tops of my feet and spent the last 4 days wearing socks under my Tevas.

The main thing I wished I'd brought and watched with envy when one person on our trip did was a Crazy Creek chair (or similar). Having back support while hanging out on the sand at night would have been nice.

[Eric Esche]

Suntan lotion - lots of it.

Your favorite fluid for replentishment.

About one set of batteries for each day for your camera, and extra memory cards. Everywhere you look is a picture post card view. Water proof camera and /or moviecamera as you will want to record things. Just remember sand gets in everything.

Heavy duty freezer grade zip locks to water proof/sand proof everything. Assume first layer will leak or wear out. Ammo box for what you carry in your boat.

Water filter - treated water still tastes like treated water, so also include some powdered flavoring that you like.

Extra snacks. If you like to play, you may miss lunch a few times playing. Sometimes you want something to chew on after supper too, be it candy, gum, or Jerky.

Good head lamp and extra batteries for it. Plan on 3 hours per night usage and you should not run out. It gets dark fast in the canyon when it does get dark.

A book or three. Sometimes you are so wired from the day, you can't get to sleep.

A GOOD sleeping pad. Couple of weeks on sand can get to some people's backs. particularly if you play hard.

Water stick with good range. Play time with the rafts.

Waterproof map of the canyon, and or a good book on the canyon. Kayakers are not always near the rafts.

A folding chair that is comfortable to you, if you have a raft to carry it. You will want one in the evenings.

Your own personal supply of toilet paper. What you do not want to run out of. Sure beats 60 grit if that is what someone else packed trying to be economical.

Your own personal supply of powdered drink mix, whatever flavor you will drink. Murphy's law says whoever supplied the trip will stock the one flavor you do not like.

DEET wipes. Some years the sand fleas are fierce.

Quick drying shorts or swim trunks. Putting on damp shorts or swim suits can be the pits for some folks. 3 pair for two weeks worked for me.

Goretex layer and a fleece layer. Sometimes it gets cold at night and windy. Goggles are also very nice in a sandstorm. Sand gets in everything in the canyon.

Bandanas. More than you use at home. You will perspire some even though it usually evaporates quickly. Old broken in bandanas absorb better than new ones. If you take side hikes and most everyone does, you will want one or two per hike.

Glasses wipes, unless you want to plan on replacing scratched up lenses after the trip. Can use them on camera lenses as well.

GOOD broken in walking shoes, climbing shoes if you are a climber. There are lots of side trails in the canyon, all worth taking. Personal favorites - Matcatameba, 75 mile canyon, Deer creek falls, Havaseau, Thunder river.

Fishing rod and some gear and a permit. Guess they still allow fishing.

Extra butter and lemons and any seasonings you have a preference for if you are outfitting yourself and fish.

High flotation PFD.

It is hot in the canyon, but the water only warms up 5degrees F in 225 miles. Think cold water and hot sun.

Visor on helmet.

Binoculars. You always want to look at something closer.

Personal first aid kit with tape and tweezers or forcepts. May not need if you are always close to raft, but kayakers tend to spread out.

Will think on this some more and ask Susan. We took our honeymoon kayaking the canyon with Moki-Mac as a support raft in 1982 ( delayed honeymoon).

Eric Esche

[robkanraft]

Baby wipes, TP stash, good coffee stash and french press mug (if you are so inclined) extra sunglasses, long sleeve t-shirt, extra pair of sandals if you can spare the room, because having only one shoe doesn't do much good. Solar shower.

[Cowper]

On a side note, glad to hear from you. Worried a little at first, you could have been one of the 11 "missing" from the rig that went down.

On what to take, I'd say, not really much different than any previous western trip you've been on; three times as long, maybe three times as nice, but I ended up getting by with less gear. I knew from the get-go clothes would be just worn, or washed and recycled as needed, so no need to bring "extras". I could have used extra sandles; my almost new pair "blew out" due to manufacturing defect. I would have been fine if I had brought my ten year old tried-and-true pair instead.

We used a different philosophy on battery powered devices; instead of extra batteries, we brought solar chargers, convertors, cables and rechargers as needed. A battery from a canoe bilge pump can recharge your other battery devices even if the sun doesn't show for a day or two.

If you really screw up and forget something or think of something extra you need or want, lose your only pair of sunglasses, etc, it can probably be purchased at Phantom Ranch. If not, you don't REALLY need it anyway.

For a lot of things, I brought two - one to use, one to lose. Two hats, two sunglasses, two bandanas, etc.

More than most, I didn't trust the weather. Better to have extra polypro, drysuit, etc, than to wish you had it. Never pulled out most of it. But I heard that on trips before ours, and immediately after ours, some folks got really cold.

[paddledog]

Bag balm,
Dry cracks hurt like hell

[pnut]

thanks cooper and those berore you saying you worried makes me regret not postin on here befoer i was ok, that was a tragedy in the gulf i had friends that workedon that rig, but i am ok our rig survived, thaks vor all the advice like i said just want to hear what others have to sa please post your opinions

[okieboater]

buy a roll a cot

put a pad on top, paco is best any will help

bring a sleeping bag and sheet and pillow, start out with the sheet, pull the bag over you around midnight

while the others look for a flat spot, put up your cot and relax above the rocks, crawlies and what ever

sleeping out under the stars in the grand canyon is something to remember the rest of your life.

no matter how hot it is on top, the river is freezing cold. dress for a swim unless you know for sure it is a flat water day

[chainsawmonkey]

Dumb earth friendly chaco glue. A well developed taste for cheeses is a valuable asset, cat holes might be impossible inbetween camps. If you know what I mean.... :shock:

[Stephanie]

your gonna want COLD beer.

all one needs is a hammock, stocked cooler and lots of whitewater and/or waves.
have the best time ever.

[chainsawmonkey]

There aren't a whole lot of places for hammocks, but when there is a place you'll wish you had one. I ended up fashioning one out of my tarp and some prusik cord.

[Crane]

... a pocket-sized black-light to check your sleeping area for scorpions... yes, they glow in black-light!!

... also, if you don't take a cot, and you should, wait until the sun goes down to throw your tarp down and roll out your Paco... the ants go to home when the sun goes down:)

Most nights, you won't need a tent... but, take one for that one or two nights when the wind blows sand into your ears and un-zips your sleeping bag for you!!

Crane

[Eric Esche]

Mesh bag ( and a stout rope to atach it with) to keep your beer cold in the river. It collects the empties as well.

Chapstick in a flavor you do not mind using.

Extra pair of nose plugs if you use them.

Roll of duct tape in group gear.

Set of ear plugs if snoring bothers you.

Eric