What I packed: Four Days in the Grand Canyon

Update: 6/3/14
Having been back from our trip for a few days now, I can fully reflect on what I'm glad I packed and what I wish I had not.  Comments after each section will be italicized.

Clothing:

packed:

~one t-shirt (cotton to stay cool)

~one pair of shorts (quick dry, to sit in the creek)

~two pair of socks 

~three pair of underwear

~one heavy weight base layer (top & bottom)

~one wool long sleeve shirt* (for sleeping - I'm only sleeping in a liner, so it'll be chilly)

~wool beanie

~one rain coat

~crocks* (camp shoes)

Wearing:

~underwear

~pair of converter pants

~cotton t-shirt

~cotton tank undershirt*

~socks

~trail runners

Converter pants should have been left at home.  They were bulky and it was HOT.  I never even used the pants part.  Same goes for Brian.  His stayed in his bag the entire time.  Such a bummer since they are both so bulky and heavy!  They took up prime backpack real estate.  Just wasn't the season for them.

Rain jackets also should have been left at home.  While I know the importance of having protective rain gear just in case, (and the weather did say chance of showers on the day we hiked out), a simple poncho would have sufficed.  Our highly technical rain jackets were bulky and in the way.  Never used them.

I used the heavy base layer at Indian Garden because we only slept in liners, and the extra warmth made me feel comfortable.  If I had a sleeping bag, however, the base layer would have been unnecessary.  The temps the first night were about 68 degrees, and I was fine.  That was the coldest we experienced of the three nights.  Obviously at Bright Angel it was warm, so I did not use the base layer on that second night.  

Sun/Skin Protection:

~wide-brim hat

~sunglasses

~sunscreen (80 spf)

~chapstick

Shelter/Sleeping/Night:

~ground tarp (Brian is carrying)

~light weight sleeping bag liner

~compact pillow

~flashlight

It will be time for me to buy a headlamp pretty soon.  Too many times with my flashlight in the mouth as I tried to pack up in the dark.  

My compact pillow is also not all that compact. But I can't sleep without it.

The liners worked out well.  I could cinch mine all the way around my head and I liked being able to protect myself from creepy crawlies in the night, since we slept only on a tarp with no shelter.

Camp Kitchen:

~self-igniting backpacking stove

~waterproof matches

~titanium spork

~aluminum pot

~three cans of fuel* (there will be three of us for four days - each of us is carrying one)

~mugs (each of us carries one)

Took too much fuel.  It's always hard for me to judge.  Gotta be a more efficient way.  And that pot.  Oh, wow.  It is getting old.  Time to replace.  But it did it's job just fine.

Food:

~eight dehydrated meals (three breakfasts, three dinners, two lunches)

~energy bars

~granola with nuts and chocolate

~home made fruit roll ups

~home made chicken jerky

We really struggled in this area, and ironically, this is one of the most important.  I don't know why, but I really neglected packing sufficient snacks on this trip.  The roll-ups were great, but sugary.  We needed more salt to counteract our sweating, and the jerky was gone before our final hike out - the most important day.  It was a struggle to get my niece to eat enough calories since she did not care for the dehydrated food, and for me, I committed the worst offense possible.  I chose meals of instant granola and instant noodles.  Because I struggle to maintain my blood sugar, this was horrible.  I was not a happy camper.  I'll know next time to pack tons of salty snacks, and I needed some good old fashioned peanut butter!  I am also interested in checking out buying dehydrated foods in bulk and making my own meals since the packaged ones are simply not healthy for me.

Hydration:

~3 L bladder of water

~water filter

~one bottle of gateraide
~nuun tablets (electrolyte replacement)

We never used the water filter, but we were glad to carry it for peace of mind.  

Hygiene:

~toothbrush + toothpaste (Brian carrying both)

~baby wipes

~Dr. Bronner's soap 

~toilet paper*

I'm glad we took toilet paper.  Mainly I used it to blow my nose.  And the baby wipes.  Good idea.

Emergency Preparedness:

~duct tape

~cord

~first aide (gloves, alcohol wipes, band aids, snake bite kit, pills - allergy, benedril, ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea)

~pocket knife

~glucose tablets

~map

~pencil

We used the duct tape to patch up our torn trash bag, and to help keep band aides in place.  We used various pills rather frequently.  Glucose tablets came in handy on the way out since my meals were not ideal for maintaining my blood sugar levels and therefore my energy.  I will know better next time!

Extras:

~hiking poles*

~camera*
~trash bags

We ended up leaving the camera.  Too heavy.  I took my cell phone instead, and put it on "airplane mode" so that the batter did not drain constantly searching for service.  It worked great.  The hiking poles are a necessity.  My niece had one and I had one.  I'd like to get another set.

*items that may not be necessary, but am taking anyway for comfort or convenience.  

Prepping for the Canyon

As a way to calm my mind with the absolute madness that is the end of the school year, I have done my best to only concentrate on other things going on in my life - happy, personal things.  Last Saturday was a big day because Brian bought a mountain bike and he also cut off about 2 feet of hair.  He looks great and we had a wonderful evening bike ride together which we have been looking forward to making a reality for many months.  Since then we have gone on an evening bike ride together every night.

My bike:

www.rei.com

Brian's bike: 

www.rei.com

Besides our bikes, we have added some new gear for our upcoming four day backpacking trip in the canyon.  Here's a look at what I chose and the reasons why I decided it was the right one and the right time.

1.  Water Filter

While we will only be on the Bright Angel Trail for this trip, (where there are plenty of water stations/pumps), the reason for the filter is that the water pipeline is currently undergoing some maintenance and there are warnings in effect about being prepared for the water to be turned off without warning.  We've been waiting for an excuse to get a water filter anyway, and this one was a favorite since it was on sale and we've used it before.  It's the filter my sister and brother-in-law have and they love it.  It worked well for us on our trip to Aravaipa Canyon this past March.

  

2.  Sleeping Bag Liners

With temperatures in the canyon in the 60's and 70's at night when we are there, a sleeping bag isn't going to suffice.  I have a zero degree bag, a 30 degree bag, and a 45 degree bag.  The only one compact enough to take backpacking is my 30 degree down bag, and we decided we are going to take it for my eleven-year old niece.  For Brian and I, basically a sheet will do, but he has different concerns when sleeping than I do, mainly being constricted.  So for him, we bought the one on the left, and for me the one on the right.  They were a great deal because I was able to use a coupon for BOTH items.

3.  Lastly I bought a mug, but it's not really that exciting.

It's super lightweight, (3.5 oz), and holds 17 oz.  Brian drinks a lot of coffee, and this is a major step up from the aluminum 8 oz mug we've been using all along.  Remember my 20 year old mess kit I mentioned earlier?  Here it is in all it's glory.

On this trip, we are only taking the pot.  We only have one stove, so we only need one pot, and we plan to eat all our meals out of the pouches they are dehydrated in, so this makes packing a camp kitchen pretty light.

Twenty years later still going strong.  I'm ok with giving the mug a retirement.

See you on the other side of the trail....