Grand Canyon Pack List what worked/didn' t work

“Just thought I'd share my list with ya all, things that worked, things that didn't.

Backpack Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone, carried up to 35 pounds(with dry camp extra water) fairly comfortably, Granite Gear makes good packs, just need the right fit.

Sleeping Bag Campmor 20 degree down mummy, good bag plenty warm, temps didn't go below 35. 2# 7ounces

Tent Big Agnus Seedhouse SL1, first trip with tent, held up well to strong wind gusts and rain, I was able to sit up and change comfortably and also read sitting up. 2# 11ounces

Pad Pacific Outdoors Insulmat, favorite piece of gear every trip, my sleeping has never been better.

Stove Coleman Exponent F1, this stove rocks, very fast/efficient boil times especially made so by new Jetboil 4 season fuel, used a 100 gram canister for the four days with 1/3 of the canister fuel still left! I boiled 2 cups of water AM and PM. Used a piece of tinfoil folded over as a wind screen.

Bowl Orikaso bowl, never used it, ate meals out of ziplocs, won't bring next trip.

Utensil Titanium Spork, worth every penny

Pot/mug Snowpeak Titanium 600, great little pot, first time I tried using it as my mug also. Didn't like it for mug, too hot to drink out of, by the time it cools off so does your drink. Think I'll bring my regular mug next time.

Water Filter Didn't really need, Colorado was flowing clear, but that can be hit and miss so I will always bring it into the canyon, plus some of those puddles where water is available are pretty nasty.

Water Carriers Two safeway 1/2 quart water bottles and three platapus' in varying sizes, I had capacity for 5 quarts worth only need enough for 4 for our "Dry" camp.

Butt Cushion Thermarest butt pad, worth all 3 ounces.

Ursack Used to keep all the little critters away from my food, worked well, didn't lose one M&M, also used with a caribiner and fishing line at one spot to hang the bag from a tree as added security. This would also work with a regular nylon sack as long as you're in a spot where there are trees to hang from.

First Aid kit Used veterinary tape to patch up feet.

Wipes I never bring enough even though I brought more because I never bring enough.

shovel never used, enough rocks in the canyon to dig holes

Bandana multi function pot grabber, dish cloth etc.

Book Good for those early to bed nights especially when raining

down booties to keep my feet warm in my bag, love them

HeadlampPetzel Zipka plus, first time using, seems stong beam, got stuck in my hair a couple times

Tool Leatherman Micra, good little tool, only used knife but handy thing.

Shoes Nike trail runners, didn't noticed untill I was on the trail that the side of the shoe said "feel the trail" definately something you DONT want to do in the canyon. I love trail runners for backpacking but these were too lightweight for the job.

Clothes socks, two capilene shirts, hiking tights, fleece pants, capilene long johns, jacket-mid-weight, gloves (didn't use) fleece hat, sun hat, fleece sweater, rain jacket

Food weight 4#'s and 3 pounds of beer ;) had 1 pound of food left over(no beer)

Misc matches, toothbrush, toothpaste, packcover, meds, T.P., camera, tripod, baggies, deoderant, duct tape, comb, map, sunscreen, chapstick

I didn't carry poles and was glad I didn't they would have gotten in my way more often then not.

The only item I missed was my mug. The only item I dissliked were my trailrunners. If I had to do all over again I would get stronger trail runners (perhaps with a plate)I still wouldn't bring boots, I have had horrendous experiences with them and will never go back. I also wouldn't bring as much food, I really wasn't hungry and was forcing myself to eat. 3/4 pound of food a day is good enough for my 5'6", 110 pound frame. Hey I know, I can replace my 1/4 pound of food with 1/4 pound worth of booze, now there's a thought ;)”

“great gear review paige...thanks a lot”

“I love your photography. I gotta get on one of those NorCal trips sometime.”

“You're welcome thrifty hiker, only a backpacker who's passionate about backpacking would enjoy reading it! :)

Dub, thanks, where are you from?”

“Paige, how about those
4 beers, and thanks for the tape ,it saved my foot”

“It's there Olddog(under food weight, beer's food right ;)), guess it deserved a highlight though! ;)
Your welcome, I can send you some tape if you'd like, it's hard to find unless you have pets and can hit up your Veterinarian.”

“The Colorado water was clear? Last time I saw it was as muddy as muddy could be. I spent 6 days rafting and I think every stitch of my clothing was irreparably soiled. It was in the summer though, maybe it's a time-of-year thing.”

“Yeah, I was surprised also, think Jason wanted to make me carry his filter out since I told him to bring it and he didn't need it ;)
Summer tends to have a lot of rain/flash flooding I think that stirs things up and makes it quite muddy. Although I have only been in Spring and have never seen it that green. Before we got there they were having a very dry spring, I think that's why it was so clear.
Rafting the Colorado must be spetacular!”

“Nice review Paige. Thank you.

Does anyone have a highlighted map of your route to post?”

“That's a grand idea, no pun intended. I'll scan a map right now.”

“Thanks that would be great.”

“Thanks mucho for the list. When I was looking at your pics I wondered just what a person would need for gear for that trip and thinking I really had no clue.

Oh yeah.... I love the Insul-Mat, too, much better sleeping.

soooo... how long did the beer last? LOL, inquiring minds want to know. ;-P”

“nice gear report, thanks a lot

Tango, good idea on the map”

“One beer a night, it takes mucho discipline, LOL. Man it tasted good.”

“deodorant and a comb? wotta girl!

;-)”

“yeah, Crash, but you know more then anyone they didn't do me any good ;)
last edited: 3/13/06 6:44:26 PM”

“Here's a link to our map, I tried to post the actual map but it posted too small to see anything.

http://paigefalk.smugmug.com/gallery/1266788/1/59787249/Original”

“Why on earth would you use "used veterinary tape" to patch up your feet?”

“Ha ha goat, I didn't use "used Veterinary tape" I meant I used Veterinary tape on my feet, sticks like no other tape you've ever tried. You know how bandage tape, duct tape and moleskin never stick while hiking? Well this stuff will stay put for a week after your hike. :)”

“Paige, thanks for the map. Looks like an excellant route and with those pics, I may have to copy this route some day!

Sure know what you mean about vet tape!”

“Tango, you're welcome, hope you can get out there some day, worth the trek. You've been in the GC before?

Glad I am not the only crazy who uses vet tape, gotta be the Curity type though, no other brand compares. I work at a Vet hospital and we like to use the stuff because it stays on the dogs and cats, but feel really bad when we have to take it off the poor critters.”

“Yes, I was on the north rim. Didn't get to hike down though (long story). I will be moving to AZ soon so...

I thank you for you quick answers to my somewhat numerous questions.”

“Cool Paige. Looks as though the NCH group may be planning a trip there next spring. Thanks for the information. Oh, And of course, we would need you for a tour guide. ;)”

“I'd be happy to go, spring is my annual thing in the GC. Permits will be an issue though with a goup over 6. We are limited to the places we can camp as a large group, not too much though, but the permit will be more difficult to get.
Also we should figure out the level of difficulty the trip should be. Difficult, very difficult or totally insane ;)”

“Greap trip report Paige. Great Pic's as well. The group pick of you guys in front of the canyon is outstanding. You guys really look great. Magazine cover great.”

“Thanks for the gear report! Good to hear what you liked and didn't.”

“I'm from Ohio, I'm planning a trip to Yosemite this September...is there a better park in Cal to visit?”

“Nope. Yosemite is pretty cool. My favorite trail in Yosemite is up Lyell Canyon to the lake near the top of Donahue Pass. Ofcourse you have to do Half Dome too!”

“Great gear report, a terrific read, thanks!

Beautiful pictures too, I like the captions. I may have to rethink Webshots.

Your Veterinary tape is similar to self cling Curlex isn't it? Great stuff, though I never would have tried it on a foot, thanks for the education.”

“nice gear report and evaluation. And I love your pictures!
Thanks, paige!”

“Dub, You can't go wrong with Yosemite, good choice. Funny, the hike Jason mentioned is also one of my favorites. I have two sets of photos from that stretch having backpacked it twice, I can send you a link if you'd like.

MtnSteve, thanks, I really like Smugmug and have bailed on Webshots. The Vet tape isn't the selfcling type it's a white 1" Curity bandage type tape.”

“Hey, so back to the beer, wasn't it horribly warm, shaken-up beer as the days went by??

LOL”

“Heineken in the can, tastes pretty good semi warm. I would have chilled it in the river if I didn't think it would have dissapeared ;)

Me "Hey where'd my beer go"?
Crash "What beer, I didn't see no stinkin' beer, bbuurrpp"

After what they did to my nice little message I left on the beach I'll never trust them again, LOL.”

“Paige, please send the link to that trail you guys are talking about in Yosemite...I think I might just have to do that one since it's a favorite of two people here.”

“Here ya go, let me know if I can answer any questions. You can even make a semi loop out of it with the shuttle that Yarts offers. Tuolumne Meadows to Reds Meadow, along the John Muir Trail, a beautiful stretch that is around 35 miles.
http://paigefalk.smugmug.com/gallery/744926/2/32836060

http://community.webshots.com/photo/168182815/1168222834053822516XMTRFk”

“Those pics are sweet. That is for sure where we are going...how much in advance should I reserve campsites? And any recomendations on those?”

“Good gear TR, Paige. I have the BA Seedhouse SL1 as well and love it. Glad it worked so well for you. (And it's so light!!!)”

“Dub, you only need to reserve your entry trailhead and can camp where ever you'd like and exit whenever you'd like.
The Trailhead is Lyell Canyon. Here's a link to the permit page of Yosemite.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/permits.htm

also check out http://www.yarts.com/schedule.html for the shuttle info.

I can recommend good places to camp along the way with a scanned map if you'd like.”

“Thanks Ruby!”

“Definately would like your help. If you could email me since your email isn't listed I'll keep it saved and email you later this year when it comes to trip planning time. The week we have off is late September.”

“Nice report and great gear list!

A few years ago my family and I set off on Xmas day for a six-night trip down the Kaibab Trail.

Two of the boys and I spent three nights at Clear Creek at the end of a ten mile trail from Phantom Ranch.

We brought way too much food........and no beer....>8^[”

“Paige..Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful pictures! I enjoyed your slideshow with my morning coffee. The condor is awesome..that must have been really something to see and be so close, very cool!..I had heard that there recovery is doing really good. It was such a treat for me to see your pictures...GC is one of my most favorite places to backpack & I have not done a trip there in about 7 years & really miss it a lot, there is nothing like it. Looks like you all had an awesome trip.
Thanks again for sharing!”

“Do you really use matches?

Your cool reports make you one of my backpacking heros.”

“Marko, Clearcreek is a consideration for my next trip, do you recommend it?
Madeintahoe Yes, the condor were amazing, a highlight for sure, they have reintroduced a couple hundred back into the wild, but unfortunatley they haven't been able to successfully hatch any in the wild. Hopefully with time this will happen. You have to get yourself back there!
Toejam Ha! I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me! ;)”

“I'm from Ohio, I'm planning a trip to Yosemite this September...is there a better park in Cal to visit?”
Dub

If you are going to Yosemite you better make time for Sequoia and Kings...make a tri-fecta out of it. Yosemite has the valley...they have the BIG TREES”

“Paige, Clear Creek is very nice and way out there at the end of a rugged ten miles.

The trail goes up and over what seem like endless humps(forgot to count) and then descends wickedly to the Clear Creek campground.
In places the descending trail is little more than a scratch on the steep sides.....not dangerous, but don't slip and fall!!

We spent three nights there and on the two free days we explored up and down creek.

We were too late in the day to make the entire six-mile hike down creek to the Colorado.

Hiking up and down Clear Creek was a lot of fun but the early winter days were too short.....great hiking weather, though!!

I did the same trip in January 1975 with some seriously primative gear.......and with no grey hair.”

“Yosemite is one of my fave places! Lyell canyon hike is awesome!”