A Grand Canyon expedition is the trip of a lifetime, an adventure unrivaled in terms of the spectacular surroundings as well as the sheer excitement of rafting the big waters of the Colorado River. Unlike other vacations such as to a tropical locale or a ski resort, packing for a Grand Canyon rafting trip requires that you literally take everything you need along for the ride. Given that some trips can last two weeks or longer, that’s quite the haul. Not only that, but necessary supplies can vary from one time of year to another. In order to be prepared for each season, it’s best to adhere to a packing list.
Trip Options and Packing
Commercially guided Grand Canyon rafting tours take care of all the packing for you, with the exception of personal items. If you’re rafting the river in a private group, however, you’ll have to do the packing yourself. There are outfits that will supply your group with virtually everything you need, but if you decide to do it yourself, following a checklist created by expert rafters is the best way to go about it.
Needs for Every Trip
Regardless of the season, certain items are always a necessity. These include the obvious:
• Food for the entire duration of the trip plus a water purification system
• Camping gear including tents, sleeping bags, and mats
• Cooking gear like a stove, propane canisters, matches, pots, pans, utensils, and tools
• Safety gear including personal flotation devices for every rafter, helmets, oar gloves and a satellite phone in case of emergency
• Sanitation and cleaning supplies including a portable toilet and biodegradable soap for washing dishes
The right clothing for the season is important, too. Several t-shirts, a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, dry shorts, a swimsuit, and several pairs of socks and undergarments should all be packed. A lightweight jacket and heavier sweater for the evenings are necessary. Plan on bringing a good pair of sandals or raft shoes as well as a pair of lightweight hiking shoes, too, for the canyon offers ample opportunities for short hikes during the trip. More personal necessities include rain gear, a sun hat and sunglasses (both with retention straps), a wool stocking hat for cool nights, and a bandanna or two.
Other Items
If you think the list is long now, just wait – there’s more. Sunscreen is a must, especially for summer trips, as is a rugged water bottle and insect repellent. A personal toiletry kit should include soap, shampoo, tooth care supplies, as well as a towel. Medications, allergy-related supplies, and vitamins, if necessary, need to be brought along in addition to a first aid kit.
Other things that will come in handy include a small roll of duct tape for making unforeseen repairs, a flashlight or headlamp (it gets mighty dark out there at night), Ziploc bags to keep small items dry and clean, and a large trash bag for garbage. In addition, you might consider bringing a pair of binoculars or a camera, a journal or sketchbook if you enjoy recording the day’s adventures, and a good book for passing some of the time.
More Considerations
Each member of your group should have their own dry bag to keep their items from getting soaked as you head down the river. Smaller, sealable bags help keep personal electronics dry. Any electronic items you bring should be small and light enough not to be cumbersome, as should their protective cases.
Since the Colorado River is always about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, some people bring a wet or dry suit whatever the season. This is a must if you go down the river anytime other than the summer, as hypothermia only takes a few minutes to set in. Also, warmer clothing for the colder evenings during non-summer trips is not just sensible – it’s a must.
Remember, commercially guided tours pack everything for you except your personal items. Grand Canyon rafting guides know what and how much to bring, whether the trip is two days or two weeks. Self-guided tours require a lot more attention to detail. It’s not as though you can drive to a store and pick up what you need or stop off at a restaurant along the way. When rafting through the Grand Canyon, you are surrounded by wilderness, so being fully prepared is the only way to enjoy it safely and comfortably.
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