Bridget
Answer
hi
my family and i camp quite often we are a group of 6 and this is what we bring
tent
blankets
pillows
clothes
towels
shower stuff (shampoo soap wash cloth toothbrush and paste)
toilet paper
its best to put that stuff in its own small bag to easily carry to the bathroom
coolers we bring a few one for meat, one for drinks and ice, the other for things like ketchup mustard lunch meat
food you do not want to buy when you get there
paper plates
plastic silverware
trashbags
paper towels
camping stove
a pot
a pan
anything you want to season your food with
we have a flat skillet (fabulous you can cook almost anything on it $20.00 at walmart)
spatula
stirring spoon
CAN OPENER (we forgot this the first time we went)
if you will be cooking over the fire s grate from the grill
or small portable grill ($10.00 at walmart)
dish soap
sponge
if you pack these things in a plastic tub you can wash your dishes in it after you eat
flashlights
extra batteries
extension cord
small fan (incase it gets to hot)
small heater (incase it gets to cold)
2 strands of x-mas lights where we camp there is a picninc table with a roof and we put the x-mas lights up so at night we have an even amount of light at the table (also fabulous)
hammer and nails (just a few to hang up things on a tree or picnic table ike the x-mas lights bags with snacks or bread)
deck of cards
maybe a board game if you like to play them
chairs to sit on one for each person
we bring glow sticks for the kids
portable dvd player
dvd's
if you are bringing kids try some finger paints playdough or coloring books to keep them busy
and if you are going to have a fire get some fire wood from the store or a chainsaw (incase the only wood you find is large and needs to be cut)
other important thigs are handsanitzer and depending on the place you are camping maybe some 409 or clorox (the bathrooms are sometimes yucky)
bugf spray and sun block
i know it looks like alot but when you get it packed it really is not the much and we use all of it and have a blast each time we camp
if you are primitive camping then perhaps you will not need half of this but some of the comforts of home are nice we really enjoy being out and away from things like the T.V and work and some of the animals you see are amazing
i hope you have fun
hi
my family and i camp quite often we are a group of 6 and this is what we bring
tent
blankets
pillows
clothes
towels
shower stuff (shampoo soap wash cloth toothbrush and paste)
toilet paper
its best to put that stuff in its own small bag to easily carry to the bathroom
coolers we bring a few one for meat, one for drinks and ice, the other for things like ketchup mustard lunch meat
food you do not want to buy when you get there
paper plates
plastic silverware
trashbags
paper towels
camping stove
a pot
a pan
anything you want to season your food with
we have a flat skillet (fabulous you can cook almost anything on it $20.00 at walmart)
spatula
stirring spoon
CAN OPENER (we forgot this the first time we went)
if you will be cooking over the fire s grate from the grill
or small portable grill ($10.00 at walmart)
dish soap
sponge
if you pack these things in a plastic tub you can wash your dishes in it after you eat
flashlights
extra batteries
extension cord
small fan (incase it gets to hot)
small heater (incase it gets to cold)
2 strands of x-mas lights where we camp there is a picninc table with a roof and we put the x-mas lights up so at night we have an even amount of light at the table (also fabulous)
hammer and nails (just a few to hang up things on a tree or picnic table ike the x-mas lights bags with snacks or bread)
deck of cards
maybe a board game if you like to play them
chairs to sit on one for each person
we bring glow sticks for the kids
portable dvd player
dvd's
if you are bringing kids try some finger paints playdough or coloring books to keep them busy
and if you are going to have a fire get some fire wood from the store or a chainsaw (incase the only wood you find is large and needs to be cut)
other important thigs are handsanitzer and depending on the place you are camping maybe some 409 or clorox (the bathrooms are sometimes yucky)
bugf spray and sun block
i know it looks like alot but when you get it packed it really is not the much and we use all of it and have a blast each time we camp
if you are primitive camping then perhaps you will not need half of this but some of the comforts of home are nice we really enjoy being out and away from things like the T.V and work and some of the animals you see are amazing
i hope you have fun
What is it like camping at the bottom of the grand canyon?
april_hwth
I am determined to get to the bottom of the grand canyon. What is it like carrying all that stuff down there? Does the duffel service carry tents? There is no lodging available at Phantom Ranch for hikers until next October. We want to go this Spring. My husband is not crazy about camping. Should we just do some day hikes and not worry about getting to the bottom?
Answer
It is definitely worth trying to get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon as it is a very different (and in my opinion) much more rewarding experience than just staying on the top. There is no feeling on earth like standing beside the muddy waters of the Colorado River with the dark rough walls of the Inner Gorge towering above you. I have been to the bottom over a dozen times and it still makes my heart skip a beat each visit.
Bright Angel campground (the one at the bottom by Phantom Ranch) is about as civilized a backcountry camp site as you are going to find. They have a facet with drinking water and real bathrooms with flush toilets. Each campsite has a picnic table with ammo cans and poles for storing food away from critters. Although it is a large camp area and all the sites are close together, the lush vegitation and the pleasant background noise of nearby Bright Angel creek make it feel very peaceful and not crowded.
As far as how tough it is to backpack down... well, I would say that if you consider yourself fit enough to hike it without a pack than you can probably handle it with one (unless perhaps, you have significant knee or lower back problems). As long as your pack fits correctly, you take your time and stop for rests when you need them than you should not have any problems - especially since you have several months to prepare. I have a couple of friends who are over 40 and a bit over-weight (certainly not athletes) who I have done it with and they did not have problems - they just took it slow at their own pace.
Mr. Danger above has a lot of good tips and suggestions. As he notes, you will want to make sure that you get ready both physically and mentally. Start with going on regular hikes around your home with a small day pack and then try renting or borrowing a pack, load it up with the weight you expect to carry, and try doing some long day hikes with that (doing at least one easy overnight practice trip would be ideal). You are going to want to be building up your leg muscles, increasing your cardio-vascular endurance, and also building up stomach and lower back muscles. Note - it is not training for the olympics - just that if you don't do regular cardio exercise than you should start and make sure that you get a day or two experience carrying a full pack.
As Mr. Danger notes you could try buying stuff on eBay or rent from several places near the canyon. A couple of additional suggestions about packing the canyon for the first time:
1) While it does not have to be the ultra-ligh high-end stuff, make sure that you get true backpacking equipment. You do not want to be carrying an 10lb 'car camping' tent or other much heavier equipment. If your entire pack - including water - is over 30lbs than something is wrong.
2) Fit is everything. Regardless of if it is bought, borrowed or rented find somebody knowledgeable to guide you in loading and fitting your pack. I will take a well-balanced well-fit heavy pack over a poorly packed, ill-fitting light pack any day. Remember that the weight should ride on your hips, not your shoulders.
3) Invest in some trekking poles (look like ski poles). These make a huge difference by taking strain off your back and knees and improving your balance. Having a pair of trekking poles is like taking 10lbs off your pack.
4) Be warned that the South Rim is at 7000 feet and does experience snow and freezing temps in winter. Icy patches can be quite common on the upper stretches of trails well into April. Check with the backcountry office before you go - if they are really icy, you will want to have instep crampons.
5) See about getting your meals at the Phantom Ranch canteen. Even if you are not staying in the dorms/cabins, they always have extra dinners and breakfast seats that backpackers can reserve (you MUST have reservations - made through Xanterra). Although a bit pricy, the food is good and it means you don't have to carry food or cooking supplies. Bag lunches (as well as individual snack items) can be bought at the canteen without reservation.
6) Backcountry camping permits are selected 4 months in advance. Spring is a popular time for backpacking in the canyon, so permits get picked quickly. If for instance, you want to go in April, than you should have your permit request sent in well before January 1 (see link below).
As far as duffel service goes... yes, (for most of the year anyways) you can hire a mule to carry your gear. The gear must fit in a space of 36x20x13 inches, which could prove a challenge for two people's gear. It costs about $60 per duffel per trip (ie: one trip down and one trip up) and you can only drop-off and pick-up your gear at certain times during the day. You are still going to have to carry a day pack with water, snacks and probably some bad weather gear. Considering the hassle and expense of the duffels, I would say just backpack it - it is a great experience and the feeling of accomplishment and independence that you get when you come out of the canyon carrying your own gear is something you will remember for the rest of your life.
It is definitely worth trying to get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon as it is a very different (and in my opinion) much more rewarding experience than just staying on the top. There is no feeling on earth like standing beside the muddy waters of the Colorado River with the dark rough walls of the Inner Gorge towering above you. I have been to the bottom over a dozen times and it still makes my heart skip a beat each visit.
Bright Angel campground (the one at the bottom by Phantom Ranch) is about as civilized a backcountry camp site as you are going to find. They have a facet with drinking water and real bathrooms with flush toilets. Each campsite has a picnic table with ammo cans and poles for storing food away from critters. Although it is a large camp area and all the sites are close together, the lush vegitation and the pleasant background noise of nearby Bright Angel creek make it feel very peaceful and not crowded.
As far as how tough it is to backpack down... well, I would say that if you consider yourself fit enough to hike it without a pack than you can probably handle it with one (unless perhaps, you have significant knee or lower back problems). As long as your pack fits correctly, you take your time and stop for rests when you need them than you should not have any problems - especially since you have several months to prepare. I have a couple of friends who are over 40 and a bit over-weight (certainly not athletes) who I have done it with and they did not have problems - they just took it slow at their own pace.
Mr. Danger above has a lot of good tips and suggestions. As he notes, you will want to make sure that you get ready both physically and mentally. Start with going on regular hikes around your home with a small day pack and then try renting or borrowing a pack, load it up with the weight you expect to carry, and try doing some long day hikes with that (doing at least one easy overnight practice trip would be ideal). You are going to want to be building up your leg muscles, increasing your cardio-vascular endurance, and also building up stomach and lower back muscles. Note - it is not training for the olympics - just that if you don't do regular cardio exercise than you should start and make sure that you get a day or two experience carrying a full pack.
As Mr. Danger notes you could try buying stuff on eBay or rent from several places near the canyon. A couple of additional suggestions about packing the canyon for the first time:
1) While it does not have to be the ultra-ligh high-end stuff, make sure that you get true backpacking equipment. You do not want to be carrying an 10lb 'car camping' tent or other much heavier equipment. If your entire pack - including water - is over 30lbs than something is wrong.
2) Fit is everything. Regardless of if it is bought, borrowed or rented find somebody knowledgeable to guide you in loading and fitting your pack. I will take a well-balanced well-fit heavy pack over a poorly packed, ill-fitting light pack any day. Remember that the weight should ride on your hips, not your shoulders.
3) Invest in some trekking poles (look like ski poles). These make a huge difference by taking strain off your back and knees and improving your balance. Having a pair of trekking poles is like taking 10lbs off your pack.
4) Be warned that the South Rim is at 7000 feet and does experience snow and freezing temps in winter. Icy patches can be quite common on the upper stretches of trails well into April. Check with the backcountry office before you go - if they are really icy, you will want to have instep crampons.
5) See about getting your meals at the Phantom Ranch canteen. Even if you are not staying in the dorms/cabins, they always have extra dinners and breakfast seats that backpackers can reserve (you MUST have reservations - made through Xanterra). Although a bit pricy, the food is good and it means you don't have to carry food or cooking supplies. Bag lunches (as well as individual snack items) can be bought at the canteen without reservation.
6) Backcountry camping permits are selected 4 months in advance. Spring is a popular time for backpacking in the canyon, so permits get picked quickly. If for instance, you want to go in April, than you should have your permit request sent in well before January 1 (see link below).
As far as duffel service goes... yes, (for most of the year anyways) you can hire a mule to carry your gear. The gear must fit in a space of 36x20x13 inches, which could prove a challenge for two people's gear. It costs about $60 per duffel per trip (ie: one trip down and one trip up) and you can only drop-off and pick-up your gear at certain times during the day. You are still going to have to carry a day pack with water, snacks and probably some bad weather gear. Considering the hassle and expense of the duffels, I would say just backpack it - it is a great experience and the feeling of accomplishment and independence that you get when you come out of the canyon carrying your own gear is something you will remember for the rest of your life.
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