Anyone ever backpacked in the Grand Canyon?

[MartianDestiny]

nylons under socks. Who knew? I'll definitely try that- thanks for the tip!

Thanks for your help, everyone!

sunlightbrite- you gotta try to talk him into it!

I wear "liner" socks sometimes. Basically the same idea as nylons (they help with friction) but a little thicker and designed for hiking/backpacking. Honestly, with GOOD wool socks (read: Smartwool) I haven't needed them and found them a burden (they inhibit the wicking of good wool socks and then I get heat/sweat related issues between my toes, especially in hot areas, so I feel like I'm trading one evil (blisters) for another. Smartwool is enough to keep the blisters at bay 90% of the time, so I tend not to bother with the liners anymore). With mediocre wool socks they are a Godsend though.

Best bet: Know your equipment beforehand. Break in your boots, wear the socks, etc. Find the problems and adjust before you go.

[Irulan]

next summer

Summer? Are you sure you want to do that? Temps can exceed 115 or more in the main canyon, and it does not cool off much at night.
November through April are the "temperate" months.

Our river permit is for June of '11, and we are planning for 100+ degrees every day.

for best months and temperatures,
http://www.grandcanyonhiker.com/plan...er/index.shtml has very good info.

On other notes, you might look into some of the info on such sites like Lightweight backpacker. http://www.backpacking.net/
While you don't need to go the way of fanatical ultralight backpacking, there are many good things you can do to get your baseweight down. Especially for women who are smaller, this is really important. Some of the internal frame packs out there ( you cite an Osprey) that you like, are really heavy just to do so many buckles, webbing straps, and other doodads built in. You might compare that to some of the gear made by Go-Lite, for example.
Boots is another area where the lightweight offerings are just amazing. Nothing like the solid leather pivettas and asolo's I strarted with years ago.

[Tri Girl]

November through April are the "temperate" months.

I know- and just the months I'm teaching school and only have 2 personal days a year to use.
Oh, trust me- if I could go any other time I would. I don't have a normal job and can't take off time during the school year.
Plus, DH has to ask for leave off in November for the following year and since he's low on the seniority list- he doesn't ever get weeks like spring break off.

I know it'll be crazy, crazy hot, but I'll be OK. I figure I already deal with 100-105+ degree temps here during the summer (with 80% humidity)... it'll just be tough and we'll have to have plenty of water.



Thanks for the backpacker site- looks really great!! I appreciate you sharing it!

[Irulan]

eh, plan around spring or winter break if you can. It's really brutal down there.

(says the woman who will spend three weeks on a raft in June 2011)