Personal Gear
From Rafting Grand Canyon
- River Water Gear
At a minimum, good rain pants and a long cut rain jacket are essential. Bib overall bottoms and spray top (Kokatat)are almost essential for winter, and while not necessary for summer, they help keep you warm on a monsoon afternoon (July-Aug). In winter trips, Some people are comfortable in a Dry Suit, and some are happy with a wet-suit. In the spring and fall, at a minimum, good rain pants and a long cut rain jacket are essential, and Bib overall bottoms and spray top (Kokatat)would be desired.
- Rain pants
Good quality. See River Water Gear.
- Rain Jacket
Wind/rain proof, long cut. See River Water Gear.
- Irrigation boots/inserts
Winter only, 1 size too big, to accommodate thick socks
- River sandals/hiking shoes
Camp Booties (winter, 1 pair) River Sandals (No Velcro! 1 pair) Light weight Hiking Boots (1 pair)
- Diary
Stamps, Envelopes, Address, Money, calling card #, for Phantom Ranch Journal Paper, Pen Books to read (more in winter) paper/pencil & stamps/addresses for Phantom Ranch postcard mailing
- Towel
Medium size bath towel (1)
- Soap/shampoo/razor/shaving gel
All-in-one shampoo/conditioner (small bottle, safe top) Dental floss Toothbrush and toothpaste Hair brush Hair ties Signal Mirror (for toilet kit and emergency use in a pinch) Tampons/cup Hand lotion, Aloe gel, sun screen, chapstick: (lots!) Wash cloth
- Sun screen
- Sunglasses (plus a backup for broken or lost pair)
- Hats
Sun Hats (2, wide brim to protect head, face, and neck, preferably crushable, with some sort of tie strap) Balaclava or sock hat (2, winter only)
- Dental floss/toothbrush/paste
- Undies/socks/t-shirts/swim pants or swim suits
Underwear (2-3 pair summer, 6-8 winter) Socks (2 cotton, 1 wool summer, 4-5 wool winter) Swimsuit (1 or 2)
- Shorts (several) and cotton skirt or scrub pants (for summer, not gender specific)
Warm pants (wool, fleece, or pile. 1 pair summer, 2 to 3 pair winter) Shorts (quick dry, not cotton) for river (2) Shorts, Cotton or other comfy (1 or 2) Light sun pants (loose, quick-dry 1 pair summer/winter) Sarong: This is a lightweight cotton wraparound for wearing in camp, on the boat, or hiking. Very comfy & versatile, just get 45-50" of fabric in your favorite pattern, wrap around your waist, enjoy.)
- Sweater/poly top/bottom
Pile/Fleece jacket or wool sweater (2 for winter, 1 for summer) Polypro underwear or equivalent top and bottom (3 pair in winter, 1 in summer)
- Shirts/T-shirts
Warm shirt (1 summer, 2 to 3 winter) Long sleeve white cotton shirt (3 in summer, 1-2 in winter) Tee shirts (4 in summer, 2 in winter) Tee shirts (long sleeve for sun protection) (2-3 summer and winter)
- Camera/film
More film/cards than you expect to need Extra camera battery. Some folks bring a solar charger for digital camera battery recharging
- Photo ID/cash
- Ammo can (personal size)
Carabineers (1-10), (personalize them with your own colored tape pattern ) Ammo Can(s) for quick-draw day stuff (painted as you like)
- Misc:
Gloves (2 pair woolen in winter, 1 pair leather or cotton in summer) Post-trip change of clothes to leave in car Needle and thread Rubber Bands Baby pins (half dozen, misc. sizes) Binoculars Mole skin (limited use) Handkerchief Pocket Knife Flashlight (4-D cell cap lamp for winter or Pitzl) Extra Batteries and bulb for Head lamp Sun glasses (with Chums!) (2 pair) Spare prescription eyewear (eye glass repair kit-coordinate) Backgammon, cards (coordinate) Rock climbing gear (coordinate) Musical instruments (coordinate) Solar shower (Summer, heat water with stove in the winter. coordinate) Library (bird book, geology book, star book-coordinate) Stash of personal munchies Personal Meds (If drug dependent, meds split into 2 supplies and stashed on 2 different boats.)
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