Do you remember the most embarrassing moment of your life?

Yo.

I grew up in Grand Canyon National Park and had excursion and out many times. A friend of mine (that occurred to me that an arrow) came to visit and offered to take him on a sightseeing trip in the canyon.

We planned everything, Packed our bags and headed down the road for a day of 3 / 2 nights. We arrived at Bright Angel Campground, set up our tents and began to prepare our good dinner.

Most embarrassing moment was when I realized that almost all our meals were dehydrated and had forgotten to bring a can of fuel for our stove! Oops.

We had to have sandwiches for dinner that night, and reduce our short trip for a full day hiking in the morning.

At least remember the important things!

After a very embarrassing experience, I created a checklist of the Grand Canyon backpacking. I keep it in my bag and refer to it before every trip I do.

Here's the quick version of the things they recommend to take with you on your sightseeing trip to the Grand Canyon:

Security

• Moleskin — because the blisters can really cramp your style
• Gatoraide or Gookenaid – to avoid dehydration, which is very common in the desert heat
• Ibuprofen and / or TigerBalm – The best pain relief muscle
• Sunblock
• Basic first aid kit with an average size Ace bandage
• Indestructible, waterproof first-aid medicine Pocket Wilderness

Emergency Equipment

• A small roll of duct tape
• Flashlight
• Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool

Kitchen Equipment

• Stove, fuel container and waterproof matches
• Pot and pot holder – My stove MSR packages in one of their pots folding
• Cup, plate and utensils
• Food to cook
• Lots of snacks

Clothes

• A pile of clean socks
• Sweatshirt for layers
• Sandals to wear in camp and in the water
• Wide-brimmed rain / shade Hat Light
• Gore-Tex

Other

• Bug repellent
• Water bottles
• Sunglasses
• Tent and sleeping bag
• House
• Toothbrush, toothpaste
• Deodorant

Are you forgetting something? See the full backpacking checklist at http://www.beckysbackyard-grandcanyon.com/backpacking-checklist.html Rebecca Beltran is a former long-time resident of the Grand Canyon National Park. To hear more about what life in a national park is like, and what to see and do when visiting the Grand Canyon, go to http://beckysbackyard-grandcanyon.com

Bright Angel Campground – Phantom Ranch