Solar camping equipment – Hiking the Grand Canyon offers some of the toughest backpacking found anywhere in the world. Steep trails, screed that makes you feel like your walking on marbles, intense heat, fast changing weather, and elusive water and shade combine to make for harsh conditions. I have experienced 100 degrees in the afternoon and snow and 40 MPH winds in the evening. Over 240 visitors are rescued from the Canyon for medical emergencies by the park service each year. Proper planning and conditioning is a must but it is not enough. When you are in the canyon, your mind is freed from everything except whats in front of your face at that moment in time. Might not sound like fun but to have a chance to marvel at the unfolding beauty of the Inner Canyon is something to see.
Thinking back on my worse day, it brings a smile to my face. To experience the sheer magnitude and quiet vastness of the Grand Canyon, one must travel by foot through the back-country. Far below the rim and free from the crowds.You can travel back millions of years through geological time and touch ancient artifacts and wonder what it was like then and there. For those that are capable it is truly an experience not to be missed.Time spent in the wilderness below the rim of the Grand Canyon is an experience unlike any other, and a self-supported, participatory journey on foot from the rim to the river and back constitutes with 30-45 lbs of gear is a milestone accomplishment for any backpacker.
In 6 weeks I will be stepping off the rim into Red Canyon and entering another time and place like no other. Alone in the wilderness with only my thoughts and wits trying not to become one of those 240 statistics you hear about. Twisting canyons, steep ledges and cliffs that will need to be scaled to get to the next resting spot.
I will be taking the Brunton Restore with me to recharge my iPod and camera which is a must for any trip into the wild.
