This is my gear list for a January 2012 trip in the Grand Canyon. It’s virtually the exact same as the three-season backpacking gear that I carry on the long-distance trails.
My base weight for this list is around 17 to 18 pounds, and has me prepared for all but the worst of winter conditions. The weight fluctuates a lot. I try to go light, but don’t get too crazy about it. The base weight doesn’t include shoes, t-shirt, underwear, and a single pair of socks… or food, water, and stove fuel of course.
Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera
This is bulky and weighs over a pound. If my budget allowed, I’d upgrade to a D5100
I always have at least one extra battery. A full charge on the D3100 lasts me about three or four days of hiking and shooting all day.
If I went ultralight and didn’t want to haul a DSLR up and down the trails, I’d probably have a Canon S95
ULA Catalyst Backpack
This company makes the best backpacks for thru-hiking the long distance trails. It’s virtually impossible to hike the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or any such acronym without seeing one. ULA used to be a sort of secret… the packs were literally sewn in founder Brian Frankle’s garage in Utah. After my pack was finally in need of replacement after heavy abuse in the off-trail, thorn-infested backcountry of Grand Canyon, I replaced it with another Catalyst without hesitation. My only other consideration was the smaller and lighter Circuit, also by ULA.
I use their designated rain cover as well.
Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 1 Tent
This is a new tent. I haven’t truly tested it yet in poor weather, and can’t offer much of an opinion because I’m still getting accustomed to this new home in the backcountry. It’s a replacement for my old trusty REI Quarter Dome T1, which I absolutely love. It fit my 6’0 frame perfectly and stood up to relentless wind and rain for quite a few years. I picked up the Fly Creek UL1 at a significant discount, and it weighs about a whole pound less.
Sierra Designs Nitro 15-degree down Sleeping Bag
I’ve had this for about five years. Most of the loft is now gone, and it’s certainly no longer good down to fifteen degrees. I hope to replace it soon with a Marmot Helium
Merrell Moab Ventilator Shoes
My first pair of these shoes lasted for more than 1,000 miles of backpacking.
Enough said.
I’ve heard of similar or even better results from other hikers.
I also have a pair of Montrail Mountain Masochist
Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Sleeping Pad
I used to like the inflatable therm-a-rest pads.After a puncture or two, I now use this. It’s still comfortable, lighter, and so much more durable, especially for those Grand Canyon treks where cactus needles are everywhere. I prefer this small version to save a little extra weight and bulkiness. I just stuff some extra clothes at the foot of my tent to make up the extra length.
Katadyn Hiker Water Filter
This is still my favorite, old stand-by method of water treatment – descendent of the PUR Hiker – basically the same product. I’ve used iodine, used nothing at all, and toyed with plenty of other people’s filters and methods (MSR, bleach, Aquamira, etc.), and I still turn to this. Don’t get the PRO version, it’s inferior.
I always have a small bottle of iodine tablets
CamelBak Omega HydroTanium Replacement Reservoir
My hikes in the arid “dry heat” of the Desert Southwest require a lot of water. Sometimes I carry two gallons, and it’s surely more efficient to have one of these(The 100 ounce size) than three water bottles. It’s also crucial to stay hydrated while on the move. Mice just love to chew on the tips of these things, so I try to keep an extra bite valve
Water Bottle
Instead of a classic Nalgene-style bottle, I just use the 32-ounce Gatorade or Vitamin Water bottles. Sometimes I’ll have an extra plastic lid in case I drop it in a crevice between rocks or something.
MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
I formerly used a self-built denatured alcohol Pepsi-can stove… it weighed nothing and cost nothing, and the fuel was available in just about any gas station (Gas line anti-freeze), but the thing sure was “ghetto.” I got tired of waiting forever for it to boil water, and didn’t trust it at elevation, so I picked up a Pocket Rocket for the John Muir Trail. Now I love cooking – this little thing is so fast and easy.
ISOPRO fuel canister
I’ll typically boil a liter of water for a single dinner, and then let it simmer for about five minutes. An 8-ounce canister usually lasts me for about six days.
MSR Two Liter Stainless Steel Pot
I use a big pot for cooking. I can cook two Knorr(Lipton) meals in this thing. I can cook a pound of spaghetti in it. Oh yeah. It’s not too big for the Pocket Rocket. The fuel can and Pocket Rocket Stove fit inside it just right for convenient packing.
Victorinox Swiss Army Climber II Pocket Knife
Just a typical Swiss Army Knife – I use it for a lot of things… like picking food out of my teeth, or ticks out of my flesh… and opening bottles of wine… and bottles of micro-brew… and opening cans of tuna. I guess I occasionally use it to cut things too. I’ve had this one for quite a while, since before my long bicycle tour in 2006.
Petzl Tikka Headlamp
Petzl makes the best headlamps, thought I think Princeton Tech is finally catching up. I bought the original Tikka in Hot Springs, North Carolina along the Appalachian Trail in 2001. I saw that everybody else on the trail had one, and figured that they must be on to something. The original one I bought ten years ago was working just fine when I replaced it with this in 2009.
Silva Polaris Compass
Tells me which way is north… a gift from my dad before I began The Appalachian Trail in 2001. High sentimental value. I guess I’m still in the dark ages because I’ve never backpacked with a GPS.
Ursack Minor Food Bag
This is the best solution for carrying food in the Grand Canyon, or any similar place where bears aren’t a big concern, but mice and rodents certainly are… they supposedly can’t chew through this thing, and haven’t gotten into mine yet. Check out the slightly heavier Outsak too.
Bear Vault BV500
Only for bear country – this is the best bear canister for the John Muir Trail, or any other place that requires them.
Slide Stopper Cleats
These are simple cheap crampons that I use for icy conditions at the top of the Grand Canyon in winter. They slip off your shoes if you don’t tie them into the laces. For something a little more fancy, check out the popular Kahtoola Microspikes
Marmot Precip Rain Jacket
This is an absolute favorite among thru-hikers. It’s lightweight, durable, has few bells and whistles, stuffs small… works. I own the matching pants but rarely carry them.
Socks
I never have more than two pairs of socks with me, and usually don’t even bring the second pair. I was a loyal Smartwool customer for many years, but I’ve finally come to the conclusion that they wear out too quickly. For now I’m experimenting with whatever I get my hands on. Right now I’m still burning through a pair that I found on a sandy beach along the Colorado River. The REI Merino seem to have a good value and reputation, so I’m going to try those next.
3 Cotton Bandannas One for cleaning my glasses and camera lens, one for sweat and wearing on my head, one for blowing my nose… maybe this is one too many. The key word here is cotton, – this is the only cotton in my pack.
Patagonia Capilene Mid-Weight Long Underwear
Often I consider getting some convertible zipper pants
ExOfficio Boxer Brief
Yeah. That’s my underwear. On the world-wide-web.
Shorts
Just a cheap lightweight pair of synthetic athletic shorts from Wal-Mart.
2 T-Shirts
Same deal, anything synthetic is good. I think I got mine at Target for $10 per shirt. If you like to spend twice as much, go Patagonia
Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Just any old synthetic long sleeve t-shirt – the one I wear most is from an Old Navy store. A similar alternative is the Columbia Silver Ridge
Fleece Hoodie
I’ve had this for six or seven years (Since before my big bicycle tour) and I’m very attached to it. Doubles as my pillow at night. I got it from a Kohl’s department store – much cheaper than those fancy North Face / Columbia fleece jackets, and still going strong after many many miles of use and abuse.
Outdoor Research Base Glove
These are the most recent name-brand gloves I bought… I never seem to last a single winter without losing a glove, so I’ve resorted to whatever I find cheap at Walmart.
Beanie Hat
Again, I wear whatever I find cheap at Walmart that’s made of synthetic material.
Wide-Brim Floppy Sun Protection Hat
My favorite hat ever – fits in my pocket folded-up. Made by RoyalResortwear though I can’t find it on their website. Sometimes after my face gets a little too much sun on a windy day I consider switching over to a hard-brimmed baseball hat, with a bandana rigged out the back over my neck.
Casio Wristwatch
This thing is a classic! Pure efficient simplicity at it’s finest. I don’t need a barometer reading or crummy elevation gauge etc.
Lexan Spoon
just one of those generic cutlery spoons you can find in any camping department
Car Keys
Wallet
A small billfold or just an ID and cash makes more sense, but often I’m just lazy and carry my whole wallet.
Parachute Cord
I think I have about 40 feet.
Ziploc Bags
love those easy zippers
Duct Tape
Mirror
one of those generic camping department signal mirrors
Chapstick
Cigarette Lighter
Toothbrush
Some ultra-light hikers actually like to saw the handle off of their toothbrush. Hmmm.
Toothpaste
It makes sense to hunt down a travel-sized tube.
Maps
Toilet Paper
Last but not least. For a long hike I like to start with a full-size roll, just to see how long it takes to use it all up. 
