My Packing List for Rim to Rim - Fall 2023

Packing Lists
Written By Courtney D

This was an interesting challenge because this was not only the first time I solo backpacked, not only was the water line out for half the trail, but I also had to fly to Phoenix and drive to the South Rim and had no local support systems. I know I brought way more than I ended up using, so at the end is a section on what I’d do differently next time I go.

When planning my gear, I tended to over-pack and to use items I had on-hand or borrowed. So in this list you’ll see a mix of ultralight and regular camping gear. My final pack weight was around 35 lbs, which was ~20% of my bodyweight at the time.

Disclaimer: None of the links below are affiliate links (as of 17 Aug 2024).

  • Worn Gear

  • Water

  • Food

  • Sleep & Camp

  • Additional Clothing

  • Hygiene & First Aid

  • Personal Items

  • What I’d do differently

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L

My packing list evolved as I trained. What you see here was not the final form!

Packing List

Worn Gear

My approach to worn gear changed as I trained. I was set on hiking in Athleta Trekkie North Joggers for several months. As the weather heated up and I did more hiking trips in them, I found that I sweat a ton and this made the pants so baggy I had to constantly pull them up. I also trained in my Brooks trail runners primarily, but ultimately switched to Altra’s Lone Peak 6 which I found to be more comfortable in the toe box.

  • Lululemon Wunder Train

    • I picked these because of the color and they also provide sun protection. I chose a long pant / legging to reduce the amount of sunscreen application required, and to eliminate worries of thigh chafe.

  • Athleta Conscious Crop

    • This is one of my all-time favorite light support bras. I weight train in these, wear them around the house, and do lightweight activity such as yoga, walking, and hiking.

  • Synthetic/Performance underwear

  • REI Sun Protection hoodie

    • I picked a sun hoodie to reduce the amount of sunscreen application required.

  • Life Is Good Chill Cap

    • Having a cotton hat allowed me to soak it in the Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River as a cooling mechanism while hiking. Since cotton dries slower than synthetic fabrics, it kept my head nice and cool.

  • Altra Lone Peak 6

  • Injiji socks

  • Gossamer Gear - Mariposa 60 Backpack (size M)

    • This came at recommendation from my sister, and Gossamer Gear did not disappoint! This has a internal frame. I love the side pockets that allow me easy access to the water bottles without taking off my pack. This had plenty of capacity for my overpacking. The front strap also functions as a whistle!

  • Rain Protection

    • Although it was not likely to rain during my trip, I placed all my gear inside a plastic liner within my backpack. Additionally, I brought a rain cover that I already owned that fit over the pack.

  • Fanny pack

  • L.L.Bean trekking poles

    • These are not the most lightweight poles ever. They came with a snowshoeing kit that I received many years ago. Why buy new when you can use what you got?

    • Using trekking poles also gave me hiking confidence and totally saved my knees. I had zero knee pain the entire trip.

  • Sunscreen (SPF 50 & 30)

  • Sunglasses

Water

Before I left, the reports from the NPS said that the majority of the water line along the North Kaibab trail was completely out of service. Because of this, I brought not just water bottles to refill but also backup filtration systems. I hadn’t been in the desert for a while or at altitude, so I was very insecure about the whole water situation. Ultimately, I started each day with 5L total of water which might have been overkill. I didn’t die of dehydration though!

  • 3L Camelbak Bladder

  • 2 Smart Water bottles

  • Mini Nalgene

  • Platypus flitration system

  • Aquamira

Food

When hiking in the desert, bring salty snacks! It’s important to not just drink water but to ensure that you’re consuming salt to help you stay hydrated. The NPS has many warnings and brochures that you should review when planning your own food.

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/intro-bc-hike.pdf

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hike-smart.htm

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hiking-faq.htm#CP_JUMP_1900774

  • Vitamins

  • Meat sticks

  • Salty nuts

  • Larabars

  • Dehydrated meals

    • I aimed for about 500-600 Calories per meal, and stopped for 3 meals a day in addition to grazing on snacks.

  • Chocolate

    • I had bought chocolate at the South Rim to have as a snack. I thought at the time I’d be able to finish it before it melted terribly. I was wrong! Never again.

  • Salt

    • I brought salt to mix in with water. Never consume salt on its own. When you consume salt on its own it draws water out of your body and dehydrates you.

  • Liquid IV

  • Instant coffee & matcha

    • I was delusional about caffeine consumption and thought that I’d want to have matcha and coffee on my hike. Turns out I was wrong! I did end up using the packets while camping at the North Rim, but I’m not brining caffeine on a hike like this again.

Sleep & Camp

  • Gossamer Gear The One tent

    • I enjoyed using this tent. I was suspicious at first of a tent that wasn’t freestanding, but The One was perfect. Easy to set up, and plenty spacious for me and all my gear.

  • Footprint

  • Solo Minimo stove

    • I bought fuel for my stove at the South Rim the night before I started my hike.

  • Plastic Camp Spoon

  • Headlamp

  • Insulated mug

  • REI Co-Op Stuff Travel Pack

    • This (not exact model) has been one of my most-used and versatile pieces of gear since 2021. I brought this as a daypack for canoeing in the Boundary Waters and since been using it as my gym bag. On this trip I used it as a carry-on bag for my flights and as a pillow by stuffing my fleece and other extra gear inside. When I got to the North Rim and spent a few days there, this was my bag to carry everything I needed. It’s a must for me for all my adventures.

  • Quilt - Hammock Gear Burrow 30

    • I borrowed this quilt, and it is fantastic. I absolutely did not need it at Cottonwood Campground, but at the North Rim this was perfect.

  • Sea to Summit inflatable mattress

    • I’ve had this inflatable mattress since my first trip to the Grand Canyon in 2017. It is comfortable, and I’ve never had any issues with it. I’m a stomach and side sleeper.

  • Odlo wool base layer leggings

  • Darn Tough wool socks

  • Title Nine Henrietta long sleeve top

Additional Clothing

  • REI hard shell

  • L.L.Bean fleece

  • Xero sandals

  • Fleece headband

  • Athleta Ultimate Train Short-sleeve

  • More underwear

  • More bras

  • Second pair of pants

  • Athleta Running shorts

  • Mid-weight gloves

Hygiene & First Aid

  • Sea to Summit wipes

  • Toothbrush

  • Toothpaste

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Trowel

  • Wander Woman Cloth

  • Moleskin

  • Tent repair kit

  • Emergency / Reflective blanket

  • First aid kit

  • Multitool

  • Camp soap

Personal Items

  • Night guard

  • Glasses & case

  • Contacts

  • Contact solution/case

  • Mini Hairbrush

  • Deodorant

  • Lip balm

  • Shampoo and conditioner for North Rim

  • Face wash

  • Lotion

  • Microfiber mini towel

  • Bandana

  • ID, Copies of my itinerary, credit cards, cash

  • Map & Compass

  • Rental Car keys

  • Journal & pen

  • Cell phone (my camera)

  • Garmin watch

  • HR monitor

  • 2 portable batteries & charging cords

Hammock Gear Burrow 30 Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Packing

This is much closer to my final packing list minus the worn clothing. 

What I’d do differently

For the same hike, in the same time of year, here’s what I’d do differently.

What I’d leave behind

  • Shampoo and conditioner, Deodorant

    • You can buy this in the camp store at the North Rim Campground. It’s expensive, but if you’re not strapped for cash it’d be worth not carrying this in your pack.

  • Stove

    • I bought fuel at the South Rim and ended up giving the used canister to a car camper at the North Rim. When I went in September, it was always too hot to eat hot food or enjoy a hot drink. Instead, I’d cold-soak all my food.

  • Leave the cash at home

    • I hadn’t realized that all National Parks are now cashless. However, if you want to take a shower at the North Rim Campground, they still require quarters. They have a cash-to-quarters machine in the laundry area if you want to bring a few small bills to convert.

  • HR monitor

  • Platypus Filtration System

    • I liked having a backup in case I really needed water, but ultimately I think the Aquamira provides filtration while being lighter and less bulky. I look forward to using my Platypus system on future non-backpacking trips.

  • SPF 30

    • Really there’s no reason to bring both SPF 30 and SPF 50.

  • Insulated Mug

    • I’d keep just the Nalgene since it is BPA free and hot drinks weren’t really useful. Having a smaller bottle to mix things into is nice so you don’t have to contaminate your primary water bottles with whatever flavored packs you’re using.

  • Smaller charging battery

What I’d bring next time & swaps

  • Satellite communicator

    • This would have been wiser than relying on the cell service (I had basically no coverage).

  • Swap Liquid IV for a higher calorie electrolyte mix

  • Swap Camelbak bladder for an easier-to close system

  • Swap plastic camp spoon for titanium long-handle spoon

  • Swap Altra Lone Peak 6 for… something?

    • On the second day, I found I had a huge rub along the inside arch of my foot which matched the seam between the insole and the side of my shoes. I put on some moleskin to prevent further injury, but I am not sure that these shoes were best for me for a backpacking trip of this length carrying this amount of weight. I still love hiking and trail running in my Lone Peaks and recently did a short out-and-back hiking trip in them on the PCT.

Courtney D
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