The Shocking Truth About Backpacking in the Grand Canyon that Nobody tells you

Backpacking in the Grand Canyon is one of the most life-changing experiences you can have. Words really don’t describe what it’s like to spend a few nights below the rim. It’s like peeling back the layers of an onion. And to be fair here, it’s almost IMPOSSIBLE to cover every little tip and trick for backpacking in the canyon. I’ve spent quite a few nights below the rim and this special place requires a lot of special skills. My favorite weather source is weather.gov. You can get pinpoint weather forecasts. Phantom Ranch, the hotel at the bottom of the Rim to Rim Corridor, has the closest weather station to the canyon bottom. HOWEVER, keep in mind if you are headed off-corridor, a lot of the temperatures (especially in the eastern end of the park) are several degrees hotter than Phantom Ranch. Support my channel - buy me a backcountry coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/megintheforest I don't accept sponsored gear or trips. I don't hawk courses. And I don't gatekeep information. My mission is to tell my story completely for free. This channel is completely funded by me. My next favorite resource is the Grand Canyon Hikers and Backpackers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/GCHBA). There are a lot of really serious, well-knowledged & helpful people in that group. If you’re intimidated by backpacking in the Grand Canyon, don’t beat yourself up. That’s the appropriate response to such an intense environment! LASTLY - let’s talk water caching. Here’s how you should label your cache (I use a piece of tape). Put Your name, permit number, and the date you expect to leave. As I mentioned in the video, I’ll give myself 2 extra days so no one takes my cache in case I’m late! Additional Quick tips: Dip your shirt in water on hot days. This can be like wearing an air conditioner! Long-sleeve cotton shirts are preferable for really brutal heat. Carry hiking poles! Your joints will thank you - especially on the downhill! Tell someone your plan. And be sure to check in with them when you get back. Follow me Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Aforestfox/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megintheforest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megintheforest/ Additional Resources Purchase Your America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass and enter Grand Canyon NP at no charge (affiliate link): https://bit.ly/nationalparkspass2024 You MUST have a permit to backpack in the Grand Canyon, here are the details: Grand Canyon Backcountry Permit info: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675337 Map for planning your Grand Canyon Backpacking adventure: https://bit.ly/4esKS7q Top things to do in the Grand Canyon: https://bit.ly/grandcanyonactivities Grand Canyon hikes you’ll want to put on your bucket list: https://bit.ly/grandcanyonhikes Top Grand Canyon views: https://bit.ly/grandcanyonviews Safe and responsible hiking Hiking Safely in the desert: https://bit.ly/deserthikingtips My favorite Grand Canyon Gear: OR Astroman Sun Hoodie: https://alnk.to/fSiBG9O Skratch Labs Hydration Electrolyte powder: https://amzn.to/3FIFQZn SaltTabs Electrolyte Fast Chews (if you don’t like the water): https://amzn.to/4mTuum9 Granite Gear Blaze (for any overall weight above 30 lbs): https://alnk.to/ge87E1A BRS 3000 Campstove (budget-friendly, but flimsy): https://alnk.to/dezeYeS Platypus Gravity Works Filter: https://rei.pxf.io/POvV9e P&G Purifying Packet: https://amzn.to/3SPB7YN Alum Powder: https://amzn.to/4jGUKNz Sea to Summit UL 10L Collapsible Bucket: https://amzn.to/44dB4wg Silver Shadow Mini Sun Umbrella by Six Moon Designs: https://alnk.to/6xMrH5r Gossamer Gear Hands-free Umbrella Pack Clips: https://alnk.to/aWFoduk One Hydration Drinking tube for SmartWater Bottle: https://alnk.to/4XxCRKZ Ratsack medium: https://amzn.to/45R7GNz Sunscreen stick: https://amzn.to/43PDbq9 REI Cork-Grip Hiking Poles: https://rei.pxf.io/POvVZe Freshette Pee Funnel: https://rei.pxf.io/e15EGO Kula Cloth Pee Rag: https://alnk.to/5Q7pLD5 Garmin inReach Mini: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvV0q Gerber Dime Multi-Tool: https://rei.pxf.io/zx5b3r Gossamer Gear Thinlight foam pad: https://alnk.to/eZIOMik Thermarest NeoLoft Pad: https://rei.pxf.io/VxvY9R Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt 20F: https://alnk.to/aWFodLm Duece of Spades Toilet Trowel: https://alnk.to/2Qyx6dv Big Agnes Copper Spur (I own 3 of these tents and LOVE them all): https://rei.pxf.io/2aL5zD More incredible gear I love: https://www.amazon.com/shop/megintheforest #grandcanyon #backpacking #backpackingtips #grandcanyonnationalpark #rimtorim Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 00:23 - Managing the sun and heat 00:36 - Extreme temperature differences between the rim and river 01:04 - Shade management tips 01:22 - How to beat the heat 02:56 - Is backpacking in the Grand Canyon hard? 04:24 - Are maps and GPS devices accurate in the Grand Canyon? 05:11 - What skills do I need to backpack in the Grand Canyon? 06:05 - How to find water in the Grand Canyon 07:44 - Filtering water in the Grand Canyon