2025 Winter Grand Canyon
- Category Price Weight
-
Water
$0.00
4.41 lb
-
Clothes, Worn
$0.00
0 lb
-
Sleep
$531.89
2.82 lb
-
Clothes, Carried
$508.27
2.56 lb
-
Food
$30.00
2 lb
-
Pack
$300.00
1.46 lb
-
Shelter
$261.50
1.36 lb
-
Electronics
$120.94
0.93 lb
-
Kitchen
$161.23
0.79 lb
-
Ditty
$27.42
0.23 lb
-
Water
$2.00
0.22 lb
-
Toilet
$0.00
0.06 lb
-
Navigation
$0.00
0.03 lb
Grand Canyon, 5 days early Feb. Hermit Trail/West Rim and South Rim. Expect temps 10F-65F. Winter-like conditions on the South Rim, winter-to-spring-like conditions in the canyon. About 12 hours of light from dawn to dusk. Extended dark means extended time at camp.
Goals and food for thought: I am looking for a place I can love, a place that I can return to time and time again and have different experiences. Learn to stretch my comfort into winter-like conditions and see if winter @ GC works for me.
The South Rim will be cold! There will likely be snow on the ground, the upper ~1,000 ft of canyon will be ice. Nights will likely be 20F +/- 10F. Strong winds are likely at times. There may be a snowstorm that drops a foot of snow. Inside the canyon conditions can be highly variable, anywhere from t-shirt weather to rain to whiteout snow.
I need to swap out my three-season shelter and sleep system for more appropriate winter gear so I am safe and comfortable in these conditions. I start with my usual hiking/thru-hiking kit and bump up the low temp comfort, switching to the warmest versions of stuff I own and 3 layers instead of an ultralight 2. This is the most clothing I've ever brought on a trip. Sleeping system and shelter get a serious overhaul. Clothing items containing any spandex get excised as they may not dry: Jolly Gear TCBD, Dirty Girl gaiters, ...
Mail trekking pole, tent stakes, fuel and about 4 days of food to GCV ~10 days ahead.
Fly to FLG, Groome to GCV. Camp 1st night in Mather CG, then hit the market, USPS, backcountry office, and walk west to Hermit's Rest and into the canyon.
Do I need?
- rain skirt
- spikes
Guesses:
- sleep system: there are a couple of different workable options, i think. the simplest is just to bring the warmest thing i have, a 15F Sawatch which should be enough even for the coldest night above the rim, but will probably be overkill below the rim. another option would be to pair either 2 lighter quilts which would be more weight and volume but potentially be more comfortable below the rim, though it adds some complexity with nesting quilts and with hauling around an unused quilt below the rim, and it's also so much volume i'd have to switch to a 50 liter pack. the other reasonable option would be a 30F quilt and a 1 lb winter down jacket which would be comfortable separately below and above the rim but also paired together above the rim. i have a feeling this might actually be the smartest option but i am going with the "simplest" for now, we will see how i goes.
- shelters: considered several. given the large volume of my gear i wish to reduce the size and weight, but due to potential high winds, snow and rain and extended time camping i really need something i 100% trust. couldn't figure out anything less than a duomid, 1 x 140cm pole and 6 beefy stakes. i seriously considered the LittleStar and although i trust it i always hike with 1 trekking pole and really hate the idea of carrying a second pole to set up the LittleStar with. i also considered a Six Moon Designs Deschutes which I really like, but it is not fully enclosed and in very strong winds or a snow storm it will not be enough.
- pack: given the above need for more durable and heavyweight gear for the winter, my 41L Pa'lante Desert Pack will likely be 100% maxed out. i still love it though and will go with it, depending on how it performs i may replace it with an MLD Prophet for winter trips. we'll see! i am also curious to see how the Ultra 400 performs both as pack material generally and also in the rain.
- cook kit: definitely want a
- water treatment: should be relatively abundant and i will not need to drink the Colorado, bleach should be fine and is less hassle and stress than a filter i need to prevent from freezing
Research:
Grand Canyon Winter Backcountry:
Grand Canyon Backcountry Information Center - 2023 Backcountry and River Use Statistics page 12 "Most Common Backcountry Itineraries in 2023" very insightful
Backpacking Snow Camping Grand Canyon Backcountry OUHIKE2 gets lots of precip in mid-Feb 2019, they start in rain and get multiple snowstorms over 4 days, including flurries at Phantom Ranch (rare) and heavy snow at Havasupai Gardens on the way out (also rare). They report sliding around in microspikes on the way down, and strong wind gusts that flatten their tent for which they deploy additional guylines. They are experienced and stay calm and safe and make the most of it, taking things as they come, but they are unprepared for extended wet weather and their gear is often soaked and they are sometimes miserable. It turns out the window they chose Feb 14-18 2019 was just exceptionally wet 🤷. They picked pretty much the worst weather window possible. He brings an umbrella and uses it, they could use insulating gloves for cold rain and a more wind-worthy shelter. Her pack cover does not keep its contents dry in extended rain.
Grand Canyon Snowstorm GC worker's January dayhikes through a blizzard at the rim into the canyon.
Down Hermit Across Tonto Up Bright Angel Jan 17 2020 long dayhike uses all available sunlight.
Winter camping:
"...how short the days are during winter... keep yourself occupied after making camp."
Keep shoes close by to prevent them from freezing
Andrew Skurka on Backpacking Footwear in Early Season Conditions
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-
Water
Price Weight qty -
water
1L
$0.00
1
kg2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Clothes, Worn
Price Weight qty -
hat
Territory Run Co run cap (58cm) secondhand. warmer than a visor, cooler than a trucker cap
$24.00
1.7
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
sunglasses
Goodr vincent secondhand
$11.00
22
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
buff
polyester, blue-green-yellow, a gift! medium warmth somewhere between merino and a sun buff, acceptable as either
$0.00
1.2
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
top midlayer
KUIU Peloton 97 fleece hoodie (L) baselayer fit. blocks wind better than alpha direct so it's actually practical for wearing while moving; doesn't add much static warmth.
$99.00
5.5
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
top baselayer
OR Echo Sun Hoodie (2024) (L) 100% polyester, extremely breathable, baggier cut than the 2020 model, frequently cited as excellent in terms of wicking/staying dry
$39.99
4.1
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
sun gloves
Glacier Glove Ascension Bay (XL)
$22.00
1.5
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
bottom baselayer soft shell
Patagonia Baggies 7" (L) secondhand
$33.00
6.9
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
bottom soft shell
Body Wrapper "Dance Pants" (XL) (2019) from Amazon
$18.00
3.8
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
socks
Gold Toe nylon dress socks (XL). thinnest socks i can find, my feet sweat like crazy in anything thicker.
$3.00
1.8
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
gaiters
Simblissity LevaGaiter (L) (2024) more durable, less hydrophilic alternative to Dirty Girls
$38.00
1.9
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
footwear
Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 (size=15) secondhand. second-best hiking shoe after Altra Olympus. a bit cheaper.
$100.00
30
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
trekking pole
Black Diamond Distance Z FLZ (120-140 cm) secondhand, packs small, extends high enough for an MLD Duomid and low enough for an SMD Deschutes Zero-G
$35.00
8.2
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Sleep
Price Weight qty -
quilt
Katabatic Sawatch 15F (3.25" loft, wide 6'6") (2024) need the width for my big feet
$499.00
29
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
pad
Therm-a-Rest Prolite (small) (R=2.4) secondhand, quick setup and teardown. lower to the ground like CCF, cushy like an inflatable. tough and reliable. best of all worlds.
$32.89
10.7
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
pad
Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sol (18 inch x 6 sections) chopped. Acton hiker box find
$0.00
5.5
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Clothes, Carried
Price Weight qty -
top midlayer
Montbell Ex Light Down Anorak puffy (XL) (2019) (fill=2.3oz, fp=900) secondhand. still can't find anything better
$199.00
7.3
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
top hard shell
Montbell Versalite (XL) (2024) all rain jackets suck, this one sucks the least(?) Still testing... got it juuust under the wire from the old en.montbell.jp before they closed the loophole.
$152.00
6.88
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
bottom baselayer bottoms
Patagonia 2 capilene leggings (L) secondhand. breathable, comfortable, moderately durable. super-skinny below the knees
$15.62
5.7
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
umbrella
Montbell U.L. Trekking Umbrella
$49.00
4.5
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
hat
Carhartt beanie brite orange secondhand
$7.44
3
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
traction
Snowline Chainsen City Spikes (XL) better than YakTrax...?
$26.51
2.84
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
groundsheet
3F UL rain skirt
$18.00
2.7
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
warm socks
Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Cushioned (XXL)
$18.00
2.5
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
gloves
SHOWA Temres 281 (size=XXL) fits over fleece liners, adds waterproofness and a small amount of warmth for winter-like conditions. surprisingly durable
$10.50
2.1
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
second socks
REI Coolmax sock liners (XL) unlike darn tough they don’t retain moisture
$9.95
1.3
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
glove liners
Decathlon Adult Mountain Trekking Fleece Liner Gloves - Trek 100 (XL) cheap, surprisingly durable
$2.00
26
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
gloves
nitrile (9 mil) (XL) reusable, worn under gloves, retains moisture for maximum warmth. these really do help in cold conditions
$0.25
18
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
socks
2 bread bags. wear inside insole-less trail runners at night for camp shoes
$0.00
18
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Food
Price Weight qty -
food
1 day
$15.00
16
oz2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Pack
Price Weight qty -
pack
Pa'lante Desert Pack (2025) (UltraX) (19 inch)
$300.00
21.3
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
pack liner
trash bag
$0.00
2
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Shelter
Price Weight qty -
shelter
MLD Duomid (5.7'x9.2') (2023) vent wire removed. great for 2 in summer and 1 in winter
$238.00
17.6
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
stakes
Easton Nano (8 inch)
$3.25
12
g6
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
groundsheet
polycro, chopped
$4.00
1.6
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Electronics
Price Weight qty -
phone
iPhone 14 (mAh=3279) secondhand w/ case. nav, satcomm, camera. keen to test satellite texts
$0.00
178
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
power bank
Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3
$64.95
150
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
wall charger
Anker 511 USB C Charger
$12.99
30
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
flashlight
Nitecore Tip SE w/ clip (mAh=500) largest battery in a 1 oz light, plus a clip that works with a hat brim makes this a winner
$30.00
28
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
cable
USB C to USB C cable, 36 inch
$8.00
24
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
cable
USB C to USB C cable, 6 inch
$5.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
electronics bag
Ziploc (quart)
$0.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Kitchen
Price Weight qty -
thermos
Zojirushi Stainless Mug SM-WA36 (360 ml) (2024) warmth and hot water at night, hot coffee on demand during the day makes this worth it in winter
$24.75
6
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
cook kit
Evernew 570FD pot (2022) + TrailDesigns Sidewinder Ti-Tri (2024) + DIY stove + toaks orange mesh bag. cooks ramen and packs smaller than toaks 550
$110.00
100
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
fuel
Coghlan 9565 solid fuel tablet
$0.20
7
g5
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
food bag
Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL silnylon stuff sack (6.5L) (2024) enough for 4 days of food. if it doesn't fit, it's too much!
$12.00
18
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
lighter
Mini Bic
$1.00
11
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
utencil
Toaks short spoon SLV-10
$11.48
10.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
carabiner
hang food bag from trekking pole strap @ night for critters. not sure where it's from, it's just the lightest clip i've got in my box full of miscellaneous gear crap
$0.00
3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Ditty
Price Weight qty -
sunscreen
travel size. for nose and anything exposed
$1.38
1
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
first aid kit
24 ibuprofen for pain, tweezers for splinters, 4 aspirin for heart attack, 3 Sudafed for illness, 2 Benadryl for illness, 2 Loperamide/Immodium for diarrhea, 2 Zyrtec for allergy in a baggie. only ever used Ibuprofen, and tweezers (cactus spines on the AZT)
$1.00
0.6
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
wallet
2 cc + id + rubber band
$0.00
15
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
lip balm
old chapstick tube refilled w/ Trader Joe's Head to Toe Balm
$0.25
9
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
knife
Westcott Sewing Scissors, 2.5". 4g heavier than microscissors, but more durable and won't rust. used for opening packages, cutting repair tape, clipping nails, even pulling a spike out of my shoe
$7.50
9
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
thermometer
Sun Company Zip-o-gage, stripped
$2.00
6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
ditty bag
Ziploc (quart)
$0.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
gear repair
silnylon patches. for shelter, quilt, bivy, pants, jacket, ... used once on the CDT, another hiker had their tent chewed by a skunk. cut with scissors, worked great.
$9.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
toothbrush
bamboo, chopped. surprisingly durable
$1.49
3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
earplugs
for sleep. plus extras because i lose them
$0.05
2
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
sleep aid
one Ibuprofen PM per night for a week
$1.30
3.6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
gear repair
Tenacious Tape, mini. for pack, jacket, food bag, ... used once on the PCT for a quilt rip
$3.45
1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
sewing kit
floss + needle for repairs, use with microscissors. used twice, once on PCT for quilt rip, lent to someone else on AZT for clothing repair
$0.00
1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Water
Price Weight qty -
dirty bottle
Dasani 1L
$0.00
25
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
water bladder
Evernew 2L (cap swapped)
$0.00
40
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
water treatment
liquid bleach, about 100 drops. enough for 50-100L
$1.00
7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
water treatment
6ml dropper bottle
$1.00
4
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Toilet
Price Weight qty -
disinfectant
hand sani repacked in 30 ml bottle. use a few drops per day, lasts weeks -- overkill
$0.00
1
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Navigation
Price Weight qty -
paper map
11x17" double-sided
$0.00
9
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
permit
printed
$0.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
app
Caltopo
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
paper maps
Sky Terrain Grand Canyon Terrain Map 4th Edition secondhand
$13.93
2.8
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-