Packing list

 

Stuff

On your head

A hat is a necessity. A ball cap or visor would work, but a wide-brimmed hat is ideal to protect from the sun.
Having a way to attach the hat to your person, like using a carabiner to clip it to your PFD or shirt, will keep the guide from having to turn the boat around and fish for your hat if it’s been blown off by the wind or ripped off in a rapid.
At least one pair of sunglasses, preferably from the 80s, a backup pair from the early 90s, and a way to keep them on your head. 
A bandana can be worn either on your head beneath your hat or around your neck. It’s good for dunking in the river to cool off, and it’s also good for cleaning your sunglasses. And it provides another layer of sun protection. the ones with flames are especially cool.

On your body

Long-sleeve, quick dry or very lightweight cotton shirts. Go to the thrift store and buy some rad long sleeve shirts. I really like the ones with turquoise Indian designs.   The sun can be vicious, and keeping covered up is the best way to prevent sunburn. For those who don’t want sleeves, any quick dry t-shirt or tank will do. But make sure to avoid heavy cotton t-shirts since they will just keep you cold once they get wet, and packing up a damp t-shirt into a dry bag for the day will guarantee all your stuff will have a musty smell next time you open the bag.
Pack pants, shorts, or zip-off pants hahahaha zip-offs are really sexy, ideally in a light color for the heat.
Rain gear, a jacket and rain pants. The best is the cheap rubber ones that cover your whole body and make smell like the water out of your garden hose.

On your hands

Blisters and friendship bracelets

 

Redwall Cavern. John Wesley Powell thought the cave could hold 50,000 people. Perhaps closer to 1,000.

On your feet

A good pair of river sandals with a backstrap like Chacos or Tevas. Don’t buy them new the day before. Break them in before you leave so you can prevent blisters.
A nice camp shoe is ever-so-attractive crocs.
I wear flip-flops everyday, but a lot of people like closed-toe sandals, its easy to kick a rock and start bleeding.
A pair of hiking shoes or running shoes with good traction for side hikes particularly if you’re planning on taking a longer trip that allows for more on-foot exploration.

Sleeping

Paco pads and summer sleeping bags, maybe a sheet if its hot, and a pillow. If you don't have a paco pad, bring your inflatable sleeping pad, and assume that it will get lots of holes in it.
Some people like tents, and sleep in them every night while in the canyon. I have never slept in a tent, often I can't even find my sleeping pad, but I do bring a tarp or a rain fly as to shed rain drops.

Toiletries and bathing

Sunscreen and lotion. It is hot and dry down in the canyon. To get burnt on day one and having to suffer through the rest of the trip with lobster red skin can be torturous, and comical. Bring a full size bottle of sunscreen, and chapstick with sunscreen in it. Expect your skin to crack, bring tiger balm or something strong like that.

I’ve heard the story of what happens to those who get extremely dehydrated (it involved a turkey baster, Gatorade, and an opening that wasn’t the mouth) so keep your water bottle with you all the time.

Any medication that you need to live, that seems obvious. What might not be as obvious is to have some in two places. Just in case a bag gets washed overboard or a raven takes off with your toiletry kit (ravens are tricky!), you won’t have to cut your trip short.
In some places, you’re 24-48 hours from a hospital or medical facility.
You will shower/bathe in the river and must use biodegradable toiletries. Just bring a bottle of Dr. Bronner's, and make sure you read the entire label. A quick-dry towel is nice.
If you wear contacts or are prone to dry eyes, make sure to have eye drops. The wind can pick up quickly, I'm not sure what it'll pick up, but it will surely end up in your eye.

Electronics

A camera, extra batteries. You don’t want to go on this “trip of a lifetime(dbl entendre)” and have your camera die on you. Waterproof cameras for rapid shots are expensive, and there are cheaper disposable options available, I personally leave my camera in ziplock bag, but my pictures dont come out all that well. Even waterproof cameras are not likely to be sand proof so be careful when camping and storing your camera overnight since the fine grains of river silt can ruin a camera.
A headlamp, and extra batteries. Once night falls, it gets dark quick. Make sure it’s out of your bag well before you need to make a midnight bathroom run.

Cash and ID

Bring along cash so that you can buy a snicker's bar and a cheesy t-shirt at phantom ranch, and for some snacks on the shuttle back.
Have a photo ID.
Have a photo ID. 
Have a photo ID. 
Have a photo ID.

Drinks

.Bring a water bottle or Camelbak that you can easily bring with you. It should have a strap or a clip so it can be secured to your person on hikes and to the boat while on the river. Hydration is key. I’ve heard the story of what happens to those who get extremely dehydrated (it involved a turkey baster, Gatorade, and an opening that wasn’t the mouth), or the hook. I've even heard of people inserting bananas, well never mind, just drink lots of water. something just happened to the font.

There will be an entire post dedicated to alcohol.

Not at all required, but could be nice

 Per National Parks Service rules, the river is in Grand Canyon National Park, all liquid waste goes in the river. This means that life is a touch harder for women than for men, a sarong or skirt, at least can be nice in camp, but nudity is the norm.


Socks. I know that socks with sandals isn’t really all that sexy, but toe-socks are functional and sexy.
A small mirror in your personal bag. tweezers, mustache wax(mandatory), five hr energy, snacks to put in your life vest, ear plugs, personal hand sanitizer, astroglide, a kazoo, I mean really, the list could go on forever.

What you don’t really need

Camp shower. This will cause spite, and make you look weak.

Laptop. don't bring one, or a giant car battery that is charged by solar panels.

Go pro. Nobody will be going pro on this trip. I dont actually care if you bring a Go Pro, but nobody will ever look at the 70,000 photos you took.

Clothing:

• Swimsuits
• Nylon shorts
• T-shirts
• Long sleeve cotton shirt (for sun protection)
• Long cotton pants (if you sunburn easily)
• Sun hat or visor with tie-on
• Sunglasses with strap
• Two-piece rainsuit
• Athletic/jogging shoes or lightweight hiking boots w/socks
• Sarong (for evaporative cooling, changing clothes, etc.)
• Flip flops, Tevas, or strapped sandals

Equipment:

• Sunblock, lip balm w/sunscreen
• Moisturizing hand lotion
• Small towel
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Shaving equipment, small mirror
• Kleenex, eye drops
• Soap & shampoo
• Prescription medicine
• Two one-quart water bottles w/tight fitting caps (no pull tops)
• Fanny pack(awesome) for small items you need during the day (also good for hikes)
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Extra batteries
• Small camp pillow
• Personal cocktail/coffee mug(this will be by your side all day and night.. The bigger the mug, the more booze/coffee you drink.
• Bills bag, of something similar, any big drybag will do, but you are going to want it to be some what quality. The bigger the better, this will store all your clothing, sleeping bag, and your copy of 50 shades of grey.
• personal smaller dry bag/ammo can/pelican case. I prefer my pelican box for all the little things that you will need daily.
• type III or better PFD
• river knife
• two caribiners and some strap, you are going to find that you will want to tie something to something else at some point.
• 2 pairs sunglasses with strap
• A book
• I suggest that everyone brings a copy of the canyon rafting map, mandatory if you are rowing a boat. you will look at it everyday, and it has lots of useful info.There is a waterproof version that will last for years.
• Baby wipes/gold bond, the small joys.
• camp chair that doesn't soak up water, the fold-able kind, and plan on it breaking.
•  costumes, more on this later.
• advil, hangover helper: electrolytes mixed with alka seltzer.

A few pictures to help you visualize everyday iteams, like an awesome bandana.

There will be more to follow.....
comment if you have a good idea