Packing List

For those of you who have been before, you have a good idea of what you need to bring, but you may be looking for some tips to trim some excess weight. For those of you who have not been there before, you'll need to know the essentials of packing for this trip. I've listed the basics below with some tips I've picked up on the way. If you have additional packing light tips, please post a comment and share with the rest of the group!
Back Pack: Buy/borrow a well fitted hiking backpack (girls, most x-scouts have one)
1-2 man Tent / Hammock / Tube Tent (some people just choose to sleep on the ground)
Small tarp (opt.)
Light Sleeping Bag (Some people just use a sheet. It will be warm at night.)
Foam pad/blow-up pool raft (not necessary if you’re sleeping on a hammock)
Small pillow (I use a pillowcase filled with my clothes, works great)
Camel pack  (2 liters or more) and Water bottles (for Gatorade/PowerAde)
Meals for 3-4 breakfasts (Sunday hike out we will leave super early), 3 lunches, and 3 dinners:
Breakfast ideas: Cereal (I bring dry milk, not too bad in cereal), Oatmeal, Pop tarts, etc.
Lunch ideas: pbj sandwich, macaroni, cup-of-noodle, dried soup, etc.
Dinner: freeze dried meals are a favorite (Wal-Mart sells them in the camping area, designed for 2, share with a buddy), potato flakes, noodles, etc.
Snacks (dried fruit, fruit snacks, jerky, nuts, granola bars, chips, fruit, etc)
Drink Packets to mix in your water bottle (Kool-Aid, Tang, PowerAde, Etc.)
Utensils (plastic weighs less, I love sporks!)
Bowl
Camping pot to boil water (this can be shared)
Dish soap & sponge (the sponges with soap already in them work great!)
Back-pack stove. (NO Fires in the campsite. Reduce weight by sharing this: i.e., one person carries the freeze dried dinners, one the butane, and one the stove)
Matches/lighter for the stove.
1st Aide Kit/Blister Prevention (moleskin)/Extra Band-Aids
Sun Screen (it's typically sunny in June!)
Bug Repellent
Head lamp / Flash Light with Extra Batteries (titanium batteries are light weight!)
Poncho (Sometimes it rains)
Rope (you'll need to hang your packs to keep the super squirrels out, I'm not joking.)
Pocket Knife
T.P. (Charmin makes pocket size tp rolls and toilet seat covers)
Hand Sanitizer
Toothbrush & toothpasteFace wash & moisturizer
Shampoo & Conditioner (I use biodegradable camping soap for shampoo and cleaning my dishes)
Clothes:2 swim suits / swim trunks
1 pair of pj's
2-3 pairs of underwear for at night and the hike out
3-4 pairs of socks
bandanna / hat to protect your scalp from getting burned
water shoes or water socks are a must (Wal-Mart or Target sells these pretty cheap)
Cash for food, gas, and mule. (about $80 should be plenty)
Credit card or cash for possible emergencies (helicopter, mule???)
Card Games
Paper/pencil
Scriptures / Ensign is lighter :)
Waterproof camera
Trash bag (you have to carry your trash out, so keep your trash minimal)
dry bags for hiking the river

FYI:
* There is a spring & purified water at the campgrounds to refill. You only need to pack in enough for the hike.
* There are bathroom facilities (port-a-potties)
* Keep your pack as light as possible (30-40 pounds), only take what you absolutely need!!!
* It should be fairly warm, however the weather here in AZ can be weird so pay attention, you may want to bring a lightweight long sleeve top just in case
* I bag my stuff in quart size Ziploc baggies for organization and to keep them dry, just in case of rain. Dry bags work really well too.
* Line the inside of your pack with a garbage sack to keep your stuff dry
* Watch out for the super squirrels! They have adapted to their environment and know how to unzip zippers. Make sure your tent zipper is up and your pack is hanging from a tree.