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How to Stay Warm on a Winter Grand Canyon Trip

How to Stay Warm on a Winter Grand Canyon Trip

Rafting the Grand Canyon is a bucket list item for many people.  For individuals looking to go on a private trip (not commercially guided), it is often thought that obtaining a permit is really difficult and can be a years long process with little chance of being chosen in the lottery.  However, if you're willing to do a winter trip, it is incredibly easy to get permitted!  Other added benefits of being in the ditch in the winter include the lack of crowds and that it is not scorching hot.         

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/River_Stats_5_Year_Review.pdf

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/River_Stats_5_Year_Review.pdf

One of the reasons people may hesitate about taking winter trips is because they are worried about cold and inclement weather.  Well hesitate no longer!  With the proper planning and gear, a winter trip can be comfortable and enjoyable no matter the temperatures!  Here are some recommendations to help you stay cozy for your winter launch.

1. Sleeping    

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I love sleeping, especially in the winter when I go into hibernation mode and sleep 10-12 hours a night.  There's no reason to be cold while you're sleeping, especially on a river trip when you don't have to worry about weight!  There were only a couple of nights where we needed all of these things to stay warm, but we were able to mix and match based on the temperature and stay luxuriously comfortable and warm..  On the warmer nights, we just slept in the double sleeping bag (Big Agnes Cabin Creek) and fuzzy blanket (Target)  On the really cold nights I would sleep inside my down bag (Rab Neutrino 400) inside the double bag and under the blanket.  I use the silk liner (Sea to Summit) to keep my down bag clean inside.  The hot water bottles can be used in your sleeping bag or in your drysuit during the day!

2. On the Boat

On the Oars

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Brian was the oarsman on our boat for most of the trip.  Rowing kept him nice and toasty and he found this layering system ideal for most days.  He wore his Kokatat Drysuit with a Kokatat Habanero onesie underneath.  He used .5mm neoprene socks and neoprene boots to keep his feet warm (with wool socks inside the drysuit).

Passenger

If you won't be rowing or will be rowing less, you'll likely get quite chilly sitting on the boat!  It's important to layer up.  I wore fleece baselayers and a down jacket under my dry suit.  I also wore slightly thicker neoprene socks at 1.5mm.  I had regular canvas river shoes and found that my feet got a bit chilly and would have been happier with neoprene boots.  I also wore neoprene gloves on some days.

3. At Camp

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Down is key!  Having a good down jacket and some down booties will go a long way in keeping you warm.  Just keep in mind that the Grand Canyon can be really tough on down- there's lot of prickly plants, sharp rocks, and pervasive sand that will put your gear through the ringer.  Having a good thermos for hot beverages is also a great way to keep warm!  In addition to warm drinks at camp, we packed thermos' full of soup to take on the boat with us for a warm belly during the day.

4. Hot hand wash!

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Hand hygiene is super important, especially in a large group, but who wants to wash their hands in freezing cold water?! Use a small cooler with a hole drilled in the lid for your hand wash water and put heated water in just before calling for dinner.

5. Get Lucky

We had the good fortune of having wonderful weather during our December 9- January 7 excursion.  We had some overnight rain one night, but other than that our trip was completely dry.  Our first few nights saw temperatures in the 20s, but it warmed up consistently after that and we had sunny skies pretty much everyday (although the sun doesn't always reach you down in the bottom of the canyon)!  It is always best to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions so that you can be comfortable no matter what mother nature throws your way.

Questions?  Have other suggestions?  Let us know in the comments!

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