List of Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Carry-On Items

You've reserved your Grand Canyon heli and you're excited as heck to get up in the air. Before you buckle up, Make sure you first create a list of what to bring. Here's what I suggest you take to help make your flight picture-perfect:

All Seasons

Additional batteries. It's a picture-taking bonanza up there. Stock up on batteries. Digital cameras and video cameras burn through them. Be sure your thumb drive is empty or has lots of space left, and bring an extra.

Extra Film. Dependent on when you go, you will be facing various lighting conditions, bring film with different ISO speeds. Be ready to shoot no less than a roll both before and after the flight. Allocate no less than three rolls for aerial shots.

Hat & Sunglasses. The Arizona sun is bright and strong. Pack powerful UV glasses, ideally ones that wrap along the shape of your face. Include a brimmed hat to safeguard against burning from the sun - many of today's helicopters use 180-degree windshields.

Sun block and Chap Stick. Carry SPF 50 sun block, even on cloudy days. Use liberally. Climatic conditions can be dry and blustery - an ideal blend for chapped lips.

Summer

Comfortable walking shoes. You may be able to get by with flip flops on air-only flights. I'd play it safe and wear a great pair of walking shoes or cross-trainers, particularly if you take a excursion that includes, for instance, the Grand Canyon Glass Walkway, a smooth-water float trip, or a bottom-descent.

Light, loose clothes. The National Park is hot, especially in July. I suggest wearing a shirt made of wicking fabric. Steer clear of tank tops. Jeans will also shield you from sun and wind. Windbreakers are usually a good option.

Water. I can't over-emphasize bringing water. Temps are consistently over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Carry a quart or more. Not staying hydrated can lead to lethargy and possibly heat stroke.

Wintertime

Gloves and Scarf. The Grand Canyon can get very cold. You need to keep as much of your own body heat that you can.

Head wear. Your head is responsible for the most heat loss. Cover it. I suggest bringing a "beanie" that you can roll over your the ears. Look to get one made of wool or fleece.

Jacket. I have seen people show up in t-shirts. Not really a great idea. The National Park's average elevation is 5,000 feet. Snow is normal. Bring at the very least a medium-weight coat.

Layers. A good example of this is wearing a t-shirt, shirt, sweatshirt, and jacket. If the weather warms, you take off a layer. It's a very efficient way of keeping comfortable during cold weather.

Final Words About Weather

Helis used in Grand Canyon trips come with climate-controlled cabins. These systems are very effective against heat and cold. Regardless, it's essential to still come prepared because:

1. You will be outdoors making the transfer to the aircraft

2. If your trip includes a ground segment, you will be subjected to either heat or cold.

Summary

Traveling in a Grand Canyon helicopter over the West Rim or South Rim is the trip of a lifetime - if you are prepared. Triple check your camera equipment and make certain you have extra batteries, film, and memory sticks. During the summer, it is all about shielding yourself from the sun and staying hydrated. During winter, dress in layers to keep warm. Take time to come up with a checklist of items to bring. Doing so nearly guarantees you'll be comfortable before, during, and after your trip.

Mr. Kravitz is a travel journalist who writes about Grand Canyon tours. Go here for his list of the Top 3 Grand Canyon Helicopter tour operators. Ratings are based on quality, safety and price. His reviews have saved a lot of people a lot of money. Time for you to benefit from them, too.