What To Take On A Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour

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

All Climates And Seasons

Additional batteries. It's a picture-taking bonanza up there. Stock up on batteries. Digital cameras and video cameras burn through them. Make certain your memory stick is empty or has lots of space left, and bring a spare.

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

Hat & Sunglasses. The Arizona sun is bright and strong. Pack strong UV glasses, preferably ones that wrap across the shape of your face. Include a brimmed hat to guard against too much sun - a lot of today's helicopters use 180-degree windshields.

Sun screen lotion and Chap Stick. Bring SPF 50 sun block, even on over cast days. Use a lot of it. Climatic conditions might be dry and windy - a perfect blend for chapped lips.

Summer Season

Comfy walking shoes. You might be able to get by with sandals on air-only flights. I'd be cautious and put on a good pair of walking shoes or cross-trainers, especially if you take a tour that includes, for instance, the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, a rafting trip, or a flight to the bottom.

Light-weight, loose clothes. The Grand Canyon is hot, particularly 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.

Drinking water. I can not over-emphasize bringing water. Temps are consistently over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Take a quart or more. Not staying hydrated can result in lethargy and perhaps heat stroke.

Winter

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

Head wear. The head is responsible for the most heat loss. Keep it covered. I suggest bringing a "beanie" that you can roll down over your ears. Look to get one produced from wool or fleece.

Coat. I've seen people arrive in t-shirts. Not a great idea. The Grand Canyon's standard altitude is 5,000 feet. Snowfall is common. Bring at least a medium-weight jacket.

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

Final Words About Weather

Helis used in National Park trips include climate-controlled cabins. These A/C units work well against heat and cold. Whatever the case, you must still come prepared because:

1. You will be outside making the switch to the aircraft

2. If your trip comes with a ground segment, you will be exposed to either heat or cold.

Summing Up

Flying in a Grand Canyon helicopter above the West Rim or South Rim is definitely the trip of a lifetime - if you are prepared. Triple check your camera equipment and make certain you've extra batteries, film, and memory sticks. Throughout the summer, it's all about protecting yourself from the sun and staying hydrated. During wintertime, dress yourself in layers to keep warm. Set aside time to come up with a checklist of things to bring. Doing so nearly guarantees you'll be comfortable before, during, and after your flight.