What to Bring on a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
You've reserved your Grand Canyon helicopter and you're excited as heck to get up in the air. Before you buckle up, You should first make a list of items to bring. Here's what I recommend you take to help make your trip picture-perfect:
All Climates And Seasons
Extra batteries. It's a picture-taking gold mine up there. Load up on batteries. Digital cameras and camcorders burn through them. Make sure your memory stick is empty or has lots of space left, and bring an extra.
Extra Film. Depending when you go, you will be dealing with various lighting conditions, take film with different ISO speeds. Be ready to shoot no less than a roll both before and after the flight. Allocate a minimum of three rolls for aerial shots.
Hat & Sunglasses. The Arizona sun is bright and strong. Pack strong UV sunglasses, preferably ones that wrap along the contour of your face. Include a brimmed hat to safeguard against sunburn - many of today's helis use 180-degree windshields.
Sun block lotion and Chap Stick. Bring SPF 50 sun block, even on over cast days. Use liberally. Climatic conditions can be dry and windy - a perfect combination for chapped lips.
Summer Season
Comfy walking shoes. You may be able to get by with flip flops on air-only trips. I'd be cautious and wear a good pair of walking shoes or cross-trainers, particularly if you take a excursion that comes with, for example, the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, a smooth-water float trip, or a flight to the bottom.
Light-weight, loose clothing. The Grand Canyon is hot, particularly in July. I would recommend wearing a shirt made of wicking fabric. Avoid tank tops. Jeans will also protect you from sun and wind. Windbreakers are usually a good idea.
Drinking water. I can not over-emphasize bringing water. Temperatures are regularly over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Take a quart or more. Not staying hydrated can lead to lethargy and possibly heat stroke.
Winter
Gloves and Scarf. The Grand Canyon can get wicked cold. You want to keep as much of your own body heat as you can.
Head wear. Your head is responsible for probably the most heat loss. Cover it. I suggest bringing a "beanie" that you can roll down over your ears. Try to get one manufactured from wool or fleece.
Coat. I've seen people turn up in t-shirts. Not a good idea. The canyon's average elevation is 5,000 feet. Snow is common. Bring at the very least a medium-weight coat.
Layers. An example of this is wearing a t-shirt, shirt, sweatshirt, and jacket. In case the weather warms, you take off a layer. It's a very efficient means of keeping comfortable while in cold weather.
Final Words About Weather
Choppers used for Grand Canyon trips include climate-controlled cabins. These systems are amazing against heat and cold. Whatever the case, it's essential to still come prepared because:
1. You'll be outside making the switch to the aircraft
2. If your trip features a ground segment, you'll be subjected to either heat or cold.
Summing Up
Flying in a Grand Canyon heli 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 have extra batteries, film, and memory sticks. Throughout the summer, it is all about protecting yourself from the sun and staying hydrated. During wintertime, dress yourself in layers to stay warm. Take time to come up with a checklist of things to bring. Doing so nearly guarantees you will end up comfortable before, during, and after your flight.
All Climates And Seasons
Extra batteries. It's a picture-taking gold mine up there. Load up on batteries. Digital cameras and camcorders burn through them. Make sure your memory stick is empty or has lots of space left, and bring an extra.
Extra Film. Depending when you go, you will be dealing with various lighting conditions, take film with different ISO speeds. Be ready to shoot no less than a roll both before and after the flight. Allocate a minimum of three rolls for aerial shots.
Hat & Sunglasses. The Arizona sun is bright and strong. Pack strong UV sunglasses, preferably ones that wrap along the contour of your face. Include a brimmed hat to safeguard against sunburn - many of today's helis use 180-degree windshields.
Sun block lotion and Chap Stick. Bring SPF 50 sun block, even on over cast days. Use liberally. Climatic conditions can be dry and windy - a perfect combination for chapped lips.
Summer Season
Comfy walking shoes. You may be able to get by with flip flops on air-only trips. I'd be cautious and wear a good pair of walking shoes or cross-trainers, particularly if you take a excursion that comes with, for example, the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, a smooth-water float trip, or a flight to the bottom.
Light-weight, loose clothing. The Grand Canyon is hot, particularly in July. I would recommend wearing a shirt made of wicking fabric. Avoid tank tops. Jeans will also protect you from sun and wind. Windbreakers are usually a good idea.
Drinking water. I can not over-emphasize bringing water. Temperatures are regularly over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Take a quart or more. Not staying hydrated can lead to lethargy and possibly heat stroke.
Winter
Gloves and Scarf. The Grand Canyon can get wicked cold. You want to keep as much of your own body heat as you can.
Head wear. Your head is responsible for probably the most heat loss. Cover it. I suggest bringing a "beanie" that you can roll down over your ears. Try to get one manufactured from wool or fleece.
Coat. I've seen people turn up in t-shirts. Not a good idea. The canyon's average elevation is 5,000 feet. Snow is common. Bring at the very least a medium-weight coat.
Layers. An example of this is wearing a t-shirt, shirt, sweatshirt, and jacket. In case the weather warms, you take off a layer. It's a very efficient means of keeping comfortable while in cold weather.
Final Words About Weather
Choppers used for Grand Canyon trips include climate-controlled cabins. These systems are amazing against heat and cold. Whatever the case, it's essential to still come prepared because:
1. You'll be outside making the switch to the aircraft
2. If your trip features a ground segment, you'll be subjected to either heat or cold.
Summing Up
Flying in a Grand Canyon heli 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 have extra batteries, film, and memory sticks. Throughout the summer, it is all about protecting yourself from the sun and staying hydrated. During wintertime, dress yourself in layers to stay warm. Take time to come up with a checklist of things to bring. Doing so nearly guarantees you will end up comfortable before, during, and after your flight.