AboutDavid Sweet Expertise I`ve been an avid camper for over 40 years, I`ve worked in several National Parks, and I`ve been About`s camping guide (camping.about.com) since 1997.
Experience
Camping Experience I've been camping since I was 9 years old, some 40+ years ago. I started out with just a sleeping bag and a lantern for 1 night sleepouts, gradually graduating to full-fledged camping with all the appropriate gear: sleeping bags, tents, pads, screen rooms, stoves, coolers, shower-bags, Dutch ovens, and more. I still have most of this gear after 20+ years of use. Along the way I also acquired backpacking gear and have done my share of backcountry adventures around the country. But now, as I've gotten older and my back has gotten stiffer, my wife and I have upgraded to a popup camper for most of our camping trips.
Where I've Camped I grew up in Kentucky and did most of my camping as a kid on the banks of the Licking River. As a teenager and into my twenties I camped mostly in the Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone National Forest. We never camped in campgrounds, but rather in backcountry locations, preferring peace and privacy to campground amenities and crowds. In my thirties I ventured west and lived and worked in several national parks over the next ten years: Grand Canyon, Sequoia, and Mt. Rainier, to name a few. These times were my most active for backpacking, hiking and camping. All my free time in the parks was spent exploring the backcountry, and in those ten years I saw quite a lot. Now that I'm in my 50's I prefer to camp in the public campgrounds like national parks, national forests and state parks. We don't use hookups, even with our popup camper, but flush toilets and hot showers are welcome amenities that can't be found in the backcountry.
What I've Learned After all these years I've learned some simple basics about camping: be prepared for the weather, bring whatever it takes to sleep comfortably, eat good foods, and have respect for the outdoors. I've also learned that there is no one right way to camp. If you're satisfying the basics which I mentioned, then you are doing things the right way. You don't need a lot of expensive gear or hi-tech gadgets. The whole idea is to break out of our normal lives and relax awhile in the geat outdoors.
How can I help you? My full-time job since 1997 has been as the guide for About's Camping site. My goal is to help fellow campers find the information they need to better plan and enjoy their outdoor adventures. Whatever your questions are about camping, I can help you. If I don't know the answer to your question(s) myself, I will guide you to other Web sites that do answer your question(s).
Question I am beginning to moderate backpacker, i have several small weeknd treks to my name and (2) 50+ mile treks, one in the rockies around graves peak and the other in the grand tetons. I also am a scout master and am in charge of planning our troops high adventures, I have helped plan and lead 5 so far, 2 back packing, 2 canadian wilderness canoe trips, and (1) missouri river canoe trip. I would like to take a group of scouts on a back packing trip to the grand canyon. Can you give me some advise on this. We usually take our trips in July. The age group would be 13 to 18 with adults, the skill level would be (2) adults with my experience and (1) adult very experienced back packer, 30 years with 150 - 200 miles per year. The boys would be beginners to moderate hikers. Any insight you could give me would be appreciated
Answer Hi Bill,
Here are 2 choices:
1.
Havasupai: the ultimate Grand Canyon hiking destination. I've told others about Havasu on previous questions. Be sure to read this one:
If you decide on Havasu, make reservations as far in advance as possible to insure getting the space you need.
2.
Phantom Ranch: from Yaki Point on the south rim, make the grand loop down the Kaibab Trail to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, stay at the campground at Phantom Ranch, you can take numerous day hikes from here, then hike the Bright Angel Trail back out. I have a photo gallery of the time I did this trip: http://camping.about.com/od/photogalleries/ig/Grand-Canyon/
There are campgrounds in the village near the trailhead where you can spend a night to get acclimated before heading into the Canyon. The hike down is 7 miles, and the hike out is 11.
