OK. I already wrote about my running and skiing before, so what is next?
Answer is Backpacking!!!I love backpacking especially in Grand Canyon.

I usually go to Grand Canyon at least once a year. The first time was in 2006. Since then, I have been backpacking in Grand Canyon 6 times.
Here are my Grand Canyon backpack experiences;

April 2006
 Day 1- South Kaibab Trailhead to Bright Angel Campground
Day 2- Bright Angel Campground to Indian Garden  (via Bright Angel Trail)
Day 3- Indian Garden Campground to Bright Angel Trailhead

April 2007
Day 1- Hermit Trailhead to Hermit Creek Campsite
Day 2 -Hermit Creek Campsite to Monument Campsite (via Tonto Trail)
Day 3 – Monument Campsite to Indian Garden Campground (via Tonto Trail)
Day 4 – Indian Garden Campground to Bright Angel Trailhead

April 2008
Day 1-  South Kaibab Trailhead to Bright Angel Campground
Day 2 -Day hike to Ribbon Falls (Stay at Bright Angel Campground)
Day 3- Bright Angel Campground to Indian Garden Campground
Day 4 – Indian Garden Campground to  Bright Angel Trailhead

March 2009
Day 1- South Kaibab Trailhead to Bright Angel Campground
Day 2 – Bright Angel Campground to Clear Creek Campsite (via Clear Creek trail)
Day 3 – Day hike around Clear Creek (Stay at Clear Creek Campsite)
Day 4 – Clear Creek Campsite to Bright Angel Campground (via Clear Creek trail)
Day 5 – Bright Angel Campground to Bright Angel Trailhead

September 2010
Day 1- South Kaibab Trailhead to Bright Angel Campground
Day 2- Bright Angel Campground to Cottonwood Campground (via North Kaibab Trail)
Day 3- Cottonwood C.G. to North Rim (via North Kaibab Trail)
Day 4 – North Rim to Cottonwood C.G. (via North Kaibab Trail)
Day 5 – Cottonwood C.G to Bright Angel Campground (via Ribbon Falls)
Day 6 – Bright Angel Campground to Bright Angel Trailhead

April 2012
Day 1- Grandview Trailhead to Cottonwood Creek
Day 2 – Cottonwood Creek to Grapevine Canyon (via Tonto Trail)
Day 3 – Grapevine Canyon to Lonetree Canyon (via Tonto Trail)
Day 4 – Lonetree Canyon to Phantom Ranch (via Tonto and S. Kaibab)
Day 5 – Layover Day at Phantom Ranch – Hike up Utah Flats
Day 6 – Phantom Ranch to Bright Angel Trailhead 

I love backpacking because I always learn something very important from the beautiful nature.

When I backpack, I have to carry all the food, water, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes, toiletry, and so on. If I have trash, I have to carry it out, too. I have to know how heavy I can carry, in other words, I have to know my capacity. If I carry too much, I cannot hike well. That would cause my entire backpack team to fail because there is no transportation in the canyon, so my legs are the only way to get out even if I don’t feel well.

Before I go on a backpacking trip, I have to train a lot with very heavy weight. Also, I have to choose what I really need in my backpack. I have to eliminate what I might not need before the backpack. This is very difficult but important.  I guess I can relate this to my life as well. If I have too many things going on, I would feel stressed and wouldn’t be happy every day. If I know the capacity of my life, and what I can handle, I wouldn’t feel stressed, and every day would be happy. If I want to do more than I can, that is if I want more capacity in my life, I can train for it, just as if I want to carry more stuff for backpacking, I should train and make my body stronger so that I can carry more. It’s always good to challenge and push myself, but It’s very important to be aware of my body and life capacity.

Some campsites have a water faucet, but most don’t, so I have to pump and filter water wherever I can. I need water for cooking, drinking, washing my face, and brushing my teeth. I cannot get hot water while backpacking, so I carry a stove for that purpose.

Every day I have to set a tent up and find a comfortable place to sleep, even when it is raining /windy/ hot or cold outside. Since there are no communication tools, I have to cooperate with my team members. We need to stay together, otherwise there may be no way to catch up.

I always feel how special my daily life is after backpacking trips. I can take a hot bath anytime I want. I can sleep very comfortably in the puffy bed which is protected by a roof and walls. I can keep as much food in the refrigerator as I want. I can communicate with my friends and family with phone and computer. I can go on and on, but anyway I feel so special and very lucky to have this ordinary life. I was always thankful for my daily life before I started backpacking, but now I appreciate what I have every day even that much more.

I have more that I have learned from mother earth, but I will write it next time!