What I Learned on my Backpacking Trip

• A heavy pack is not that big of a deal when you're healthy.
• You can't always count on staying healthy in the backcountry.  When I got heat exhaustion on the steep climb out of the canyon, I felt every ounce in my pack.  I once considered lightweight gear a luxury.  Now I feel it a necessity to get a lighter sleeping bag, cookware, and jacket for safety reasons in case of injury or illness.
• I was well-prepared for recognizing and treating heat exhaustion, and would have been just fine even if I was traveling alone.
• I was not well-prepared for preventing heat exhaustion.  Now that I know the early warning signs for my own body, with some practice I hope to be able to prevent it in the future.
• I am really glad to be training for my Grand Canyon hike with some easier trips.  I would hate to have learned these lessons at the bottom of a more strenuous canyon.
• It is possible even with my fair skin to be outside almost 3 days straight and not get sunburned.
• I recognized many dual uses for my gear that will help me lighten my load.  My water bottles have measuring marks, so I don't need to bring a measuring cup.  My sleeping bag stuff sack has straps that make it double as an excellent day hiking pack.
• Some things are worth the slight extra weight.  I was really glad for my swim gear and inflatable pillow, and really wished I had brought my wide angle lens.
• Good maps, a GPS unit, and compass are worth their weight in gold.  Just following the (ambiguous) trail signs, we went down the wrong path for a half mile and were able to get back on track with our map.
• A lot of modern freeze-dried food is excellent.  4 ounces of weight carried to eat 16 ounces of suprisingly delicious reconstituted beef stew is awesome.
• Some modern freeze-dried food is still terrible.  I will never get Mountain House garlic herb mashed potatoes again.  However, I'm glad I had a chance to see what I did and didn't like before a longer trip.
• Small vacuum-seal storage bags are excellent for keeping a spare set of clothes dry without taking up much room in your pack.
• While in camp, I can retie my hiking boots below the ankle supports to make them much more comfortable.
• I'm glad I brought a book.
• Trekking poles are awesome on a steep hike.
• A chamois makes a great lightweight camping towel.
• Some of the most beautiful places around can only be reached on foot.