I see from several comments for the Narrows in Zion that a dry bag is recommended for the hike since there is a good chance of getting wet. My question is how are people using the bag. If you think of a typical camera bag, https://www.thinktankphoto.com/cdn/shop/products/Airport_TakeOff_V2-web_0006_Airport_TakeOff_V2-251-Edit_2048x.jpg?v=1698779741, with all of the dividers, how are people using the dry bag to hold gear.
Are they taking out all of the dividers and using the camera bag as an open backpack? Then there is no protection between lenses and cameras, etc.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Never done the Narrows hike, but I'd probably not change lenses in the Narrows and use a dry bag for just my camera with lens attached. If you have to take another lens, just get a dry bag large enough for the camera with lens and one other and throw some padding in there. Don't need to take all your gear.
I agree with Jim, simple hiking dry bag for just one camera with walk-around zoom lens will do the trick. I wouldn't plan on changing lenses. If you don't do the whole thing you probably won't have to swim, and would only need the waterproof protection if you slipped and fell into the river while wading. To avoid that I highly recommend renting dry pants, neoprene socks, canyoneering shoes (with good grippy soles made just for walking in rivers) and one of the big sticks that you hold in both hands to keep your balance - much better than trekking poles for this. My wife and I got all that stuff and passed many younger and more athletic folks who were not so well outfitted who had to turn around miles before us because they were getting too cold or having a hard time keeping their balance in the deeper (thigh deep) sections.
Of course conditions change day to day, so take that into account. High water, or threat of thunderstorms can very well keep you out (if you are smart) for some time. The first year we planned on doing the Narrows floods completely closed that part of the park for a couple weeks.
When I went I kept my camera around my neck most of the time but had a dry bag I put it in if anything got dicey..did have to turn around before the end because I wasn’t willing to fully swim though. It was a beautiful hike!
At lower levels I wouldn't worry about a dry bag at all. Should be able to make it to Wall Street easily. I do recommend gear - we rented from Zion Outfitter just outside the park, and one time when the levels were really high, I got a dry bag from them as well.
Yeah, does not seem like a "camera bag" location. Would treat it the same as a kayak or similar and just put one camera with attached lens and possibly some filters inside a dry bag and limit myself to that. Any sporting goods store should have good enough ones for $50 or so.
Rest of your gear keep in your hotel room or safely hidden in your vehicle.
