What to plan for…

Wilderness Week is one of our most challenging trips because we will not be returning to “civilization” for the entire week.

Your gear will be critical to your enjoyment, comfort and safety.

You should know that the trip will go ahead, rain or shine. Plan for cold and wet and anything other than that is a bonus. We like to face challenges, but no one really likes being miserable. That’s where good gear makes a difference.

The best advice that we can give is “Bring what’s on this list!” You might not use it all, and that would be great.

We may be hiking through deep snow, crossing ice cold rivers or backpacking through pouring rain. But the day usually ends with a comfortable camp, a hot meal, and dry clothes.

We would like you to have enough clothes to get soaking wet during the day and still have a complete, dry set of clothes to put on at night. Otherwise, you’re lying in your tent in a dry sleeping bag (because everything else is wet), while the rest of the group is having dinner. Now you’re cold AND hungry because you can’t have food in your tent!

The National Park Service provides their own gear list for backpacking

Gear List:

Clothing

*Warm hat (wool or fleece)

Ball cap

Bandana

*1-2 sets thermal underwear, light to mid-weight. NO COTTON. (You can probably get by with just 1 pair of bottoms)

*2-3 pair wool or synthetic socks

Underwear

*Gloves, lightweight, no cotton

 *Fleece or Puffy synthetic jacket (no down)

 *Wool or fleece sweater or vest

 Long sleeve shirt, lightweight (for bug, sun protection). May be cotton.

T-shirt, may be cotton or some hi-tech, quick drying fabric

 Shorts and/or swimsuit

 Lightweight, quick drying pants, for wearing on the trail or at night.  (Jeans are not an acceptable alternative)

 *1 set quality rain gear, jacket and pants. Gore-tex is fine if that’s what you want, but many people here prefer less expensive, and more waterproof, rubberized Helly-Hansens or similar. A poncho is not acceptable.

Footwear

*Hiking Boots – sturdy leather boots recommended. Lightweight hiking shoes, trail runners etc. are not acceptable. Boots must be broken in BEFORE your trip!

 Gaiters, while not mandatory, can be helpful in keeping your boots dry and keeping out snow, rocks etc.

Sports sandals, running shoes, etc. for when your boots get wet.

Important Gear

 *Sleeping bag – a 20 degree synthetic bag would be ideal.

 *Compression stuff sack for your sleeping bag. It should pack down to smaller than a basketball.

 *Sleeping pad – ensolite foam or thermarest

 *Backpack. Make sure this fits properly. At least 4000 cubic inch capacity (approx. 70 litres)

 *Water bottles, at least 2 liter capacity. Camelback type systems are not recommended.

 *Sunglasses (with strap)

 Extra glasses or contacts

 Prescription meds if needed

 Small personal first-aid kit

 Pocket knife

Compass

 Flashlight or headlamp for trips in late August & September.

Other Gear

 Alarm to wake you up(your phone battery may not be enough for longer trips).

 Camera, batteries, include waterproof case or bags.

 Binoculars

 Trekking poles

 Sunscreen, fits in a quart size ziplock

 Insect repellent, fits in a quart size ziplock

 Small towel

 Personal toiletries, travel size

Your Guide will check your Critical Gear* as indicated above. What you do not have, you will need to purchase; this could delay the start of the trip for your entire group. Don’t be “that guy”.