News & Reviews

gear notes

Backpacker's Checklist
If you are inexperienced, or your trip will challenge your level of knowledge, consult an expert. Many websites and books are available with specific location/conditions information. Your local hiking club, search and rescue groups, and outfitters are full of knowledgeable folks. Visit your favourite outdoor shop for specific "how to" information on fitting your pack, pitching your tent, breaking in boots and the many advantages of technical, light weight quality gear.

Essentials
Hiking boots (comfort and durability first)
Backpack (sized to fit)
Knife or multi-tool
Hydration

Shelter
Tent (with full-coverage fly, cooking and gear vestibule)
Ground Sheet (generic or tent-specific, optional)
Spare tent pegs & guyline adjusters
Sleeping bag (sleeping bag/hostel sheet, optional)
Sleeping pad
Pillow (TIP: use your Dromedary or Platypus bladder inside a fleece stuff bag or sweater)
Hat or toque (50% of heat loss through your head, even in summer at altitude)

Cooking
Stove and fuel
Lighter (or matches)
Cookset
Utensils
Insulated Mug
Water Purification and/or iodine pills
Pot scrubber & dish soap (biodegradable)
Packtowel
Food & Drink mixes (in freezer-sized zip-lock bags, nalgene, tupperware)
TIP: use film containers for spices, coffee or tea, matches, etc.
Make detailed meal lists remembering that you are going to be working hard and eating lots. Consider dehydrated meals (these days, dehydrated food is tasty and of all varieties)and drink packs.

Clothing
Waterproof/breathable jacket (with hood) and pants (optional)
Windpants (preferably nylon or synthetic-blend) (convertible-optional)
Fleece top, tights and toque "wicking, quickdry next-to-skin layer"
Mesh briefs (optional- cotton will never dry)
Gaitors (essential for sand and wet grass or undergrowth)
Socks (synthetic or wool hiking socks, and wicking liner socks)
Shorts (optional)
T-shirt (wicker not cotton)
Mesh stuff sac for organizing clothes

Personal Protection
Allergy kit (special medicine if required)
First-Aid kit
Sunscreen (bug repellent combination, optional)
Bear spray (bear banger or bells)
50' cord to cache food & as tent guyline
Brimmed hat
Sunglasses (UVA and UVB protective)
Fox 40 'pea' less whistle
ALWAYS advise your friends where you are going and when you will be back. Sign in (and out) at trailhead registry. Consider brushing up on your first-aid skills. Discuss any medical conditions and treatment with your partners.

Essential Accessories
Candle lantern, or headlamp
Toilet Paper (in a ziplock bag)
Trail or topographical map
Kit Bag (personal hygiene)
Pack rain covers
Spare plastic bags (garbage or freezer sized)
Compass / Altimeter / G.P.S.
Walking poles (pair)
NEVER take equipment into the backcountry that you are not familiar with. "Set it up, try it out, break 'em in" at home prior to your trip. Set your tent up and wear your boots in.

NOTE: tents are flammable, never cook inside your tent.

Winter Camping Notes
Winter camping requires additional clothing and gear, and a lot more planning. Errors have potentially more severe consequences. The activity determines what you do and don't take. If you're going out after vertical ice, substantial climbing gear weight will eliminate any frills. If you're going ski/snowboard/snowshoe mountaineering, you'll need all your 'up & down' gear, your rescue equipment plus your winter camping gear.

Remember that it gets darker earlier, and you will be inside more. Your batteries will not last as long in the cold yet you will need your light more (consider a battery pack next to your body, or use lithium batteries that perform better in the cold.)

Air-inflatable sleeping pads may not be your best option in the winter, since they will not self-inflate when very cold and the moisture from your breath will freeze inside the pad.

Gloves, balaclava, warmer socks, and additional layers of underclothing are all necessary.

Terrain may require plastic shell mountaineering boots, and possibly supergaitors with or without insulation for additional warmth and weather protection that they provide.

A four season tent is designed to withstand more severe wind and snow loads, should have at least one vestibule, and may require extra guylines and snow stakes.

A transceiver, avalanche probe, crystal card, and snow shovel are absolute necessities. Learn to use them correctly by taking an avalanche self-rescue course. Always be prepared to turn back if weather or snow conditions are not right.

Reprinted from Valhalla Pure Outfitters head office website.

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