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Lighten your load
and make backpacking more fun!
The weight of your backpack is inversely proportional to you comfort
and enhanced enjoyment. Here are our suggestions as to what you can do
to lighten your backpack and get the most out of your YMA backpacking
trip.
The lighter your backpack is, the easier it is to hike and the safer
you will be. With a lighter pack there is less chance that you will
stumble and twist an ankle or fall.
By obtaining lightweight yet functional gear and clothing you can make
a real difference to how much weight you will be carrying on your
trip.
The major items that you will be bringing with you are backpack,
sleeping bag, sleeping mat and your clothing. As a service of
convenience to our guests we will have select items for sale that meet
our criteria of functionality and light weight.
Backpacks
Need to have specific weight targets.
There are two types of backpacks, internal and external frames.
Although there is nothing wrong with external packs, internal frames
have become the standard because they are narrower, offer more
features, and hug closer to your body. An internal frame pack often
has two internal aluminium strips that can be moulded to fit your
back. Since these packs are designed for heavier loads, it is
necessary to have good padded hip straps to transfer the weight off
your shoulders. Again, good shoulder and back padding is necessary
(but can be excessive and add weight)
Some good features to look for include an adjustable suspension
system, external side compression straps, and a removable or
adjustable top lid.
Most backpacks around 60 litres will do the job perfectly for any
backpacking trip between 3 and 10 days. Anything much more than 60
litres mean carrying too much equipment and too much weight.
We suggest for our hiking programs:
***** Pack info for Deuter *******
Sleeping Bags
With the fluctuating temperatures of the Rocky Mountains, it is
necessary, even in the summer, to consider a sleeping bag with a lower
rating. A typical summer bag is often rated for above freezing, which
can lead to some cool uncomfortable nights. A good all purpose
spring/summer/fall sleeping bag should be rated between 0ºC to –7ºC.
There are two options for fill; synthetic and down. Down is lighter
and compresses better than a synthetic bag of the same rating. Down
fill only maintains its loft and warmth when kept dry, so it is
important to keep your bag dry. This isn’t an issue is a drier climate
like the Canadian Rockies.
There are four basic designs for sleeping bags; mummy, modified mummy,
barrel and rectangular. Except for rectangular (which is too bulky and
usually not as warm), the other three are all suitable. A mummy bag is
the warmest.
Again set weight targets
We suggest for our hiking programs:
***** OR / Exped Info *******
Sleeping Pads
The two basics types of sleeping pads are a self-inflating foam
mattress and a closed foam mattress. Mattresses may be full or ¾
quarter length, the longer ones being warmer and proportionally
heavier.
A self-inflating foam mattress (such as a Therm-a-Rest) is more
comfortable than a closed foam mattress. However, a closed foam
mattress is virtually bomb proof and very light.
A new generation of lightweight self-inflating foam mattresses has
come on to the market and we suggest:
***** Therma-rest info *******
Clothing
At all costs avoid cotton t-shirts, cotton socks, and blue jeans.
These clothes do not wick away water and sweat, and loose their warmth
when wet and to add insult to injury, they are heavy!
Look for light weight synthetic clothing that you can layer. By using
layers, you can adjust for the significant changes in temperatures
between day and night time.
For late spring, summer, and early fall trips into the mountains pack
the following:
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Lightweight synthetic long underwear
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Synthetic t-shirt
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Synthetic long sleeve shirt/zip neck
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Hiking pants with zip-off legs
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Synthetic hiking socks
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Pair of gaiters
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Light pullover of fleece jacket (suggest type
and brands and target weight)
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Lightweight breathable waterproof jacket and
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Ball cap or sun hat
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Light gloves and warm hat
Boots
There is a huge selection of footwear available for hiking and
backpacking.
Day hiking boots are usually lighter, have less ankle support, and are
generally cheaper than backpacking boots. A leather/fabric combination
boot for day hiking is light, comfortable, dries quickly, and is not
too expensive.
For backpacking trips, all leather boots are ideal because they offer
stability for off-trail terrain, are very water resistant, and
durable.
Whichever boot you choose, make sure that you have taken the time to
break them in before heading out on a multi-day trip! Poor fitting or
new boots can cause serious blisters that will bring your trip to a
halt.
Personal Items
Hygiene is important in the backcountry. Bring travel sized
toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, lotion, and soap (consider putting a
little bit of biodegradable soap in a smaller container). A small
package of Handi-wipes or Wet-ones are good for sponge bathing. If you
bring a towel, bring a small hand towel instead of a full-sized bath
towel or look for a specific lightweight hiking towel.
Miscellaneous Equipment
When selecting items such as knives, headlamps, etc, pick the lightest
piece of equipment that will do the job you need it to do.
For backpacking trips, a bowl, spoon, fork, and mug is all that you
need. Plastic Lexon or similar products are light and work very well
in the backcountry.
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures has some selected items for sale or
alternatively The staff at any reputable outdoor equipment store
should be able to help you with your selection.
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures Supplied Equipment
On your backpacking trip YMA will be supplying the tents, stoves and
cook wear. Here is some information on these
items:
Tents
We use light, well ventilated two-person Exped three-season
tents. They are lighter and ventilate better than four season tents.
Being freestanding they require minimal stakes and have a fly that
covers the entire tent, not just the top. Bonus features are a two
vestibules where you can put your footwear or other small items and a
design that allows us to keep them relatively dry when putting them up
in the rain.
Stoves
For multi-day trips with more than two people Yamnuska Mountain
Adventures uses an MSR Whisperlite Shaker Jet white gas stove; they
are a standard industry workhorse that is easily serviced in the field
and works well for cooking in groups
If you have any questions at all regarding what equipment or clothing
to bring on your backpacking or hiking adventure, please do not
hesitate to contact us at
gear@yamnuska.com or by phone toll free in North America at
1(866)678-4164.
See you soon!
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mountain adventures
