What to Pack for an Adventure in the Rockies

We’ve all been there, you leave the house with what you think you’ll need for the day, only to find out too late that Mother Nature has a very different day in store. Whether you’re out on tour with us or doing your own bit of exploring, there are certain items that should always come with you, especially in the mountains!

In this quick guide I’ll tell you about my essential pieces of gear that I never leave the house without!

1. SNACKS! While it may not be a piece of gear in the traditional sense, never underestimate the power of a good snack. If that’s not convincing enough, allow me to elaborate!

   1. Services become few and far between the further you venture into the mountains so plan to be self sufficient while you’re out exploring.

   2. Your body uses energy to keep you warm, and that energy comes from food!

   3. Focus on calorie dense snacks such as trail mix, protein bars, and baked goods (like our famous banana bread!) its also never a bad idea to have something sweet and easy for a quick moral boost.

2. EXTRA LAYERS! This one may seem obvious, but its easy to forget about all the different parts of your body that you might want to cover up. These are my essential layers that live in my pack for most any adventure.

   1. Extra socks! Just in case your feet get wet, or sweaty!

   2. Gloves! They don't have to be thick, but don't underestimate the numbing effect even a warm wind can have on your fingers.

   3. Warm jacket: This one will change depending on where you’re headed, even at low elevations its nice to have an extra jacket to throw on during your lunch break. If you’re heading into any high altitude areas plan for high winds and winter-like temperatures even in the middle of summer.

   4. A toque or hooded jacket: Cold ears can be pretty uncomfortable at any elevation, but this is especially important at higher elevations when winds are howling, covering your ears not only makes you warmer, but can also block out some of that wind noise.

3. RAIN GEAR! I can’t count the number of times I’ve hit the trails on a hot, sunny day, only to find myself stuck in a downpour in the middle of my hike. Even the best insulation begins to fail when it gets soaked through. Rain gear also helps block out some of the biting winds that we experience in the Rockies. So do yourself a favour and pack that rain jacket, even if its a beautiful blue bird day.

4. A COMFORTABLE PACK! It’s no fun getting sore shoulders when you’re already putting your legs through the ringer. So choose a backpack with a hip belt that can help even out the load.

5. WATER! Our streams may look enticing to drink, but you never know what our furry residents are doing further up that stream, or even on the glaciers that feed our water supply. So pack enough water for the day, or better yet, pack a water filter! A good water filter will allow you to carry less weight, and you’re almost always near a water source.

6. A MAP! In the digital age this will likely be on your phone, but it’s always a good idea to have a backup either in the form of a paper map, a trail guide, or a satellite based device such as a hiking watch. The trails around here are typically well signed, but animal trails and other non-sanctioned side trails can make some areas confusing. So make sure everyone in your group has access to a map!

So that concludes my guide on what to pack for a day in the Rockies. As always, I recommend doing your own research and testing your gear before you head out so you know what works for you. If you get to town and realize you’re missing some essentials, we have lots of great gear stores so you will not have a problem finding what you need.

Take Care and Happy Adventuring!