Preparing for Your Trip with She Treks
Kananaskis Country, Alberta 2019You’ve booked your trip!
Now it’s time to get stoked for your upcoming adventure!
I want you to feel totally prepared to take those first brave steps into the backcountry.
So… Let’s talk prep!
Colorado Trial 2020What should I bring with me into the backcountry aside from the gear She Treks provides?
Clothes: plan to have one outfit you hike in everyday, layers against the cold and rain, & dry socks for camp. Let’s break that down:
Rain coat
1 pair quick drying/breathable hiking pants or shorts (keep in mind exposure to bugs, plant life, and weather if you choose to hike in shorts)
1 sun protective hiking shirt—having a hood is a major bonus!
1-2 pairs of hiking socks + 1 pair of “sacred” socks for camp—this pair we keep dry at all costs
1 sports bra that you will hike in every day (necessary only if you require support on top, not everyone does and that’s cool too)
2-3 pair of underwear bottoms (if you hike in shorts with a liner, you don’t need to pack underwear bottoms)
Something to sleep in—could be your hiking clothes or a set of lightweight long underwear
Synthetic puffy (insulated) jacket
Light fleece or mid-weight long sleeved shirt (think Melanzana or Patagonia R1)
Lightweight beanie + gloves
Long underwear bottoms *If you are planning to hike in shorts, you must bring 1 pair of long underwear bottoms for camp; I recommend bringing a pair regardless
Rain pants: I recommend you bring a pair to the meeting point on the first day of your trip, then, based on weather, we can decide collectively whether or not they will be necessary for your specific trip
Hiking shoes: I recommend trail runners over boots—they are less expensive, lighter, and they dry quicker; they are also kinder to your feet and less likely to give you blisters. If you believe in ankle support, certain brands of trail runners accommodate that.
Camp shoes: these could be sandals, crocs, flip-flops; consider how you’d like to wear them (with socks or without?) and also consider the weight of the shoes (you’ll be carrying them in your pack until we reach camp each night).
Pee Cloth: *if you squat to pee, I recommend bringing a bandana or a Kula Cloth to wipe with. Kulas are an antimicrobial option, designed specifically for keeping your hands clean! Plus, each one is a work of art.
Water bottles: Please bring with you a 2 Liter carrying capacity (two 1L bottles preferred); I recommend using bottles you have already, if possible (reduce, reuse, recycle). 1L Nalgene bottles are a great and long lasting option—I’ve been using mine since 2016! Or, if you have Smart/Life water bottles lying around, those are a lightweight and durable option too! Water bladders/camelbacks are a fine option, but bear in mind they require creative packing and sometimes leak.
Headlamp
Sunscreen think “small”, then think smaller
Sunglasses + hat with bill/brim
Toothbrush + toothpaste
Camera (optional) *if you bring your expensive camera into the backcountry, do so knowing that it could get lost or broken*
Journal & pen (optional)
Chapstick (optional)
Hand sanitizer (optional) She Treks will provide personal bottles of hand soap
Insect repellent (optional) a tiny—I mean tiny—bottle of natural bug-spray is great. You may also treat your clothes ahead of time with Permethrin if you feel so inclined. Please no DEET.
Period products *if you menstruate, these are always good to have extras of on trip—someone else might forget! See our instagram post for information on menstruating in the backcountry
Most people will bring their phones for taking photos, I highly recommend housing your phone in a fully enclosed, fully waterproof case (if it isn’t already). If your phone goes for a swim, R.I.P.
Want to learn more about dressing for your adventure? Read:
Jasper National Park, Alberta 2019Okay, I know what to bring into the backcountry, how about what I shouldn’t bring?
NO speakers or boom-boxes
NO DEET please, it could melt the equipment and pollute those pristine alpine lakes and babbling creeks we want to visit—also, it kills the bees and we need them!
NO shampoo, conditioner, body wash, large bath towels, hairspray, perfume, etc.—together we will embrace natural living
Colorado Trail 2020What gear will She Treks provide me, personally, for my trip?
Backpack + liner bag to keep contents dry
Tent w/ stakes + ground sheet
Sleep set-up including: sleeping bag, liner, pad, inflatable travel pillow (only if you want it)
2 trekking poles (used for hiking AND pitching the tent) *if you have tennis elbow, trekking poles may aggravate your injury and are not recommended
Lightweight bowl and spork for meals
Lightweight insulated mug for hot drinks
Small bottle of biodegradable hand soap
Toilet Paper, W.A.G. bags
Mount Massive Summit, Colorado Trail 2020That can’t be everything… What about group gear?
Right, group gear is gear we share! And She Treks provides all of it, for every trip! You will get to help carry some group gear and—fear not—you will receive instructions on how to pack it in the most efficient way possible.
First-Aid kit
Garmin InReach
Kitchen supplies (stove + fuel + pots/pans + cooking utensils)
Group tarp + stakes
Water purification (filter or tabs/drops)
Trowels
Map
Environmental pocket guides
FOOD SPICES COFFEE TEA CHOCOLATE OMG everything delicious a person could want!!
Colorado Trail 2020What is a W.A.G. Bag?
Some of our trips take us through sensitive areas that the US Forest Service determines cannot handle human waste. In these situations, we are required to pack out ALL waste, including poop.
You will be provided with a sanitary, odorless storage system, to effectively transport your waste out of the backcountry.
Not all trips require this system, for those that do not, participants will be taught how to dig a proper cathole and even utilize the backcountry bide method for “wiping”.
Lastly, how do I fit ALL of this into a backpack?
Before leaving for your trip, you will learn how to pack your backpack efficiently AND make it super compact, that way when you head into the wilderness, you’ll be looking like a pro.
Jasper National Park, Alberta 2019Your adventure is right around the corner!
Curious about Leave No Trace? What it is and how will it impact your trip into the backcountry?
Check out:
