| Clothing Lists OUTFIT LIST FOR HIKING AND BACKPACKING TRIPS Read this list after you think you have packed everything BACKPACK: A properly fitted internal frame pack in good repair with a capacity of about 60 litres (3700 cu. in.). It should hold all your gear except the clothes you will wear. It should weigh no more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs.). Filled with yo ur gear it should weigh less than 10 kg (20 lbs.). For the Long Range trail in Gros Morne National Park, the Coast Mountains in British Columbia, the Uapashke (Groulx Mountains) and Nunavik trips you must have room in your backpack to carry some food, cooking equipment and tent parts - about 10 litres (610 cu. in.). A duffel bag with similar or smaller dimensions can be substituted where our gear will be transported for us (Traversée de Charlevoix, Chic-Chocs, Scotland, and Tremblant Trails). DAYPACK: A small daypack or bumbag big enough to carry your lunch, camera, raingear and an extra sweater. In Gros Morne this will only be used if we have time for day hikes after we finish the Long Range Trail. A dayback will not be needed in the Coast Mountains of B.C. nor on the Uapashke trip. Clothing in your daypack should be in waterproof bags. See stuff sacs below. SLEEPING BAG: Rated for comfort to -5°C (20°F) and light and compact 1.4 - 3.2 kg (3-7 lbs.). Synthetic bags of Polarguard or Hollofill dry out faster, and stay warm when damp - unlike down. Down is lighter, more expensive, warmer and more compact. Whatever kind you have make sure it is in good condition, of good quality, long enough and warm enough and has its own stuffsac. A cotton bag liner will help keep the bag clean, a bit warmer, reduce the clamminess of a nylon lining and can be made by sewing up a sheet. For trips after October 10 you may require a warmer bag to -10°C (14°F). For summer hiking trips a bag rated to +5°C (40°F) will be optimum. Not needed in Scotland or Tremblant Trails. MATTRESS: A standard full length Thermarest packed in its own stuff sac, or a full length Airolite closed cell blue foam mattress rolled up and held with straps. Airolite is warm, reliable, less expensive, but not as cushy. Avoid open cell foam and air mattresses. Not needed in the Chic-Chocs unless your trip specifies spending one or more nights in a tent. Not needed in Scotland or Tremblant Trails. SLEEPWEAR: To each his/her own. FOOTWEAR: A good pair of hiking boots. You are almost guaranteed to get your feet wet! These can be real leather or a combination of leather and nylon. Boots with Gore-Tex are very good. New boots or shoes must be broken in by wearing them for a few days before leaving home. If they cause blisters or hurt your Achilles tendons, put in for a new pair. Your hiking boots are your most important item of gear. A pair of lightweight low-rise running shoes in reasonable shape is useful for around camp and while driving. RAIN GEAR: Trousers and hooded jacket. A good quality rain suit is essential. You should be able to pull the trousers on over your hiking boots. It should not be too light or it will tear on branch stubs or snags. Test it out at home. Factory sealed Gore-Tex is ideal. Be sure it can be worn over a jacket or sweater for those cold rainy mornings in the fall or spring. SOCKS: 3 - 4 pairs of warm socks (wool/nylon blend). They should be higher than your boots to tuck your pants into and keep the bugs out. Some trippers wear two layers of socks: Light inner ones and thicker outer ones. Your choice. SWEATER OR JACKET: Patagonia synchilla pile, or Polartec 300 fleece, pullover or jacket, or a heavy wool sweater. We do get cold, rainy days and frost at night is not unknown. Make sure you can hike comfortably with rain gear over it. Bring a hooded winter parka and insulated warm-up pants after October 15. SHIRTS: 1 or 2 long sleeved heavy-duty light coloured wash/wear work shirts. 1 or 2 cotton T-shirts. TROUSERS: 1 or 2 pairs of pants. We recommend a nylon or nylon/cotton blend that dries real fast. Army surplus pants are also excellent. They should be lightweight and cut the wind. Blue jeans or Dungarees or anything made of pure cotton are not permitted. You will freeze to death while they are drying - if they ever dry. GAITERS: Lightweight. They should hook onto your bootlaces and have a strap or rope around the bottom of your boot at the instep. They should reach above the calf muscle snugly. They are extremely important in wet muddy weather (which can occur at any time on all our trips) and for hiking in snowfields in early spring. TOQUE & MITTS: These will be useful on cold windy days. Not needed in summer. UNDERWEAR: 2 pair your choice, plus one pair of long johns or sweat pants (wool/nylon for fast drying such as LIFA midweight). The latter are useful on cold wet days and worn inside your sleeping bag on frosty nights. After October 15, bring one set of upper and lower long johns. PLASTIC CUP, PLATE AND SPOON: You may also want to bring a plastic bowl and a fork. Needed for Gros Morne and Uapashke but not needed on the Traversee de Charlevoix, in Scotland or Tremblant Trails. TOWEL: Small towel. We do swim or bathe now and
then. Not needed at bed & breakfasts but may be handy on the
trail BATHING SUIT and/or SHORTS: Fast drying lightweight. BUG JACKET: 1 Skeeto-ban or similar hooded
bug jacket kit in a plastic bag with repellent for hiking
trips in late spring and early summer. This is the answer to the
bug problem at campsites. You will be surprised at how effective
they are. Some of us think the white ones are superior. Not needed
in Scotland or in the Coast Mountains of B.C. STUFF SACS AND PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS: 3 - 4 nylon stuff sacs for organising your gear. You will also need a few extra green plastic garbage bags for backpacking trips. Glad are the strongest. Your clothes and sleeping bag go into the garbage bags, the air is squeezed out and a knot is tied in the top. This is quite waterproof. The garbage bags are placed in the stuff sacs, which prevent the garbage bags from being abraded or torn. The sacs go into your backpack or daypack. The system works quite well. You may also use waterproof stuff sacs if you wish, but they sometimes leak and are heavy. We can show you how to pack your gear when you get here – if you ask us. CHANGE OF CLOTHES: For before and after the trip
or if you are staying at bed & breakfasts or youth hostels.
On backpacking trips you can leave them in the car or bus. SOME ADDITIONAL IDEAS: Extra shoe or bootlaces, chapstick, sunscreen, playing cards or compact games, sunglasses, camera & film with waterproof camera bag. A diary, paper, pencil/pen. Paperback book. Small pocketknife. Personal water filter if you don’t want to drink unfiltered water. Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper. Water bottle. A cap if you are sensitive to the sun - also useful for rain and cold. A hiking staff. A good sense of humour and a willingness to be helpful. Teddy bear? Go my sons, burn your books,
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| Trips offered Choose from one of the links below to find a trip in the category of your interest. |
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> Backpacking
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| Scheduled
trips |
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If the trip you are interested in is not listed in this
year's calendar you can request a trip. We will design trips around the
requirements and dates that you prefer. |
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