Let’s start off with the important and must have gear. In our opinion and for the type of hiking we do in Alberta, Canada. Hopefully this provides you with some tips to add to your hiking gear or remove some stuff you just don’t use. Hopefully we didn’t forget much on this list.
- Water purification system: We use the Platypus GravityWorks 2.0L filter system. Easy, simple to use color system, quick, and very reliable filtration, packs fairly small
- Hydration bladders: inside the backpacks for on the go (also great for day hikes and other activites), and a water bottle
- Jetboil: or really any system to boil water. Contains all the required equipment, even a coffee press for fresh coffee in the mornings.
- MSR Hubba Hubba Tent <- See why we love ours so much
- Sleeping pad: Thermarest mattress (plus patch kit)
- Sleeping bag: Spark SPIII is our choice
- Waterproof bag for food storage and hanging
- Flashlight & headlamp
- Bear Spray (1 per person)
- First Aid Kit
- Compass/GPS/map
- Knife: Swiss Army knife
- Lighter/Matches/Flint
- Toilet paper (not wet-naps, there is enough litter already or clean up after your self)
- Zip lock bags/garbage bag (pack your trash out)
- Cellphone (for all those amazing selfies for social media of course)
FOOD – We all like that stuff!
- We bring freeze dried meal pouches such as Alpineaire or Mountain House. Just add boiling water. Easy to make, taste pretty good, reasonable healthy and simple clean up! Easy to pack out the garbage and light weight
- Homemade beef jerky Mmmmm (If Mel can make it, anyone can)
- Homemade dehydrated fruits
- Granola bars
- Electrolytes
- Coffee & sugar
Other Items to Consider
- Light weight tarp (includes rope and stakes)
- Tin cup(s) (coffee, adult beverages, heating up on the fire)
- Extra rope/cord (hanging food, string up tarp)
- Small spray hand sanitizer (not because it’s COVID either)
- Travel size toothbrush/toothpaste/dental floss
- Travel size dish soap
- Microfibre cloth(s)
- Travel size bug spray
- Silky saw: Gomboy 210mm
The “other” crap we pack, but might be useless to you
- JBL speaker (fantastic battery life)
- Power bank (charge cameras, etc)
- GoPro 7 with 3 extra batteries
- Sony A6000 with 10-18mm lens
- Backpack rain covers (also used to cover at night when stored)
- Storage cube for clothing
- Stuff sack for food
- Toque (beanie), light gloves, multiclava (We can get all 4 seasons in Alberta)
How heavy are those bags???
- Her backpack: North Face La Loba 60L
- His backpack: Gregory Stout 60L
- Average starting weight of “Her” pack 35-40 lbs (15-18 kg)
- Average starting weight of “His” pack 40-45 lbs (18-20 kg)
- End weight with no water in either pack 28-31 lbs (12-14 kg)
