A recent desert adventure in Southern Utah helped me shift gears and start planning for summer
backcountry excursions. Pouring over maps and Google Earth imagery of the Wind River Range got me thinking that Forrest has posted quality
gear lists, many of which I subscribe to, but none that offer a purely
women’s-specific look at backcountry gear. So as his first guest blogger, I've organized a list of great gear for gals who are getting ready for summer wilderness adventures.
I possess a deep love for long traverses, off-trail wilderness travel and peak bagging. The following list focuses on essentials (and a little extra) for a safe and satisfying lightweight overnight or multi-day trip into the wilderness.
For a hiking journey with significant scrambling, I am a fan of La Sportiva's line of trail runners. They offer good support and sticky rubber, while being light and relatively quick-drying (as I tend to cross a fair number of creeks on my outings). Currently, I’m using the La Sportiva Raptors (and, that’s not just because I work at Teton Raptor Center).
I was a huge fan
of La Sportiva's Exum Ridges, but they are out of production. So, my recommendation is, when you find a pair of trail
runners you love, buy two pair, stock up!
Rarely do I bring camp shoes, but if you so desire, go light. Crocs or something like Merrell’s Vapor Glove Road-Running Shoes are good choices.
I like
ankle-high wool socks and Farm to Feet, Darn Tough and Keen all offer a
good selection. Forrest is known
for bringing 1, maybe 2, pair on an overnight or multi-day, but I always go for
at least 2 pair and generally 3 --- the one I’m wearing, sleepy socks, and a
clean pair. There’s nothing like that first wear from a new pair of socks. Wet, cold feet suck, so the extra weight for dry socks is
worthwhile.
I used to be a committed user of gaiters. Today, I wear them less frequently, but a good pair
can definitely aid in the elimination of painful pebbles and dirt in your
shoes, especially if you’re doing a lot of travel on scree. Outdoor Research makes
a wide assortment of gaiters and the Sparkplug and Stamina gaiters are new ones
I’d like to try.
Currently, I have a pair of Dirty Girls. If you want to add some flair to your ankles then Dirty Girls are for you.
Currently, I have a pair of Dirty Girls. If you want to add some flair to your ankles then Dirty Girls are for you.
Pants vs. Shorts
This is another area where I’ve made a big shift. It’s pretty rare to find me hiking in shorts these days. I’ve grown tired of all the scrapes on my legs from bushwhacking, so I’ve opted for lightweight, quick-drying hiking pants that can easily be rolled up to the knees if desired.
My favorites in this category come from Patagonia and Outdoor Research (OR). Patagonia makes an impressively cool lightweight trekking pant called the Happy Hike Pant. OR’s Ferrosi Pant is a real winner. Ever so slightly heavier than the Patagonia pants, the Ferrosi is durable and good looking -- great for backcountry treks and frontcountry travel (I’ve worn these pants all around the world).
Underwear
Whether I'm in the frontcountry or the backcountry, I'm usually wearing Patagonia Active Hipsters.
When it comes to long underwear, I'm all for merino wool. The Icebreaker Oasis Leggings work well under hiking or rain pants and are great for sleeping.
Sports Bra
Again, lots of personal preference in this arena, but one switch I’ve made in the world of sports bras is to move away from the Tankini style to a more classically cut sports bra. I sweat a fair bit when moving in the mountains. Although good sports bras are made of quality wicking material, I don’t like the cool-down I experience with moisture from a sports-bra-tank on my abdomen. These days I have a nice collection of Isis sports bras, and I’m looking forward to the launch of their new line this fall. In the mean time, Patagonia, Title Nine and Athleta all offer a great selection of sports bras in a spectrum of styles and sizes.
Tops
The most essential top you can have is a lightweight merino wool hoody. Rab’s Women’s Meco 165 Wool Hoody is a beauty -- great color, fit and form. I usually sleep in my wool bottoms and hoody top.
Another top to consider is a lightweight sun-shielding long-sleeve shirt. The sun is intense in the high mountains and although sunscreen helps, ExOfficio's line of shirts offers protection from sun and bugs. Mountain Khakis' Granite Creek long-sleeve shirt is also a nice choice in this category.
Hats & Visors
So, if you aren't wearing Dirty Girl gaiters, then you need to opt for a Wizbang Lightweight Hat to assure that there's a bit of pop to your backcountry wardrobe. Even though I often have multiple hoodies with me in the mountains, I ALWAYS have a hat --- and fun ones! Wizbang has a sweet selection of colorful designs in hats and headband styles.
When it's warmer and I'm trying to create some shade on my face, I opt for a visor over a ball cap. To be honest, I'm not sure why, but my visors always win. I've certainly burned my part a few times as a result of this preference, but I've begun clipping my bangs back over my hair part with a barrette and this mitigates the potential for scalp sunburn and it's kept me loyal to visors.
Gloves
Cold hands are almost as bad as cold feet, so gloves are a must. I like Mountain Hardware’s Women’s Momentum Running Glove or if I know I’ll be doing a lot of snow travel or glissading, I’ll take Outdoor Research’s Stormtracker Gloves.
Insulation
A few years ago I was given a Patagonia Ultralight Down Hoody and I've never looked back. It goes with me everywhere. It stuffs in its own pocket and is like a mini-heater. I don't typically bring insulated pants. If the temps drop that much, I'll slip into my sleeping bag. I'd pick Patagonia's DAS Pants though, if I needed some puffy pants for a trek.
Shells
Some of you may think this piece is redundant when you already have a waterproof shell in your pack, but Mountain Hardware's Women’s Ghost Whisperer Hooded Jacket is the best and lightest addition to my quiver. You simply can’t beat this layer for the weight! I actually wore it all winter backcountry skiing and now it will be headed into the mountains for summer adventures. Patagonia's 3.6 oz Houdini Jacket is a fine alternative, but the Ghost Whisperer weighs in at just 1.9 oz.
Obviously, a good waterproof shell is essential and Patagonia's Women’s M10 Jacket is one of the lightest waterproof shells made. And, of all the great outdoor gear brands, none hold a candle to Patagonia for the way in which they stand behind their products and embody an environmental ethic. As far as keeping dry on the bottom, the options aren't as plentiful. For a good pair of rain pants I recommend Patagonia's Leashless Pants.
Equipment
Sunglasses
Aside from choosing your underwear, I think sunglasses are probably the most intimate runner-up for personal preference gear. I do believe that you get what you pay for and that polarized lenses are worth the extra cash. So many options in this arena, where to start? I’ll just say that I’ve found some of my favorites at Maui Jim and Zeal Optics.
Bag of Tricks
Every gal needs her bag of tricks. First, it starts with a bag, I like a small zippered stuff sack (Kathmandu Packing Cell) to corral some of the essentials:
- Petzl Tikka Rechargeable Headlamp
- SteriPEN Freedom Water
- Gerber Dime Keychain Multitool
- Fire Starter
- Bic Lighter
- Elemental Herbs Sport Sunscreen
- Lexan Spoon
- First-Aid Kit (simple, simple, simple - athletic tape, Neosporin, steri-strips, latex gloves, sharpie pen, Ibuprofen & Benadryl)
- Hygiene - Travel toothbrush, toothpaste, ultra-thin pantiliners (opt for these instead of bringing too many pairs of underwear), and cleansing towelettes. Yes, these are worth ever extra ounce. I like Burt's Bees facial towelettes with white tea extract and I budget about 2 of these wipes per day, so I'll just put what I need in a snack-sized ziploc).
Water Storage
I’m still a Nalgene gal – these are pretty dependable containers that double as a mug for hot drinks. I will usually bring one Nalgene and when needed a MSR Dromlite Bag. Bladders are excellent space savers.
Stove
You can’t get much easier than a JetBoil and if you plan your meals so that you only need hot water, then the JetBoil is a great choice. Alternatively, the Kathmandu Titanium Backpacking Stove (50 grams) or the slightly heavier MSR Pocket Rocket (84 grams) is a better choice if you are just going to have one stove. When using one of the latter, I bring a MSR Titan Cook Pot.
Food
This is, of course, extreme personal preference, so I’ll just share with you some of my favorites. My #1 backcountry snack is leftover pizza. I’ve lost my appetite for most bars and prefer savory and classic snacks, like salami, cheese and pretzels…and a little chocolate never hurts. For those times when an energy boost is needed, I go for Clif Shot Bloks. I’m a make-my-own GORP kind of gal, and it rarely has raisins or peanuts. Basically, I've found that everything tastes better in the backcountry.
For meals at camp, you simply can’t beat Mountain House for weight and taste. These simple dehydrated meals only require boiled water. The fajita meals are great for sharing, with some tortillas and cheese you can easily feed 2-3 people.
If you travel in bear and/or marmot country, the Ursack Food Bag is a worthy investment. Just check out this video and you'll be convinced.
Stuff Sacks
Because I don't like packs with lots of pockets and compartments, I prefer to sort my gear in stuff sacks. A couple I like include: HMG's Cuben Fiber Stuff Sacks and Sea to Summit's Lightweight Dry Sacks.
Trekking Poles
These are a must in my book. If you love hiking and want to pursue it as a lifetime activity, then do this for your knees. Plus, trekking poles can serve a dual purpose when you set up your shelter (see below). Be sure to get trekking poles that telescope, so you can easily tuck them away when you need both hands during a prolonged scrambling section and to prevent them from becoming lightning rods. Komperdell has been my go-to brand for years and I’m presently trying out a pair of Black Diamond's Distance FL Trekking Poles.
Backpack
The secret to a backpack that feels good is to not put too much in it and don’t get dazzled by bells and whistles (i.e., zippers, pockets and pouches all over your pack). Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes a great pack called the Windrider that offers tons of versatility – perfect for an overnight or longer. It has the ability to grow with your needs. The roll-top took a bit of getting used to initially, and now I’m sold. Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes a superb product.
Sleeping Bag
OK, here's where Forrest and I really differ. In Forrest's quest for weight-savings, he's trimmed in this arena and boy have I watched him shiver. A good night's sleep is so important in prep for the next day's travel. For me a good night is a warm night and I've kept warm in my GoLite Women's Z10 Three-Season Down Sleeping Bag (34 ounces) for the last few years.
When it comes to warmth and comfort in the backcountry, it takes more than a bag. I've tried a number of different sleeping pads, in the search for one that maximizes comfort and minimizes bulk. To date, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad is your best bet. And, when using a delicate pad like the NeoAir, a SOL Emergency Blanket (ground cloth) is a smart addition.
Shelter
See Forrest’s post on “Mid-Life” – it really is fine livin’. If you are really attached to sleeping in a tent, then I’d recommend the single-wall Firstlight Tent by Black Diamond. It’s light and easy to set up, but not incredibly durable, so beware in high winds.
Canine
Perhaps the most essential piece of equipment on any backcountry adventure is a faithful, enthusiastic canine companion. They add lots of warmth and fun to my mountain explorations. And, on certain occasions they’ve come in much handier than a GPS.
Clothing
- La Sportiva Raptors Trail Running Shoes (10.9 oz)
- Darn Tough Daphne ¼ Cushion Socks, 2 pairs (3.8 oz)
- Patagonia Active Hipsters (1.3 oz)
- Isis Sport Seamless Bra (2.5 oz)
- Icebreaker Oasis Leggings (6.9 oz)
- Patagonia Happy Hike Pant (8.9 oz)
- ExOfficio Dryflylite Long Sleeve Shirt (5 oz)
- Ibex U-Sixty T Shirt (3 oz)
- Rab Meco 165 Wool Hoody (7 oz)
- Ghost Whisperer Hooded Jacket (1.9 oz)
- Patagonia M10 Jacket (7.1 oz)
- Patagonia Leashless Pants (9.4 oz)
- Patagonia Ultralight Down Hoody (8.9)
- Mountain Hardware Momentum Running Gloves (1.2 oz)
- Wizbang Lightweight Hat (1 oz)
- Patagonia Air Flow Visor (2 oz)
Equipment
- Zeal Optics Upsides (1 oz)
- Petzl Tikka R+ Headlamp (4.1 oz)
- SteriPEN Freedom Water
- Kathmandu Packing Cell (1.6 oz)
- Fire Starter (1 oz)
- Bic Lighter (1 oz)
- Gerber Dime Keychain Multitool (2.2 oz)
- Elemental Herbs Sport Sunscreen (3 oz)
- First Aid Kit (3 oz)
- Hygiene (3 oz)
- Nalgene Water Bottle (3.5 oz)
- GoLite Women's Z10 Three-Season Down Sleeping Bag (34 oz)
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad (11 oz)
- SOL Emergency Blanket (2.5 oz)
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid (17.6 oz)
- JetBoil (16 oz)
- Lexan Spoon (.3 oz)
- Ursack Food Bag (7.3 oz)
- HMG Cuben Fiber Stuff Sacks (1 oz)
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider Pack (28.2 oz)
- Komperdell Carbon Utlralite Vario 4 Trekking Poles (12.4 oz)
Amy and Fryxell, Lee Metcalf Wilderness
“For those who are willing to exert themselves for this
experience, there is a great gift to be won . . . a gift to be had nowadays in
very few remaining parts of our plundered planet – the gift of personal
satisfaction, the personal well-being purchased by striving . . .” - Margaret Murie
Hi - I'm working on a TV show about outdoor gear testing- would love to speak with Forrest. Can you send me contact info? Much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteJess Greeley
All3Media
Jessica.G@brightroadprods.com
Your actual pack weight is below 15 pounds because you listed some of the clothing you would wear. But a Nalgene? Really?
ReplyDeleteMike, The weight was not intended to represent pack weight. In addition to the clothes Amy wears some of the gear (including the stove and shelter) is most often shared. And as far as a Nalgene water bottle; we have yet to find anything else as dependable or versatile. We have have tried a lot of lighter weight alternatives that have not lasted. We also like the Nalgene's wide mouth that, among other things, makes it great for hot drinks.
DeleteHaha. Leave it to C! to come in and pick your list apart. I appreciate Amy putting this list together - even it includes a Nalgene - and I'm going to forward the link to my wife to see if she can learn anything from it.
DeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteDo you guys regularly use the emergency blankets as a groundcloth in the Ulta-Mid as shown in the pictures? I gave up our heavier Hilleberg Tarra for the 4 person version from HMG a couple weeks ago for our family's alpine/tenkara/packrafting adventures in the Pacific NW and I've been trying to find a durable, but ultralight solution for a groundcloth. Have heard good things about the Gossamer Gear ones, but would love any advice you or Forrest have for making the Ulta-Mid cozier as this is my first floorless tent since scouting days back in the 80's. Thanks for the great post - I really enjoy your blog!
Hi Richard, We haven't tried the Gossamer Gear ones, but we've been quite happy with the SOL emergency blankets as a groundcloth. Ours have endured a couple of seasons and are ready for another one. At $4.95, you can't beat the price or the weight. Glad you're enjoying your Ulta-Mid.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, Just warn people about that steri-pen. Twice I've gotten Giardia using it. Once it seemed functional but was not working correctly and I was in the Southern Winds where sheep gather. The second time I filled up out of a slow moving seep and the pen WAS working but I got Giardia. The water was a bit dirty and later was told that particles in the water can hide the critters even if you are stirring, which I was. I now take the two-part liquid Aquamira--light weight and virtually no taste but reliable!
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had that problem with the SteriPen. However it is a good thing to know and thanks for the heads up. Even when treating water we're careful where we acquire it. All water purification methods that we have experienced have had inherent limitations when treating very cold water and water and water with particles floating in it.
DeleteRab's Women's Meco 165 Wool Hoody is a beauty -- great color, fit and form. I usually ... womenshoodedjackets.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteFor the best results for your work out sessions, you need to wear the apparels that soak all of the sweat and makes you feel very comfortable. The running bare apparels are just so good and are available at very normal prices. This is my favorite brand of all time and I recommend it to others as well.
ReplyDelete