2012 yellow stone trip guide to gear
TRANSCRIPT
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1FirstAidKit
1BarSoap
ContactLensSolution,Toothbrush,etc.
EYEGLASSES
1PairSunglasses
1Cellphone(andchargerwewillusethisinthevan)
FOOD!(approximately2.5lbs/day)
1Waterbottle(DONOTBRINGABLADDER/CAMELBACK)
MandatoryifClimbing(Dontbringifnotclimbing):
1MountaineeringAxe
1Harness(Provided)
1Helmet(Provided)
OptionalifClimbing(Dontbringifnotclimbing):
1SetCrampons(compatiblewithyourboots)
Optional:
1PairGaiters
1Knife/Multi-tool
Entertainment-related-things
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Boots:Perhapsthemostimportantthingyoucanbringisagoodpairofboots.Sincewellbegoinginmid-marchthetemperatureswillbebetween10and25degreessomostofwhatwellencounterissnowandice.
Moreover,thesnowpackwonthavestartedmeltingsotheremaybeverydeepsnow.
Thetwothingsthatareabsolutelyessentialinaboot:
1) Waterproof2) Insulated
Non-waterproofbootswillallowsnowtomeltonthesurface,seepin,freeze,andpossiblycauseyoufrostbite.Iknowsomeonethathadhertoeamputatedduetofrostbite.Itsnasty.
Insulationisalsoessentialbecauseotherwiseitwillliterallybelikewalkingwithblocksoficeonyourfeetforhoursonend.Therearesomeveryhighendbootswithoutinsulationthatstillkeepyouwarm,butthatstheexception:ingeneralyouwantinsulation.
Thereareafewdifferenttypesofbootsavailableforsale.Letuswalkyouthroughwhattheyareandwhetherornottheywillbeappropriateforthistrip:
LightweightHikingBoots:($50-$300)
Theseareshoesthatgenerallygouporslightlypasttheankledesignedforthree-seasonuse(i.e.notwinter).Generallytheyhaveafairlyflexiblesoleforhikingdirttrailsandcanoftenbeusedforcross-running.BettermodelsaremadewithGoreTexXCRsothattheyrealsofullywaterproof.However,notethattheyreVERYthinandhaveventssothatyourfeetwillgetveryverycold.Moreover,sincetheytendtobeshallowtheywillletsnowin.Theseareneverinsulated.
Verdict:DONOTBUYTHESEFORTHISTRIP.YOUWILLGETFROSTBITE.
HeavyweightHikingBoots:($70-$400)
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Basicallythesearebootsdesignedformoreserioushiking.Theygoaboveyourankle(andprovidesupportsothatyoudontrollyourankle)andgenerallyhavestiffersoles.Notalloftheseareinsulated.Mostarewaterproof(somefeatureGoreTexwhichisbreathable).Theadvantageoftheseoversnowbootsisthatthey
haveenoughrigiditytoclimbsteeperslopes.ColumbiaandNorthFacesellbootsinthe$90-$120rangethatareprettydamnwarmandalsowaterproof.Iwouldnteverspendmorethan$150onapairofinsulatedhikingbootsgenerallybootsatthatpricerangeorabovearedesignedforverylongsummertreksandarethusnotinsulated(fortruewintertrekkingadventures,youdlookatmountaineeringboots).
Verdict:Thisisthecheapestoptionifyouwanttoclimbanything/doalotofhiking.Theyofferalotmorestabilitythansnowbootsandworklikeadreamwithsnowshoes.NotethattheymightnotbeaswarmassnowbootsthinkaboutwhatyouplantodoinYellowstonetofigureoutwhichwaytogowiththepurchase.
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Snow-Boots:($50-$300)
Ifyouplanonwalkingaroundindeepsnow/basichiking,andwanttoalwayshavewarmfeetdespitehorribleweather,looknofurther.Snow-bootsare100%
waterproofandfeatureenoughinsulationtokeepyourfeetniceandtoastyinallsituations.Almostallsnowbootsareactuallyaninsulatedrubberbootweldedtoaleather/syntheticupper.Sorelisprobablythegoldstandardofsnow-bootseverybodythatownsapairravesaboutthemincessantly.Thesearentcramponcompatiblebutarecompatiblewithsnowshoes.DidImentiontheyreabsurdlycomfortable?Downsideisthatforextensivehiking(/physicalactivity)theyrenotverybreathableandwillgetdampinside,makingyouabitcold.Moreover,theywillnotperformwellinhillyterrain(withafewexceptionsprimarilyintheSorellineup).
Notethatifyouwanttoclimb/hikeanythingsomewhatsteepthesoleneedstobe
fairlyrigidotherwiseitwillbeaverydangerousendeavorandyoucanslipandfall.
MountaineeringBoots:($200-$1000+)
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Gettheseif:
1) Youhavethemoneytospend2) Youeitherwanttoclimbthingsoryoumightendupgettingintowinter
backcountrytrips/adventuresinthefuture(orintomountaineering/iceclimbing).
Agoodpairofmountaineeringbootsisprobablyoneofthebetterinvestmentsyoucanmaketheycanlastforseveralyearsand,whenthesolewearsout,theycanberesoledforunder$100givingthemmoreyearsoflife.Theyarefullycompatiblewithallcrampons(includingthereallyeasytousefully-automaticcrampons).Thesebootsfeatureafullytangedsole(apieceofflexiblesteelorcarbonfiberthatrunsthelengthoftheboot)andoneofthreetypesofconstruction:
Subcategory:DoublePlasticMountaineeringBoots($250-$750)
Thesearekindoflikeskiboots.Theyhaveapolycarbonateorcarbonfibershellontheoutside(withastickyrubbersole)andinsidetheyhaveathickinsulatingliner.Sincetheyareplasticontheoutsidetheyare100%waterproofandmind-blowinglywarm.Downsideis you dontwanttowear theseon trails not covered insnowtheyarequiterigiddespitethehingingmechanism.Thesearebestfortechnicaliceclimbingand generalmountaineering.Nice thingabout these isyou can take theliners out at night to dry them out in your sleeping bag. I own a pair of ScarpaInvernosthatIplantobringalong.Asofayearortwoago,theseareslowlybeingreplaced by (the much more expensive) hybrid boots. Nonetheless, any doubleplasticbootmadesince1990(andyes,theylastthatlong)ismorethancapableoftacklinganythingyouthrowatit(including7000Mpeaks).
Subcategory:LeatherMountaineeringBoots($220-$600)
Theseareoftenhybridhiking/mountaineeringboots.Manyofthemarefullycompatiblewithcrampons(butdoverifythis),andarecompletelywaterproof.Manybutnotallofthesearenotinsulated;however,sincetheyfeaturefairlycutting
edgeshellmaterials,youcangetawaywithenoughcoldforthepurposesofourtrip.Thesearethemostcomfortabletypeofmountaineeringbootsincetheyactuallyflexadecentamount.LaSportivasTrangolineisamazingandprettymuch70%ofwhatyouseepeoplewearingintheRockies(especiallytheinsulatedmodel).
Subcategory:HybridMountaineeringBoots($450-$1000+)
Ifyoureloadedorhaveaspirationsoftakingupmountaineeringveryseriouslyhybridbootsarethenewestthinginthebootrealmthesecombinetheflexibilityofleatherbootswiththewarmthandstabilityofdouble-plasticboots.Basically,theresashellmadeofasyntheticmaterialthatsarticulatedwithahinge(thatcan
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belockedforwaterfalliceclimbing).Insidegoesastandardlinerlikeinaplasticboot.SomeevenhavebuiltingaitersnotethatthisisextremeoverkillforYellowstone.
Clothing:Whileindailylifewetendtoavoidlayers,intheoutdoorslayeringisalwaysthebestapproachtoclothingsinceyoucancontrolforchangingconditions.Moreover,severalthinnerlayersarealwayswarmerthanonethicklayer.Forthisreason,werecommendyouusethestandardoutdoorclothingthree-layersystem.
Onerule:ABSOLUTELYNOCOTTON
Socks($9-$25):
Socksmakeorbreakyourchoiceoffootwear.Evenifyouhavethefanciestboots,wearingthemwithcottonrunningsocksisaguaranteedwaytoendupwithcoldfeetandblisters.Thebestapproachtodealingwithsocksinthebackcountryistoalwaysweartwopairsofsocks.Youstartwithalightsynthetic(polyesterbut
NEVERcotton)sockthatwicksmoistureandathickwoolsockontheoutside.Thiscomboalsoallowsthesockstomoveindependentlywhichhelpspreventblisters.Honestly,thelinersockyoucangetatjustaboutanystorethatsellsrunningsocks(again,NOTcotton),althoughnicermodelsdesignedforhikingcanbefoundonline.Goodwoolhikingsockscanbefoundinstoresandonline.Idrecommendbuyingtheseonlinebecausethepricebreakscanbesignificantandtheresmoreselection.Whatyouwanttolookforisthatthesockismeantforwinterhiking(i.e.itsthickandwithafairbitofcushioning).Lighthikingsocksarenotappropriatesincetheygenerallyfeaturequiteabitofcottonandofferverylittlewarmth.
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Youwanttohaveequalnumbersoflinerandoutersocks:about4-5pairsoflinersand4-5pairsofhikingsocks.FYIyoutendtogetwhatyoupayforwithsocks(unlesstheresasale).
BaseLayer($20-$60):
Basicallythisisafancywayofreferringtothermalunderweartopsandbottoms.Whatthislayerdoesiswicksweatawayfromyourbodysothatyoureconstantlydry(remember,watertendstocoolyoudown).Agoodbase-layercanimprovetheperformanceofallyourgarmentsandmakesureyourealwaysdry,evenafteraroughhike.Therearefourmaterialsgenerallyusedforbaselayers:cotton,silk,
polyester,andmerinowool.DONOTBUYCOTTON.NO.JUSTNO.Silkisprettyrare,butitdoesntsmellanditkeepsyoufairlydry.Merinowoolisthebestoptionforwarmth,butitsexpensiveandifitsnotgoodqualitycanitch.Inmyopinion,polyestercanoutperformmerinoinbreathability,althoughitsnotaswarm(justgetpolyesterifyoureunsureitllbefine).Base-layerscomeinlightweight,mediumweight,heavy/expeditionweight.Forourpurposestheheavy/expedition-weightisthewaytogoitwillbeCOLD.
Planonwearingthesamebase-layer2-3days.Soforourtrip3tops/bottomsshoulddojustfine.
NotesonUnderwear:Generallyyoushouldusethethermalunderwearasyourunderwearifyoumust,youcanlayersyntheticboxersunderneaththelongunderwear.Ladies,ithasbeenreportedthatpantiescanrubagainstthelongjohnsandcauseannoyingchaffing.
Ingeneral,itsrecommendedyouusethethermalunderwearasunderwear.Polyesterandmerinowoolcanbewashedwithsomemeltedsnowandsoapanddriedatthefootofyoursleepingbaginafewhoursofsleep.
Shirts($10-$30):
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freetomovewithoutconstriction.Downsideisthattheytendtoweighquiteabitmorethantheotheroptions.
InsulatedGarments($150-$300):
Thebestoptionisaninsulatedgarmentthesearetypicallycalleddownsweatersorgobyvariousothernameslikeprimaloftinsulatedgarment.Downgivesyouthehighestwarmthtoweightratiobutifitgetswetitloosesitsabilitytoprovidewarmth.Mostmanufacturersaddaspecialtreatmenttomakesurethisdoesnthappen.Primaloftultralightinsulatinglayersarethemostexpensive,buttheycankeepyouwarminextremeconditionsandweighnexttonothing.
Notethatadownsweaterandadownjacketaretwodifferentthings.Downsweatersaremeantforlayeringanddownjackets/parkasaremeanttobewornontheoutside.Theformerisbetter.
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OuterLayer/ShellLayer($70-$600):
Thepointoftheshelllayeristostopwind/snow/rainfrompenetratingyourinsulatinglayer,causingyoutolooseheat.AgoodouterlayerispreferablyNOTinsulated:akaifyouweretowearitaloneyouwouldntgetwetorfeelwindbutyoudgetcold.Manyofyouprobablyhaveskijacketsofsomesortthiswilldo(evenifithasfleeceinsulation).Ifyouregoingtopurchaseanewouterlayer,goforanon-insulatedshellstyleinsteadofonethatincludesaliner.Thesearegenerallybettermaterialsandcanbewornwiththemidlayerofyourchoosing.Iftheshellisadvertisedaswaterproof/breathablethatsevenbetter.IsuggestbuyingthisonlinesincethediscountscanbeVERYsteepcomparedtobrickandmortarstores.
Therearetwomaintypesofshells:
HardshellsandSoftshells.Theformeriscompletelywaterproof(manyusesomethinglikeGoreTexthatalsoallowssweat(intheformofwatervapor)toescapewithoutlettingwaterorwindin)butkindofstiff.Softshellsaremadeofhigh-techstretchymembranematerialsandalmostfeellikeonlywearingasweaterbuttheyarenot100%waterproofandtheyoftenletabitofwindin.Althoughwe
arehugefansofsoftshells,itsbettertostartbybuyingagoodhardshellifyoudontalreadyhaveonesincethesearemoreversatile.
Pants($30-$300):
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Forthetripyoullwantbothpantsforhiking/snow-relatedactivitiesandpantstojustloungearound/rideinthecarwith.Generallyspeaking,youshouldonlybringonepairofsnowpantswithyouonthetrip.Theyrebulkyandsinceyoullbewearinglong-johnsunderneathitsnotliketheyllgetsoiledinafewdays.
Therearetwomaintypesofsnowpants:shellpantsandsoftshellpants.Thevast
majorityofski-pants/pantsdesignedforsnowsportsfallintheformercategory.ThisisexactlythekindofpantyoullwantforourdurationinYellowstone.Thepantdoesntneedtobeinsulatedbutitdoesneedtobewaterproof/thickenoughthatitdoesntletyoufeelcold.Also,makesureyoudontbuyoverall-typepantssincetheyrehighlyuncomfortabletomovearoundin.
Foryourloungingpants,warmsweatpants,softshellpants,oreveninsulatedpantswilldojustfine.Basically,youllwantpantsthatyoucancomfortablysleepin.
Gaiter(Optional)($15-$50):
Gaitersareareallynicepieceoffabricthathaveastrapthatgoesunderyourboot
andkeepsnowfromgoingintoyourpantorboot.
Hats/Etc.($1-$30):Pleasemakesuretobringahatsincemostofyourbodyheatescapesthroughyourhead.Mosthatswilldo,butavoidcottonsincewhenyousweatthesweatwillfreeze.Beaniesareprobablythewaytogo.
Ifyouwanttoavoidawind-beatenface,Isuggestinvestinginabalaclava.Basically,thesearerobber-stylemasksthatcoveryourwholefaceandhaveafewbreathingholes.Inthemiddleofasnowstorm(oronareallywindyday)theymaketheweatherbearable.Evenbetterarethebalaclavasthattransformintoaneck-gaiterwhenyourenotusingthem.
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Gloves($20-$150+):
YouNEEDtobringgloves(ormittens);however,yourchoiceisentirelypersonal.Domakesureattheveryleastthatyouhaveapairofwaterproofgloves(i.e.notleatherorfleece)sothatifsnowgetsonthemyourhandsdontgetcold.Ski-glovesfitthebillnicely.Inaddition,(optional)carryingsomemittensinyourpackmakesfora
nicewaytowarmupcoldhands.Gloveswithremovablelinersareanaddedplusbecauseyoucandrythemmuchfaster.
Itsdifficulttogivegloverecommendationsbecausetherearesomanyoptions.However,theBlackDiamondPatrolglove($85-$95)isoneofthebestoptionsoutthere.
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Safety/Navigation:Therearesomeitemsthatareessentialnomatterwhereyouarebackpacking.Teammembersfall,stormsrollaround,peoplegetlost.Theitemslistedherewillhelpensureyoustandachanceofsurvivingifsomethingbadhappens.
Compass($5-$70):
Everyyear,countlesshikersgetlostandstrandedinthemiddleofthewoodsbecausetheyforgettocarryaroundamapandcompass.Eventhecheapest,mostbasiccompasswilldo.DONOTpurchaseadigitalcompasssincethisdefeatsthepointofhavingadevicethatwillworkinallconditions.Nicercompassesfeatureasightingmirrorthatallowsyoutoaccuratelygetbearingswithouttiltingyourmap.Makesureyourcompasshasdeclinationadjustment(almostallofthemdo)sothatyoucanfigureouttruenorth.
TheBruntonclassiccompassislike$8andismorethanenoughtoguideyoutoanypointinNorthAmericawithastoundingprecision.
TheBrunton8099Eclipse(withmirror/sight)isamorecomfortableupgradeandruns$45.
Map(Iwillprovidethisforasmallcost):
Topographicmapofthearea.Combinedwithacompass,itspossibletonavigatewithgreaterprecisionthanjustaboutanyothertoolimaginable.
GPS(Optional)($100-$600+):
Handheld(i.e.notcar)GPSunitsareaveryeasywayofgettingfrompointAtoBwithouthavingtodealwithmapsandcompasses.IfyourGPSfeaturestopographicmapsthenyoucansavethemapandcompassforanemergency.Nicerunitshaveabarometricaltimeterandcompasssothatyoucanquicklylocatetheappropriate
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contouronatopographicmap.Ifyoudonotknowhowtouseacompassproperlydontbuyone!!!Thatwouldonlyencouragebadhabits.
Flashlight/Headlamp($5-$150):
DONOTforgettobringaflashlight/headlampbecauserunningtotakealeakinthemiddleofacoldwinternightinundiesandthenlosingyourwaybackisjustnotcool.Oh,andingeneralyoullwanttobeabletoseewhenitgetsdarkout.Personally,Irecommendaheadlampbutifyouprefertobringaflashlightthatsyourchoice.Ohanddontdrop$100+onalight.Yourejustwastingmoneyatthatpoint.
PetzlmakestheTikkaseriesthatsunder$30andisactuallyadamngoodlightthatsnotuselesslybright(trycookingwithlightsthatlooklikeadeath-rayandyoullseewhatImean).
Anothergreatoption(Iwouldargue,muchbetter)isBlackDiamondsIconheadlamp($50-$60).Ithasmultiplebrightnessmodesthatrangefromcooking-friendlytospotlightpowerful.
Ohandbringquiteafewbatteries.
FirstAidSupplies($15-$40):
Onehopestoneveruseanythingfromhere,butalmostinvariablycuts,scrapes,etc.dohappenduringatrip.Youcanbuypremadefirstaidkitsoryoucanfindanicewatertightsack/containerandmakeyourown.Attheveryleastitshouldcontainthefollowing:
4RegularBandaids
2LargePatchstyleBandaids
4SmallRoundBandaids(i.e.somethingthatwouldcoverablister)
1SmallbottleAdvil(donotbringTylenolunlessyoureallergictoibuprofen)
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1SmallpackagePeptoBismol(thisalwaysendsupbeingused)
1SmallTubeTripleAntibioticOintment(itsreallyeasytogetaninfectedcutifyoudontusethis)
Severalsmallalcoholwipes(likethethingstheygiveyoutowipeyourhandsafter
youeatribs).Smallbottlehandsanitizer
MedicalTape(youwillusethisALOTdependingonhoweasilyyougetblisters).
5Q-Tips
Ifyouhavetouseactivatedcharcoalitsonlybecauseyouwereanidiotfillingthestoveimproperly.Theresreallynoreasonyoushouldneedit.
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CampingSupplies:TheOACwillprovidesomeofyouwithsleepingbags(probably4-5).Weareguaranteed23-persondometents.
SleepingBags(Wewillprobablyhave4)($150-$500):
Ifyouplanonbackpackingatanypointinthefuture,Istronglysuggestyoupurchaseagoodsleepingbag.Notonlywillitlastages(agooddownbagcanlastupwardsof30years),butitwilllikelybelighter,warmer,andmorecomfortablethanwhattheOAChas.Whenshoppingforsleepingbagsthefirstthingtokeepinmindiswhetheritsdesignedforbackpacking.Yoursleepingbagneedstobecompressibleandfitintoyourbackpack.Forourpurposes,youllwantasleepingbagwitha15degreeratingorbelow(although15degreebagsarebetterbecausethentheycanbeusedforalongerdurationoftheyear).
Therearetwoavailablestylesofbackpacking-friendlybags:
DownSleepingBags($200-$500):
Undoubtedly,thebestoptionisagooddown-filledsleepingbag.NotonlywillthesepackdowntoasizeonlyslightlylargerthanaNalgenebottle,butalsoitwillbewarmerounceforouncethansynthetics.OnlydownsideisthatyouhavetobeVERYcarefulnottogetitwetoritwontbeabletokeepyouwarm.
YoullwanttocheckoutofferingsfromMontbell($250-$350)andMarmot(~$300)sincetheytendtobethebestreviewed.IrecentlyboughtaMontbellbaganditlookstoastyashell.
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SyntheticSleepingBags($85-$300):
Generally,syntheticsleepingbagsaremarketedeitherasaprice-pointfriendlyalternativetodownORasanextremeweatherbag.Thebigadvantagewithdownisthatifyouscrewupandgetthebagwetyoucanstillsleeprelativelywarm.Ifthe
samethinghappenedtoadownbagyouwouldbeinserioustrouble.
CheckouttheMarmotTressles15degreebagforwhatislikelythebiggestbangforyourbuckinsleepingbags.Itsaround$90andisaveryhighqualitybagfortheprice.
Ahigher-endsyntheticoptionisMountainHardwearsUltraLamina15($150-$200).Haventtriedthisonepersonally,butitshighlyreviewed.
Bowls/Cups/Utensils($5-$15):
Dontbringglassanything.Itisheavyandifitbreaksinyourbag(90%chanceitwillhappen)itwillbeanightmare.
BringONEbowlandoneutensilset(Isuggestaspork).
Pleasedontpaymorethanlike$10forabowl(honestly,the$5plasticonesarefantastic)unlessitsoneofthosecoolcollapsibleones.
Campingsilverwarecomesinplastic(VERYdifferentfromchinesetake-outforks),aluminum,ortitanium.Again,dontgooverboard$5-$10shouldgetyouaniceset.Idavoidtheplasticonessincetheycansnaponyou(anditSUCKSnothavingawaytoeatproperlyforaweek).Oh,andgetaproperfork,notaspork.TherearecoolhybridsthoughtheonepicturedbelowismadebyLightMyFire.
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Knives/Multi-Tools(Optional)($10-$100+):
Ifyouwanttoopencans,makekindling,gutafish,cutarope,cook,cutanannoying-lookingthread,etc.thenaknifeisprettymuchessential.ThebasicSwedish-madeMoraKnife($10-$15)isverywellmade,sharp,andcandojustaboutanycampsitejob.Swissarmyknives$15-$90candomanymorethings,butthebladesarentexactlyamazing.Higherendfoldingknives,etc.areforposers.Youdontneeda$100.Nobodydoes.
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ClimbingSpecificSupplies(Optional*):*IfyouplanonclimbingEmigrantPeakorsomeothermountainduringourtimeinYellowstone,therearesomemandatoryitemsthatyoumustbringwithyou.Someitemsarehelpful,butnotrequiredandonlyworthpurchasingifyouwanttopursuemountaineeringinthefuture(whichyoushould!).
MountaineeringAxe($40-$200)(MandatoryforEmmigrantPeak):
Amountaineeringaxeservesthreefunctions:itsapointywalkingstickwhileyoure
ascendingsteepterrain,itsadze(sideoppositethepick)allowsyoutochopstepsinpackedsnowandcleartentplatforms,anditspickletsyouperformalife-savingself-arrestifyouhappentofallonasteepsnowyslopeandbegintoslide.Iwillteachyouhowtoperformaself-arrest.Onprecariousterritory,iftheteamistravelingropedtogether,ifonepersonfallsthentherestoftheropeteamdrivesintheiraxesandsavesthepersonthatslippedfromfallinganyfurther.Note:DONOTpurchaseanicetool.Thesearevery-sharpandcurvedversionsmeantforhighlytechnicaliceclimbing.Self-arrestingwithatechnicalicetoolisEXTREMELYdifficultandoftentimesdangerous.IrecommendtheBlackDiamondRavensinceitcanbefoundbetween$50-$70andhasprovenitselfinexpeditionstojustaboutanymountainyoucanthinkof.Italsohasenoughhefttomakeclearingsnowforyourtentreally
easy.Ifyouplanondoingtechnicalmountaineeringlateron,youmightconsiderPetzlsSummitaxe($190)sinceitcanbeusedasaload-bearingbelayanchor.
Ifyoureunder58thengeta60cmaxe.Between58and6a65cmaxewilldo.Ifyouretallerthan6thenmeasurefromyourarmhangingonyoursidetothetopofyourshoe.Gettheclosestlengthwithoutgoingover.Toolongofanaxerendersituseless.
BuythisonlinebecauseitwillbeMUCHcheaperthaninstores.
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FYIyoucanreselltheseonebayfornearly85%ofwhatyouboughtitfor.OryoucankeepitandUSEIT!Ortheymakeawesomefireplacedecorations.
Harness(Iwillprovidethis)($70-$150ifyoupurchaseyourown):
Inveryicysectionswithdrasticdropsandsnowcornicesallaround,welltravelasaropedteam.Thisway,ifyoufalltherestoftheteamusestheiraxestostopyoufromsliding.EmmigrantPeaksroutescanbeclass3(steepscrambling)withcornicesinthewinter,sowemayendupropingup.Notethatformountaineering,sinceyouexpecttoneverusetheharness(andifyoudo,youllveryrarelyhangformorethanafewseconds)ultralightharnessesmadefromwebbingarefine(althoughifyoumadeityourselfpleaseshowittomefirst).
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Helmet(Iwillprovidethis)($90-$120ifyoupurchaseyourown):
Itseasytoscrewupyourfootingandfallbackwardsintoarock.Wearingahelmetonthemountainpreventsthatslightmistakefrombeingamajormistake.Youcanbuyyourownifyouplanonclimbinginthefuture.Basically,thegoldstandardformountaineeringisthePetzlEcrinRocsinceitprotectsyoufromfallingdebrismuchbetterthanitscompetitors.Youllbewearingthese.
Crampons(Optional)($100-$250):
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Cramponsmakewalkingonhardsnowandiceapieceofcake.Nomorechoppingstepswithyouriceaxesadze.Ifafewofyouhavecrampons,wecanevendosomeincrediblyscenicroutesuptothesummitthataretoosteeptodowithregularshoes.WhenbuyingcramponsyouMUSTtakenoteofwhatfootwearyoullbeusingthem
with.Youcannotusecramponswithsnowbootsorlighthikingboots.Thebootmustbefairlyrigidifitsaheavyhikingboot,andeventhenyoucanonlyusestrap-stylecrampons.TheBlackDiamondContact($130),GrivelG10($140)andPetzlIrvis($95)aregoodstrapcrampons.MakesureNOTtopurchasemicrospikesorcramponsdesignedforrunningshoes.Cramponsshouldhaveatleast10points.
Ifyouhavemountaineeringboots,thenyoucanusenon-straponstyles(whicharemuchfasterandeasiertoputon)inadditiontostrap-styles.Notethatformountaineeringyouwanttoavoidcramponswithasinglefrontpointthesearemeantforclimbingextremelytechnicaliceclimbing.IrecommendtheBlackDiamondSabretoothPro($150).
Mountaineering:FreedomoftheHills(Completelyoptional,butagold-standardreferencebookthatwillmakeyouwanttoheadoutanddothiseveryweekendandteachesyoutonsofgoodoutdoorskills)($20orlike$5used)
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Backpacks(>50L/3100CI):EachoneofyouneedsabackpacksincetheOACwillnotprovidethis.Choosingabackpackreallyboilsdowntotwothings:ifyouplanonusingitinthefuture,andifsowhatyouplanonusingitfor.Therearetwotypesofpacks:InternalandExternal
frame.Ineithercase,youwillwantsomethingwithatleast50L(3100CubicInches)ofcapacitybutideally65L(4000CubicInches)ormore.Ifyouhaveultra-lightweightgear(includingareallycompressiblesleepingbag)itspossibletopulloffa45Lpackbutthatsballsyandonlyrecommendedfortheexperiencedadventurer(orifyoureSwiss).
Considerbuyingoneused!!Checkebayandyoullfindgreatprices!
ExternalFrame($70-$100):
Thisisbasicallyjustarigidaluminum/steelframewithabackpackattachedtoit.Notthatmanycompaniesmaketheseanymore,buttheyarethecheapestoptionandarestillpurchasedbyafairnumberofpeopleforsomereason.Youcanbuyaveryniceusedinternalframepackforthepriceofanewexternalframepacksothereisnoreasontobuythese.Whyaretheybad?Theydontdistributeweightevenly,moveallaroundyourback,andweighALOT.Ifyoualreadyownone,thenitwilldo,butifyouarepurchasingnewpackspleaseavoidtheseatallcosts.
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InternalFrame($90-$500):
Thesearethemoremodernstyleofpackandfeatureanaluminum(orsteel)framethatisactuallypartofthepacksstructure.Theyarecurvedandadjustablesothattheweightisevenlydistributedbetweenyourshouldersandyourhips.Therearecountlessoptionsavailableforpacks,butgenerallywhatyoushouldlookforisthatthematerialishighquality(reinforcedbottomsareahugeplus)andhasusefulfeatureslikeasleepingbagcompartment(VERYUSEFUL).
Whenbuyingapack,eitherchoosesomethinghighlyreviewedorwaittocheckitoutinpersonatastore.Thelatterisespeciallytruewhenlookingatbudgetlines
likeKeltyandJansportsincetheirofferingscandiffersignificantlyinquality.BrandsthatarehardtogowrongwithareOsprey,LoweAlpine,andtheNorthFace.EddieBauerhasabackpack(BigTahoma)availableonline(aspartoftheirFirstAscentseries)thatareverywellreviewedandlooktantalizing.Worthcheckingoutsincetheirstuffisalwaystop-notchfortheprice.
Somerecommendations:
$90-$150(EntryLevel)
JansportBigBear(78L)($70).(bestoptionifyoudontreallywanttobackpack
again)KeltyCoyote(80L)($140)
$150-$300(Mid-TechnicalLevel)
GregoryZ65($160ish)
OspreyKestrel68($200)
EddieBauerFirstAscentBigTahoma($250)
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8/2/2019 2012 Yellow Stone Trip Guide to Gear
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LoweAlpineKhumbu/Appalachian(theychangethenameeveryyear)65L($190-$250)
Iownthispackanditisprobablythebiggestbangforyourbuckimaginable
compressesdownsupersmallforsummitdaysandisverydurable.
Cilogear60LWorkSack($260)IfIweretobuyanewpack,thiswouldbeit.Itsdurableashell,mind-blowinglylight,andhaseveryfeatureyoucouldeverwant.Thishasmadeittothetopof7000Mpeaks.Ifyouplanondoingalotofbackpacking/mountaineeringinyourfuturethisisprobablythebestbangforyourbuckimaginable,consideringitsfarbetterthan$400+ArcTeryxpacks.