Okay, I admit it: I'm a "gearhead". In the
last several years I've spent more money than I'd like to admit on outdoor gear.
In return for having numerous cool toys I get the pleasure of grunting a little
extra up and down hills. (And sometime in the flats, too.) So what will we need
for this trip? What is essential? What isn't? I've heard that when planning for
a trip you should make three piles of gear: stuff you need, stuff you might
need, and stuff you don't need. Take all of the first pile, none of the second,
and one item from the third. Since we are "condo climbing", our piles
are going to be pretty small.
Stuff you need:
1. A good daypack. Something
comfortable, versatile, sturdy, but not too big or too small. The size should be
determined by the amount of gear you need to put in it, but a ballpark figure
would be 2000-3000 cubic inches. Packs come with many options like water bottle
pockets, panel or lid access, lash tabs and straps to hold gear on the outside,
and a belt.
2. Water bottles. Nalgene bottles are simply one of the finest and
most trustworthy pieces of gear that I've ever seen. I've never seen one break
or leak. The quart size is most popular, and I recommend carrying at least 2 or
probably 3 quarts of water.
3. Rain Gear. This one can easily come down to
budget. You can go with a decent $10 poncho from Wal-Mart, or you can go to your
favorite outdoor store and drop $500 or more on Gore-Tex shells and pants.
Ponchos aren't a bad option - I've even carried them along with my regular gear
because they are so versatile. If you get a poncho, make sure you get one large
enough that it will fit over your pack. If you decide to fork out the cash and
go will a waterproof/breathable shell and/or pants, then now is the time of year
to buy. Many of the stores in this area consider them "Winter Apparel"
even though they are nice year-round.
4. Boots. Happy feet = happy hiker. It's
that simple. We'll encounter mud, solid rock, slippery scree, unstable talus,
and all sorts of other conditions that require solid footwear. If you're going
to spend more than $100 on anything, this is it. There are many brands to choose
from, but it seems Vasque and Asolo are among the most popular.
5. Socks. The
wrong pair of socks can cause as much pain and discomfort as the wrong pair of
boots. They should be reasonably thick and have flat seams that aren't likely to
cause blisters. You might also want sock liners to help decrease friction inside
your boots and improve moisture control. Also, you might consider having enough
pairs that you can change socks mid-hike.
6. The rest of your clothing. You
didn't think we were just going in boots and ponchos, did you? The weather is
highly variable in the mountains. It might be 40 degrees or lower when you hit
the trail in the morning. Things usually warm up towards midday, about the time
we are doing our most strenuous hiking. The afternoons can bring rain and
hailstorms. The key is layering your clothing in such a way that you're never
too hot, never too cold, and as dry as possible. Synthetic fabrics are nice (no
leisure suits, please), but not very necessary for this trip.
Stuff you might
need (contrary to above, I wouldn't dream of not taking some of this stuff):
1.
Sunglasses. The sun is very intense at high altitudes and sunglasses are almost
a necessity.
2. Hat. Full-brimmed hats are best for shielding both rain and sun.
3. Sunscreen. Did I mention the sun is intense?
4. Whistle. Actually, everybody
needs one of these in case of emergency.
5. First aid supplies. They aren't
necessary for every individual, but they are necessary for the group.
Stuff you
don't need (I always take a lot of this stuff):
1. Camera.
2. Binoculars.
3.
Hiking Stick/Trekking Poles. I'm going to give trekking poles a try this year.
They resemble ski poles and save wear and tear on your legs and feet.
4. Too
much food. Everybody should come home with no food left in their packs.
Starvation is the least of your worries.
5. Cellular phone. Rick and I have a
simple rule concerning cell phones - you can carry one, but absolutely do not
let us see it, hear it, or know that you have it.
Of course, there will be items not listed here that you might want to
bring. It's nice that with condo climbing you can carry it one day and not
the next - it's totally up to you. Since Breckenridge is pretty
well-stocked with outdoors stores, things you find out you want during the trip
will likely be available. For the most part, it's good to get your gear in
advance so you have time to become familiar with it and, especially with
anything you wear, make sure that it fits. I like to shop for and order my
gear online. Here's some places that I frequent:
Campmor (www.campmor.com) - My favorite
place to shop, but you might want to do your product research with someone other
than their local New Jersey customer service staff.
REI (www.rei.com) - Although I've never
actually shopped with REI, I've always gotten the feel that they know their
stuff. They have a store in Minneapolis in case you're ever in the
neighborhood.
PlanetOutdoors (www.planetoutdoors.com)
Fogdog (www.fogdog.com)
Mountainzone Marketplace (www.gearzone.com)
Cabelas (www.cabelas.com) - More for the
hunter than the hiker, but they have some good deals on occasion. Whether
you're buying or just looking, a trip to Owatonna and their 150,000 sq. ft.
store is worth a visit.
If you want to shop locally things are pretty limited. Try Scheels
(Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Coralville, Sioux City), Active Endeavors (Iowa City,
Davenport, Des Moines), Finn & Feather (Iowa City, Cedar Rapids), Ames
Surplus (Ames), Backcountry Outfitters (Beaverdale [Des Moines]) and You
and I Outdoors (wherever you can find Don Briggs at UNI).
