2012 yellow stone trip guide to gear

8/2/2019 2012 Yellow Stone Trip Guide to Gear

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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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LoweAlpineKhumbu/Appalachian(theychangethenameeveryyear)65L($190-$250)

Iownthispackanditisprobablythebiggestbangforyourbuckimaginable

compressesdownsupersmallforsummitdaysandisverydurable.

Cilogear60LWorkSack($260)IfIweretobuyanewpack,thiswouldbeit.Itsdurableashell,mind-blowinglylight,andhaseveryfeatureyoucouldeverwant.Thishasmadeittothetopof7000Mpeaks.Ifyouplanondoingalotofbackpacking/mountaineeringinyourfuturethisisprobablythebestbangforyourbuckimaginable,consideringitsfarbetterthan$400+ArcTeryxpacks.

2012 yellow stone trip guide to gear

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