Backcountry Beacon

The conditions encountered on your average summer or autumn peak-bagging outing can vary considerably: one minute you are blasted by the sun, the next minute it’s hailing or even snowing. Relatively long walks or exposed scrambles mean that you want to bring just enough to deal with precipitation and temperature swings but not so much that you are busting a gut carrying it all. This post is focused on what you need and (implicitly) what you want to leave behind.

Most, if not all, of the Colorado 14ers could conceivably be done in a long day—car to car. For many peaks, like Longs, this is the preferred approach. Others, like the Wilson group, are nice to do from a camp so you can tick more than one peak and take in The Nature. Even if you are going into the backcountry to set up “base camp,” your gear list for venturing up on the peaks will be the same as it would be if you had started from your car. For this reason, I am limiting gear recommendations to what one would need for a day trip or a “summit push,” be it from car or from camp.

• Daypack 15-25L

In my experience, one’s pack will always be full, regardless of its size. For this reason, err on the side of smaller. It will hopefully switch your mind-set from “I could take more” to “I should take less. “ In the smaller daypack range, you don’t need a ton of features like overly padded shoulder straps and hip-belts or fancy suspension, as they just add weight. Keep it simple. The Black Diamond Bullet is a longtime favorite that has no frills and has plenty of space for a day hike. The Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Daypack weighs nearly nothing and takes up minimal space in your pack, if planning to backpack in and camp. For early-season or late-season outings, you might want something that could accommodate more clothing as well as crampons and an ice axe. The Arc’teryx Cierzo has the necessary features to carry all that neat climbing gear.

• Hydration bladder

This oft-overlooked piece of the puzzle can make or break your outing. I twice have had a bladder leak sugary drink mix all over my sleeping bag, clothing, and food on alpine climbs, leaving me seriously dehydrated and wet at altitudes worthy of metric system respect. After the second time, I switched to exclusively using MSR Dromlite bags with the hydration kit. Although these cost more than many (or all?) other models, I have found them to be more durable and, most importantly, more leak-proof.

• Clothing:

Rain gear: Afternoon thunderstorms are an almost daily occurrence in the Colorado Rockies. If you spend enough time hiking in the rain, you might want to invest in pricier but admittedly very nice Gore-Tex PacLite rain gear like Arc’teryx’s Alpha SL line. Being skint and living in sunny Utah, I personally go for mid-grade fare. Rain gear made of proprietary coatings are a lot cheaper and work well enough, but they aren’t quite as breathable as Gore-Tex. Outdoor Research’s Helium Jacket weighs almost nothing and is affordable and sweet. Rain pants should fit over your other clothing but have a low enough profile to hike in. Marmot Precip pants work well, come in half- and full-zip options, and won’t break the bank.

Wool or synthetic T-shirt: Even on sunny days, you can get pretty wet from perspiration. For this reason, leave the cotton tee at home. For day trips, I prefer wool as it feels more comfortable and less “techy” than man-made fabrics. If I plan to wear my shirt multiple days in a row, then Ill go the synthetic route, bringing a Patagonia Cap 2 T-Shirt. Women might opt for a sport tank top in addition to or instead of a T-shirt.

Shorts: You could hike the Colorado 14ers in Hawaiian print board shorts if you wanted (they are nylon), but I would recommend lightweight running shorts or nylon climbing shorts. The only real criteria are that shorts aren’t cotton and that they fit you. My favorite is the Arc’teryx Torus Short.

Underwear: I realize that this is personal, but I gotta tell ya, don’t wear cotton! It’s unlikely that you will get soaked down to your skivvies from rain (assuming you bring rain gear), but you will sweat. Cotton and moisture don’t play nice, so avoid chafing, odor, and wetness by wearing synthetic underwear. Fellas, I’d recommend the support of briefs or boxer briefs as Freedom of the Hills should only be taken so far. My personal Rx, if you must know, is the Icebreaker Boxer Briefs. Ladies: I deferred to Diane’s wisdom, and she recommended the Patagonia Active Mesh Bra up top and the Active Brief on bottom.

Lightweight fleece: This is probably the only piece of insulation you need to bring up a 14er under “normal” summer conditions. A Patagonia Cap 4 is perfect for summer. During the shoulder seasons I might take a Patagonia R1. I prefer a pullover or a crewneck, as they are less bulky and lighter than a full-zip.

Lightweight synthetic puffy: Venturing out in colder temps or hanging out in camp means that more insulation is necessary. A puffy is warmer and more compressible than fleece. These days a plethora of lightweight models are available. The Patagonia Nano Puff pullover is my favorite. Again, I prefer a pullover to a full-zip as it saves you bulk and weight.

Lightweight synthetic pants: For mid-summer day trips, you can leave these behind. If camping overnight or for early/late-season outings, you will want nylon or VERY light softshell pants. A lightweight pair like the Patagonia Rock Guide fit the bill. For the die-hards venturing out in colder temps, a lightweight softshell pant with a tighter weave is preferred. The Arc’teryx Gamma LT and the Marmot Scree Pant are great options. Make sure you size them to accommodate a pair of light long underwear bottoms for when it’s really cold.

Lightweight beanie: Ounce for ounce, this is the warmest piece of insulation you can bring. A thin beanie like the Icebreaker Pocket 200 comes with me even if I’m planning to be in a T-shirt all day.

Lightweight gloves: These only come along when it’s really cold or if you plan to cross a lot of snow using an ice axe. I prefer a lightweight softshell glove like the Mountain Hardwear Torsion, as they are more wind- and water-resistant than fleece.

Footwear: The old adage, “One pound on the feet equals five on the back,” has merit to it. Some people take this to its logical conclusion and wear “barefoot” shoes like the Merrell Trail Glove. Though I really dig the barefoot concept, most folks will be happiest in a pair of lightweight trail runners or sticky rubber approach shoes. I realize that some people really are attached to the “support” of boots. I don’t want to ruffle any feathers but strongly encourage you to reconsider how much you really need that heavy footwear. I personally have carried very heavy loads and done legit glacier crossings and approaches in La Sportiva Exums.

Socks: Your choice of footwear will determine the socks you want. Again, the recurring theme of No Cotton surfaces. For the sake of simplicity, I will assume you took my advice and will be wearing trail runners or low-top approach shoes. Since this is the case, go with an ankle height sock, as they are lighter weight and cooler when it’s hot out. My favorite is the Bridgedale Bamboo Lo.

Sunglasses: The sun will be shining at some point, and the higher you go, the more you need to protect your eyes. Technical glacier glasses aren’t necessary, so you should definitely go for style points in this department. Any sunglasses that have reasonably dark lenses will work, so go with something baller.

Headlamp: This piece of equipment is necessary for early starts and late arrivals. The hands-free benefit of a headlamp is something not extended to flashlight owners. A lightweight LED headlamp, like the Petzl Zipka, puts out plenty of light and takes up minimal space in your already full pack. Be sure to pack spare batteries.

Sun hat: The sun is a major concern and, in addition to sunblock, a hat is a good idea to protect your head. Depending on stylistic preference, anything from a safari hat to a trucker foamie will do the job. Technical sun and rain hats are the most applicable to hiking. My personal favorite is the Outdoor Research Ferrosi.

Water filter: Water is heavy. While most people typically carry only two liters at a time, the liquid requirements for a long day can easily exceed this.  A filter is a good call, as you can safely refill your bladder or bottles en route. My favorite is the MSR Sweet Water Micro Filter.

• Miscellaneous Items:

Sunblock: Even if you are less prone to getting burned, a higher SPF is a good call at higher elevations.

Bug spray: Bugs generally disappear above tree line, but they can make life miserable. A good spray is key to preventing getting mauled.

Waste management: You will have to go at some point, so be sure to bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer. You can greatly decrease your impact by bringing a Wag Bag and packing it out.

Navigation: While the Colorado 14ers are very well traveled, it’s still a good idea to know where you are going. I’m old school and rely on a map, compass, guidebook descriptions and my own judgment to get around. That said, having a GPS and an altimeter can be useful. At the very least, putzing around with them can keep you from getting bored in camp or at work.

First aid kit: You can easily go to the pharmacy and put together the necessary items to deal with an accident, but the convenience of an Adventure Medical Lightweight First Aid Kit is nice.

Climbing gear???: Some people will feel more comfortable using a rope on some peaks or routes. Early-season ascents can also require crampons or an ice axe. For simplicity I am going to omit climbing gear and assume that if folks want to bring the climbing kit, they will 1) know what they need and 2) know how to safely use it. We saw a lot of people wearing helmets, which might not be a bad idea, as peaks in Colorado are quite loose. That said, my own assessment of terrain was that things weren’t really steep enough for me to want a brain bucket. Andy, Diane, and I joked that the hikers trundling rocks above us should have given us their helmets.

Related Posts:

• Destiny Manifested: Peak-Bagging Colorado’s 14ers

Tags: peak bagging