Gear Lists

Below, you find a bunch of useful gear lists for a variety of trips. If you are going on a trip, make sure that you have all the personal essentials with you. If you are inexperienced and don't have an item on this list, let the trip organizer know and ask what you should do. Don't just leave the item behind.

Also, make sure before that at least someone in the group is bringing the shared essentials.

For the gear in the section titled 'life is a lot better with', you have more leeway. Obviously, this is a very subjective list, and you have to decide whether the added comfort is worth the added weight.

Finally, here is a great slideshow courtesy of Christian Veenstra on how to pack your bag. It's aimed at ski hut trips, but has lots of useful info. [1]

Summer day trip

Personal essentials

• proper backpack
• sturdy boots (hiking or mountaineering)
• hiking socks
• non-cotton pants (no jeans!)
• non-cotton top
• warm jacket (fleece or down)
• waterproof jacket
• waterproof pants
• long underwear (top and bottom)
• toque (hat)
• gloves
• head lamp + fresh batteries
• pocket knife
• whistle* (located on most proper backpack sternum straps)
• lighter or waterproof matches
• sun glasses
• sun hat
• 2L (at least) water
• lunch + snacks (see Food suggestions)
• toilet paper
• menstrual products (if applicable)
• bear spray (if applicable)
• gas money (bring change)
• know the weather forecast

*Get a whistle for free from the campus security office

Shared essentials

• sun screen
• map
• compass
• first aid kit (including any personal medication you might need)
• SPOT satellite device (can be rented from the club)

Life is a lot better with

• hiking poles
• gaiters
• bug repellent
• GPS
• bathing suit

Summer Overnight Trip

Personal essentials

summer day trip items plus

• eating utensils and bowl
• sleeping bag (≈0°C)
• sleeping pad
• dinner and breakfast (see Food suggestions)
• toothbrush
• camping permit (if camping inside a provincial park)

Shared Essentials

summer day trip items plus

• stove with fuel (125ml pp/night)
• pot + matching pot gripper
• tent with poles and pegs
• SPOT satellite device (can be rented from the club)

Life is a lot better with

summer day trip items plus

• sandals/crocs
• water treatment
• ear plugs
• hand sanitizer

Mountaineering/Glacier trip

Personal Essentials

see summer day or overnight trip

• harness
• helmet
• slings or cordelette
• two prusiks
• locking biners
• crampons (check fit to boots)
• 3/4 or full shank mountaineering boots
• ice axe

Shared Essentials

• rope
• picket
• SPOT satellite device (can be rented from the club)

Rock Climbing Gear

Personal essentials

• harness
• helmet
• belay device
• locking biners
• slings
• anchor sling
• stretchy pants over-knee long
• t-shirt etc
• light jacket for multi-pitch
• snacks/lunch
• 2L (at least) water
• sun protection

Shared Essentials

• rope
• quickdraws
• rock-rack (for trad)

Life is a lot better with

• chalk-bag
• approach shoes
• comfy shoes for hanging out

Winter Day Trip

Personal essentials

• proper backpack
• long underwear (top and bottom)
• midlayer
• warm jacket (fleece or down)
• waterproof jacket
• waterproof pants
• toque (hat)
• gloves
• (ski) socks (at least 2 pairs)
• head lamp + fresh batteries
• pocket knife
• whistle
• lighter or waterproof matches
• emergency shelter (emergency bivy, large heavy duty plastic bag + alu blanket, or similar)
• sun glasses or goggles
• 2L (at least) water
• lunch + snacks (see Food suggestions)
• toilet paper
• gas money (bring change)
• digital avalanche transceiver (beacon) + fresh batteries (non-rechargeable)
• shovel
• probe
• ski or hiking poles with large plates
• microspikes
• know the avalanche forecast (https://www.avalanche.ca/, also review https://www.avalanche.ca/tutorial)
• know the weather forecast (https://www.mountain-forecast.com/weather_maps/British-Columbia)

Depending on your preference:

• skis, skins, ski boots
• splitboard, bindings, skins, boots
• snowshoes, hiking boots, gaiters

Make sure you have gear that fits together

Depending on the trip. If not sure, ask the trip organizer:

• ice axe
• crampons / ski crampons
• harness etc
• helmet

Shared essentials

• sun screen
• map
• compass
• first aid kit
• ski/binding repair kit (including duct tape)
• SPOT satellite device (can be rented from the club)

Life is a lot better with

• lip balm
• gaiters
• fleece pants
• ski-helmet
• snow saw
• rutschblock cord
• loupe
• crystal card
• CAC Avaluator card

Winter Overnight

Personal essentials

ski day trip items plus

• additional warm clothing and layers (e.g. extra gloves, long underwear, socks)
• fleece pants
• eating utensils and bowl
• sleeping bag (≈-10°C)
• 4-season sleeping pad
• dinner and breakfast (see Food suggestions)
• toothbrush
• camping permit (if camping inside a provincial park)

Shared essentials

ski day trip items plus

• ski day trip items plus
• stove with fuel (400ml pp/night)
• pot + matching pot gripper
• winter-tent with poles and pegs
• SPOT satellite device (can be rented from the club)

Life is a lot better with

ski day trip items plus

• hut booties
• water treatment
• ear plugs
• fuel for lantern if hut trip

Other Activities

Caving

See Caving page.

Small children

If you have a small child/baby/toddler, you might also want to consider:

• their skis/boots/snowshoes/crampons/etc.
• toboggan
• potty
• diaper(s)
• cloth
• shovel/bucket
• stuffy
• cup
• some extra clothes in case of unplanned events
• tow rope
• bib