My third annual list of my top ten favourite pieces of women's gear is out! 2017 was less adventurous than my epic 2016 year but included several backcountry trips perfect for testing new gear. Here is my list of 'go-to' gear:

1. Black Diamond Women's Mercury Mitts
Those of you that know me know that my hands freeze in the winter time. I need a pair of go-to mitts that I can pull on easily when my fingers are frozen and fumbly. The BD Mercury mitts are my favourite - kept in my pack until I need them, and when I do they don't disappoint. I bought my second pair in 2017.

2. Outdoor Research Women's Ascendant Hoody
Brand new Polartec Alpha Direct active insulation technology is one of the best jackets I have ever worn. Keeping your temperature regulated by dumping heat in active mode or trapping heat in sedentary mode, I can wear this jacket over a wide array of temperatures. This jacket also cuts wind, and is water resistant. Mine weighs only 10.9oz making it a one-of-a-kind all purpose jacket in my books. 

3. Enso Silicon Rings
Being an adventure-seeking outdoorswoman, I often have to leave my wedding rings at home. Time spent paddling, backpacking, climbing, travelling and weight lifting can now be done with a ring on! Enso silicon rings are flexible, durable, stylish, and so comfortable you don't know you have one on! I bought two in 2017, and they have been incredible.

4. Mountain Safety Research Autoflow Gravity Filter
After using a manual pump filter for 20 years, I am now a convert to the gravity filters. There are a few companies that make gravity filters but after doing some research and having a longstanding, trusting relationship with MSR products I chose the 4 Litre Autoflow Gravity Filter. I used it on 4 trips this summer and found the MSR filter easy to use, easy to backwash, and easy to maintain post-trip. I love how this filter makes thinking about filtering water so much less of a hassle on canoeing and backpacking trips. 

5. Mont Bell Women's Wind Gloves
Mont Bell has made a fantastic product with it's Wind Gloves. Think of a nylon shell gloves with a super grippy synthetic leather palm with a polyester brushed interior to wick moisture. I wear these gloves in windy alpine environments, canoeing in cold rain storms (they work well in the rain), and can always be found in my rain coat. Weighing in at 1.1oz, these gloves are so light there is no excuse not to pack them! Buying tip: The gloves are Asian fit, so I had to size up to large.

6. Osprey Exos 38
A new addition to my Osprey pack quiver in 2017, the Exos 38 is a feature-filled, superlight day hiking pack. While not women's specific in design this pack (in the appropriate frame size) is super comfortable and perfect for it's intended use. The mesh Airspeed Suspension makes high output ascents a breeze and the ExoForm hipbelt is padded and has 2 hip pockets. The fliptop pack top is removable shrinking volume for missions that don't require the extra space. There are two pockets on the shoulder straps perfect for carrying GPS and two side water bottle pockets as well as well thought-out water bladder compartments. It's amazing that Osprey can jam pack so many features into one lightweight package.

7. Big Agnes Q Core SLX
As a side sleeper I often get pressure points on my hips from sleeping on standard camping mattresses. Not any more! The Big Agnes Q Core SLX is a super compact, lightweight, quilted sleeping pad that is 11cm (4") thick! I love how it packs up to the size of my Nalgene bottle. This 3 season pad is rated down to 15F and after using it for three seasons it passes the test. What I like best is the I-beam technology that creates a comfortable, consistent shape so that I can get comfortable backcountry sleep. 

8. Werner Carbon Bandit Canoe Paddle
As whitewater paddling ladies we need a paddle that will grab and move water with one powerful stroke. The aggressive spoon face and carbon construction provide the perfect performance when whitewater canoeing as a female. Upgrading from a plastic version, this paddle has brought my paddling to a new level. After having a Werner carbon whitewater kayak paddle since 2004, I know Werner makes durable products.

9. Marmot Women's Variant Jacket
This midlayer is one of the warmest insulation layers I own. With stretch fleece on the back and sleeves and Thermal R insulation on the front, this layer has kept me toasty for years ice climbing, and downhill skiing. I loved my hoody that I bought a few years back so much that in 2017 I bought the hood-less version. It's no surprise to me that Marmot keeps selling year after year.

10. Outdoor Research Stormtracker Heated Gloves
Hands down my favourite gloves for winter. Windstopper softshell outer with a goat leather palm, these Primaloft insulated battery heated gloves are the only reason I can ice climb in the damp cold in the east. I can't say how much I love these gloves. No more screaming barfies, no more issues with Raynaud's syndrome. Worth the investment if you can't wear gloves in the winter.

Need other ideas? Check out my lists from 2016 and 2015.

So you've visited Lake Placid, you've hiked a 46er, and you've fell in love with the Adirondacks. Many people have become hooked to the High Peaks Region this way and once you do, it's hard to stay away. I know -  it happened to me too. 

The High Peaks region of Adirondack Park is a hiking mecca. It is a massive area containing over 6 million acres and over 2000 miles of hiking trails. According to historical measurements, there are  46 peaks over 4000 feet in height and the goal of many is to summit all of them and belong to a club of members that have done the same: The ADK 46ers. There are now over 10,000 members of this club dating back to the 1920's when many of the peaks had no access trails and hikers had to bushwhack their way up. I completed my first round in 2012, but have returned to hike most of the 46 again. I have attained summits in all months of the year. I firmly believe that if you can hike the 46, you can hike anywhere in the world.

For some it's a walk in the park, for others it tests your every limit. Some share time with old friends, some make new friends, and some go solo. According to Grace Hudowalski #9:  "There is something spiritual in it. The mountains mean something different and special to each person. They are what connect us as a group. But the journey is an inward one, learning about yourself".

If you're up for the challenge here are my tips:

1. Recording Your Hikes

Print off a list of the peaks to check off as you hike them. Many can be grouped together and done in the same day. After your hike, you need to record details of your hike like: date, time, weather, what you saw, photos, and other interesting info. These records are what helps you prove that you have accomplished the summit in order to approved by your correspondant at the ADK 46er organization. Some people make a simple written journal on paper, some create a blog, some use a spreadsheet. Personally I created a blog and then printed it off as a keepsake book afterward! To submit your record, head to the ADK 46er webpage and begin the process listed there. They used to only correspond by mail, but have begun an electronic version.

2. Trail Information

a) Each Thursday the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) releases an updated trail condition report for hikers hiking the High Peaks. This is an important report to read before your trip as it gives up to date information on things like: flooded areas, bear reports, closed sections of trail, seasonal information, etc.

b) Here are some other links to find out recent trail info:
TrailsNH.com - compilations of most recent trip reports from the internet for each peak
Adirondack 4000 Footer Hiking Group on Facebook - Recent photos and a community willing to answer questions
The Mountaineer- This Keene Valley store is great for speaking to someone about local conditions as well as picking up any rentals you may need (snowshoes, skis, crampons, etc). They also sell plastic coated topo type maps with hiking trails of the entire High Peaks region which you will need for your goal.

c) An excellent website for trail descriptions and timing is Andrew Lavigne's ADK website. He has multiple trip reports from every peak including photos, distance, elevation gained, hiking time, etc. He also has .gpx files that you can download and load on your GPS for those winter unmarked trail hikes. A valuable resource that sure that helped me when I did my 46.

3. Where to Stay

a) Backcountry camping in the High Peaks Wilderness areas at Lean-to's and campsites is free. These sites are first come, first served, and most require you to hike in 3 miles to reach the site. The sites normally have an outhouse and are close to a water source.  There are a couple of spots that you can essentially drive to and camp for free. One is South Meadow road on the Loj road, but it has limited sites and are almost always full. Another one is along Corey's Road near the Seward Range. There are also 2 hike-in cabins along John's Brook that have to be reserved in advance.

b) State Parks and other car campgrounds: There are numerous paid campgrounds that include campsites with picnic tables, showers and flush toilets, and running water. Popular ones include: 
Lake Harris State Campground
Wilmington Notch Campground
Adirondack Loj Campground (also have lean-to's and canvas cabins for rent)
KOA Lake Placid/Whiteface

c) Cheap Lodging
I try to camp in the summer months, but tend to gravitate to lodging in the winter months (sometimes I winter camp!). Here are some of my favourite places to stay on the cheaper end of the spectrum:
Keene Valley Hostel
TMax-n-Topos Hostel
Cascade Motel
Roostercomb Inn, Keene Valley
Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake
Cloudsplitter Cabins in Newcomb

4. Weather and Equipment

a) Make sure to check out the weather forecast for your hike. Checking the Keene Valley weather however may not give you an accurate prediction of what's going on 3500 feet above so check the National Weather Service's Mountain Forecast before you go.

b) Dress for the LOW. If the nighttime low is 25F, and the daytime is 40F, dress for the LOW. As you ascend, the temperature gets cooler. I find if you start your hike early, head up to the top and descend late afternoon, your average hiking temp all day will be around 25-30F depending on the wind. Never dress for the daytime high, and always bring multiple layers.

c) What to bring? Here is a printable list of equipment you should be bringing with you on your day hikes for all four seasons in the ADKs. Dress in layers: Baselayer (polyester,merino wool, polypropelene), Insulation (fleece, wool, down), Wateproof-Breathable Rain and Wind Shell (Goretex Paclite, Hellytech, Entrant, Pertex). Many of the hikes are remote, so if you don't have map, compass and GPS skills go with someone who does (or learn yourself!). Many hikes start and end in the dark, so a headlamp is mandatory on every hike. Many DEC ranger reports cite rescues caused by people getting caught out at night without a headlamp. Survival gear is also important as cell service is rare while hiking and shouldn't be relied on for Ranger rescues. Be prepared! Winter hikes require snowshoes, microspikes and crampons. Don't skimp on equipment! Here is the link to my list.

5. Training
For anyone who has done any ADK hiking, undoubtedly they would be characterized as 'steep', 'rocky', 'rooty' and 'wet'. Showing up without a doing some work beforehand is a recipe for failure. Here are a few recommendations:
a) Aerobic training: Swim, cycle, run, nordic walk, or hike at home on a regular basis in order to prepare your heart and lungs for the 3-12 hour long hike. High intensity intervals really help get your body ready for the steep sections when the heart is really pumping. Try 5 x 1 minute of upping your pace the next time on your run, swim, cycle, or walk.
b) Strength training: You need to prepare your legs for hiking, and your arms for pulling on roots or pushing on hiking poles. Here is what has worked for me:
- Weighted pack ascents: Find a local ski hill, or staircase, or any and load a pack with weight (waterbottles  or medicine balls work great) up to 15-30lbs for day hiking. Your body will be used to carrying a pack and weight.
-Strength training: Lunges, squats, step ups, calf raises are 4 key lower body exercises. I lunge with 2 x 20lbs x 3 sets for weeks before hikes. Triceps, lats, biceps and shoulders are also good muscle areas to train for poling or scrambling as well core training for balancing on logs, snow spines and rocks.
c) Flexibility- Stretching out your muscles and maximizing your joint range of motion is important in hiking. Scrambling up rocky sections, high steps, and jumping over brooks requires flexibility. Preventing injuries is important, and flexibility is key.
d) Additional skills - Having a background in rock climbing, ice climbing, and/or mountaineering is an asset in the High Peaks. Scrambling up rocky cliffs becomes less scary as does your footing on icy slopes if you have had training in this area. Consider this an positive addition to your hiking skillset.

6. Becoming Official
Once you have completed your 46, there are a few things left to do. One, is to submit your hike logs and join the ADK 46er organization. You will be notified of your acceptance and awarded a certificate at a banquet the following May at the Crowne Plaza in Lake Placid. Membership privileges include the ability to order official 46er swag, and receive the PEEKS magazine mailed to you home. Two, is to summit the unofficial 4000 footer mountain McNaughton! CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

What's next? If you still have the hiking bug and want another challenge, check out these other hiking challenges:
Winter 46er
Saranac 6er
Northeast 111er  (115)

See you on the trail! 
KPW

Gear List for Pukaskwa National Park Coastal Backpacking trail from summer 2017. We planned on 7 days to do the Coastal trail and Mdaabii Miikna Trail. Temps for early August are lows of 5-10 degrees celcius and highs of 18-25 degrees celcius. The trail does not gain that much in elevation, and we plan to move 10-12km per day. 

Before a backpacking trip I weigh everything. I make decisions on what I am bringing based on weight. For example, I will weigh three shirts and decide which one to bring based on which one is lighter. 

For a full detailed trip report of the Pukaskwa Coastal Trail, click here.

Here is what I'm carrying on my back:
1. Osprey Ariel Women's Backpack 75L size small (4lbs 14oz/ 2.1kg)
2. Osprey pack rain cover size large (3oz/ 0.9 kg)
3. Western Mountaineering Summerlite sleeping bag (1lb 7oz/525g)
4. Outdoor Research Compression Bag for sleeping bag 8L (2.4oz/66g)
5. Jetboil Flash stove (14oz/397g)
6. Two large fuel cans for stove (12.5oz/356g each)
7. MSR Gravityworks Filter (11.1oz/320g)
8. GSI Ultralight Nesting Bowl/Mug (4.3oz/121g)
9. Alite Monarch Chair (20oz/566g) **luxury item**
10. MSR foldable spork (0.35/10g)
11. Lighter 
12. Small container with Campsoap, J-cloth
13. SPOT Generation 2 emergency beacon (7.4oz/209g)
14. Small First Aid Kit (blister, athletic tape, medications, bandages, etc)
15. Toque (2.5oz)
16. OR Base Sensor gloves (1.2oz, 35g) and Mont Bell waterproof over gloves (1.1oz/32g)
17. Toiletry Kit: toothpaste, toothbrush, lip chap, ear plugs, etc.
18. OR dry stuff sack for clothes 10L (1.9oz/54g)
19. Black Diamond Liquid Point Shell Goretex Paclite rain shell (12.6oz/356g)
20. Mountain Hardwear Dry Q elite  full zip rain pants (8oz)
21. Big Agnes Q Core SLX Sleeping Pad (16oz/ 465g)
22. Sea to Summit Ultralight Pillow Regular SIze (5.3oz/60g)
23. Garbage Bags x 3 (for lining pack, wrapping a wet tent in, etc)
24. Food (8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners) (10lbs)
25. Black Diamond SPOT headlamp (3.1oz/90g)
26. Canon Powershot camera, extra battery and SD card (5 oz/141g)
27. Iphone 5S for nighttime reading and possibly useful in emergencies (5.1oz/144g)
28. 1 roll of toilet paper and small bottle of hand sanitizer
29. Sunscreen (0.63oz/17g)
30. Bug jacket (4.5oz/127g)
31. Crocs (7oz/198g)
32. OR Salamandar Gaiters (6oz/170g)
33. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (7.2oz/205g)
34. Buff (1.1oz/31g)
35. Swiss Army Hiker knife (3.3oz/94g)
36. Nalgene Bottle, 1L (6.2oz, 175g)
37. Platypus Bladder, 1L (1.2oz, 35g)
38. Clothes: OR Ascendent Jacket (10oz/283g), OR Deviator top (6.3oz/178g) Woolx Midweight bottoms (4.8oz/136g), OR Ferrosi Hoody (11.5oz/326g), Bathing Suit, Smartwool light hiking socks (2.5oz/70g), Patagonia Button Sun Shirt (5.5oz/156g)

I will be wearing the Women's MEC Sandbagger Pant, OR Gauge Tee , Marmot ball cap, Smartwool PHd Outdoor Light Cushion socks, Patagonia active briefs and Brooks sportsbra. I will also be using Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles, Arcteryx Bora Mid GTX hiking boots, and Smith Pivlock V90 sunglasses.

My husband is carrying our MSR Hubba Hubba Tent while I carry the stove, fuel, and water filter. Other group members are carrying other group gear like: GPS, batteries, rope, siltarps, compass, map, etc. My group gear portion is the SPOT beacon.

Approximate weight: 36lbs

**Post-Trip: I used everything I brought except my bug jacket (yay!), my first aid supplies (yay again!) and my second can of fuel (one large can was sufficient for 2 people).

My second annual list of my top ten favourite pieces of women's gear is out! 2016 has been a busy year full of adventures far and wide from trekking in Nepal to canoeing near the Arctic Circle to rock climbing in New York State. Here is my list of 'go-to' gear:

1. Outdoor Research Iceline Jacket and Pants- Jam packed full of technical features, you rarely find a piece of clothing perfect for it's intended sport the first year it's out. I wore this outfit to ice climb all last winter and can't wait to use it again this year. Here's my full review for the jacket and the pants.

2. Orbit Pole- The Orbit Pole is the ultimate selfie-stick for adventurers. It's a bomber camera boom that has a dial on it so you can rotate the camera's POV (point of view) as you are filming. It's accompanied me on almost all of my backcountry adventures this year and allowed me to catch amazing photos and videos. And it still looks brand new. Comes in two versions: Regular (carbon fiber and aluminum) and Trim.

3. Mountain Equipment Co-op Sandbagger Pants- These pants have been my favourite go-to pants for all adventures. I climb in them, hike in them, and canoe trip in them. I brought 2 pairs with me to trek in for 17 days in Nepal and 1 pair for a 15 day canoe trip in Northern Canada. They are stretchy, flattering, and functional. I love them.

4. Astral Green Jacket- I finally upgraded my personal floatation device in 2016 to the top-of-the-line Astral Green Jacket. After wearing it in whitewater for 20+ days this summer, I found it to be bomber.  It's outfitted well for whitewater rescue operations and protection of your core back and front. I am in love with the front pocket to store gloves/camera/snacks/etc. My only beef with this jacket is that you have to put it on over your head, but that also means it probably won't come off when you need it most. 

5. LaSportiva Sparkle Alpine Touring Boots- Ski boot fit is completely personal, but the LaSportiva Sparkle AT boots are a perfect fit for me. I have a long, narrow, low volume foot and found that all LaSportiva products (trail runners, climbing shoes, mountaineering boots) fit me well. The microadjustments of these boots are a bit tough to figure out at first, but allow the user to customize the fit better than standard buckles. These ski boots are the best fitting boots I have ever worn hands down and have taken my backcountry skiing to a new level. 

6. Woolx Base Camp Hoodie- Woolx make exceptional merino wool clothing. Super soft, not itchy, and made with feminine cuts and features. The Base Camp hoodie features a hood, thumb holes and a flattering hip length cut. This hoody I keep grabbing to wear as my favourite lightweight baselayer in cooler weather. See my full review on this hoodie here.

7. Steripen Adventurer Opti- After travelling to Nepal for a month this October, I purified over 100 Litres of drinking water with my Steripen Adventurer UV light. Convenient, lightweight, and user-friendly, and most importantly effective, I made it through without any intestinal ailments. For more tips on travelling to Nepal, check out my blog here.

8. Beal Dynaconnexion - Commerically made personal safety anchors have been around for a few years but this year was the first year I tried one. For years I used slings or hand-made anchor systems made out of cordelette but as soon as I tried the Beal Dynaconnexion, that was it. A staple on my ice and rock climbing harnesses, I find it super handy for clipping into anchors and rappelling off routes. Well made and functional.

9. Smith Pivlock Asana Sunglasses- The Smith Pivlock Asana sunglasses are my ultimate favourite glasses for any active adventure. I use these for teaching, cycling, paddling, hiking, climbing, etc. The fit well under a helmet or hat, are lightweight, and style-y. The come with 3 different lenses suitable for different light conditions. I have 3 pairs of them and love their coverage, high quality, and frameless design.

10. Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody- Last but not least is my favourite mid-layer, the Arcteryx Atom LT hoody. A popular crowd favourite, this jacket does not disappoint with it's synthetic insulation and fabric wrist gaskets. The hoody holds its own in fairweather, and acts as a great mid-layer under a shell in poor weather. I wear it all the time at home, but this year it really shined while trekking in Nepal. No wonder 5 out of 6 of our group members had one!

Need more ideas? Check out my list from 2015 here. 

Planning for 6 person canoe trip for a northern Yukon river isn't always easy. For our 6 person group we split up group gear and emergency gear, and had our own person and paddling gear. We planned for a 15 day trip with a limit of 2300lbs for our float plane ride in from Mayo. The 2300lb limit includes:

-The weight of all people
-The weight of all gear
-The weight of all canoes (and if strapped on the plane on the outside, count for double)

There is a scale at the float plane base to weigh all your gear and people beforehand but it's a good idea to know your weights before you go. I'll breakdown the gear into emergency gear, camp group gear, paddling gear, personal gear.

Emergency Gear:
-Communication devices: Satellite phone, SPOT devices, and pelicase(s)
-Field Hospital (first aid kit)
-Maps
-Compass and GPS
-Repair Kit for boats, duct tape, wrench and screwdriver for assembling/disassembling boats for nesting
-Bear Spray (we had 4)
-Bear Bangers

Camp Gear:
-Tarp
-Firebox
-Back up stove (like Coleman 2 burner)
-Large container of white gas 
-Pot sets
-Dutch Oven
-Gloves 
-Water filter
-Water bladders for storing filtered water
-Plates, Bowls and Cups
-Utensils for eating
-Utensils for cooking
-Strainer
-Sink for washing dishes
-Dish clothes, and scouring sponge, dish soap
-Lighter and matches
-Table
-Rehydrator containers (Vega type bottle)
-Wanagan
-Camp Chairs
-Barrels: 4 x 60L, 1 x 30L
-Staples: milk powder, oil, spices, etc
-Food
-Toilet paper and brown bags
-Trowel
-Small drybag for packaging lunch separate

Paddling Gear:
-Drypants and Drytop
-Neoprene gloves/mitts
-Paddle and spare
-Throwbag
-Bailer
-Rope for lashing
-Carabiners for clipping items into lash points
-Spray Deck (not necessary on this river but great if you have it)
-PFD
-River shoes
-River hat (no helmets this trip)
-Sunglasses
-Canoe
-Pin Kit

Personal Gear:
-Hiking boots
-Hiking poles
-Small hiking backpack
-Sleeping bag
-Sleeping mat
-Tent
-Pillow
-Camp shoes
-Rain pants
-Rain jacket
-Headlamp
-Books and cards for rainy days
-Journal or iPhone
-Camera and extra batteries and pelicase
-GoPro and extra batteries
​-Selfie stick with PFD like OrbitPole
-Clothing: 3 pairs of socks, 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of merino wool bottoms, 1 pair of fleece bottoms, 2 t-shirts, 1 longsleeve baselayer, 1 softshell jacket, 1 fleece jacket, 1 fleece base top, 1lightweight down jacket, 1 pair down pants, 1 bra, 5 pairs underwear.
-Toque and mitts/gloves
-Buff
-Bug jacket
-Toiletries
-Nalgene water bottle
-115L Drypack
-Fishing gear (flyrod and flies)

All personal gear for myself and my husband fit inside our 115L Drybag. Our paddling, group (our portion), emergency gear and food fit in two 60L barrels. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't bring extra batteries for my headlamp (never used it once!), would bring an MSR Dragonfly instead of a Coleman 2 burner Stove, and would bring a spray deck (for warmth!). Hopefully this list helps you out on your trip!

What did I eat on the Wind River Trip? Click here to find out.
Click here for my Wind River Trip Report.

The following is a list of my 'go-to' women's items used the most over the past year:

1.Outdoor Research Deviator Hoody- My number one most read gear review in 2015, the Outdoor Research Deviator Hoody has become one of my favourite pieces of clothing. Warm when you need it, cool when you don't, this hoody is a one-piece wonder. 

2. Columbia Titan Ridge Pant- These pants are my new favourite active winter pant. The Omni-heat reflective inner-lining reduces the cold butt phenomenon associated with women who recreate outdoors in the winter. These pants are my 'go-to' for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

3. Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Gloves- These heated gloves have revolutionized my winters. Not able to wear gloves ever in the winter without freezing digits, these babies allow me to ice climb, ski, and winter camp in comfort. I never had the feeling of 'thawing fingers' ever last winter. They worked so well I went and bought myself the thinner Stormtrackers for this winter.

4. Arcteryx Bora Mid GTX boots- These boots are the bomb. Comfortable right out of the box, these boots are the most waterproof and breathable boots I have ever owned. The best part about these boots is that they are light, reducing leg fatigue and energy over long multi-day trips. See my full review here.

5. Outdoor Research Melody Beanie (toque)- Over the past couple months this toque has been on my head more than any other piece of headwear I own. A fantastic cold-weather active toque that snugs around the ears and has feminine details. The brushed fabric feels soft against your skin all day long.

6. Mountain Equipment Co-op T3 Baselayers- The 2014-2015 winter in Eastern North America was bitterly cold. My favourite baselayers were the Mountain Equipment Coop T3 Hoodie and T3 Long Johns. More breathable then competitors, I found the T3's the best warm baselayer, even for high intensity aerobic pursuits.

7. Osprey Ariel 75 Backpack- This pack is full of amazing features aimed for the multi-day backpacker or mountaineer. This pack is hands down the most comfortable and functional pack I have ever owned. I did a 9 day trip out of the pack this summer, and love it more now than before the trip.

8. Columbia Women's Trail Summit Running Glove- These thin activewear gloves have a very grippy silicon compound on the palm, enabling users to grip items like poles, very well. They also come with a touch-screen compatible finger tip which is handy in today's tech-world, and are great if you're using them as a liner glove.

9. Smartwool PhD Outdoor Light Crew Socks- My new 'go-to' socks for hiking over the past year have changed to the Smartwool PhD Light Crews. I have used and abused these socks over the past year, including a 9 day backpacking trip where I only wore one pair. I am sold on the feel and durability of this sock.

10. Patagonia Active Hipster Underwear-Throw out all your other pairs of underwear! You will love these activewear undies from Patagonia. Thin enough to wear under leggings and extremely comfortable. I keep buying more and more pairs.

Technology has revolutionized the way I backpack. Gear has changed to be more compact and lightweight, radically changing how I pack for a multi-day backpacking trip. This August 2015, I am heading to the Yukon Territory, Canada to attempt the Donjek Glacier Route in Kluane National Park with 5 friends. The route is approximately 120km in length, crosses 2 mountain passes and numerous creeks. It's a route rather than a trail, with no designated campsites. Daytime temperatures are expected to be in the 18-22 degree celsius range and the nightime temperatures should be around 6-8 degrees. We have booked just a little less than 9 days for this trip.

Kluane National Park rules state that we have to carry all our food in an approved bear barrel. For a 9 day trip, we got the biggest ones we could find: The Counter Assault Bear Keg. This makes food packing challenging, and adds 3.5lbs to our over all base weight. Some of the decisions on camp kitchen gear reflect this added challenge. I primarily eat a lot of dehydrated meals on backpacking trips and love eating out of the packaging creating little mess and no clean-up. It's physically impossible to fit all the meals you need in the barrel, so we have to take them out and re-package them. To, rehydrate, we will be using a GSI Fair Share Mug with lid, but at just over 7 ounces, is lighter than carrying around all the packaging from the meals (an empty bag weighs in around 2 ounces). The trade off is that we have to clean dishes instead of packing out packaging.

Here is what I'm carrying on my back:
1. Osprey Ariel Women's Backpack 75L size small (4lbs 14oz/ 2.1kg)
2. Osprey pack rain cover size large (3oz/ 0.9 kg)
3. Western Mountaineering Summerlite sleeping bag (1lb,7oz/525g)
4. Chinook compression sack for sleeping bag 
5. Jetboil Flash stove (14oz/397g)
6. Two large fuel cans for stove (12.5oz/356g each)
7. MSR Miniworks water filter (16.1oz/456g)
8. GSI Fair Share Mug (Bowl) with lid (7.5oz/188g)
9. Sea to summit collapsable mug (2.4oz)
10. MSR foldable spork (0.35/10g)
11. Lighter 
12. Small container with Campsoap, J-cloth
13. SPOT Generation 2 emergency beacon (7.4oz/209g)
14. Group First Aid Kit (blister, athletic tape, medications, bandages, etc)
15. Toque (2.5oz)
16. OR Base Sensor gloves (1.2oz, 35g) and Marmot waterproof over gloves (4oz)
17. Toiletry Kit: toothpaste, toothbrush, lip chap, ear plugs, etc.
18. OR dry stuff sack for clothes
19. Marmot Minimalist Goretex Paclite rain shell (14.4oz)
20. Mountain Hardwear Dry Q elite  full zip rain pants (8oz)
21. Big Agnes Air Core Sleeping Pad (21oz)
22. MEC backpacker's pillow (5.3oz/150g)
23. Garbage Bags x 3 (for lining pack, wrapping a wet tent in, etc)
24. Bear Keg plus food (8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners) (14lbs)
25. Black Diamond SPOT headlamp (3.1/90g)
26. Canon Powershot camera, extra battery and SD card (5 oz)
27. Iphone 5S for nighttime reading and possibly useful in emergencies (5.1oz)
28. Toilet Paper and Hand Sanitizer
29. Sunscreen (0.63oz)
30. Bug jacket (4.5oz)
31. Crocs (7oz)
32. OR Women's Crocodile Gaiters (8.9oz,/252g)
33. Bearspray (7.9oz, 225g)
34. Buff (1.1oz)
35. Swiss Army Hiker knife (3.3oz/94g)
36. Nalgene Bottle, 1L (6.2oz, 175g)
37. Platypus Bladder, 1L (1.2oz, 35g)
38. Clothes: Mont Bell Ultra Light Down Jacket (7.7oz), MEC T3 fleece base layer top (6.3oz) and bottoms (4.8oz) , OR Ferrosi Hoody (11.5oz), extra OR Echo Tee-Shirt (2.3oz), Wigwam light hiking socks (2.5oz),  LIFA longsleeve shirt (5oz)

I will be wearing the Women's Marmot Lobo convertible pant (9.1oz), OR Echo Tee (2.3oz), The North Face ball cap, Smartwool PHd Outdoor Light Cushion socks, Patagonia active briefs and Sugoi sportsbra. I will also be using Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles, Arcteryx Bora Mid GTX hiking boots, and Smith Pivlock V90 sunglasses.

My husband is carrying our MSR Hubba Hubba Tent while I carry the stove, fuel, and water filter. Other group members are carrying other group gear like: GPS, batteries, rope, siltarps, compass, map, etc. My group gear portion is the first aid kit and SPOT beacon.

Approximate weight: 38lbs

POST TRIP: I used almost all of my gear except my bug jacket (yahoo!), and most of my first aid kit (yahoo again!), and extra SD card. I would make some changes to my list after being on this trip. I should have brought my Western Mountaineering Ultralite -7C sleeping bag instead of my Summerlite as I found the Summerlite was at it's limit on about half of the nights on the trip. I might have also found another insulating layer or thicker down jacket useful as well. The nights were cold (often around freezing) and the days were warm (felt like 30 C). I ate all my food except for a few extra bars and 2 cups of soup. Our second fuel canister was almost completely full. I have learned that a medium size can lasts 2 people one week while backpacking. Barrels should be turned upside down at night to prevent rain from seeping through the cracks. All in all, I feel my packing was adequate in most regards.

Check out my trip report on the Donjek Glacier Backpacking trip here.

Heading out to the backcountry for the day? Most people think of bringing food, water, and an extra layer in their packs. What most people overlook could be the difference between life and death in the backcountry. As an outdoor education teacher, Wilderness First Responder, and Red Cross First Aid and CPR instructor, the game of "What if..." is constantly being played in my mind. So what if you had to stay out overnight? What if someone in your group got injured and had to wait for help. Would you have the gear to make sure you survive? As women, we often don't want any extra weight in our packs so the gear I've included below is the lightest weight on the market. Here's what I carry in my pack:

1) An emergency bivy sac: Basic version: 2 extra-large orange garbage bags and emergency blanket, Better version: Adventure Medical Kits Emergency Bivy bag 3.8oz, Best for winter: Sierra Designs Baffin Bivy bag 17oz. In winter I carry the Sierra Designs version, but in the summer months I can get away with the lighter options.

2) Insulating Pad-Bring some sort of pad layer to insulate you from the cold ground. I bring a rectangular piece of blue foam that fits perfectly in the back of my pack or a full length piece if I am going out for a long tour. I use it to sit on for lunches and have it for emergencies as well. 

3) Extra Base Layer, thick toque and mitts, and an extra pair of socks.

4) Down booties-Any brand will do. They are worth their weight in gold.

5) Down Pants-The Mont Bell Ultralight Down Pants 5.1oz are very lightweight. I carry the Western Mountaineering Flash Down Pants 6.5oz

6) Down Jacket- I carry a down jacket with a hood. I carry OR Incandescent Hoody 800+ down thick jacket in the winter (14.4oz), and a light down jacket in the other seasons. The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer light down jacket is my 'go-to' light jacket at 7.2oz.

7) First Aid kit-Basic items-Triangular bandage, Tensor wrap, Athletic Tape, Pain Meds, etc

8) Survival kit items: Swiss Army Knife with saw, lighter and matches, Tinder-quik fire tabs (tinder), Hot Paws hand/toe warmers, extra food, emergency blanket, water purification tablets, whistle, headlamp, extra batteries for the headlamp and GPS, map and compass (know how to use it!), GPS (ie.Garmin Map 60CSX), cellphone and/or personal locator beacon (PLB)/SPOT. 

9) Compressible Drysac to carry it all in! I like the Outdoor Research Ultralight Compression Sacks.

**N.B. if heading into avalanche country, you will also need to carry a beacon, probe and shovel. Please make sure you take an avalanche course to ensure you know how to use this gear!**

A fantastic resource to get you thinking about backcountry survival is the new book entitled "Survive!" by Les Stroud (host of the show Survivorman).

Searching the internet for gear is one of my favourite pastimes. Here are my tips to finding the best deal on what you want and FAST:

First of all, you need to have decided on what you want to buy. The research process takes time, and you need to evaluate all your options. Make sure to read the reviews and be an informed consumer.

The first place I go to when wanting to buy is a website called The Find. The Find enables you to enter in any item and get a comprehensive list of all the web retailers and their prices. I sort the results by price, lowest to highest. Note: this website gives you the listing price of the gear you're looking for and gives you an idea of what you're going to have to pay. The results DON'T take into account deals on the site when prices are reduced with 'discount codes'. Many times I find legit deals through 'The Find' searches. This search process takes two seconds whereas visiting all the sites to compare prices takes eons. I normally now link over to the sites I want to investigate prices on.

If it's a new item, 'The Find' will point you in the right direction. The sites I most frequent from 'The Find' searches are: 
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.backcountry.com
http://www.moosejaw.com 
http://www.altrec.com
http://www.rockcreek.com
http://www.rei.com
http://www.ems.com
http://www.backcountryedge.com
http://www.backcountrygear.com
http://www.sierratradingpost.com
http://www.campsaver.com
http://www.shop.alpenglowgear.com

If you're looking for a past season item, you may need to also explore the 'outlet' sections of many of the websites above, Ebay, or discount sites like Steep and Cheap,  The Clymb or Gear X. Used gear can be found on Gear Trade, Gear X, or on various outdoor forums.

Canadian Customers:
Online gear shopping from Canada takes on a whole different level. The biggest factors involved in this decision making are: Shipping costs including duty charges, and currency conversion rates. Let's start with shipping. If you need to ship from the States to Canada, finding a U.S. address is the best route as many sites will ship for free within the U.S. Shipping to a UPS store near the border is also an option but you'll have to make the trip to collect your package. If you must ship directly to your home, it is way cheaper through USPS (US Postal System) rather than courier services like UPS or FedEX. Sites that offer USPS shipping to Canada are Moosejaw, Backcountry, EMS, and Campsaver. Duties will be added on as the package passes through the border (normally add HST). Sometimes the deals (think Black Friday) are so good it will still be cheaper with shipping and duties. Not all brands are allowed to be internationally shipped from these companies which can be frustrating!

 As I write this, the currency rate is so pitiful that I am not shopping on U.S. sites at all right now. For Canadian prices, I do a Google.ca search and then click on the spoke wheel in the top right hand corner. I click on 'Advanced Search', and click on 'Region' and scroll down to 'Canada'. Then I click on 'Advanced Search'. The results pinpoint the major Canadian retailers which include:

http://www.amazon.ca
http://www.mec.ca
http://www.lacordee.com
http://www.altitude-sports.com
http://www.vpo.ca
http://www.escaperoute.ca
http://www.sail.ca
http://www.liveoutthere.com
http://en.atmosphere.ca

Discount sites also exist in Canada. Sites like The Last Hunt sells discounted gear and Live Out There have great end of season deals and weekly specials. Used gear can be found on Ebay, Kijiji, and MEC gear swap sites.

Happy Shopping!
Krista