Packing

How to Pack for a Hiking Trip with Wells Gray Adventures

Packing for a hiking trip can significantly impact your experience, transforming it from enjoyable to challenging. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for your hike. Below, you’ll find a printable packing list, but we highly recommend reading through this guide thoroughly to ensure you’re fully prepared for your trip with us.

Dressing Right for Your Alpine Hike: Comfort and Protection

Opt for Coverage

When hiking in our alpine environment, it’s crucial to dress appropriately for both comfort and protection. We strongly advise against wearing shorts or a t-shirt due to the prevalence of bugs and the intensity of the sun in the alpine. Instead, opt for light long pants and a long sleeved hiking shirt, which provide better coverage and protection. While comfortable, tight pants like leggings are not recommended. Bugs can easily bite through them, which will compromise your comfort. For added comfort and safety, we provide bug nets that go over your head, offering additional protection against insects. These measures ensure you can fully enjoy your hike while staying comfortable and well-protected from the elements. To further enhance your comfort and protection, we provide bug nets that fit over your head. These nets are lightweight and effective, offering an additional barrier against insects without the need for chemical repellents.

Footwear

For footwear, we highly recommend over-the-ankle hiking boots made from waterproof materials like leather. These boots provide essential ankle support, which is invaluable on our rugged trails. Ankle support helps prevent injuries and enhances stability, especially on uneven terrain.

Choosing the Right Backpack

Selecting the right backpack is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable hiking experience. While you don’t need a lot of gear, backpack sizes can vary significantly. The most important aspect to consider is fit. It is far better to have a larger backpack that fits well than a smaller one that doesn’t. A well-fitting pack distributes weight evenly across your shoulders and hips, reducing strain and helping to avoid fatigue, especially on longer hikes. We do not recommend bringing both a main pack and a daypack on any of our hikes. Carrying two packs adds unnecessary weight and discomfort on the longer days. Instead, on days when you are based at the cabin, it is more efficient to empty your large pack and use it for day hikes. This way, you avoid the additional weight and bulk of a second pack, making your hike more comfortable and manageable. When packing your bag, aim for a balance between carrying all essential items and keeping the weight manageable. Ensure there is enough space for group food, which typically requires about 3-5 inches of space at the top of your pack. Choosing the right backpack with a proper fit and efficiently packing it will enhance your hiking experience, allowing you to focus on enjoying the natural beauty around you rather than dealing with discomfort or fatigue.

Insect Repellent Guidelines

Insect repellent is an essential item when hiking, especially in bug-prone areas. However, it’s important to use it correctly to ensure your safety, comfort, and the preservation of the delicate alpine environment that you will be hiking in.

Using DEET on Your Skin

  • Effectiveness: Spraying DEET directly on your skin does not provide adequate protection against insects. Its effectiveness diminishes quickly with sweat, leaving you vulnerable to bug bites. While DEET deters bugs, it does not fully prevent them. 
  • Health Concerns: DEET is a potent chemical that, when used correctly, is generally safe but can pose health risks such as irritation or adverse reactions with prolonged exposure. 
  • Environmental Impact: DEET is highly toxic to aquatic life and the delicate ecosystems of alpine lakes and streams. Washing off DEET-treated skin in these waters can contaminate the environment.

Swimming and DEET Cleanup Mandatory Cleanup: 

  • If you apply DEET directly to your skin, it is mandatory to thoroughly wipe it off before swimming in any alpine lakes or streams. This measure protects water quality and the organisms that rely on these environments.
  • Alternatives: We recommend using physical barriers like bug nets or clothing to protect yourself from insects. These methods are environmentally friendly and effectively reduce bug bites without the use of chemical repellents.
  • Recommended Usage Spray on Clothing: If you choose to use DEET, apply a small amount to your clothing rather than directly on your skin. Focus on areas like cuffs, collars, and other openings where insects are likely to bite.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively protect yourself from insects while minimizing your environmental impact. Proper use of insect repellent, along with other protective measures, ensures a safer and more enjoyable hiking experience.

Sleeping Gear

The cabins provide duvets, blankets, and pillows for your comfort. To maintain cleanliness and hygiene, please bring a sheet or a sleeping bag liner. Sleeping bag liners are available affordably at retailers like Amazon, MEC, or other outdoor brands. Alternatively, if you prefer not to use a liner, bringing a sheet set and a pillowcase is an option, though it will add weight to your pack. Many sleeping bag liners come with a built-in pillow pocket, eliminating the need for an additional pillowcase; however, if yours does not, please bring a pillowcase.

Printable Packing List

Here is a link for a printable packing list for your convenience: Packing List

How to Pack for a Canoeing Trip with Wells Gray Adventures

Opt for Coverage
When canoeing, it’s essential to dress for both comfort and protection from the elements. We recommend avoiding shorts or tank tops, as you’ll be exposed to both bugs and the sun while on the water. Instead, choose light, long pants and a long-sleeve shirt, which provide much-needed coverage. Tight-fitting clothes like leggings are not ideal, as bugs can bite through them easily.

For extra protection, we provide lightweight bug nets that fit over your head, offering an effective barrier against insects. These nets are a great alternative to chemical repellents, ensuring you stay comfortable and focused on the beauty around you.

Layering for Weather Changes
Bring layers, including a warm fleece or wool jacket, to stay warm in cooler conditions. A waterproof raincoat and rain pants are also essential for staying dry in sudden rain on the lake.

Boat Footwear
For canoeing, choose water-resistant shoes such as diving shoes, water sandals, or flip-flops. These are ideal for stepping in and out of the canoe and for any water-related activities.

Camp Footwear
Bring comfortable running shoes or lightweight hiking shoes for use around the campsite. These will keep your feet dry and supported when you’re not on the water.

Packing Gear

Packing in a Duffle Bag
We recommend packing your belongings in a duffle bag for convenience. At our office, we will provide you with two dry bags:

  1. A Large Dry Bag – Designed to store your duffle bag and larger items. A duffle bag fits easily inside, making it simple to slide in and out at camp.
  2. A Small Dry Bag – Perfect for items you’ll want to access on the boat, such as your phone, camera, sunscreen, or snacks.

While duffle bags are preferred, you’re welcome to bring a backpack if it suits your needs. Just be sure to leave enough space for group items such as shared food or supplies.

Sleeping Gear

If you have a sleeping bag you like, please bring it. If you do not have one, or don’t wish to bring it, we have sleeping bags you can rent for $25/person. This is just to cover the cost of cleaning!

Insect Repellent Guidelines

Physical Barriers
We encourage the use of bug nets and long clothing for insect protection, as these are both effective and environmentally friendly.

Using DEET Sparingly
If you choose to use DEET-based insect repellent:

  • Apply it to your clothing (e.g., cuffs and collars) rather than your skin.
  • Avoid washing off DEET in lakes or rivers to protect the aquatic ecosystem.
  • If you swim after applying DEET, ensure you wipe it off thoroughly beforehand.