Wapta and Bow Yoho Equipment List

For specifics about the clothing and equipment, this illustrated equipment page might be helpful.

Ski mountaineering gear

  • Skis, preferably with tech-style Alpine Touring (AT) bindings, 150-185 cm in length, wide (100 mm+ at waist) for powder skiing. Telemark, frame-style AT bindings, or splitboards are acceptable as well, please contact us if you plan to bring one or these alternate touring systems.
  • Ski crampons (mandatory; order these well in advance of the trip start date as they can be hard to come by, especially late season)
  • Climbing skins — check that the glue is fresh and sticky, especially along the edges
  • Ski Poles with powder baskets
  • Ski Boots
  • Climbing harness (lightweight if possible)
  • 2 x Locking carabiners, 2 x non-locking biners (optional)
  • 1 x Prusik cord 5 metres long x 6 mm diameter
  • 1 x 120 cm sewn sling (optional)
  • Avalanche Transceiver – a modern digital unit
  • Collapsible Avalanche Probe (240+ cm, not lightweight!)
  • Avalanche Shovel (snow shovel designed for companion rescue with an extendible handle)
  • Backpack – at least 65 L, large enough for sleeping bag, spare clothes, and your share of group food & equipment. If you are a small person then you can get by with 55 L
  • Small emergency candle or small piece of glide wax (for skin icing)
  • Don’t bring a small daypack. It’s not necessary and just makes your big pack heavier

Other gear

  • Personal-sized hand sanitizer (mandatory)
  • Sunglasses and ski goggles
  • Water bottle — minimum 1 liter capacity, more if you don’t bring a thermos
  • Thermos for Hot Drinks, approx 750 mL (optional)
  • Sun block
  • Lip cream
  • Pocket knife and/or leatherman multi-tool (optional)
  • Sleeping Bag — we recommend a three season bag rated between -7 to -9°C. Bring a lightweight compression stuff sac so you have room in your pack for other things.
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Small Blister and personal first-aid kit
  • Camera (optional)
  • Personal toilet items (keep to a bare minimum)
  • 1 x Toilet paper roll
  • Large stuff sack for carrying food
  • Small container for your lunch
  • Ear plugs for dorm sleeping (optional but recommended)
  • Booties or sandals (Crocs work really well)

Clothing

  • Long wool or synthetic (e.g. polyester or polypropylene) underwear (top & bottom)
  • Extra warm shirt (not cotton)
  • Medium weight fleece sweater
  • Soft shell or fleece jacket
  • Soft shell pants
  • Insulated jacket (down preferred)
  • Fleece or synthetic insulated pants — lightweight for April, heavier for Jan-early March
  • Waterproof jacket with hood — Gore-Tex or equivalent
  • Waterproof pants — Gore-Tex or equivalent, with side zippers
  • 3 pairs Wool or synthetic/blend socks
  • Wool or fleece hat (called a “toque” in Canada — rhymes with “kook”!)
  • Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts
  • Light weight ski gloves
  • Neck tube or balaclava
  • Sun hat

food and drinks

  • Quality food is provided for all meals (including the first dinner and breakfast at Truffle Pigs). Traversing meals are provided for an average to above average eater. Special diets may be accommodated for an additional fee, but also may not be possible; contact us for details. If you are an above average eater, or prefer special snacks, or like drink mixes (electrolyte, etc.) then please bring along a bit extra for your lunches. For reference, we provide one sandwich plus a small sausage/pepperoni stick, plus a bar per day. There’s also a bag of trail mix provided for the trip that allows for a handful or two per day. There should be plenty of breakfast and dinner for everyone.
  • Liquor is not provided. If you want to bring alcohol on the trip then we do not recommened beer or wine as it’s heavy and bulky. One idea that’s popular: bring along a small bottle of Tequila with lime juice powder so you can make margeritas with the snow (we do provide snow in unlimited quantities). Many variations on the cocktail theme work well too!

Your guide will bring all of the necessary group gear.

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