Gear Up For Everest In Edmonton
When gearing up for winter hiking and for Everest In Edmonton you want footwear, clothing and traction aids that can be used across a fairly wide range of temperatures, wind speeds, sun, precipitation types, and surface conditions.
For example, typical winter weather includes:
- Temperatures: from 40 degrees down to 40 below zero (Celsius)
- Wind speeds: up to 60 km ph
- Sunlight: from intense sunshine and snow glare to heavy clouds or dense forest cover
- Precipitation types: including blowing snow, freezing fog, sleet, freezing rain, and rain
- Surface conditions: ranging from deep snow to bare rock, bare ground, packed trails, frozen bodies of water, and soft or hard ice
Layering
In addition, you need to dress for a wide range of activity levels, such as when you are exerting yourself and generating lots of body heat or when you are at rest and need to bundle up.
The recommended approach for winter dressing is to add clothing layers when you get cold and take off layers when you start to sweat. Sweating should be avoided in winter because wet or damp clothing will chill you when you stop moving. Take off layers if you start to sweat or slow down your pace to generate less body heat.
Everest In Edmonton Hiking Gear List
The following winter hiking clothing and gear will keep you safe and comfortable in below-treeline conditions. Below treeline hikes are usually protected by forest and are warmer and less windy than above-treeline hikes, which are on top of exposed ridgelines, throughout the 44.5 KM course.
Footwear
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- Insulated hiking boots
- Warm socks (sock liners are a must)
- High gaiters
Hats
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- Lightweight fleece or wool hat
- Heavyweight fleece or wool hat
Gloves
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- Lightweight fleece or wool gloves
- Waterproof shell mitts or gloves, with insulated liners
Jackets
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- Puffy insulated jacket with attached hood
- Waterproof and windproof jacket with attached hood
Pants
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- Hardshell pants that are waterproof and windproof with full-length zippers along the sides
- Softshell pants (optional)
Mid-Layer Insulation
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- Fleece jacket, fleece pullover, fleece vest, insulated vest, or softshell jacket (at least one, possibly several)
Base-Layer Insulation
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- Long sleeve jersey
- Long underwear
- Boxer jock underwear to prevent chafing
Spare Clothing (optional )
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- Long sleeve jersey
- Long underwear
- Extra pair of socks
Winter traction aids
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- Microspikes
Water Bottles
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- Two or three 1-liter wide-mouth water bottles (hydration system hoses freeze up and should be avoided)
- Water bottle insulation, if bottles are stored outside your backpack
Backpack
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- 35-45 liter backpack with side compression straps or a shovel pocket for attaching snowshoes and microspikes to the pack
- Extra webbing straps as needed for attaching more gear
10 Essentials
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- Map of course
- Whistle
- Headlamp with extra lithium batteries
- Personal first aid kit
- Small knife or multi-tool
- Gear repair supplies
- High energy snacks
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
Warm socks
Most hikers wear a heavier wool sock in winter than during other times of the year, but this is an area of personal preference, and the sock “systems” people use vary widely. Sock liners are optional but can be beneficial if you are blister prone. Whatever combination you use, make sure that there is plenty of space in your boots to wiggle your toes around as this increases blood circulation and foot warmth.
Hard Shell Jacket
You also want to carry a windproof and waterproof jacket with an integrated adjustable hood that can be worn while you are hiking. Called hardshell jackets or technical shell jackets, they don’t have built-in insulation, which would make you too warm. Instead, their purpose is to shield you from high winds and sustained rainfall and to trap the heat held by your mid-layer garments. Look for jackets with at least two exterior pockets to stash hats and gloves. Hardshell jackets with pit zips provide the best breathability and venting.
Hard Shell Pants
Hardshell pants are completely windproof and waterproof. Many people find it helpful to use pants that have full zips along the sides to help vent extra heat while hiking and because you can put them on or take them off without having to take off your boots. Most hikers who wear hardshell pants as their primary pant layer also wear long underwear underneath them for warmth.
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