One of the most rewarding ways to experience the park’s amazing spine of mountain splendor is to pack light and hike hard among the peaks lining the Continental Divide. With good planning to avoid exposure during the midafternoon lightning storms, you can easily bag several summits in one day-and still have time to dip your dry fly in a few trout-filled lakes. To get away-way away-from the frontcountry crowds, plan a five-day route, get your permit and maps, and pack these favorites of BACKPACKER editors.
1. Tent:
If you plan your trip so each night’s campsite is below treeline-safe from the 40-mph gusts that often wrack the alpine zone-you can actually get away with a minimalist shelter like the hybrid Tarptent Double Rainbow. This freestanding, mostly mesh shelter is freestanding and roomy, but weighs less than 2.5 pounds. (Requires trekking poles for setup.) BACKPACKER editors reviewed this and dozens of other tents, including several ultralights, this spring. See their ratings here. (Photo by www.sethhughes.com)
If you plan your trip so each night’s campsite is below treeline-safe from the 40-mph gusts that often wrack the alpine zone-you can actually get away with a minimalist shelter like the hybrid Tarptent Double Rainbow. This freestanding, mostly mesh shelter is freestanding and roomy, but weighs less than 2.5 pounds. (Requires trekking poles for setup.) BACKPACKER editors reviewed this and dozens of other tents, including several ultralights, this spring. See their ratings here. (Photo by www.sethhughes.com)
2. Backpack:
Why carry a big pack with a thick hipbelt and expedition-worthy frame if you’re going minimalist everywhere else? BACKPACKER testers raved about the Osprey Exos 58 < http://www.backpacker.com/gear_guide_2009_osprey_exos_58_review/gear/12897 > this year; at just over 2 pounds, it carried 30 pounds like a dream, and its trampoline back panel provides excellent ventilation. If you’re looking for a more spacious pack that’s still light but has enough room for multiweek trips, check out the Deuter ACT Zero 60+10, an easy-to-fit carrier with a solid suspension at just 3 lbs. 1 oz. Read reviews of these and other packs here. (Photos by www.sethhughes.com)
Why carry a big pack with a thick hipbelt and expedition-worthy frame if you’re going minimalist everywhere else? BACKPACKER testers raved about the Osprey Exos 58 < http://www.backpacker.com/gear_guide_2009_osprey_exos_58_review/gear/12897 > this year; at just over 2 pounds, it carried 30 pounds like a dream, and its trampoline back panel provides excellent ventilation. If you’re looking for a more spacious pack that’s still light but has enough room for multiweek trips, check out the Deuter ACT Zero 60+10, an easy-to-fit carrier with a solid suspension at just 3 lbs. 1 oz. Read reviews of these and other packs here. (Photos by www.sethhughes.com)
3. Sleeping Bag:
The lightest of the light is GoLite’s Ultra 20, a down mummy that shaves weight with featherweight fabrics, a hoodless design, and no bottom insulation. It’s warm enough for RockyMountain summers-and warm enough for spring and fall, too, if you wear all of your clothing layers. The weight is just 1 lb. 3 oz., and it packs as small as a liter of water (full review here) (Photo by Courtesy)
The lightest of the light is GoLite’s Ultra 20, a down mummy that shaves weight with featherweight fabrics, a hoodless design, and no bottom insulation. It’s warm enough for RockyMountain summers-and warm enough for spring and fall, too, if you wear all of your clothing layers. The weight is just 1 lb. 3 oz., and it packs as small as a liter of water (full review here) (Photo by Courtesy)
4. Sleeping Pad:
With ultralight gear design getting better and better, hikers are making fewer comfort compromises. One noticeable achievement in this arena is the new Therm-a-Rest NeoAir, a 13-ounce sleeping pad that is one of the lightest mats-and probably the most comfortable-that BACKPACKER testers have slept on. Horizontal baffles create mattress-like comfort (it’s 2.5 inches thick) and an internal heat reflector retains your body’s warmth. See a video and read a review of this 2009 Editors’ Choice Award winner here. (Photos by www.sethhughes.com)
With ultralight gear design getting better and better, hikers are making fewer comfort compromises. One noticeable achievement in this arena is the new Therm-a-Rest NeoAir, a 13-ounce sleeping pad that is one of the lightest mats-and probably the most comfortable-that BACKPACKER testers have slept on. Horizontal baffles create mattress-like comfort (it’s 2.5 inches thick) and an internal heat reflector retains your body’s warmth. See a video and read a review of this 2009 Editors’ Choice Award winner here. (Photos by www.sethhughes.com)
5. Trekking Poles:
If you carry the Tarptent, match them with Leki’s Carbon Lite poles. These 13-ounce-per-pair carbon-fiber sticks will give the Tarptent structure, and they’ll absorb much of the shock that would otherwise hit your knees, hips, and shoulders during a 20-mile day. Read a full review here. (Photo by courtesy)
If you carry the Tarptent, match them with Leki’s Carbon Lite poles. These 13-ounce-per-pair carbon-fiber sticks will give the Tarptent structure, and they’ll absorb much of the shock that would otherwise hit your knees, hips, and shoulders during a 20-mile day. Read a full review here. (Photo by courtesy)
