During the summer season we spent 10 days within the Canadian Rockies, from Kananaskis up Banff National Park then Lake Louise, and eventually ending in Jasper. During our keep, the temperature ranged from the low 30s (Fahrenheit) at night time to the 70s throughout the day. That creates some packing challenges! To assist you to plan a visit to the Canadian Rockies, I’ve put collectively this Banff packing checklist so that you don’t overlook something!
If you’re vacationing within the Canadian Rockies, you will spend lots of time exterior — so you have to be ready. Even evenings out could be a informal affair, so I’d pay extra consideration to what to put on within the Canadian Rockies throughout the day than worrying about dressing up at night time.
Definitely test the climate earlier than you go, however be ready for something and definitely for big temperature fluctuations. Also, take into account what actions you’ll be doing on the journey and be sure you are outfitted appropriately. For instance, I noticed somebody making an attempt to stroll on the Athabasca Glacier in a skirt and heels — not a good selection!
Weather in Banff During the Summer
As I discussed, the climate situations can change rapidly within the Canadian Rockies. Summer can be a brief season, and it isn’t uncommon to nonetheless get snowstorms in June or as early as August or September. Typically the summer season in Banff is scorching and dry, however the 12 months we visited, there had been dozens of days of rain in July (fortunately we solely received one wet day on our journey.)
Expect to seek out temperatures within the 70s (roughly 25 Celsius) throughout the day, with it getting a lot chillier at night time, with temperatures getting right down to the 50s or decrease. Keep in thoughts that it’ll get even colder at greater elevations so if you’re staying on the mountain or doing any late-night star gazing, you’ll really want to bundle up. During our night time photograph tour, the temperatures received right down to freezing, particularly by 2 am when the celebs have been brightest.
Summer Banff Packing List
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Clothing: What to Wear within the Canadian Rockies
- Hiking pants — You will primarily be sporting climbing pants in your varied adventures within the Canadian Rockies. You need ones which can be fast drying and cozy, with handy pockets. My favorites are from North Face, Columbia, and Prana
- Fleece-lined leggings – you possibly can anticipate some chillier days and nights so along with your light-weight climbing pants, you might need to convey a pair of fleece-lined leggings. There are many choices out there however I really like the dog-walker leggings from Aventura for the consolation, heat, and useful facet pockets.
- Jeans – I don’t recommend bringing many pairs of denims and so they aren’t too comfy for lively adventures and they’re terrible once they get moist. But in the event you love your denims, convey a pair to wear down within the night.
- Flannel shirts – flannel shirts are a should within the Canadian Rockies! I’m an enormous fan of L.L. Bean flannels, particularly the zip-up or the lined variations. The tunic types additionally work nice with leggings.
- Sweat-wicking t-shirts or long-sleeve thermals for base heat layers – merino wool makes an awesome layer and will be worn a number of instances with out getting pungent. You will want a mixture of t-shirts and lengthy sleeves to account for various temps. I actually just like the REI Coop Sahara t-shirts for climbing.
- Shorts/tank prime — simply in case it warms up so much, you might need to throw one pair of shorts and a tank prime to layer beneath one thing in your bag. Columbia has a great number of climbing shorts however you might need to take into account sizing up if buying ones with a button and zipper as I discover these run a bit of small.
- Hiking socks – to me there isn’t a higher climbing socks than these from Darn Good Socks. Made within the USA these provide padding and luxury, with nice sweat-wicking capabilities. Plus, wool retains your ft heat!
- Comfortable underwear and sports activities bras – ExOfficio underwear is nice for climbing and journey as a result of it’s light-weight and dries rapidly.
- Waterproof climbing boots — I’ve all the time liked these from Merrell but additionally simply invested in a pair of LaSportiva Ultra Raptor II climbing boots
- Sweatshirt or fleece — convey a pair in case they get soiled (otherwise you get bored with seeing the identical shirt in each photograph)
- Waterproof, lined shell — I like this one from Patagonia or this one from L.L.Bean
- Lightweight puffer down jacket — for chilly nights. I like these from Columbia as a result of they’re skinny and packable
- Bathing swimsuit — for soaking within the scorching tub, swimming in a lake (in the event you dare), or visiting scorching springs
- Slip on sneaker
- Flip flops or climbing sandals
- Rainpants — actually want I had worn mine after we went horseback driving and the rain began coming down! They have been additionally wanted on the Via Ferrata.
- Knit hat and baseball or climbing hat
- Thin gloves
- Sunglasses
- Cozy PJs (however not too heat in case the lodge is overheated)
Gear to Bring
Your Banff packing checklist shouldn’t be solely clothes. There is a few gear that you need to convey to make your journey extra comfy.
- Camera with zoom and wide-angle lens for taking photographs of all the attractive surroundings, a impartial density filter and tripod for waterfalls may also turn out to be useful, together with a great Zoom lens to seize any wildlife photographs.
- Extra cellphone chargers (together with a automobile charger) and digicam batteries
- Day pack for climbing — You need your daypack to be giant sufficient to carry two water bottles, your cellphone, charger, bug spray, GPS, bear spray, first assist package, snacks, rain gear, and different requirements
- Hiking poles — I’d by no means have made a few of our hikes with out these Black Diamond collapsible climbing poles
- Refillable water bottles — a minimum of 1 per individual relying on dimension. One with a filtration system like Lifestraw can be useful. Hiking makes you thirsty!
- Headlamp with crimson mild if you wish to do night time sky viewing
- Bear bell — You will see bear warnings all around the Canadian Rockies and these indicators and alerts are one thing to be taken severely. Ideally, you need to hike with a bunch and make plenty of noise as you go. Sometimes you’re too drained from climbing to make lots of noise and a bear bell can turn out to be useful.
- Buy whenever you arrive: Bear spray!! You actually don’t need to go wherever within the Canadian Rockies with out this. Just bear in mind which you can’t convey it with you on the airplane so you will want to go away it behind if flying residence.
- GPS or private tracker — if you’re climbing by yourself or doing lots of backcountry climbing. At a minimal, please let another person know what path you’re doing and whenever you anticipate to complete and test in with them. I spotted on considered one of our longer hikes that I actually ought to have had one of many Garmin InReach gadgets and now I by no means hike with out it.
Don’t Forget Toiletries & Extras
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizer (bear in mind you’re within the mountains)
- Lip balm (I’m a fan of Burt’s Bees)
- Deodorant (I like Native pure deodorant)
- Moleskin for blisters
- Download your playlists and leisure earlier than you go as cell protection is spotty and WiFi indicators are typically weak
- A very good information e-book (we used Moon Travel Guides Canadian Rockies)
- Travel insurance coverage — I’ve used Allianz Travel for years!
Plan your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
If you’re planning a visit to the Canadian Rockies, you also needs to try my articles on the next:
Download the Banff Packing List Printable
Ready to get packing? Download the Banff Packing List PDF and print it out when you’re packing on your journey.
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