With international and interprovincial travel frowned upon this summer was the time to check out your own backyard. With fall quickly approaching you don't need to pack your tent away...the options close to home are endless! Few people can say they have the beautiful Canadian Rockies as their backyard. One of the many ways to experience the Canadian Rockies is by foot, on a backpacking trip.


Here are a few trips on how to set yourself up for success!

2 – Plan Your Meals and Get Cooking
Sure, MEC and other outdoor stores provide many "food in a bag" options. But, you're on vacation! Treat yourself to food that is delicious and nutritious! For a small investment in time you can create amazing and lightweight meals. All you need to do is go to the grocery store! Staples to look for
- Dehydrated veggie flakes
- 10 minute brown rice
- Dehydrated soup packages - a great appetizer after a long day of sweating and hiking
- An assortment of spices

Two of our go-to meals are Spicy Peanut Noodles and TVP Tacos.

4 – Check The Weather
Nothing sucks more than getting to the trailhead in the pouring rain. Leading into your trip you'll want to check the weather to ensure it's safe. Calling for lightning storms? Heading into the alpine is not a good choice. Adjust your plans to stay low in the trees is the better option. High temps and sunshine? Wahoo!! You'll want to pack extra water!

Spot Wx and Mountain Forecast are great resources for weather forecasts. Spot Wx allows you to drop a pin exactly in the region you will be exploring. Mountain Forecast allows you to pull the forecast from a nearby mountain. You can see the freezing level and the weather for various elevation points on the mountain. The freezing level is great for shoulder season adventures, helping to determine if you'll get rained or snowed on.

These are some of the resources that will help you prepare for a backcountry outing. Still uncertain if this is for you? Check out our Women’s Intro to Backpacking. Or gather a group together (any gender) and we will plan a custom trip for you.

Looking for other information? Check out the resource page on our webpage. It’s a great spot to refer to when planning any future trip. Set yourself up for success. Prepare your body with the hiking fitness program, reward your muscles after a hard days hike, and check the weather before you head out. These are some small steps to ensure you have a successful hike. Have fun!

You won't even know this is meatless! This has become a go to for us here at Get Outside. Quick, easy, and vegan! You can spruce it up with sauteed fresh garlic and onion or go lightweight with powered spices. We've even added shredded carrot and cabbage. The options are endless. The average person on our trips finds two tacos enough. Jenna usually eats 3 or 4. 

Serves 2

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Wow! The year has flown by, Christmas is right around the corner!
 
One of the top questions that have come up in conversations lately is “What are you getting (fill in the blank with loved one’s name) for Christmas? Are people asking you this? I know my friends have been.

Christmas time is awesome and a significant time of the year for many people. As I think back to the best gifts I’ve received; I can honestly say that being outdoors, guiding people, and moments surrounded by nature have provided me the best gifts. Pure gold!

Nature has magical grounding powers! Being outside allows me to reconnect to the world around me, put things into perspective and slow down (something we need in our busy lives). My attention is drawn to the various shades of colour on a single tree, how the shadows dance across the valley bottom, and how my heart feels like it is going to beat out of my chest. Being outside brings me into the present, holding on to what is important and letting go of all the other distractions. 

In my years of guiding and working as a physiotherapist, I have never witnessed anything that brings people together on a deeper level than spending a weekend out in the backcountry. When we are outside, we are more open, our guards are down and as a result these amazing connections develop in a very short time. Witnessing this experience has been one of the most spectacular gifts a life outside has provided me.

One of the best changes my partner and I have made around Christmas time is to give experiences! This year we are going to France! Wahooo!! Yes, I am stoked!

By switching from giving a material gift to giving experiences we help others develop social connections, experience the anticipatory excitement as the adventure gets closer, and create memories that will last a lifetime. The reason experiential gifts can connect us socially and make us feel alive is that they generate strong emotions. When your loved one experiences the fear and awe of standing on a mountain top, the excitement of a rock concert (who here is a secret head-banger?!?!), or the calmness of walking through a forest… boom, magic happens. Our core is touched, and we never forget the experience. Talk about the best gift ever.

This Christmas help someone tick off a bucket list item. You can contribute to their adventure fund or get a gift certificate. Consider someone's favourite hobby or something new they've always wanted to do. How awesome would that be! Yes, please!

At Get Outside we know a lot of women that want to experience the outdoors. Maybe they haven’t had the chance, maybe it's their first time getting outside, or maybe they just need a break from the business of every day life. At Get Outside, we have many awesome adventures that would bring joy to your special someone’s life. For example, a remote, multi-day backpacking trip is always a top bucket list item! We still have some spaces open on our 2020 backpacking trips, they are an incredible experience. You can grab a Get Outside gift certificate to contribute to their wish list item or get them the whole enchilada… the trip.

Outside is my safe place. A place where I can be myself. A place where I can laugh, be playful, and have fun! Sometimes this involves friends, other times it’s nice to disappear by myself and see where I end up.

We’d love to hear what being outside has gifted you over the years! Leave us a comment or send us a message. We are all ears. ​

This is the number one question! No need to get into a cold sleeping bag! A nalgene water bottle makes a great hot water bottle. Fill the bottle up with boiled water and toss it in your bag - just make sure the lid is tight! Sleeping bag liners are great too, they add that extra warmth and keeps the cool sleeping bag fabric off your skin. Toque - of all your extremities, most of your heat is lost via your head, so bring a night cap! 

Pro Tip: We all feel lazy every once in a while. Not wanting to boil water? No problem. Toss an extra chemical hand warmer into the foot of your sleeping bag 10 mins before you crawl in. It will be super warm and toasty. ​

Being able to run your stove in the winter is essential. Your stove is your lifeline for being able to eat and drink. Using white gas is best because pressurized fuel does not work well in cold temperatures. Always bring more fuel that you think. Melting snow for water uses A LOT of fuel. Aim for around 200ml per person per day. And never forget...always cook outside of your tent or vestibule. If you cook inside your tent you risk carbon monoxide poisoning. ​

“To stick your hands into the rivers is to feel the cords that bind the earth together in one piece.”
~ Barry Lopez ~

There is so much beauty in winter. It is the season of quiet and peace. A kind of tranquility that allows for a reminder to take it slow, think about where you are and where you are headed; consider if this path you are currently on will take you where you want to be. Should you explore a different path, follow your inclination to consider different choices, perhaps an ultimately different you. Or maybe just be still and present, in the moment and let your spirit free to wander in white wintery bliss.

This winter camping experience allowed me to challenge my notions of fear, that held me back before. Fear of the cold, wet socks, freezing frostbite, sleeping on cold hard ground, frozen snot inside my nose. Fear of not being enough, fear of judgment while camping with people I had only met, moments before the trip, fear of losing control. Stuck in the past worried about my future.

But there in the mountain crispness and fresh forest air, I found these people to be kind. They warmed away my worries. We shared and laughed and accepted each other. My leggings got wet and I learned how to dry them using my body heat. I didn’t get frostbite because my guide had provided me with tips on how to warm my hands up while needing the dexterity of my hands and fingers. I adapted to the heat because my guide kept a close eye on my health and how I was feeling, I learned to adjust my layering and use my clothing to keep myself warm. She checked in” to provide the support and guidance I might need at any given time. I learned a lot about confidence by being around such a conscious, empowering and wise leader.

In among the forest stood a lodge pole pine. It was spindly but standing tall, like a wise giant, “that had been through stuff”. The stories it could tell you if it could speak. A tree surviving climate change, and I thought about that as, my guide, shared with us, it’s uniqueness. She told us about how all the trees were different. It changed the way I looked at them.

We took some snowshoe treks through a forest of trees in the shape of alters, and sleeping elves with snow caps as pointed tuques. So many beautiful things to see and take in. Creeks and rivers that had pushed and shifted rocks and mountains. I just wanted to paint all the different shades of green, all the shapes, and lines in the rock. There in front of me was the truth I needed. A beautiful wintery gift. The gift of wonder, of letting go, to explore. We followed a creek to a cave and waterfall.

I usually dip my hands or feet in every stream I pass that leads to the ocean. It’s just a usual part of my hiking experience, it’s something I’m drawn towards, like drawing or making music. We found a sleepy river, and as my hands touched the freezing water, I let the fear go. I felt connected to something far larger than myself. Water still runs underneath the ice, with a force that could pull you under, as it pushes and cuts through rocks. Perseverance can shape and mold your fear into strength, with a little hope and some courage. The longer you keep at something, the more you lose the fear. All of this happens in my heart, and I didn’t have words yet to describe it, because I was having so much fun.

“All the strength you need is already inside you. You will know when to tap into it when you need it” Jenna (the best guide ever), told me, at times when I started to doubt myself. “no judgement here” and “go ahead lead” as she gave us the chance to safely get lost in the trees, and in doing so, my imagination was free. We were liberated, ladies. I could connect to nature in my own way, explore the simple sleeping winter beauty of the Bow Valley. My heart filled up, my spirit was emancipated. I learned that wild women have the most fun! It’s funny how hard it seemed before when all I could see was my doubt and excuses. I was having actual fun being brave, there with my guide and my new musical camping colleague.

Somehow in all the laughter and exploration, my worries melted away with the snow. We were inchworms in mummy sleeping bags and waterfall cave explorers. We were three women getting outside! We were all healers of humans, all shared adoration for nature and we survived camping in a tent, despite the wintery challenges. I will keep my lessons together with my memories of a weekend outside, us three brave women connecting to the interconnected beauty of the wild Canadian Rockies ❤️

Trying a new sport or activity can be both exciting and expensive if you’re starting from square one. There are some key staples you need when embarking upon a season of backcountry hiking and/or camping as well as a number of odds and ends that will make your trip just that much more efficient. Gearing up doesn’t have to break the bank.

Luckily, there are tons of ways to seek out second-hand gear that will meet your needs. Shopping second hand is a good idea for many reasons. For one, it saves money. In addition, taking unwanted gear off someone else’s hands keeps it out of the landfill and does good for mother nature. Cutting on spending while being environmentally conscious? We’d call that a win-win! Here’s what you need to know:

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Second-Hand Gear

There are two things to keep in mind when purchasing used hiking gear: the price and the condition.

Ensure You Purchase Gear in Good Condition

When buying used gear, you need to make sure it’s still functional and in tip-top shape. For example, if you’re buying a used pack or tent, be sure to check the seams and zippers to make sure there are no tears and everything is in working condition. If possible, set up the tent to make sure all parts are together and working. If you can’t actually handle the gear yourself before purchase, ask for photos or videos of all angles including close-ups.

Run a Personal Price Check

It is possible to get awesome deals when shopping second hand, especially when it comes to lightly used gear. That said, it’s important to check out the original sale price of an item to confirm you are getting a deal for buying it used. Visit the maker’s website, shop around a bit, and negotiate or look for another sale if you feel the price is too close to the original.

Not sure where to look for your used gear? Here are some gold mines we’d suggest checking out:

MECs Used Gear Site

Hop online and check out Mountain Equipment Co-op’s used gear site. This can be found right on their homepage and will give you access to items across Canada. If you’re looking for something specific, you can likely find it here! Because MEC gear is of excellent quality, their used gear is just the same.

Switching Gear in Canmore

Switching Gear is an athletic clothing and gear consignment shop in Canmore. They have a wide range of gear, from packs to paddle boards, and you’re sure to find what you’re looking for here. Because many locals update their gear frequently, the quality and price are typically great and the staff is incredibly helpful. It’s also a bonus to be able to view and try out the gear in person before making a purchase.

Facebook Marketplace

If you’re on the hunt for used gear, the Facebook Marketplace is always a good option. Try Bow Valley Gear Loft, Canmore Buy and Sell, and other local groups. These sales are all independent, but because of the small community, you can often go and take a look for yourself before committing to purchase.

Scouts Canada in Calgary

If you’re ever in the city, Scouts Canada in Calgary has a wide selection of used gear for you to browse. You can find camping equipment, outdoor gear, and more. Visit the site and located the store closest to you. If you can’t make it to Calgary, you can also shop online.

Hop online or head to your local hot-spot to save money on amazing gear.

We’ll see you outside!

​Dress in layers so you can smoothly adapt to all weather conditions. For example, we like to layer up with a long-sleeve base layer, soft-shell jacket, puffy jacket, and a rain jacket. This offers the layering systems to deal with cold, warm, rainy, and everything in between. Wahoo!