Peakbagging is the oldest and most elemental of all mountaineering pursuits. Best outlined as an insatiable need to climb an inventory of mountains, it’s actually one of many hardest types of mountaineering requiring bodily health, psychological toughness, and dogged persistence. Many peakbaggers hike year-round together with winter, following mountaineering trails, driving down logging roads to distant trailheads, pulling sleds of drugs on skis into Wilderness areas, or bushwhacking to peaks alongside border swaths between the United States and Canada. Whether you excessive level, climb the Colorado fourteeners, the Adirondack 46, the New Hampshire 4000 footers, or another membership record, this reward information is for you!
1. Kestrel 1000 Wind Meter
Kestrel Instruments makes one of the best hand-held climate devices at this time. With the Kestrel 1000 Wind Meter, you possibly can take the guesswork out of the wind pace and wind chill calculations which might be so vital in mountain ascents (and bragging rights on the pub afterward.) The 1000 Wind Meter is an correct, rugged handheld wind /airflow meter with a big, replaceable impeller that measures and shows the utmost present and common wind pace in m/s, ft/min, km/h, and mph, on a big, clear LCD. It is patented, waterproof (IP-67), floats, and drop-tested to navy requirements (MIL-STD-810G).
Available from:
Amazon
2. Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Messenger
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a pocket-sized satellite tv for pc messenger that may ship an SOS message to Search and Rescue in an emergency whenever you’re out of mobile phone vary. It may ship e-mail messages and textual content messages to family and friends, everytime you wish to replace them or share your GPS coordinates. It has an easy-to-use push-button interface however may pair with a smartphone by way of Bluetooth to show GPS maps and navigational data. Weighing simply 3.5 oz, it’s sufficiently small to tuck into your pants pocket.
3. Mystery Ranch Bear Spray Holster
It’s not unusual to come back throughout bears and different wild animals when peak bagging mountains are sometimes climbed. That’s whenever you wish to have your bear spray simply at hand. The hottest bear spray sleeve utilized by hikers and different wilderness adventurers is the Mystery Ranch Bear Spray Holster. The beauty of this holster is that you would be able to shoot the bear spray out of your hip with out having to take away it from the holster. Those further seconds of pace…
Available from:
REI | Mystery Ranch
4. GaiaGPS Navigation App Subscription
GaiaGPS is the preferred GPS navigation app in use at this time. It’s bought on a renewable annual license and makes a pleasant reward as a result of the worth has gone up in recent times. Smartphone GPS navigation maps are used extensively by peak baggers and one of many causes peak bagging has grown a lot in recent times is the provision of high-quality maps inside GPS Navigation apps.
Available from:
GaiaGPS
5. Wiggy’s Waders
Wiggy’s Waders are light-weight waders that slip over your footwear and fasten to your belt so that they don’t fall down. Thigh excessive, they’re produced from urethane-coated ripstop nylon, absolutely seam-taped, with a rubberized sole. They’re invaluable for chilly climate stream crossings when you possibly can’t get your footwear or boots moist. If you do gap them, they’re additionally very easy to patch with shoe goo.
Available from:
Wiggy’s
6. Suunto M-3D Compass
The Suunto M3-D is a declination adjustable compass and simple to make use of within the discipline or to discover ways to use a compass with. When peakbagging, it all the time pays to have multiple option to navigate and a compass is a quick and light-weight option to doublecheck your course, even when you use a GPS navigation app more often than not. Compasses are notably beneficial when mountaineering off-trail as a result of you possibly can look at them briefly when following a bearing with out falling flat in your face. Don’t know easy methods to use a compass? Take a compass navigation class at REI – this truly makes an ideal reward bundle.
Available from:
REI
7. Gorilla Grip Gloves
Gorilla Grip Gloves are supreme whenever you want a light-weight, sturdy, and high-dexterity glove to guard your palms if it’s a must to hike off-trail. They’re even good for dwelling tasks like working in your automotive or truck.
Available from:
Amazon
8. Nitecore NU33 Rechargeable Headlamp
Peakbagging hikes can flip into all-night marches when you don’t management your enthusiasm. Regardless, it’s a good suggestion to hold a vibrant headlamp with a big battery to gentle your method. The Nitecore NU 33 is a really vibrant 700-lumen rechargeable headlamp with a larger-than-average 6.6Whr (2000 mAh) lithium-ion battery for long-lasting energy. It has 4 brightness ranges, a main CREE highlight, and auxiliary LEDs for flood, closeup, and crimson lighting modes with a tilt adjustment making it supreme for evening mountaineering, path operating, biking, and tenting. The NU 33 has a built-in energy indicator and lock to stop unintended activation, it’s waterproof to 2 meters and features a USB-C cable for recharging.
Available from:
Amazon
9. SOL Escape Lite Bivy
The SOL Escape Lite Bivy solely weighs 5.5 oz and is sturdy sufficient that you need to use it a number of instances (in contrast to most area blankets) as a sleeping bag cowl along with emergency use by itself. Lined with foil, it’s waterproof and windproof. It displays 90% of your physique warmth and is greatest coupled with a foam sleeping pad to offer insulation from the bottom. It’s added weight to hold, however when you or your companions ever want a reflective bivy, you’ll be glad you’ve gotten it in your pack.
Check for the Latest Price at:
REI
10. Ski Pulk
Some winter adventures require quite a lot of gear, and quite than carrying it, some individuals drag it into the backcountry on a pulk. Made by SkiPulk, the Paris Pulk is vacuum molded from 1/8″ high-density polyethylene. Its signature orange shade is simple to search out in a whiteout. Its broad rims present torsional rigidity and its design has confirmed to be efficient in tons of of expeditions and journeys from the South Pole to the Canadian Rockies. Each Paris Pulk contains the bottom sled, safe straps, full-length poles, and channel package (the channel package contains the aluminum channels and backing plates, chrome steel nuts, bolts, and washers in addition to the nickel-plated wirelock pins used to connect our poles to a sled). Wearable harnesses are bought individually.
Available from:
SkiPulk
11. MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoes
MSR Evo Ascent snowshoes are nearly indestructible backcountrysnowshoes with single-piece plastic decks that may stand up to severe abuse each on-trail and off. They have aggressive metal toe crampons and aspect rails for aspect hilling with a dependable and battle-tested binding system that can be utilized with gloves and is simple to discipline restore.
12. Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters
Outdoor Research’s Crocodile Gaiters are palms down the preferred excessive gaiters accessible at this time and with good motive, as a result of they’re almost indestructible. and difficult as nails. Their waterproof/breathable Gore-tex uppers will preserve your legs dry and heat when plowing off-trail by way of the backcountry or down winter trails. Heavy-duty velcro entrance closures present a safe and adjustable match whereas hooks on the backside guarantee compatibility with many varieties of shoes.
Available from:
Outdoor Research | REI
13. Outdoor Research Sombiolet Wide Brimmed Sun Hat
defend your self from the solar at excessive elevations. with the UPF 50+ Sombiolet Sun Hat from Outdoor Research. This crushable hat has an adjustable drawstring so it received’t fly off within the wind, with a 3″ brim to guard your neck and face from sunburn. It’s made with a light-weight, breathable, waterproof, and quick-drying material with strategically positioned vents and wicking material within the crown to maintain you cool and dry. Unisex.
Available from:
REI | Outdoor Research
14. Outdoor Research Active Ice Sun Gloves
Outdoor Research’s Active Ice Sun Gloves (UPF 50+) are designed to guard your palms from sunburn when mountaineering in increased altitudes or desert circumstances. The half-finger design makes it simple to grip technical instruments whereas nonetheless defending the again of your palms from the solar. The Active Ice remedy which makes use of a sugar spinoff dynamically adjusts to your physique’s temperature to chill you quicker whenever you want it most.
Available from:
Backcountry | Outdoor Research
15. Brynje Wool “Fishnet” Long Underwear
Brynje Wool Mesh Thermo Long Underwear has an open mesh-style weave that traps heat air below a mid-layer. Perspiration could be very effectively depraved out of your pores and skin to your subsequent layer, holding you drier and extra comfy. When it will get actually chilly on lengthy winter peak bagging hikes, these are the lengthy johns you wish to be sporting! This is particularly helpful for start-and-stop snow sports activities the place efficient moisture administration is a prime precedence. They’re additionally accessible in artificial material.
Available from:
Brynje USA
16. Darn Tough Micro Screw Merino Wool Socks
Darn Tough’s Micro-Crew Wool Socks are hands-down the preferred mountaineering socks utilized by hard-core hikers as a result of they’re each comfy and indestructible. Made with Merino Wool, they resist physique odors and naturally transfer foot perspiration away from the ft to stop blisters. They even include a assure, that when you can put on them out, Darn Tough will exchange them without spending a dime! Price:
Check for the newest value at:
Darn Tough | REI
17. Outdoor Research Alti II Mitts
All peak baggers want a pair of very heat winter mittens. These Outdoor Research Alti II Gore-tex Mittens match that invoice to a T! While they arrive with artificial mitten liners, you possibly can simply as simply put on them with fleece gloves inside so you’ve gotten extra dexterity. I carry a number of pairs and swap them out throughout the day after they get damp from perspiration. These mittens have wrist gauntlets, fool cords so that they don’t blow away and leather-based palms. They additionally final ceaselessly. I nonetheless use my Alti I Mitts and so they’re over 10 years previous.
Available from:
REI | Outdoor Research
18. Maxtrax Vehicle Recovery Traction Boards
You don’t wish to get caught in snow or mud when peakbagging mountains off the crushed observe! It occurs. The greatest option to get unstuck is with traction boards. Maxtrax is among the authentic makers of traction boards and its fashions are among the many greatest for off-roading or deep snow use. This model makes use of a system of softer cleats on the underside to assist maintain to the bottom whereas the topside presents traction in your tire.
Available from:
Amazon
19. Luno Car/Truck Camping Air Mattress
Luno makes luxurious inflatable air mattresses for automobiles, vehicles, and vans so you possibly can sleep at a trailhead in consolation earlier than an enormous hike. Sized for every car make and mannequin, they inflate shortly and pack away compactly. Luno additionally sells insect screens to cowl your car’s home windows for warm-weather automotive tenting. True, you possibly can pitch a tent. But sleeping in your automotive or truck is a lot extra handy!
Available from:
Luno
20. Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler
The YETI Roadie 24 Cooler can maintain us to 33 cans of beer or 26 kilos of ice and suits into the wheel nicely behind your driver’s seat or passenger’s seat. It’s good for hauling a six-pack or two to share together with your mountaineering buddies after an extended day of peakbagging adventures. And it’s even tall sufficient to carry a bottle of chilled white wine in case your buddies don’t like beer. If you want it to be cool on the finish of a hike, you possibly can depend on YETI
Available from:
REI
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About the writer
Philip Werner has hiked and backpacked over 8500 miles within the United States and the UK and written over 3000 articles because the founding father of SectionHiker.com, famous for its backpacking gear critiques and mountaineering FAQs. A devotee of New Hampshire and Maine mountaineering and backpacking, Philip has hiked all 650+ trails within the White Mountains twice and has accomplished 8 rounds of the 48 peaks on the White Mountains 4000 footer record with over 490 summits in all 4 seasons. He can be the writer of Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers, a free on-line guidebook of one of the best backpacking journeys within the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Maine. He lives in New Hampshire. Click right here to subscribe to the SectionHiker publication.