Summary

Custom 8 Day Backpacking

Prices From	USD$ $1,360.00
1st Departure	07.15.2009
Provider	Glacier Guides & Montana Raft Company
Destination	Glacier National Park
Duration	8 days
Challenge	Moderate
Avg Rating	Not Rated

This trip is ideal for families with youngster or those seeking a private trip. Custom backpacking trips are tailored around your interests, needs and abilities. Let the experts of Glacier National Park build your dream trip. These trips may depart any time, any day and just about any place. Experience for yourself why John Muir called this area, the Crown of the Continent!

Itinerary

Gear List

           

You will be responsible for carrying your clothing, equipment (i.e. sleeping bag, pad and tent), 2 water bottles or one Camelbak (or similar hydration pack), optional items (camera, binoculars) and food.  Your guide will distribute between 5-8 pounds of food per guest.  After packing is complete, your backpack will weigh about 35-40 pounds.

           

Your guide will prepare and serve all the meals.  All cooking utensils and cooking gear will be provided.  You will receive a lightweight coffee mug, which you are welcome to keep.  Your guide will carry a first aid kit, water filter, bear spray, toilet paper, trowel, and hand sanitizer.  Each backcountry campground has a pit toilet, tent sites, a food prep and eating area with a food storage device, and a water source. 

 

The trails in Glacier are well maintained, so you will not be hiking on scree fields or hopping over boulders.  You will need lightweight, comfortable hiking boots, with good ankle support (we strongly recommend that you break in any new boots prior to the trip).  Some of our trips will have stream crossings.  We recommend that you bring sandals so that your boots don’t get wet.

 

 

 

When backpacking, it is best to dress in layers. By layering clothing you can adjust to the changing temperatures as needed.  It is important to stay away from cotton when hiking in Glacier’s temperamental weather.  Synthetic shirts, pants, jackets and socks wick away moisture and dry more quickly than cotton.  All of these layers combined are a safety measure that will keep you comfortable and guard against hypothermia. We also sell many of these items at our gift and gear store in case you don’t have an outdoor store near you.

 

Generally one t-shirt to hike in and one for camping is a good idea.  One pair of shorts should be fine.  You’ll want to bring 1 set of polypro long underwear.  Over the long underwear top layer you’ll want the mid-weight fleece shirt, which is basically a non-cotton sweatshirt. Over the long underwear top and bottoms you can wear the waterproof/breathable jacket and pants. For socks, we recommend bringing 2 pairs, one for hiking and one for camp.  Wearing sock liners while hiking is highly recommended because they help prevent blisters.  We suggest bringing a polar fleece jacket as an extra layer. Please refer to our packing list to properly prepare.

 

 

If you are renting equipment from us, your guide will have it ready for you on the morning of your trip departure.  You are welcome to pick it up the afternoon beforehand if you’d like to pack your stuff in advance.  Here is a description of our rental equipment:

            Backpacks- Kelty internal frame packs.  They range in size of 4700 cubic inches to 5600 cubic inches and weigh 5 pounds (when empty).

            Tents- Sierra Designs.  We rent 1-4 person tents. How many people and tent site space will determine what tent you will get (Park Service allows 4 people/2 tents per site).  The 2 person tents weigh about 6 pounds, and the 3 person tents weigh closer to 7 pounds.

            Sleeping Pads- Therma Rest/Crazy Creek.  ¾ length and full size available.  The Therma rest weighs about a pound, and the Crazy Creek chair weighs 2 pounds.

            Sleeping bags- Sierra Designs.  Synthetic bags that range from 0-40 degrees (Fahrenheit).   They weigh 3 to 3 ½ pounds. 

            **Sleeping bag liners are available with equipment rental.**

 

 

 

You are responsible for bringing these items.  Please come properly prepared to make your trip most enjoyable.  Most of these items are for sale in our gift and gear shop.  Rental of sleeping bag and pad, tent and backpack are available for $15 a day.

 

Equipment:

q       Sleeping bag

q       Sleeping pad

q       Tent

q       Backpack

q       2 quart sized water bottles or 1 Camelbak (or similar hydration pack)

q       Flashlight (with extra batteries) or headlamp

q       Rain cover for backpack (or line inside of pack with garbage bag)

           

Clothing:

Base layer essentials:

q       1 set of polypro top and bottom (meaning non cotton long underwear top and bottom)

Mid layer essentials:

q       1 mid weight fleece top (similar weight as a sweatshirt, but non cotton)

q       1 polar fleece jacket (especially needed in June and September)

Outer layer essentials:  

q       Water proof, breathable rain jacket and pant

q       Warm hat

q       Gloves

q       T-shirt (1 for hiking, 1 for camp)

q       1 pair of shorts or zip off pants

q       Lightweight hiking boots

q       2 to 3 pairs of polypro/wool socks

q       1 pair of synthetic liner socks (help prevent blisters)

q       Sandals for camp/water crossing (Teva type)

q       Lightweight gaiters (recommended in May, June, September)

 

Miscellaneous essentials:

q       Park Entrance money ($12 per person)

q       Proof of citizenship to cross US-Canadian border (i.e. passport (highly recommended) or birth certificate and photo I.D.  As of January 2008 passports will be required at the U.S. border.) 

q       Ziploc bags(larger size; to organize, keep items clean and dry)

q       Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.  Please bring unscented items to minimize impact on wildlife).

q       Sunscreen  

q       Sun hat or ball cap                                     

q       Bug spray

q Rainwear

q Sunglasses

q Insect repellent

q Packcover

q Flashlight/headlamp

q First-aid supplies

q Water bottles

 

Optional items:

q       Camera

q       Binoculars

q       Fleece pants

If you are extremely interested in wildlife viewing, we encourage you to bring zoom lenses, binoculars and/or spotting scopes. 

 

***Remember that everything you bring you have to carry…think small (and light when it comes to things like toothpaste and soap containers).  Ounces make pounds!***

 

 

Keep your heaviest items close to your back, centered between your shoulder blades. Stuff your sleeping bag into its lower compartment first. Squeeze in any additional lightweight items you won't need until bedtime (pillowcase, sleeping shirt, but nothing aromatic). This will serve as the base of the main compartment, which you'll fill next.  Make sure some items are easily accessible, packed in places where they can be reached with a minimum of digging:

 

Minimize the number of items you strap to the outside of your pack. Gear carried externally may adversely affect your balance. Secure any equipment you carry outside so it doesn't swing or rattle. You are the ultimate judge of what feels comfortable to you. Experiment with different load arrangements to determine what feels best.

Travel Information

Activity Location Glacier Guides & Montana Raft Company 11970 Hwy 2 East West Glacier, MT 59936 USA