Hiking & Backpacking Equipment
For Glacier National Park, Montana, Yellowstone, Colorado, & Rocky MountainsThere are a few, essential hiking and backpacking equipment items a day hiker shouldn’t leave base camp without. First and foremost, An Internal-Frame Day Pack I suggest one with the capability to hold your camel back hydration system, or just buy a hydration backpack, as it makes drinking water a far easier task than drinking from a Nalgene. Speaking of water, although there’s a plethora of run-off streams that cross Glacier National Park’s trails (not to mention lakes!), without a portable water filter you run the risk of catching Giardia.
In addition to a roomy, hydration backpack and a water filter, I’d suggest the following hiking gear: All this clothing may seem excessive, but as I mentioned in the Glacier National Park Hiking Guide, the weather in Glacier can change on a dime and you want to be prepared with the right hiking clothes.  | Staying warm atop Mt. Oberlin | Furthermore, some passes such as Siyeh are known for hurricane-like gusts. Trudging up a pass is hard enough work, the last thing you need is to be cold, uncomfortable and miserable. Plus, after reaching the pass, you’re going to want to relax with some food and soak up the majestic views surrounding you. Without a pack to hold the proper clothing, you won’t be able to enjoy the rewards of your hard work. Finally, and perhaps most important of all your backpacking equipment, is a good pair of hiking boots. Trails are well-maintained in Glacier National Park, but flip-flops, crocs, sneakers, sandals and other shoes lacking any ankle support could result in a fracture or twisted ankle. Many trails hug the side of the mountain and without proper traction, you could easily slip on loose scree and tumble to a most unpleasant injury or death. Be sure to break in these boots ahead of time, as to lessen your chance of blisters.
Pick A Trail to Hike with the Glacier National Park Hiking Guide
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