Planing first solo trip- Alberta Rocky Mountains - advice,yes?

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sketchbag

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Last night I decided I'm going to head west to Alberta to visit the Rocky Mountains, and possibly onto B.C. from there. I cant imagine that I'll be able to talk anyone into joining me on this excursion, so I'm probably gonna hike it solo.

First off, I dont know where to begin as far as planing the "where" (I mean specifically what road I'm going to go down and where I'm going to disembark). I wanna stick to crown land so I can basically do as I please (cut down trees for firewood, shelter, what ever, make open fires, ect, ect), being not far from Calgary and on the way to BC would be ideal, and near by a water adjacent (speaking of which, how's the fishing in the rockies?). Also I should add I'm not going after high altitude, it'll probably be chilly enough by the time I actually get out there.

I'm working on a list of gear, I'd like to go ultra light, and there's some items I still need to grab that I could use some input on. First and foremost is a new backpack, gonna go down to cabellas later today and take a look, but a recommendation to steer me in the right direction would be good.


Do you suppose I'll be able to handle the fall weather with just a good sleeping bag and a tarp/poncho shelter ground tarp and spruce bow bedding? Bug's wont be an issue at this time of year so I dont really want to lug a tent around if I dont have to.

I'll post up a gear list later that we can work on.

I'd also be interested to know what kind of food you old hands usually pack. I figure rice, beans and bannock will be the staples, I'd like to try making pemmican, but who knows how taht will turn out.

I've got a ton more questions, but lets start with this :o

Thanks,
Ankar
 
proper clothing is key here.
I've spent an entire night sitting in my yard in mid winter because I had locked myself out of my place, aside from getting up every now and then to PT I was quite alright.

The tarp/poncho system should be enough as it's main purpose will be to shield wind/rain.
if you have a bough bedding of about 2' high, there should be enough padding even when you rest at night, taking into consideration that it will all flatten down as you rest on it.

A sleeping bag stuffed with down for temps of 40° should be good, that way you don't have to wear all your clothes, and if it gets too cold well you'll be able to adjust.

I also am someone who likes simplicity, so ultralight should be no problem and will allow you to plan for the unexpected, I'd focus more on some rations and water as going into the unknown could leave the experience bitter if poorly prepared.

For directions and locating a good spot to disembark, you can use Google Earth, I have planned my last 3 expeditions using this program and have had no major problems when arriving.

Good luck to you, and don't forget to take some pictures!
 
How many changes of clothes do you pack when going ultra light?

I'm thinking (including what i'm wearing)....
1x pants
2x undershirt shirts
1x longsleeve shirt (wool)
1x sweater
4-5x socks (4 merino wool sport socks and 1 thick wool socks)
2x underwear
1x long johns (depending on the weather, maybe 2x longjohn 1x undies, or maybe just longjohns)
1x gloves + 1x wool glove liners
toque, though I'm thinking a balaclava cause I can roll that up into a toque if I want.


More, less?
 
better try for the BC side of the border. all of the free camp places that I know of on the alberta side do not permit open fires, or scavenging fire wood. the Dpt of natural resource websites for both provinces should give you details. as far as good places, anywhere west of black diamond/ turner valley are good bets. get good topo maps, I've been in the blue rock/ sheep creek area, awesome place with your choice of trail or equine road. and remember in the rockies, keep an eye skyward, make your own weather forcast, and plan on getting snow. have fun and be safe!
 
I'm already starting to figure that by the time I got everything planned, all my gear wrangled and wrap up any unfinished business at home it's going to be getting damn cold up in the mountains. Skipping on by right into B.C. is a very realistic possibility, well, not without spending a few days, but I certainly wouldnt regret spending the bulk of it in B.C.

I'd rather avoid designated camping sites or popular trails (though i'm sure they wont be very busy this time of year), I'd like as few reminders of other people as possible.

Are all official camp sites in park land? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you cant so much as cut a tree or kill a squirrel in any park land right?
 
Here's a rudimentary list of gear...


Tools

GB SFA (take a saw instead? or a 14" hatchet?)
Knife: Fallkniven f1, ScrapYard Yardkeeper, Busse Sar5 (leaning towards F1, its the lightest)
Multitool: Swiss Spirit or SAK "champ" (champ has fish scaler and magnifying glass but weak pliers, smaller but similar weight)
sharpening kit
sewing kit
firesteel
bic lighter or matches
fatwood or magnesium
flashlight: Nitecore defender + extra batteries
paracord (100ft?)
nails (a small handful of nails could be handy for setting up camp, or will cordage be sufficient?)

possibles: backup knife mora 510, BRKT mikro can, RC Izula, is the extra weight worth it?


Clothes

1x pants
2x undershirt shirts
1x longsleeve shirt (wool)
1x sweater
4-5x socks (4 merino wool sport socks and 1 thick wool socks)
2x underwear
1x long johns (depending on the weather, maybe 2x longjohn 1x undies, or maybe just longjohns)
1x gloves + 1x wool glove liners
toque, though I'm thinking a *balaclava cause I can roll that up into a toque if I want.

Shelter

*US army Poncho
*Ground tarp
Sleeping bag


Kit

US army canteen (1 or 2 canteens?)
Canteen cup
*Billycan/fryingpan (cook in canteen cup? Could really use frying pan for fish. Ordered a Tatonka kettle, may not arrive in time.)
flask of single malt (need I say more?)

Whistle
space blanket
compass
*signal mirror

First Aid

bandaids
gauze pads
mini SAK with tweesers
pain killer
alcohol swabs
green soap
large triangular bandage
gloves

*butterfly sutures
*polysporin
*anti biotics

Hygiene

facecloth
liquid soap
toothbrush/toothpaste
floss (fishing line?)

Fishing Kit

6' 4piece St.Croix pack rod (too big?)
small spinner reel
1 spoon
2 jiggs
1 spinner
4 bare hooks
2 wire leaders
spare line


items with * still need to be acquired
 
Last edited:
Hmmm. Maybe

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:cool::thumbup:

You know it HD

That picture of you chugging a mason jar of very thick looking liqueur is perfectly out of focus lol

I'm totally wet in the p.... over this trip
 
yeah, as far as I know its all park land, everything else is privately owned. I've been looking for some place to free camp but all I can really find is either back country campsites, or do a zero impact trip. just another thought, lots of the smaller rivers and creeks will be about dry, but then I'm not sure what the rules are for fishing in parks are. For the most part any hunting is out. there are a few large private ranches that allow camping from time to time, but they are pretty hard to find. If you can stand the chance of seeing other people there are lots of good trail guides and map books that will aid in the planning, problem with alberta is that all the good camping spots are already taken, or explored to death especially in the south.
couple of gear thoughts, tiny treble hooks work way better than singles for bait fishing
have you had any luck finding a doc who will prescribe antibiotics to you? I'd never thought much about it but I'd figure that they would be hesitant to.
filter or boil your water, last I heard the rockies were running a 95% contamination rate of crypto and giardia, and while I know some people who drink it straight, they were raised on creek water.
I always put up with the other people, that way when the bear shows up, I have someone to out run!
 
Sketchbag,

Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to post a couple of details.

  • What kind of distance are we talking about here?
  • What is the approximate elevation gain/loss over your route?
  • How far to you plan to travel per day?
  • What is your experience level?
  • What is your fitness level?
  • Do you have a means of resupplying along the way?
  • Do you have a means of summoning help if necessary?

The answers would impact the gear many of us would recommend.

-- FLIX
 
FLIX said:
Sketchbag,

Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to post a couple of details.

  • What kind of distance are we talking about here?
  • What is the approximate elevation gain/loss over your route?
  • How far to you plan to travel per day?
  • What is your experience level?
  • What is your fitness level?
  • Do you have a means of resupplying along the way?
  • Do you have a means of summoning help if necessary?

The answers would impact the gear many of us would recommend.

-- FLIX
Click to expand...

Agreed. We need more detail bro. Having done a bit of solo stuff, I would recommend a PLB (locator beacon). How long are you going for? A weekend, week, 2 weeks? For an ultralight trip you list a fair bit of kit. When I go, I usually have what I'm wearing and then something clean and dry to change into at night for sleeping. It would help to have a better idea where you are going. Alberta is a big place. Have you done any solo stuff in Manitoba? Let us know.
 
-what distance are you referring to? I live in Winnipeg, MB, I could be going all the way to the left coast.
-Winnipegs elevation is about 240m, banff is 1400m or so
-unless I get some specific destinations in the bush I'll just hike in until I find a good place to stop
-experience is moderate I'd say, I've done lots of camping and such, but this will be my first solo venture
-I'm in good shape, fought forest fires all summer
-I'll be stopping in Calgary to visit some family and stock up on anything I didnt already pack. Not sure whats specifically on the way out from there, but there will surely be shops on the highway. I dont have a truck, only a car, so my route will be somewhat limited.
-only by cell phone, I dont have a radio or satellite phone if thats what youre asking. Whether there's cellphone reception is another question though.
 
Here's some food suggestions.

for breakfast you could do instant oatmeal, very light, just add boiling water.

Also, mac and cheese, or my preference is velveta shells and cheese. Also very light, boil in water, drain the water and add the cheese. One box could be separated into 3 meals.
 
BenchmadeBoy said:
Agreed. We need more detail bro. Having done a bit of solo stuff, I would recommend a PLB (locator beacon). How long are you going for? A weekend, week, 2 weeks? For an ultralight trip you list a fair bit of kit. When I go, I usually have what I'm wearing and then something clean and dry to change into at night for sleeping. It would help to have a better idea where you are going. Alberta is a big place. Have you done any solo stuff in Manitoba? Let us know.
Click to expand...

I'd been thinking of getting an ELT or "PLB", would be wise indeed.

I havent really decided how long the whole journey will be, I have basically the whole fall open so I can stay for as long as I please basically. I expect excursions into the bush will be for several days at a time (3-5) but that could really vary with what I encounter, if the weather turns sour and beyond my comfort zone I'd probably pull out early, if the fishing's good I'd be tempted to stay a whole week. I wanna be prepared to be flexible, and have a number of different destinations I can check out along the way.

The kit list is fat at this point, I just wanted to throw everything out there and whittle away the unessential.

Where exactly? Still havent decided! It'll have to be along one of the main highways, something thats plowed in case I get snowed on. I'm totally open to suggestions.

Like I said, havent done any soloing before. Why not make the first crack closer to home? Well I really want to get out west, I may not get another opportunity to head out there for some time, and I want to challenge myself.
 
well, if you are already going to be in calgary, the Mountain Equipment Co-op store is easy to get to down town via transit (and has the only downtown parking lot it seems) if you don't know of MEC think SIR without the camo and hunting stuff, good prices on really high grade gear. (plus there is sportsman's wearhouse, camper's village, bass proshop and others)
alberta doens't do snow removal the same way as winnipeg (been thought there enough times in the winter) so getting snowed in once your in the mountains is very possible. if you can get a ride into canmore, bamnff or jasper there are options from there, but there arn't any "main highways" that you can camp along really, and rely on them to stay open. if the SHTF weather wise you may end up on your own. I just can't think of any places close enough to town to resupply and still within hiking range of the camping area. you NEED topo maps before you get out there. kananaskis is a big place, and there are a great many good trails to travel by. not sure how else to help you, just to keep in mind that as unforgiving as the manitoba shield is, the mountains have a tendency to chew up even experienced people. I won't solo, and even limit my over night adventures to warm weather, and pack for dayhikes like some people pack for 3 day trips. but then I'm quite novice and would rather haul extra gear and know I can react to changes than find myself in a situation that could kill me. (which I have somehow lucked my way out of in the past)
that all said there are a great many trails to do if you can figure out re-supply.
 
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