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Hydration Systems
Our guides have been using these devices for many years, in place of carrying water bottles on the hikes. They find water packs to be convenient to carry and convenient to drink from. The water packs are equipped with a tube and a mouth-tip, that allows you to drink slowly while you are moving.

There are several brands now, but Mountain Trek stocks "CamelBak®" water packs, as well as "Platypus" water bladders. They are a little more expensive, but we find the quality of construction makes them durable and long lasting.

The CamelBak®s have a polyurethane reservoir to hold the water, a screwcap enclosure, a delivery tube with a patented "Big Bite" valve that makes it easier to sip from, and an insulated carrying case to keep the water cool. You wear it like a small backpack.

Here is CamelBak® 's rationale for their product:

Drink More Often
Hands-Free Hydration™ means that your water source is always right there, no matter how technical the terrain. No reaching for a water bottle, no stopping, no taking your hands off the bars. Studies have shown that when fluids are more accessible, people tend to drink more frequently... and more water overall. Which is the key to staying hydrated.

Carry More Water
CamelBak® systems allow you to carry more water, more easily. Try carrying this much using bottles!
50 oz/1.5 L system = 2 large water bottles
70 oz/2.0 L system = 3 large water bottles
100 oz/3.0 L system = 4 large water bottles

Stay Cool
Fully insulated to keep liquids cool for hours...
more refreshing and easier for your body to absorb.
Add ice through the new larger Screw Cap to be extra-cool.

You don't Even Know It's There
Body-mounted systems carry water close to your center-of-gravity. The most efficient place to carry things. And your bike stays light and maneuverable. Cool, breathable fabrics mean that you won't even know that you're wearing it.

Keep It Clean
Unlike water bottles, CamelBak systems keep your water far away from bacteria-breeding mud.

We highly recommend using this hydration gear in any outdoor activity you like: walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, whatever. Your energy will be at it's peak, and your body health and happy.

Wind-blocking Vests

An important piece in a hiker's wardrobe is a vest, invaluable for it's flexibility of use and light weight. In the late spring or late summer, it can be layered over a base layer (t-shirt) for warmth, comfort, and protection at the beginning of a hike in the crisp alpine; in cooler seasons it can be layered under a rainproof jacket to keep the core of the body warm as an intermediate insulation layer during the winter.

The advent of fleece revolutionized the vest, enabling this piece of clothing to be carried for just a few extra ounces. Straight fleece is great when the air is still, but does nothing to cut even the mildest breeze, which can defeat the purpose of the vest immediately.

Mountain Trek guides wear a third generation version of the fleece vest called "X+LAMINATE" fleece, using a patented film-less technology to cut wind penetration by 70% without affecting comfort and insulation value. It is an excellent "all-day" choice for most weather conditions. X+LAMINATE is ideal for fast, forward-moving activities like mountain biking, X-C, trail running, or just plain hiking as extra insurance against getting caught in the weather.

The fleece used in our vests is "Polartec Power Stretch Fabrics" brand, offering a body-hugging 4-way stretch. It keeps you dry when you sweat and provides warmth without weight. The patented construction features two unique surfaces: the durable nylon outer layer is wind and abrasion resistant; the soft polyester inner layer pulls moisture away from your skin keeping you dry, warm, and comfortable. Designed to be worn next to the skin or layered over a lighter garment, Power Stretch fleece is ideal for outdoor sports that require protection and maximum freedom of movement. And, importantly, it is machine washable, a service Mountain Trek offers to all its guests during their vacations.

Clothing and Gear Tips: What to wear when you are Kayaking
Thanks to Sasha Stout of Rivers, Oceans and Mountains store in Nelson, BC.

Display of gear in Rivers, Oceans and Mountains, Nelson. B.C.

Whether you are brand new to the sport of kayaking or a veteran, your clothing requirements remain basically the same. The two important factors to address are protection from the sun and keeping as dry as is possible given the watery venue. Sasha was most helpful in outlining a head-to-toe list of suggestions for clothing.

Starting at the head then, it is easy to understand the need for a hat, and the issue is simply one of style and function. There is the basic baseball hat, which can be purchased with the floating feature of a buoyant brim, but the minimal sun protection makes it a poor choice. Better yet are hats that have a full, all round brim. Many will float, some have mesh ventilation panels and chin straps, and the high-end ones are waterproof (ie: Goretex). Expect to pay about $45-65 (Canadian). Sunglasses are a must, and the important features to look for are that they block both UVA and UVB rays and that the lenses are large enough and curved close enough to the face to keep sideways glare from reaching the eyes. A wise extra to purchase is a strap, always thought of in hindsight as your $200 Ray Bans sink to the bottom of the lake! Cost here is remarkably broad ranged and has more to do with expensive designer labels vs. good quality, and much cheaper drug store brands.

The weather will dictate what is worn on the torso, as long as the focus is on keeping dry. A good place to start, and a wise first purchase, is a synthetic shirt that has some technical features tailored in that makes it well worth the cost. Sasha showed me such a shirt…called the Canyon Shirt, made by Mountain Hard Wear. It is made of summer weight Supplex nylon, and the fabric has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30. There is a flip up extended collar that nicely covers the neck, and if purchased in the long-sleeve variety, sun concerns are minimal. The nylon is an ultra fast drying material that has been treated to move and disperse moisture, and the inclusion of mesh vent panels keep you cool on a hot day. Stretch shoulder panels have been added to the long-sleeve shirts, which keeps the shirt from binding when paddling. Cost is $115 (Canadian). A chilly day calls for either a light synthetic under layer or fleece over layer (or both!) and a windy and/or rainy day is best conquered with a windproof/waterproof (and breathable) jacket. If it's a hot day, and you're a t-shirt kind of person, once again the synthetic materials will keep you cooler by keeping you dryer. Just remember the sunscreen, and remember that sun will reflect off the water, so the areas under the nose and chin are vulnerable as well.

From the waist down sun protection is not a worry (unless you end up spending a length of time on shore), so the adherence to synthetic fabrics remains the rule, and the choice of pants vs. shorts is determined by the day. Remember that you will get wet at the beginning and end of your session as you get in and out of the kayak, and the last thing you want is to have your lower body sealed beneath the spray skirt in dripping wet splendor. To that end, if you have taken the steps to pull on a pair of nylon pants or shorts, follow through and make sure you're wearing synthetic underwear as well. Cotton briefs worn under a quick-dry pair of pants pretty quickly ruin the best intentions. Sandals are the wisest choice for your feet, making sure they are made of materials that are meant to get wet (ie: Tevas). Neoprene slippers can hold your feet in a perpetual state of clammy wet, so are best left for other purposes.

To help with comfort while paddling, and keep the sun away, a pair of gloves is a good idea. Personal preference plays a role here, with some people wanting a neoprene glove and others favoring something similar to a cycling glove. The only other recommended take along you might want to consider is a dry bag. Its waterproof property is most welcome for the storage of camera, extra clothing etc. Cost begins at $15 (Canadian).

Want some more information? Check these links: How to buy hiking boots; Outdoor gear/clothing; Hiking Levels at Mountain Trek; Hiking tips; Hiking Trails at Mountain Trek.