2024 Gear List

Required (not optional) Gear:
Unfortunately we’ll be in bear country, so we are working on sourcing bear spray and bear bells. Otherwise, be sure to bring whatever gear you need. Remember, you will be hiking all day. Accordingly, please bring:

• Backpack with sufficient capacity to carry items below
• Water Bottles or Hydration Reservoir (3 liters) Note: it’s good to have at least one bottle as a back-up in the event the reservoir leaks. Unlike some past hikes, there should be at least one location to obtain water on the trail (although it must be filtered or chemically treated).
• Lightweight Rain Shell (top and bottom)
• Head Lamp (w/fresh batteries)
• Rain Hat (or hood)
• Baseball cap or other hat providing sun protection
• Sunglasses
• Lightweight Synthetic Top and Bottom Layers (NO COTTON!)
• At least one warm top layer (fleece, softshell, compressor jacket or equivalent)
• Warm hat (e.g., lightweight stocking cap)
• Bandana or small towel
• Comfortable hiking boots or trail shoes (with Vibram sole). We may be going through water or mud (last year we ended up going through quite a bit of snow as well), and certainly will be on rocky, uneven  terrain. So a true trail shoe or very lightweight hiking boot, preferably waterproof (just one example, the North Face Hedgehog Fastpack II), will be important.  Make sure you leave plenty of time to break in  your shoes or boots. If you have questions about type of shoes or other gear, let us know. 
• Trekking pole or poles (strongly recommended) – be sure to have a way to stow your poles while hiking, if necessary
• Light Pair of Gloves for warmth, and to protect against blisters from trekking poles
• Snack food, include salty foods, like crackers sufficient for 10 hours – about 1000 calories
• Electrolyte Tablets, Energy Drink, etc.
• Personal Medications
• Personal First Aid: Moleskin or similar blister treatment, duct tape, triple antibiotic, bandages, gauze, scissors, Advil, Tylenol etc.
• Toilet Paper (in zip lock bag to protect from precipitation, as well as to pack out everything you came in with)
• Small trash bag
• Water Purification Tablets or Water Filter-you will need to refill water from lakes or streams along the way.
• Sunscreen-the sun is much stronger at higher altitudes and you will be exposed all day.
• Phone with downloaded map: Please use the “download maps” feature of your phone to download the area covering both Jackson Hole and Paintbrush Canyon/Paintbrush Peak. That way if you lose cell  coverage at any point in time you can still use your phone’s GPS and therefore will have route guidance to the trailhead and some route guidance on the trail itself. 

NOTE: Please be prepared for warm, cold and wet conditions – climate can vary greatly between the top and bottom of the mountain.  We’ll obviously know more about what to expect from Mother Nature a day or  two before the event, but you should bring all of the above with you to Jackson.

Optional Gear

• Extra phone battery
• Bug Repellant & mosquito head net (as noted, initial reports indicate you will want some bug repellant if not mosquito netting for your face)