Clothes for Banff/Jasper in August
Aug 3rd, 2006, 10:18 AM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>>>>>Will we need to take warm waterproof jackets?<<<<<<
Yes. Well the waterproof jacket itself does not have to be warm. You could layer it over a fleece jacket. But you do need something that will provide you with warmth, and you also need something that will keep you dry if it rains.
Average day time temperatures in the mountains in August are 20 deg C (70 deg F for American travellers). Average night time lows are 7 deg C (45 deg F).
<b>But</b> day time highs <b>can</b> be around 30 deg C (high 80s F). Similarly, lows <b>can</b> be around the freezing mark.
In addition to jackets, you also need comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Light hiking boots are best, but you can get away with what we call runners and what I believe you call trainers.
In case the weather is hot, it's useful to have sandals. But don't bring elegant sandals with thin straps. Sandals should be sturdy and supportive.
Because it can be hot as well as cool, it's useful to bring both shorts and long trousers. If you have the kind of trousers that have zip-on / zip-off legs, you will find them very versatile.
The secret to packing for the mountains is to bring layers. What you use as a short-sleeved T-shirt on a hot day is transformed into an undershirt (vest to you?) on a cool day.
If you encounter hot, sunny weather, you will need a sun hat, sunglasses and sun screen. Mosquito repellant would not go amiss.
At least some members of your party should carry backpacks while you're hiking. These backpacks need not be large. They can be what I call day packs. But it is useful to have containers in which to carry spare jackets, hats, sunglasses, mosquito repellant, wallets, car keys, guide books, sandwiches and water bottles.
Speaking of water bottles, hike with bottles that you have refilled from your hotel tap. Do not drink untreated water from lakes, rivers and streams, as there is a small but finite chance of contracting <i>giardia lamblia</i>.
Yes. Well the waterproof jacket itself does not have to be warm. You could layer it over a fleece jacket. But you do need something that will provide you with warmth, and you also need something that will keep you dry if it rains.
Average day time temperatures in the mountains in August are 20 deg C (70 deg F for American travellers). Average night time lows are 7 deg C (45 deg F).
<b>But</b> day time highs <b>can</b> be around 30 deg C (high 80s F). Similarly, lows <b>can</b> be around the freezing mark.
In addition to jackets, you also need comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Light hiking boots are best, but you can get away with what we call runners and what I believe you call trainers.
In case the weather is hot, it's useful to have sandals. But don't bring elegant sandals with thin straps. Sandals should be sturdy and supportive.
Because it can be hot as well as cool, it's useful to bring both shorts and long trousers. If you have the kind of trousers that have zip-on / zip-off legs, you will find them very versatile.
The secret to packing for the mountains is to bring layers. What you use as a short-sleeved T-shirt on a hot day is transformed into an undershirt (vest to you?) on a cool day.
If you encounter hot, sunny weather, you will need a sun hat, sunglasses and sun screen. Mosquito repellant would not go amiss.
At least some members of your party should carry backpacks while you're hiking. These backpacks need not be large. They can be what I call day packs. But it is useful to have containers in which to carry spare jackets, hats, sunglasses, mosquito repellant, wallets, car keys, guide books, sandwiches and water bottles.
Speaking of water bottles, hike with bottles that you have refilled from your hotel tap. Do not drink untreated water from lakes, rivers and streams, as there is a small but finite chance of contracting <i>giardia lamblia</i>.
Aug 3rd, 2006, 10:31 AM
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Postscript. I forgot to mention dress in restaurants. Because everyone hikes so much in the mountains, day time dress is very casual. Regardless of whether you go into a moderately priced restaurant or an expensive restaurant in the mountains at lunch time, you'll see people in hiking boots.
In moderately priced restaurants, the situation stays pretty much the same in the evenings. In expensive mountain restaurants, however, people wear smart casual attire for dinner.
For the most part Vancouver also is a casual city. If you walk around in casual clothes looking for a restaurant, you can find heaps of places, including many very nice ones, that will welcome you in casual attire. However, some of Vancouver's restaurants that are at the expensive end of the spectrum cater to a business crowd, and you'll notice that the clientele is in smart casual attire even at lunch time.
Hope that helps.
In moderately priced restaurants, the situation stays pretty much the same in the evenings. In expensive mountain restaurants, however, people wear smart casual attire for dinner.
For the most part Vancouver also is a casual city. If you walk around in casual clothes looking for a restaurant, you can find heaps of places, including many very nice ones, that will welcome you in casual attire. However, some of Vancouver's restaurants that are at the expensive end of the spectrum cater to a business crowd, and you'll notice that the clientele is in smart casual attire even at lunch time.
Hope that helps.
Aug 3rd, 2006, 01:03 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depending on where you intend to hike, you may want to include water resistant gloves and a cap with a broad brim or a baseball style cap with your equipment.
Late one August I was on the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park when a sleet storm blew in. For 90 minutes we were being pelted. Fortunately I had my cap with a bill on it and I simply pulled my hood up over my cap. The bill did a good job of keeping the sleet out of my eyes.
The gloves were handy as well because I was using hiking poles to help with balance on the glacial till underfoot.
As we descended to Celeste Lake, the sleet gradually turned to rain.
Although the air was made even cooler because of evaporation, I never needed my Polarfleece pullover as long as I kept moving.
Hikers who had no head protection were stung by the sleet pellets. Along that section, there are no trees, so there literally no place to hide.
I also suggest insect repellent. The more deet in the mix, the better it is.
As Julie said, the waterproof part of your equipment does not need to be warm as long as you have something warm under it.
My Goretex jacket is not insulated; I rely on the Polarfleece pullover for that purpose.
Late one August I was on the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park when a sleet storm blew in. For 90 minutes we were being pelted. Fortunately I had my cap with a bill on it and I simply pulled my hood up over my cap. The bill did a good job of keeping the sleet out of my eyes.
The gloves were handy as well because I was using hiking poles to help with balance on the glacial till underfoot.
As we descended to Celeste Lake, the sleet gradually turned to rain.
Although the air was made even cooler because of evaporation, I never needed my Polarfleece pullover as long as I kept moving.
Hikers who had no head protection were stung by the sleet pellets. Along that section, there are no trees, so there literally no place to hide.
I also suggest insect repellent. The more deet in the mix, the better it is.
As Julie said, the waterproof part of your equipment does not need to be warm as long as you have something warm under it.
My Goretex jacket is not insulated; I rely on the Polarfleece pullover for that purpose.
