Field Notes: Triple Peak with MEC

a family camping trip, packing list, and more.

For as long as I can remember camping trips have been a family tradition of ours. In recent years, we’ve had to swap our classic southern Ontario Algonquin Park canoe trips, with West Coast backcountry adventures, making them a bit more challenging, and much less leisurely (serene canoe paddling vs. lugging a 30lb backpack uphill). Although the location change since my brother and I moved out west (~4ish years ago now), we still make an effort to do at least 1 family camping trip per summer. It’s our way to connect, and spend quality time together year, after year, after year.

This post is extra special to me, because MEC has been my family’s go-to brand since before I was born. From gear, to clothing, bike equipment, ski boots, etc. Pretty much any and all gear I have/had growing up has been purchased at MEC. Shopping at MEC used to be a family field trip, it’s ingrained in my brain now.

Thank you to MEC for sponsoring this adventure. You’ve been present in all of our previous adventures, and will be present in all of our future adventures too.

The Mihailovich’s, 2002. Decked out in MEC.

A group of my friends hiked Triple Peak last summer, and I've been itching to go ever since. Its Dolomoites-esque feel is otherworldly and really makes you feel like you suddenly transported off Vancouver Island to Europe in the span of seconds. The route is short (to the lake), but gruelling. It’s 2.7km with 3 rope sections, light scrambling and many water crossings.

THE PACKING LIST:

I used to dread packing for backcountry trips. I never knew what the appropriate amount of layers/extra socks/underwear was, I always underestimated how heavy a jacket I needed, and I was always lugging WAY too much stuff in my backpack. Thankfully over the past few years, I’ve had plenty of experience to fine-tune and really reel in what is an absolute necessity, and what I can survive without until I return home.

We’ll start with the basics, gear. The non-negotiable’s, absolute-must-brings in order to fuel up, sleep, and to comfortably sit around camp.

Something new in my gear repertoire this year is a camping chair. If you have extra room in your pack, it is the most luxe item you can bring into the backcountry. There is truly nothing better than back support. I purchased the NEMO Moonlite Elite Chair in April from MEC (my purchasing decision was made easy because it was in my favourite colour- cobalt blue), and it’s elevated my camping experience like no other. We also brought the MEC Nano Lite Chair up to Triple Peak with us. An incredible alternative to the NEMO chair, and ridiculously light also.

The next item on the list was the MEC Spark UL-2 person tent. The tent is extremely compact, lightweight and user-friendly to set up. You will need either rocks, or have to utilize the pegs to set up the tent properly, so keep that in mind depending on where you’re planning to sleep.

For sleeping, I've had the MEC VectAir sleeping pad for the last 3 years now, and have absolutely zero complaints. I’ve never had an issue with the valve coming undone, or the pad deflating in the middle of the night- it’s a holy grail gear piece for me. On this trip, my Dad and I both tested out the Draco, and Delphinus -9C down sleeping bags. We both have rave reviews. There are very few feelings better in this world than wrapping yourself in a puffy, warm down sleeping bag in the middle of nowhere.

Another new addition to my camping set up… which was extremely LONG overdue is a pillow. I used to think that scrunching up my clothes and tucking them into the hood of my sleeping bag was, “good enough”… boy was I wrong. I picked up the MEC camping pillow a few months ago, and felt like my life was changed when I didn’t wake up with neck-pain post tent sleep. I grabbed my Dad the MEC deluxe pillow for this trip, because of course, he was the one that planted the “scrunching clothes method” into my brain many years ago. It’s inflatable , which means it’s much more compact and lightweight. Safe to say he’s been convinced, and will be leaving the old method behind.

Food on a backpacking trip is always the most difficult thing to pack. It can easily turn into the heaviest part of your pack, and there is nothing worse than not bringing enough. My two favourite dry meals for overnights are lasagna and chicken pad Thai (Backpackers Pantry is the best brand in my opinion). In the past few years I’ve only brought dry meals for overnights. It’s just the easiest option, but also the lightest. No real clean up, and the empty packets make for great re-sealable garbage bags. The only cookware I bring is the MSR pocket rocket, a pot, fuel canister and a spork. For a treat at night, I always pack a mug. Having tea or even just hot water before tucking yourself into your tent is such a lovely way to cap off the evening.

Now, all of this gear’s gotta fit somewhere! My overnight pack is a Gregory Zulu 55L. I find that 55L is the optimal size of backpack for me, so that I don’t end up lugging extra weight. It is true that you’ll fill whatever size you end up buying, so I have to keep that in mind as an over-packer. My Dad carried the MEC Zephyr 65L pack, and was so impressed by the Recco system, and the clearance on the back of the pack for ventilation.

For clothing (this is always where I get stumped), I kept it light this time… kind of. I always get extremely cold at night and need to pack additional layers for warmth and comfort. I brought the MEC Northern Light Hoodie as a mid-layer, and then my gigantic Arc’teryx packable puffer for night time. My go-to hiking outfit is always tank-top and shorts for the day time, a pair of merino wool socks (smart wool or darn tough are my favourite brands) and a pair of pants for night. My Dad, who seems to require far less outfit changes than I do, wore the MEC Merino wool tee, and the MEC ridge walk shorts in addition to his classic nighttime layers that I’ve been seeing since the early 2000s.

For footwear, I’m not a hiking boot person- something about my ankles being “trapped” makes me uncomfortable. I’ve always hiked in trail running shoes, and find that’s what works best for me. I now have 2 beloved pairs of Norda’s (I think the pink is so fun, + awesome that they’re a Canadian based brand), which I always reach for on longer hikes. They’re my first choice for trail running + hiking, and my feet feel incredibly supported in them. The key to footwear for me, is to pack a camp slipper so that your feet can air out, and breathe once you’re done hiking.

I’m incredibly grateful to be able to experience places like this with my family. It’s been something I cherish each year. Getting to witness insanely captivating views, like Triple Peak, but also being the backcountry with no service, and allowing us to be completely present with one another.

On this specific trip to Triple Peak, we really just wanted to relax. We hung out by the lake, each took a cold plunge in the half melted lake, ate, laughed, and got violently attacked by mosquitoes *as always*.

It was a little bit shorter than some of the other trips we’ve shared together, but the company was as good as always.

To many more camping trips together.