Medical kit - a vital part of any summer adventure

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


As we get ready for the summer adventures in the months ahead, make sure to remember to cover all bases. Most of us are pretty clued up on the gear we love in the backcountry for all our fun pursuits, be it a comfortable pack, sturdy pair of hike boots, reliable carabiners or a versatile long sleeve layer. One thing often overlooked is a good assortment of emergency medical supplies. From a simple band aid to the highly undesirable splint, a few things can allow you to rest easy if anything does go wrong. No excuse for being careless and taking risks, these medical kits do offer a variety of emergency solutions to get you back home in one piece. 

Helenbac Expedition First Aid Kits

Coming in three sizes - Explorer, Camp Daddy and Base Camp, these kits can be thrown into your pack or car and forgotten about. Until you or your friends/family need them, of course!


If you (or your wallet) would prefer to come up with your own emergency kit; by all means, just make sure to include these basic items we think are vital. 

Band aids - who hasn't gotten a scraped knee or sliced open finger while camping?


Ibuprofen -  for inflammation and severe headaches


Antiseptic ointment - keeping minor cuts clean ensures they heal quickly and painlessly


Bandage - With larger scrapes, the possibilities are vast


Temporary splint eg. Sam Splint - from rolled ankles to an emergency cervical collar for neck injuries, this small moldable item can be used in a variety of situations


Burn cream - anyone who has ever picked up a still-hot grill or stove pan can attest to this one!


There are many other items you can include in your kit, depending on how much you are willing to carry/pack. With car camping, there really is no excuse to not have many First Aid essentials with you, especially if you are going to be away from nearby towns/stores. 


Whether it is a ready-packed kit you want, or ideas for what to include in your own, or even more things you think we forgot - let us know!

Where are you going this spring?

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


Big Bend National Park, Texas


According to Outdoor Magazine, this is the perfect trip for rafting enthusiasts who don't like the cold. Warm Texas weather, spring wildflowers and the high limestone walls of Santa Elena Canyon make this a great option for a short spring getaway.

Rafting the Rio Grande

The majestic Big Bend National Park, Texas

Rock and Roll Marathon, Portland, Oregon


This series of races is known for lining the routes of the half and full marathon options with local bands, cheering fans and themed water stations. 20 May 2012 sees Portland hosting its first race, a half marathon along 13.1 miles of its most scenic landscapes. A reason to visit this fun city, more info on this event can be found here. Register today and brush up on some long distance!


Mountain bike the White Rim Trail, Utah


A 100 mile epic trail looping around the Island in the Sky mesa in the Canyonlands National Park, this 3 to 4 day adventure is slightly less crowded than closer Moab's mountain bike paradise. A challenging ride, this trip recommends a full suspension bike and a high clearance support vehicle. Campsites need to be booked in advance and a $30 backcountry permit will be needed. You can also join an organized tour with Holiday River Expeditions who will provide all your food and crew for you, leaving you free to enjoy the majestic views, worry-free.

White Rim trail mountain bike tour

A support vehicle is needed to carry food, water and tent supplies

What adventures do you have planned this spring? Make us jealous!

Looking forward to off season?

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


For those excitedly planning their mud season activities, we salute you! What a great time to take a trip. We sure are spoiled, to have only a few weeks in each year where we would consider leaving this beautiful valley in the Colorado mountains. Sandwiched between a sunny spring ski season and a gorgeous green summer, May is perfect to recruit some friends, grab the dog or even take a solo adventure. Whether you are planning a mammoth overseas trip or a short weekend getaway; there is some travel gear we could never do without...

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

The 3 varying sizes allow you to choose the perfect one for your trip. We love these bags from Patagonia for their bright eye-catching tones (though black is available too!) and easy packability. A traditional duffel but with tough backpack straps so you can carry it if needed; plus tons of strap attachments on the exterior for hardcore adventurers with equipment to handle. This tough and durable bag will see you through many a day - made of waterproof fabric, but not seam taped; it will keep your stuff dry in most conditions.

Eagle Creek Packing Solutions

Ever feel reluctant to sign onto a trip, because you "you just don't feel like packing"? We sure hope not! But, these ingenious inventions from Eagle Creek will make that possibility zero. Varying in size and type, these bags will let you compartmentalize your bag, pack hang-only items and live out of your bag with some semblance of organization.

Millet Tshoki Jacket

Travel is always full of unpredicable weather situations.  A thin jacket to cut the wind and keep off the chill should be in every traveler's repertoire. This one from Millet is highly breathable yet water resistant and is a great one to throw in your bag.

Arcteryx Rampart Pants

The ideal long bottom layer, whether you are hiking in the Amazon or city-slicking in San Francisco; these pants from Arcteryx are lightweight and oh so comfortable. Get them in a shorts option too, but we just love the long ones to throw on in the evening, once the sun goes down. Available in mens and ladies.

Icebreaker Long Sleeve Tech Scoop

We just cannot mention enough how much we love Icebreaker clothing, it is unbeatable both for travel and sport. Lightweight and breathable, it wicks moisture away and remains odour free for days on end - perfect for a vacation away from home where packing room is limited. This long sleeve piece of 150-weight is great to throw in your bag year round. And it comes in funky colours too.

We wish you well on whatever adventures you have planned this off season and hope you stop by to share your exciting travel plans.

Shorter winter, just means a longer summer!

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


Those complaining about the awful snow this year can rest easy. Plenty still to do in the mountains. The past few weeks have seen more and more people biking; and with both the Vail Pass bike path and the stretch through the golf course open, the choices are expanding.


Most hiking trails will be closed at some stage for maintenance during the spring runoff season, so obey any posted closure dates. However, with the early melt, there are a few ready now and you can catch them in the window before maintenance starts; if you don't mind a little mud of course!


Gore Creek Trail is pretty dry, we ran about 30min up and not a lick of snow on the trail itself. 

The loop through the campground is all done for the year, melted snow means no way to get over the creek and wandering around near there is no fun - learn from our mistake and stick to the trail!














Another great one is the Booth Creek Trail - we got all the way up to the falls and you could keep going. Most of the trail is dry and clear, with a few muddy parts.

Parts of the trail are completely snow covered so watch your step. Though more-or-less packed down, a pair of Kahtoola Microspikes wouldn't hurt.

Further down valley in Eagle, there are tons more trail choices; and with the warmer weather down valley, they may be even more clear. Check out Trails.com recommendations here.


Welcome to spring everyone. Feel free to stop by in our Vail or Avon locations for suggestions, trail updates and footwear/gear advice. Happy hiking!

April update

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado

The end of the Vail ski season is looming, get ready for all the festivities it has to offer! The ski season here ends Sunday April 15 and that weekend is packed with Spring Back to Vail celebrations. 

 

Check out either the Ford Park venues (Thursday and Friday evenings) or the plaza outside Solaris in the village (Saturday and Sunday evenings) for the free concerts, nothing like some outdoor tunes after a warm day's skiing! Check out more information on the bands playing here.

The World Pond Skimming Competition is back once more and happening at the base of the Golden Peak ski area. Skiiers and snowboarders launch of a ramp into a pool of water and try to 'skim' to the other side. Often wearing crazy outfits, it is always a good laugh; and, we hate to say it, but especially for the ones who don't quite make it! 

Check out some pictures from last year's event:

If this looks like something you want to add to your bucket list - entries are $75 each and are on a first come first served basis. Online registration


If you haven't quite got your fill of skiing this year, Breckenridge has 
extended its ski season for two more weekends. So be ready to surf some spring melt on April 20-22 and April 27-29. Main Street should be glorious and who knows, even the spring bulbs may be out!



For those keen beans, eager to start their summer early, many of the trails around Vail are hikeable, to a point. We have done North Trail - muddy and slick on the lower slopes, clear and pleasant as you switchback further up; and Booth Falls recently. Booth Falls in East Vail is our summer favorite due to its rolly terrain and beautiful views. It is very dry as you start out, then some frozen mud patches (we went early, this may turn to slush later in the day) and you do start hitting snow a way before the actual falls. A great hike to do with some Kahtoola Microspikes!

Whether you are skiing or hiking or starting summer running training early, Vail is beautiful right now. The Bag and Pack is slowly getting in our exciting summer gear, stop by for a peek. Happy Spring everyone!