As the snow-line recedes towards the peaks, the moustache starts to tingle in anticipation of alpine riding season. My most memorable rides have been above treeline chasing perfect ribbons of singletrack slicing through a colourful maze of alpine flowers with mountain ranges stacked to the horizon. The short alpine season is precious and I’m always on the hunt for new gear pieces to maximize my time up high.
I can’t understate the importance of being prepared for the unexpected with both training and gear, but over the years I’ve enjoyed the process of pairing down to as few items as possible while keeping an acceptable margin of safety and sometimes, even comfort! Things like ditching a tent for an ultra light tarp, carrying water purification tabs instead of shouldering extra water, and making my own nutrient dense snacks for maximum energy and minimal weight have been game changers.
One bit of gear has that has finally filled a key piece of the puzzle is the Cinder Phantom Jacket from Rab Equipment. This super light cycling tailored jacket is the perfect combination of burly water resistance, wind protection and unlike other ultra light shells I’ve tried, it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a ziplock bag and is surprisingly warm. The stretchy Pertex fabric allows for a slimmer fit that never feels constrictive on technical terrain and a minimalist design weighing in at just 94g! For ease of use, the pre-tensioned stuff sack is designed to attach to your top tube and disappear (it stays on the bike, but is imperceptible riding up or down) so it’s a no brainer to take on any ride with a questionable forecast. No more getting caught out in un-forecasted downpours (like last year on Lord of the Squirrels).
I’ve been interested in the ‘fast packing’ trend that’s gaining traction in the trail running community lately, and applying it to bikes. It basically enables big alpine link-ups and long routes in the mountains unattainable in a single day by utilizing an ultra light, minimalist ethos to allow for fast travel and just enough comfort and food to survive a night or two out. No stove, no tent, no spare underwear. Sounds fun, right? Fast and light isn’t a new concept and might not be for everyone but anything that enables a small pack and extended time in the alpine, I’m in! And, it’s not just for weekends. The occasional cheeky Wednesday night in the alpine feels like a full mid-week weekend, and the boss is none the wiser!
The biggest prerequisite for me on an alpine overnighter is not compromising the descent. After putting in the effort to climb 2000m, I want to be able to enjoy the way down and there’s nothing worse than riding the deliciously anticipated steeps with an oversized pack smacking you in the back of the helmet throwing confidence, enjoyment and vertebrae out of alignment. But keeping pack size down and your bike maneuverable takes a few specialty pieces. I don’t want to dissuade anyone from going for a quick overnighter with gear that’s less than ideal, but if you really want to up your game, I’ve found a few clutch items.
Rab’s brand new Ultrasphere sleep system utilizes the latest technologies in heat retention and cutting edge materials to shave size and weight while retaining as much comfort as possible. Paired with the SilTarp Plus Shelter, the whole overnight package (sleeping bag, mat, and tarp) comes in at a mere 1190 grams and packs down to the size of a bento box. At first glance I was honestly a bit skeptical - the sleeping bag felt too minimal (rated to 0°C) to provide adequate protection for a night under the alpine stars, but climbing into the bag in my garage, the instant sensation of heat was undeniable. Utilizing Thermo Ionic Lining Technology (TILT), it’s like having an emergency blanket (without the noisy crinkle) on the inside of 900 fill hydrophobic coated down insulation for an unrivalled warmth to weight ratio at an insane 330g.
The bag’s integrated mat sleeve slides over the sleeping pad pairing symbiotically keeping you secured to the R 1.3 rated insulated core. With all of the fat trimmed off the edges it’s a slim pad, but sleeping on my back or my side was comfortable and I didn’t feel the cold ground. As a restless sleeper I appreciated staying attached to the mat, even on the uneven slope. Rolled up, the mat is roughly the size of a well packed burrito and just to be sure, I brought an El Pastor burrito for comparison (and dinner). The burrito was more delicious and felt slightly heavier than the 350g Ultrasphere mat.
As the temperature dropped with the sun, the wind remained strong and I’ll admit that I chose my campsite more for the aesthetic than protection from the elements. Being solo, the exposure made setting up the tarp over my bike a bit of a challenge. After multiple re-stakings, my shelter seemed secure enough with ample room for two, I soaked in the view as I ate my warm(ish) burrito and drank my still acceptably cool Surveyor IPA (weight choices are all relative, right?). I decided to use my poor choice in campsite as a ‘testing opportunity’. The temperature dropped to 3 degrees and the biggest surprise for me was how warm my feet stayed all night with only a thin pair of riding socks. The sleeping system did its job properly and the only sleep inhibitor were the wind gusts against the tarp and my wariness of grizzly bears with constantly rustling the bushes, adding to my paranoia.
Recreating in these special places is one of the most important things to me. Nights out like this feed my soul and putting in the sweat equity to earn my turns recharges my batteries, so choosing to purchase from companies with the same values is just as important to me as the cool pieces of gear. Rab (a carbon neutral company) is right up there with Patagonia in terms of environmental responsibility and makes conscious shopping easier than ever with their Material Facts QR code. On each product, there is a direct link to each bit of material back to see exactly what is recycled, which (if any) have fluorocarbons right down to the sewing machine oil. This level of transparency is unrivalled in any industry and Rab, instead of keeping these assets proprietary, are sharing their technology hoping it is adopted by others in the outdoor industry which would bring accountability to a whole new level.
I woke to a thick blanket of fog in the morning and the fluorocarbon free DWR coating seemed to do its job as the dew beaded on the exterior keeping me warm and dry. With no coffee or Instagram worthy views to help me linger in my sleeping bag, I packed up early and devoured singletrack for breakfast. My small pack was nearly imperceptible on the descent and I didn’t see another soul while dropping 1400m to the valley. By 9am I was enjoying a leisurely coffee and well earned pastry, debating if I should ditch work for another lap.
“Rab’s brand new Ultrasphere sleep system utilizes the latest technologies in heat retention and cutting edge materials to shave size and weight while retaining as much comfort as possible.”
Fast (bike) Packing?
Rab’s Ultralight gear for alpine riding this season
THE MID-WEEK WEEKEND
“One bit of gear has that has finally filled a key piece of the puzzle is the Cinder Phantom Jacket from Rab Equipment."
BY BEN HAGGAR
Sponsored by Rab
