Boots and feet

You are hiking from the door every day on ground that goes from meadow to scree to snow in an afternoon. The boots matter more than anything else on this list.

Waterproof hiking boots with real support Broken in. Mistaya asks you to arrive dressed to hike, so you wear them onto the helicopter.
Hiking socks, wool or synthetic Several pairs. There is a drying room at Mistaya; do not make it do all the work.
Gaiters Snow patches hold into July on the ridges above both lodges.
Hut shoes: slippers or sandals Boots come off at the door. Not for the flight, though; Mistaya wants proper footwear on the helicopter.
Hiking poles optional Optional on paper. On a long descent over scree, not really. Fly with them as a separate item, not strapped to the bag.

Layers

Alpine summer is four seasons in a day. Mistaya's list is two layers of hiking clothes, a warm jacket, a wind shell, gloves and a hat, and that is about right for 2,000 metres.

First-layer tops and bottoms Short and long sleeve.
Second-layer hiking clothes
Warm jacket Fleece or light down. Mornings above the treeline start cold even in August.
Lightweight gloves and a warm hat
Wind shell jacket and pants Ridges are windy in a way valleys never are.
Something to wear in the lodge Informal, in Mistaya's word. Both lodges are warm.

Rain

It rains in these ranges in summer, sometimes for a whole day. Mistaya lists all four of these.

Waterproof jacket with a hood
Waterproof pants
Pack rain cover
A small umbrella Mistaya puts it on the list. Nobody laughs at it on day three.

Sun, bugs, water

High and bright, and Mistaya lists repellent for a reason. It also has a sauna and a tarn below the lodge, so pack for both.

Sunglasses
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Swimsuit For the sauna and, if you are made that way, the tarn.
Water bottle or thermos Fly with it empty.

The day pack and the small things

A small day pack for what you carry each day, then the things that are nobody's to lend.

Small day pack
Blister kit and your emergency medications Mistaya lists "a good blister care package". A week of daily hiking finds every hot spot you have.
Pocket knife
Small flashlight or headlamp, spare batteries For the lodge at night.
Toiletries and your medications Mistaya provides towels, face cloths, soap and shampoo. Bring the rest.
Camera and charger Both lodges run on their own power, and both are the kind of place you will want it charged at 5 a.m.
Bear spray optional Mistaya calls it optional if you are not hiking with a guide. It is a flammable: kept separate and declared to helipad staff.

The helicopter

Mistaya allows a small soft duffel plus a day pack, everything including any alcohol weighing 30 lb in total, weighed at the hangar. The bag they suggest is 12 by 20 by 12 inches, under 60 litres. Purcell publishes its own limits; confirm with your booking.

Soft duffel, under 60 litres No suitcases, no wheels, no external frames. Nothing strapped to the outside; it will be removed to fit the machine.
Weigh the lot at home Duffel, day pack, alcohol, together. 30 lb at Mistaya.
A bagged lunch for the first day Mistaya asks for one because you hike the afternoon you land.
Dressed to hike on arrival Boots on, day pack packed. The guiding starts when the machine leaves.
Declare anything flammable Bear spray, fuel, lighters: separate and shown to staff.
Waiver signed Paper, at the hangar, witnessed. Mistaya will not fly you without it.

What to pack for a summer week at a backcountry lodge