Personal Equipment List
Backpacking Gear List - Spring/Fall
This is a guide to assist you in your selection of equipment that you will need to personally provide for this trip. It is by no means limited to the items listed below. For all backcountry trips, please bring your clothes and backpack to the class meetings so your trip leaders can assess your items.
Be conscious that we will be active on the trip and that dressing in layers will be key to staying comfortable. Inner layer is your long underwear (please no cotton at all!). The insulation layer will be fleece jacket and pants. The outer layer will provide protection from the elements including wind.
While it is attractive to purchase new equipment from outdoor retailers (i.e. REI, Scheels, Midwest Mountaineering), it is most often out of range for most people’s budgets. We strongly suggest borrowing equipment or looking at second hand stores like Savers & Goodwill. Quite often, many things (fleece, rain gear, etc.) can be purchased at these stores for a fraction of the cost and are quite functional.
Lastly, we cannot stress enough that there is a correlation between being properly prepared and your personal comfort and safety of the trip. We reserve the right to refuse participation on an Outdoor Endeavors trip if participants do not take this seriously. Fall & Spring in the Midwest has very volatile weather and temperatures can span dramatically. We take these lists seriously.
**Denotes equipment that will be provided by Outdoor Endeavors. We have a large inventory of tents, sleeping bags & sleeping pads that will be used for the course.
ALL TRIPS:
TOILETRIES:
BACKPACKING GEAR:
GENERAL TIPS:
REI Expert Advice – General Layering
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/dress+layers.html
REI Expert Advice – Breaking in Hiking Boots
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/breaking+in+hiking+boots.html
REI Expert Advice – Backpacking Checklist
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacking+checklist.html
This is a guide to assist you in your selection of equipment that you will need to personally provide for this trip. It is by no means limited to the items listed below. For all backcountry trips, please bring your clothes and backpack to the class meetings so your trip leaders can assess your items.
Be conscious that we will be active on the trip and that dressing in layers will be key to staying comfortable. Inner layer is your long underwear (please no cotton at all!). The insulation layer will be fleece jacket and pants. The outer layer will provide protection from the elements including wind.
While it is attractive to purchase new equipment from outdoor retailers (i.e. REI, Scheels, Midwest Mountaineering), it is most often out of range for most people’s budgets. We strongly suggest borrowing equipment or looking at second hand stores like Savers & Goodwill. Quite often, many things (fleece, rain gear, etc.) can be purchased at these stores for a fraction of the cost and are quite functional.
Lastly, we cannot stress enough that there is a correlation between being properly prepared and your personal comfort and safety of the trip. We reserve the right to refuse participation on an Outdoor Endeavors trip if participants do not take this seriously. Fall & Spring in the Midwest has very volatile weather and temperatures can span dramatically. We take these lists seriously.
**Denotes equipment that will be provided by Outdoor Endeavors. We have a large inventory of tents, sleeping bags & sleeping pads that will be used for the course.
ALL TRIPS:
- Insulated mug
- Durable bowl and spoon (Tupperware works great, any spoon will do)
- 10 to 20 degree Sleeping Bag** [synthetic only]
- Foam sleeping pad** or Thermarest [w/ repair kit]
- Two Water Bottles [Lexan Nalgene bottles work best, bottled water containers are unacceptable]
- Headlamp or small flashlight [plus extra batteries]
- A couple of bandanas [optional- nice to have and multi-purpose]
- Camera with waterproof bag or case
- Journal – waterproof/tearproof so you can take notes and lead your classes
- Money for food on the road
- For non-backpacking trips, please pack gear in a soft-sided duffle to save space
- 4-5 one gallon zip lock bags
- 2-3 garbage
bags** [to line your sleeping bag and bag]
- Appropriate Hiking Boots – Must be broken in prior to trip
- Running shoes [or other closed toed shoes] – for camp
- Lightweight long underwear top/bottom
- Heavy weight long underwear top and bottom
- Waterproof rain jacket and pants [Please try and invest in decent raingear! No ponchos!]
- Synthetic/fleece or wool pants
- Synthetic/fleece or wool jacket
- Warm, knit hat
- Baseball cap [optional—for sun protection]
- Warm gloves [No Ski Gloves]
- 1-2 pairs Quick drying shorts
- 1-2 synthetic t-shirt
- 3 pair wool or synthetic socks
- 2-3 synthetic underwear
- Comfortable clothes for van ride
- Sunglasses
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Feminine Supplies
- Prescription drugs
-
Small towel/chamois cloth
- Contacts/Glasses
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
BACKPACKING GEAR:
- Backpack** [should be between 4000-6000 cubic inches]
- 1-2 Smaller Dry Bag** [garbage bags acceptable]
- Compression sack** for sleeping bag
- Compass**
-
Whistle**
- Open toed shoes/sandals
- Drugs and alcohol, including tobacco products
- Heavy cotton sweatshirts or clothing
- Personal electronics [can be used during transport]
- Cell phones [do not bring in the field]
GENERAL TIPS:
REI Expert Advice – General Layering
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/dress+layers.html
REI Expert Advice – Breaking in Hiking Boots
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/breaking+in+hiking+boots.html
REI Expert Advice – Backpacking Checklist
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacking+checklist.html