What to plan for...

Wilderness Week is one of our most challenging trips because we will not be returning to "civilization" for the entire week.

Your gear will be critical to your enjoyment, comfort and safety.

You should know that the trip will go ahead, rain or shine. Plan for cold and wet and anything other than that is a bonus. We like to face challenges, but no one really likes being miserable. That's where good gear makes a difference.

The best advice that we can give is "Bring what's on this list!" You might not use it all, and that would be great.

We may be hiking through deep snow, crossing ice cold rivers or backpacking through pouring rain. But the day usually ends with a comfortable camp, a hot meal, and dry clothes.

We would like you to have enough clothes to get soaking wet during the day and still have a complete, dry set of clothes to put on at night. Otherwise, you're lying in your tent in a dry sleeping bag (because everything else is wet), while the rest of the group is having dinner. Now you're cold AND hungry because you can't have food in your tent!

Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather; just bad attitude and bad gear.

Clothing

• ***Warm hat (wool or fleece)
• Ball cap or other sun hat
• Bandana
• ***1 - 2 sets thermal underwear, light to mid-weight. NO COTTON. (you can probably get by with just 1 pair of bottoms)
• ***2-3 pair wool or synthetic socks
• Underwear (quantity is an entirely personal decision). Beware cotton.
• Gloves, lightweight wool or fleece
• ***Fleece Jacket
• ***Lightweight wool or fleece sweater or vest
• Longsleeve shirt, lightweight (for bug, sun protection). May be cotton.
• T-shirt, may be cotton or some hi-tech, quick drying fabric
• Shorts and/or swimsuit
• Lightweight, quick drying pants, for wearing on the trail or at night. (jeans are not an acceptable alternative)
• ***1 set quality rain gear, jacket and pants. Gore-tex is fine if that's what you want, but many people here prefer less expensive, and more waterproof, rubberized Helly-Hansens or simlar. A poncho is not acceptable.
  

REQUIRED ITEMS:
We will check for the following at the start of the trip. What you do not have, you will need to purchase:

- Warm Hat

- Fleece or SYNTHETIC Puffy Jacket

- ANOTHER fleece or wool layer (sweater, vest, pullover...)

- 1 - 2 sets of light to mid-weight thermal underwear, top and bottoms. NO COTTON!!

- Hiking Boots, NOT lightweight trail running/hiking shoes.

- Wool or synthetic socks

- Quality rain gear

- Backpack

- Water bottles, 2 liters total

- Sun protection (glasses, hat)

- Sleeping bag

- Sleeping pad

You do not need and should not bring:Bear spray (or bear bells!), stoves or cook gear, firearms.

Sleeping bags, pads, and backpacks are available for rent for a small weekly fee. Rentals must be arranged in advance:

See the Equipment page for rental rates.

Footwear

• ***Hiking Boots - sturdy leather boots recommended. Lightweight hiking shoes, trail runners etc. are not acceptable. Boots must be broken in BEFORE your trip!
• Sports sandals, running shoes, etc. for when your boots get wet.
• Gaiters, while not mandatory, can be helpful in keeping your boots dry and keeping out snow, rocks etc.

Important Gear

• ***Sleeping bag - a 20 degree synthetic bag would be ideal.
• ***Sleeping pad - ensolite foam or thermarest
• ***Backpack - Make sure this fits properly and can hold all of your gear plus food, tent etc.
• ***Water bottles, at least 2 liter capacity.
• ***Sunglasses (with strap)
• Extra glasses or contacts
• Prescription meds if needed
• Small personal first-aid kit
• Pocket knife
• Flashlight or headlamp for trips in August & September.
• Backpack rain cover
• Compass, orienteering type

Other Gear

• Camera and film, include waterproof case or bags.
• Binoculars
• Trekking poles.
• Book, hacky sack, harmonica....
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Small towell
• Personal toiletries