Pisgah Mountain Trip Illustrated Equipment List Hiking Boots. Your boots are critical. Your feet will live in them for most of the week, and they must fit well and be broken in. They must have a sturdy sole and give good ankle support since you will be carrying a heavy load over uneven terrain. When you fit them or use them, wear two pairs of socks: one thin "liner" sock of cotton, nylon, or polypropylene, and one moderately heavy wool or synthetic sock. Effective hiking boots cost as little as $40. 2 pairs of heavy wool or synthetic socks. Wool or synthetic materials will keep feet warm even if they're wet and keep feet comfortable. Optional 3 pairs of thin liner socks. Liner socks made of nylon or polypropylene add to the comfort of the boots and reduce blisters. (no cotton)
Rain Gear. You must be able to stay dry in order to stay warm, and effective rain gear is essential. A good quality poncho (preferably a backpackers poncho, $25, which covers you and your backpack) will provide sufficient protection and is highly recommended. Rain suits offer little ventilation when hiking, get very hot and sweaty, and should be considered strictly a supplement to the poncho. May be rented Pack with Frame. The metal frame may be internal or external and the pack should be medium to large capacity (approx. 3500 5500 cubic inches). One third of your backpack must be free to carry group gear or group food. The frame must have a padded hip belt and padded shoulder straps. Unless designed to carry everything inside the pack, your pack also should have straps for securing your sleeping bag. Be sure to test the pack on your back with a 30 to 40 pound load in it. The hip belt should be able to be tightened above your hips so that all the load is borne by your hips and none by your shoulders. Good backpacks can be purchased for as little as $80. Cup, plastic silverware and bowl. An insulated hot mug and a set of compact metal or sturdy plastic silverware and bowl are recommended. NO heavy, breakable materials like ceramic. 2 one qt. water bottles. Large plastic water bottles, like Nalgene bottles, with a tight seal are required to stay hydrated.
May be rented Sleeping Bag with Stuff Sack. Your sleeping bag must be well insulated with polyester fiber such as Hollofil or Polarguard and rated for temperatures down to 25 F. This synthetic fiber will keep a person warm even when wet. We do not recommend down sleeping bags for inexperienced campers since wet down has no insulating value. If carried externally, the stuff sacked sleeping bag should be placed inside two garbage bags or one trash compactor bag regardless of how waterproof the stuff sack claims to be. Please no flannel or cotton. Make sure that when the sleeping bag is in the stuff sack, it is no bigger than 20 inches long and 10 inches in diameter or it won't fit on the backpack. Headlamp or small flashlight. A headlamp is recommended, but any lightweight flashlight with fresh batteries and bulb will be fine. Fleece or insulated jacket or sweater. NOT made from cotton because wet cotton does not keep you warm. Pullover or front zip is fine. Shirts 1 warm long sleeved; 2 short sleeved. Quick dry materials preferred. (e.g. Under Armour, Nike Dri FIT) 2 Nylon/synthetic shorts. Nylon dries quickly; cotton stays wet a long time. Make sure one pair is long enough to wear while rock climbing running shorts make rock climbing uncomfortable.
Long pants (1). Fleece or nylon or some synthetic material to stay dry and warm. Cotton jeans or cotton warm ups NOT permitted. Baby wipes (2 packs of 16). For bathroom use and cleanliness. Suggested Crazy Creek chair. To make sitting at camp more comfortable. * PLEASE REFER TO THE LAST TWO PAGES OF THE STUDENT INFORMATION PACKET FOR A COMPLETE PACKING CHECKLIST.
Additional required backpacking items: Underwear (2 for boys, 4 for girls). If you are prone to leg chaffing, bring knee length spandex shorts. Warm knit cap (1). for cold nights and sleeping Tevas, sandals, Crocs, etc. to wade through water. (old tennis shoes that can go through water are okay if you don't have sandals.) Lightweight and able to serve both for wearing around camp and for rock climbing (Fox Mountain will provide rock climbing shoes in some, but not all, sizes) Handkerchief or bandanna (1) Sports bras (2) rather than regular bras for girls Ziploc and garbage bags (including one to cover your pack in case of rain) Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size), floss Unscented deodorant (travel size preferred) medications for personal use (must be disclosed on med forms) prescription glasses (recommended instead of contacts unless contacts are daily disposable or long lasting) Additional suggested/optional backpacking items: Pillow case. Stuff clothes in case for use when sleeping. Medium sized stuff sack for clothes; small "ditty" bags for miscellaneous items like toiletries Baseball cap with brim Camera (not an expensive one!) Chapstick or lipbalm Swimsuit Baby Powder Bandaids, athletic tape and/or mole skin (if you are prone to blisters or have never worn your boots) Insect repellent Sunscreen Items for before and after hiking: : Towel Soap and shampoo Change of clothes for bus ride home (this may or may not be the same clothes you wore to NC) Money for two fast food stops and two snack stops during bus rides & to purchase any Inside Out T shirts Optional: Blanket, pillow, sweatshirt (the bus is typically quite cold) ipad, etc. Snacks Summer reading books (even though we know you already read them)