Clothing and Equipment list: Grade 9 Japan Expedition This list is to ensure that you have the right equipment that will best protect you for the activities, the terrain and weather conditions that you will encounter during your expedition. We will be travelling in rural regions with traditional beliefs; please ensure you dress respectfully. This is a list of minimum equipment required. However luggage should not exceed a maximum of 20Kg. Pack carefully; only bring what you need for the duration of the expedition. Protective Equipment 1 Litre Water Bottle e.g. \ Nalgene or CamelBak 1 Litre Thermos Flask (for carrying warm drinks on the mountain.) Sunglasses and strap Wide Brimmed Sun Hat with Strap Warm Hat and Gloves Sun Cream UVP 50 1-2 Thermal Base Layer (Full length top and bottom) 2 T-Shirt / Long sleeved Shirt (Synthetic and Wicking) 2 Warm Fleece Tops 1 Trekking trousers (synthetic) 1 Warm Jacket (Fleece, WindStopper Fleece, Pertex, SoftShell) (NO COTTON) Waterproof / Rain Jacket AND Trousers 4(min.) x Pairs of Thick Walking socks AND Thin Liner Socks Hiking Boots These should be supportive with stiff soles and good tread, and good above the ankle support. Waterproof. Head Torch Sleeping Bag (Temperature Rating +5ºC) Sleeping Mat Utensils (Aluminium Plate, Cup, Knife Fork Spoon) Multipurpose Knife (Basic Swiss Army Penknife) *Daypack/Rucksack (50-60L) It should have comfy adjustable shoulder and waist straps. *Can be borrowed from school Plastic bag/ Bin Bags to line your rucksack & separate wet/dry clothes. Watershoes General Equipment * These should be able to be worn whilst trekking. Synthetic Sport/ Outdoor Wear is most appropriate. Duffle Bag You will receive a UWCSEA bag as part of the cost of the trip. Please use this. NO HARD CASES. 2 Trekking Shorts 2 Casual T Shirts (Not for expedition use) 2 Casual Trousers (Not for expedition use) 1 Casual Hoody/Jumper (Not for expedition use) 1 Towel 8 Underwear Toiletries (Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Face cloth, Soap, Shampoo, Tissues, Hand sanitizer, Talcum powder, Wet Wipes, Female: Sanitary items) Swim Wear Camera Sleeping Bag Liner Trainers (Not for expedition use) Trekking Gaiters (optional) Trekking Poles Insect Repellant School Uniform to travel in. Optional Equipment Trekking Snacks e.g. Granola, Dried Fruit, Sweets etc. Book, Journal, Playing Cards (MP3 for Journey only) Spending money to buy Souvenirs (suggested USD100 to Yen)
Student First Aid Kit (compact) *Important: A comprehensive First Aid Kit and additional emergency medication necessary to the expedition will be carried by the expedition staff. The Student First Aid Kit is an educational element of the expedition. Please do not bring any medication unless it has been prescribed to you by a doctor and are required to take it on a regular basis. Any medication not noted on IPAL cannot be given to students and will be confiscated. Selection of plasters Moleskin 1 x Antiseptic Cream 1 x 3 Crepe Bandage 1 x Triangular Bandage 1 x Sports Tape 2 x Latex Gloves (Pairs) Alcohol Swabs 1 x Throat Lozenges (Packet) 10 x Electrolyte (Sachets) 1 x Lip Balm 1 x Tiger Balm Personal Medication prescribed for existing conditions or preventative measure. Equipment Advice Outdoor Equipment can be very expensive, however there are more reasonable alternatives particularly for growing teenagers. When buying equipment, ensure that it is good quality and will stand up to the harsh use it will receive on expedition. Function not fashion. Synthetic not Cotton. Clothing Layering is the main principle of keeping warm in the mountains. Each thin layer traps air between it that we warm and in turn keeps us warm. Each layer wicks moisture away from the body also ensuring we are dry and warm. The thin layers also dry quickly should they get wet or washed. Windproof materials ensure that we aren t cooled by the wind passing through clothing. E.g. Pertex, WindStopper Fleece, Softshell etc. Thermal Layer Trekking Trousers Fleece Wide Brimmed Hat Warm Hat Gloves Waterproof Rain Jacket and Trousers: These are essential in the mountains to protect from changeable weather conditions. We are often in exposed areas without means of shelter. A Waterproof Rain Jacket and Trousers will ensure you are protected from the elements throughout the day. You can spend a little or a lot when it comes to Waterproof Jackets and Trousers. More expensive materials will perform better at allowing moisture to escape from inside the garment as we exercise however, cheaper
alternatives can perform just as well at keeping water out. The key is to ensure that the Jacket is waterproof, robust and has a hood. Trousers should allow easy movement particularly when stepping up. Waterproof Rain Jacket and Trousers Boots and Socks: Good Boots and Socks are essential. Boots should be supportive with stiff soles and good tread (Vibram make excellent soles). They should offer good above the ankle support. They should be a comfortable fit ensuring there is no pinching of the foot, and toes can wiggle. When trying boots on, the socks that you will be wearing with them should be worn. Waterproof boots would be ideal but not essential. Good Brands include; Columbia, Salomon, Merrell, Hi Tec, La Sportiva, Scarpa, Berghaus, Meindl, Montrail etc. Please note these are not boots, if they don t come above your ankle they are not boots.
Socks should be wool or a synthetic and wool mix. Thick and Thin socks should be combined to reduce the likelihood of blisters. Good Brands include; Thorlo, Bridgedale, Columbia, Smartwool, IceBreaker. Rucksack Should be 30L in size, and have comfy adjustable Shoulder and Waist straps. To make sure it is comfortable before buying, fill the bag to see if it is still comfortable with weight inside. Clips and draw string are more reliable and easier to fix than zipped closures. Trekking Poles- Trekking poles are very useful on steep terrain both up and down hill, they protect your knees and give you some stability when you are tired. However the carbon fibre bug has bitten the trekking pole world, your child does not need carbon fibre poles, these can be very expensive. A cheap pair of aluminum poles is fine especially if you only intend on using them for one trip. I would suggest looking online; I found a pair for 20 US dollars on amazon.com.
Gaiters (optional) Gaiters are protective covers that you place over your boots and lower legs, they prevent water and snow from getting in the top of your boots. Again these do not need to be expensive, you can buy high end gore-tex models but for one trip these would probably be over kill. I would suggest trying to buy these online I have found some for 10 US Dollars on amazon.com. Thermos Flask- Keeps Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate warm, these are very cheap and can be purchased from most stores around hawkers and HDB areas. 1Ltr Max please. It can be worth spending a little more on good Footwear, Socks, Waterproof Rain Jacket and Rucksack.