Sustainable Summer Clothing & Equipment List THINK LIGHT! We recommend that you bring what's listed here, and not much more. You don t need as much as you think. How much is too much? If it doesn t fit into a single backpack that YOU can lift and carry comfortably, then it s too much. Experienced travelers appreciate the value of traveling light. The less physically encumbered you are, the more free you are to explore, in both physical and emotional terms. The right gear combined with the willingness to hand-wash here and there will get you through the trip just fine. General Packing Tips You ll check your big backpack or duffel on the flight to Ecuador as luggage and carry your daypack onto the plane with a few essential items. Don t forget: if you re bringing liquids (shampoo, etc) on to the plane, they must be in containers that are 3.4oz or smaller in size and sealed in a Ziploc bag. Include a change of clothes and anything expensive (camera, etc) or critical (meds, etc.) in your carry-on in case the airlines loses your bag. When packing, think layers. Layering is the best way to regulate temperature and quickly adapt to changing weather conditions. Clothing that is lightweight, practical for a variety of situations, and dries easily is ideal. Lay everything you plan to bring out on the ground before you start packing. Pack and then walk around the house and up and down some stairs. How does it feel? What can you leave behind? Synthetics, such as polypropylene or capilene, are great and generally preferable to cotton for active situations. Consider bringing clothing that won t easily show dirt. Make sure your clothing and equipment is in good condition. You don t want to discover a hole in your hiking socks the morning before a big hike. Stuff sacks are great for making the most out of a small amount of space and compartmentalizing your pack. You might consider picking up one or two. Stuff sacks work best with compressible materials, like clothes. Ziploc bags also work well for this task. If you re worried about under-packing, remember that clothing and many other items on this list will be available for purchase in Ecuador, typically for far less than what you would pay at home, and your purchase in Ecuador helps the local economy.
Shopping for Gear There s no need to go overboard on new gear purchases. For most items, used gear works just fine. We have made suggestions of companies that make certain items on this list. We tend to recommend companies like Patagonia that have a strong commitment to the environment, however the same product is almost always made by other non-brand-name brands. For in-store shopping, REI and EMS are great options. You can often do a little better on prices by shopping online. Backcountry.com is a great site. It s also worth mentioning, steepandcheap.com, which is a clearance site run by backcountry.com that offers steeply discounted flash deals. You can sign up to receive alerts if you re looking for a specific piece of gear. Careful, it can be addictive. Gear Packing List BACKPACK/DUFFEL: We recommend that students travel with a backpack of about 35-55 liters (2000-3500 cubic inches) or a duffel bag that can be slung over the shoulder. NO ROLLING BAGS! The most important thing is that you can carry all of your gear for at least a couple hundred feet. You ll be happiest if you can bring all your clothes in just one pack, with perhaps a few essential pieces of gear carried in a daypack. Affix a luggage tag to your pack and write your name, phone number, and email in permanent marker on the inside of the bag. A uniquely colored ribbon, tied to a loop or handle, can be used to distinguish your pack from others that may look similar. A safety pin can be used to secure the zippers from being opened during transit. DAY PACK: A small, light, nylon bag with straps a school book-bag will suffice, but something smaller (about 1000 cubic inches) and water-resistant is ideal. It should have a chest and waist strap to distribute weight evenly across your body during hikes. This is what you ll take with you on day excursions. It should be big enough to hold a water bottle, camera, headlamp or flashlight, some food, a raincoat, extra layer, and a book or journal. SHOES: Hiking boots are not required for this program. If you have a pair of trail-runners or light hiking boots, you re in great shape, but you can definitely get by with comfortable walking shoes or sneakers as long as they have good tread, are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and are appropriate for wet conditions. Tennis sneaks, indoor soccer shoes, cross-trainers, and a whole host of other options will all work just fine. RAINCOAT: For participants on our Coast & Highlands program, we are travelling during the dry season, and so a simple, lightweight raincoat is fine. We won t likely be out in the rain. Gore-tex is great, but there are other materials that are more economical. We will probably not see much, if any rain, so pretty much anything you have that can handle a short drizzle or brief shower is fine. For participants on our Amazon program, you need a
proper raincoat. It s rare to get a completely washed out day in the rainforest, but when it rains, it rains hard. Look for something from a reputable outdoor manufacturer that is lightweight, waterproof, breathable, and has taped or sealed seams. A hardshell raincoat is a serious investment ($400+), but a softshell or rainshell ($100-$150) is totally adequate as long as it is in good condition. Clothing Packing List WARM JACKET: A medium-weight fleece jacket is light, compressable, and stays warm wet or dry. A lightweight down jacket, like Patagonia s Down Sweater, is also great, but will not do well in the rain without an accompanying raincoat. We will spend time in the highlands where it can be cool in the evenings. SOCKS: 4-5 pairs of socks. Avoid cotton and make sure you have at least 1 pair that is designed to be a hiking sock. Smartwool, Icebreaker, and other outdoor gear manufacturers all have good options. UNDERWEAR: 5-6 pair. We think hand-washing when you run low is the best solution, but if you d rather throw in a few extra pairs, feel free. You certainly do not need any more than 10 to get you through until laundry day. T-SHIRTS: 4-6. Please DO NOT BRING TANK TOPS or other shirts which reveal much skin. This is considered culturally inappropriate in many areas we will travel. SHORTS: 2 pair. You ll be happiest if these are lightweight, dry easily, and don t show dirt. We ll use them for day hikes and playing soccer. LONG PANTS: 2-3 pair. Your pants should be durable and lightweight, and, if possible, dark in color to aid your laundry prevention initiative. Many students like to travel in lightweight trekking pants with zippers that can be easily converted into shorts. A pair of jeans is fine, too, but make sure you have one pair of long pants other than jeans that meets the aforementioned description. One pair of sweatpants or similar is optional. SWIM SUIT: For men this could double as one of your pairs of shorts. WARM HAT: You don t need a ski hat or anything really thick, but nights can get cold in the mountains. COLLARED SHIRT: 2 short or long-sleeved. Wrinkle-free, travel-specific shirts are ideal, but really anything that can perform double-duty as an appropriate garment for nicer restaurants or more formal occasions and also be practical for field-work is fine. Personal Items WATER BOTTLE: Sustainable Summer sent you a water bottle. Don t forget it!
TOILETRIES: Plan to have everything you need for grooming yourself for the duration of the program. Dr. Bronner s and Burt s Bees both make biodegradable soap that is versatile for showering, washing laundry, and even cleaning dishes. It is excellent travel soap. Nail clippers and hand lotion are two oft forgot items that you may want to include along with the toiletries you use every day. WALLET: A low-profile, practical wallet is essential. No purses. Additionally, a security wallet/belt (that you can wear around your waist or leg under your clothing) is a good investment for any traveler. Although not necessary for this program, if you have one, bring it. Eagle Creek makes good products. In our experience, the product that straps around your leg is preferable to the waist. Avoid the product that you wear around your neck with a lanyard. JOURNAL/NOTEBOOK: Sustainable Summer sent you a journal. Don t forget it. FLASHLIGHT / HEADLAMP: We recommend headlamps, as they provide an extra modicum of safety should we find ourselves hiking or biking at night. Look at Petzl or Black Diamond. The Petzl Tikka Plus is one of the most popular and trusted headlamps on the market. Don t forget a second set of batteries. SUN SCREEN: SPF 30+, water/sweat proof is ideal. LIP BALM: We like Burt s Bees. INSECT REPELLANT: There are plenty of natural repellants that work fine, but you may feel more comfortable going with something that contains DEET, which is still technically what the CDC recommends as an anti-malarial. Note that products containing more than 50% DEET are not more effective at preventing mosquito bites, but the application will last longer without the need to reapply. Picaridin, another synthetic repellent, has been recognized by both the CDC and the World Health Organization as an effective and safe alternative to DEET. In the natural department, products containing lemon eucalyptus oils are recognized as the most effective. The CDC recognized a number of studies that found lemon eucalyptus oil worked as well as low concentrations of DEET. Whether you choose synthetic or natural, make sure you bring a full bottle of insect repellant. ALARM CLOCK/WATCH: An ipod or a smartphone works well, or you can get a little travel clock. QUICK DRY TOWEL: Some places we stay will provide towels, but others will not. A travel or backpacker towel is a great option. A sarong is a more creative alternative that is also popular among travelers. Just make sure you leave at home the big, cotton towel that will take forever to dry and take a ton of space in your pack.
HAT / BANDANA: You need one or the other (or both). Bandanas are versatile and are a very practical solution for women dealing with the complications of unwashed hair. A wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap is great for sun protection. PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS: Any personal prescription medications that you regularly take (with printed information on side effects and dosage). A cycle of Ciproflaxin or other broad-based antibiotic is strongly recommended. Consult with a travel doctor for recommendations and a prescription. GLASSES: Please bring an extra pair of glasses or contacts if you wear them. SUNGLASSES: Strongly recommended. Think practical, rather than fashionable. You can pick up a quality pair for $40-$100. Anything more expensive than that is just marketing hype. Anything cheaper probably doesn t have appropriate UVA/UVB protection. A sunglass strap to secure your sunnies to your head is an option to consider. EARPLUGS: Essential defense against a snoring roommate or eager rooster. SPENDING MONEY: Whatever you will need for souvenirs, laundry, post cards, postage, etc. A budget of $50/week should be more than sufficient. Please see the spending money section for additional details. PASSPORT: The most important item to remember!!!!! Your Trip Leaders will have a photocopy of your passport, but do yourself a favor and get in the habit of bringing your own photocopy of your passport and storing it in a separate place from your actual passport. Trip Leaders will collect all participant passports on arrival in Ecuador and keep in a secure place until departure. Optional Items These items might come in handy, however they truly are optional. All items that we believe are necessary are listed above. If you have any questions regarding the necessity of a particular item please contact us. CAMERA: Don t forget the battery charger. Also, we may not have electricity every night, so you may want to pack an extra battery. It s a good idea to bring a few memory cards since you may not have an opportunity to upload your photos until you get home. GIFTS: We will be interacting with lots of kids in the communities we visit and you may make some new friends. A small, inexpensive gift can leave a lasting impression. Bouncy balls, inflatable globes, T-shirts from schools or hometowns, hats, postcards from your hometown, pictures of yourself, pens, stickers. Old clothing or shoes, especially in kid sizes, is also a very practical and welcome gift.
STUFF SACKS: Great for making the most out of a small amount of space and compartmentalizing your pack. ZIPLOCK BAGS: 1-2, of both small and large sizes. Can function in much the same way as stuff sacks. PURELL: (hand-sanitizing gel) A small bottle, or anti-bacterial hand wipes. PAJAMAS: Ladies may also want to consider the practical consideration of having to walk short distances outdoors between bedrooms and bathrooms in some of the accommodations we use. PILLOWCASE: Your own pillowcase won t take up much additional space, but can be an easy way to feel closer to home. HOODY: Slipping into a cotton hoody sweatshirt to stave off the chill of a cool, mountain evening is a comforting feeling. Of course, a fleece jacket is far more practical, but if you have a little extra room for a lightweight hoody, feel free. SUNDRESS: Probably only advisable for the ladies. One at the most. Very definitely optional. SANDALS: A pair of sturdy flip-flops, like Rainbows, are great for lounging around at our lodging. Sandals that secure around your ankle, like Chacos or Tevas, are also very practical, but certainly not necessary. GLOVES: If you don t like getting your hands dirty, a pair of gardening or workman s gloves are suggested, but definitely not necessary. Gloves will be provided for any situation where there is a real need for them (like harvesting sugarcane). GOOD BOOK(S): Bring one and then trade with a friend if you finish it. A Kindle (or other e-reader) is fine, too. ipod, MP3 PLAYER: Bring yours and your favorite tunes. If you have a newer generation device with Wi-Fi capabilities, even better. That s a perfect setup for email and Internet when a network is available. POCKET SPANISH DICTIONARY/PHRASEBOOK: Can be a helpful reference for Spanish speakers of all levels. TRAVEL GAMES: Playing cards, dice, or other compact travel game. OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS: It s not unusual for travelers to need a day or two of adjustment to new, unfamiliar foods and cuisine and we recommend bringing some Pepto-Bismol to help. We will be carrying a fully stocked med-kit, but if you are especially prone to motion sickness, menstrual cramps, migraines or anything else of the sort, it s a good idea to bring a personal supply of whatever you use at home. Trip Leaders will collect and review all medications at the start of the course.