Personal Equipment Lists for TWO Participants 2016

Personal Equipment Lists FOR TWO Participants 2016.

You will be living solely out of your backpack for the five days of the T.W.O. program, therefore you’ll need to pack everything you need and only what you need.

These equipment lists have been put together from years of camping experience. Unless marked optional, every item is absolutely necessary for your safety and comfort.

Before you shop for gear, review this list, the Trip-Specific List that corresponds to your T.W.O. trip, and read the Important Notes on Equipment.

Below are the Personal Equipment Lists for TWO 2016 Backpacking, Hybrid, Trail Crew and Canoeing Trips. Please note that the Canoeing Equipment List is slightly different. All items on your trip’s list are ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for your safety and comfort.

*Further information below

BACKPACKING, HYBRID AND TRAIL CREW PERSONAL EQUIPMENT LIST

Basic Equipment:  large internal or external frame backpacking pack*  sleeping bag (synthetic fill, rated to at least 32 F)*  sleeping bag stuff sack (stuff sack with compression straps is preferable but not required)  sleeping pad (closed cell foam or Thermarest type pad)* Clothing:  1 100% wool sweater or fleece jacket  1pr long underwear (tops AND bottoms, polypropylene, silk, Capilene, etc.)  1pr 100% wool or fleece pants  1 wool or fleece hat  1 wind shell (can use top of rain gear if it is light and windproof)  1 set rain gear (top AND bottom)*  3 pr 100% wool or synthetic hiking socks  3 t-shirts (synthetic is best--try to avoid cotton)  underwear  2 pr shorts (quick-drying)  1 pr gloves or mittens (wool or fleece- it gets chilly at night!) Footwear:  hiking boots* (sturdy, broken-in and well-fitting. See below for more info)  alternate pair of shoes (We love Tevas, Chacos, Crocs, etc.) Other Essentials:  2 (two) 32 oz (1 liter) plastic water bottles (if you have a Camelback please also bring 1 water bottle)  cup, bowl, spoon (no glass items, disposable Tupperware are great)  extra pair of glasses or contacts plus related equipment (if needed)  approx. 2 lbs. GORP*  2 large garbage bags and 2 Ziploc bags (for toiletries and other essential belongings)

 swimsuit  toothbrush and toothpaste  Feminine Hygiene Kit*  flashlight or headlamp (with plenty of battery life)  sunscreen Optional Items:  notebook & pen  insect repellent  sunglasses/sun hat  pocket knife (no “survival” or long blade knives, please)*  small quick-dry camping towel  camera  something unusual & funky (small, light, and not electronic! Such as a fun hat) ______

CANOEING PERSONAL EQUIPMENT LIST (Hybrid trips must follow Backpacking equipment list, even though you’ll be doing some canoeing):

Basic Equipment:  large bag*  sleeping bag (synthetic fill, rated to at least 32 F)*  sleeping bag stuff sack (stuff sack with compression straps is preferable but not required)  sleeping pad (closed cell foam or Thermarest type pad)* Clothing:  1 100% wool sweater or fleece jacket  1 pr long underwear (tops AND bottoms, silk polypropylene, Capilene,  etc.)  1pr 100% wool or fleece pants  1 wool or fleece hat  1 wind shell (can use top of rain gear if it is light and windproof)  1 set rain gear (top AND bottom)*  3 pr 100% wool or synthetic hiking socks  3 t-shirts (synthetic is best--avoid cotton)  underwear  2 pr shorts (quick-drying)  1 pr gloves or mittens (wool or fleece- it gets chilly at night)

Footwear:  1 pr “dry shoes” (sneakers to wear in camp)  1 pr “wet shoes”(sandals or sneakers to wear in the boat that won’t fall off in the water. No flip flops please!) Other Essentials:  2 (two) 32 oz (1 liter) plastic water bottles (if you have a Camelback please also bring 1 water bottle)  cup, bowl, and spoon (no glass items, disposable Tupperware are great)  extra pair of glasses or contacts plus related equipment (if needed)  approx. 2 lbs. GORP*  5 (five) large garbage bags and Ziploc bags (for toiletries and other essential belongings)  swimsuit  sunglasses with cord  baseball cap or sunhat  toothbrush and toothpaste  Feminine Hygiene Kit*  flashlight or headlamp (with plenty of battery life)  sunscreen Optional Items:  notebook & pen  insect repellant  pocket knife (no “survival” or long blade knives, please)*  small quick-drying camping towel  camera  something unusual & funky (small, light, and not electronic!)

Important Notes on Equipment

Unless marked as optional, all of the items above are essential to your participation in a T.W.O. trip. Late-August nights in the New England mountains can be dangerously chilly if you do not have proper equipment. Please bring polypropylene, wool, or fleece clothes. Cotton will not keep you warm once it gets wet. Check the material information on all of your clothing and gear before you pack them.

T.W.O. leaders will go through your backpack with you when you arrive to make sure everything is appropriate and packed efficiently. You will need to purchase or rent any required items that are not in your bag. For safety reasons, we cannot allow you to participate in the T.W.O. program without these items.

Equipment Costs You do not have to spend a fortune to equip yourself for a T.W.O. trip. Here are some tried-and- true ways to gear up without breaking the bank:  You might be able to borrow many of the items from friends, neighbors, or relatives.  Many army surplus stores carry high-quality, inexpensive wool clothing.  Discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s often have great deals on fleece and other breathable synthetic clothing.  Check out online gear stores for bargains on all types of gear (Back Country, REI Outlet, Sierra Trading Post, GearX to name a few).  T.W.O. has a Gear Lending Program for students with financial aid.  T.W.O. partnership with local gear companies that provide equipment rentals. Backpack Your backpack needs to have an internal or external frame. It must have a waist belt and be large enough to carry all personal and group equipment; this means a pack with an internal volume of 55 liters or more. It must fit properly. You will be carrying between 30 and 50 pounds, so try your pack out before the trip. Load it up and see how it feels. When loaded with all your personal gear, your pack must have about 1/4 of the space left over for group gear and food, which will be heavier than your personal gear.

Canoe Bags You can use just about any large bag for a canoe trip. Stuff sacks and duffel bags work well, especially if they have a shoulder strap or handle. If you have a dry bag, bring it. Otherwise, you will line your bag with a large garbage bag to make it waterproof. Avoid large external frame packs, as they won't fit easily in the canoe. Remember that your bag must be large enough to hold all of your stuff plus some group gear and food.

Hiking Boots You will need hiking boots for any of the backpacking, hybrid, or trail crew trips. We can't let you go out on the trail without them. If you don’t already have a pair, get a quality pair of hiking boots soon and start wearing them around to break them in. They must be comfortable and above all, provide excellent ankle support. If your boots do not already have a waterproofing treatment (ex. Gore-Tex) buy a waterproofing product and treat them.

Sleeping Bag Bring a bag that is rated to about 20-30ºF. Synthetic, polyester fill (i.e. Polarguard, Quallofil, Hollofil, etc.) bags are strongly recommended; down bags will not keep you warm if they get wet. A waterproof stuff sack (a bag to stuff your sleeping bag into) is necessary. Sleeping bags should stuff small enough to leave ample room in your pack for your personal stuff and group items.

Sleeping Pad A closed-cell foam (ensolite) or Thermarest pad will insulate you from the ground and make you a lot more comfortable. Ensolite pads are a lot less expensive, and work just as well as name- brand pads. You’ll also need straps or cords to attach your pad to your pack. Check to see if your pack comes with these straps built in and if not, pick up a pair.

Rain Gear Plan for it to rain and make sure your rain gear is durable and will cover you completely. You will need both a rain jacket and rain pants. Coated nylon works perfectly, and is a lot less expensive than Gore-Tex. Local thrift stores often have rain jackets/pants that work great.

GORP GORP stands for good old raisins and peanuts, also known as trail mix. Be creative and make your own GORP. Try nuts, dried fruit, M&Ms, granola, yogurt balls, pretzels, etc. Bring about two pounds in two or three separate Ziploc bags. Your GORP stash will be what you eat between meals when no other food is available.

Pocket Knife Pocket knives are handy but not required. If you do bring a knife on your trip, please plan to hand it off to your parent on matriculation day or ship it home as knives are not allowed in Tufts residence halls. Please do not bring long-blade or survival knives.

Feminine Hygiene Having your period while you are in the woods is no big deal as long as you plan ahead. Even if you don’t expect to get your period during your T.W.O. trip, diet and exercise can affect your cycle, so it is best to be prepared just in case. We recommend an opaque bag or stuff sack containing a ziplock bag of tampons/pads (bring more than you think you’ll use), a second ziplock bag with a travel pack of baby wipes, and two more ziplock bags for used tampons/pads, baby wipes, and tampon wrappers. You can cover the bag in duct tape to make them opaque. Aspirin or used tea bags work well as odor eliminators for your garbage bag. T.W.O. provides all participants with one small opaque bag.

Prohibited Items The following items are NOT allowed on any T.W.O. trip: alcohol, non-medical drugs, cigarettes, firearms, cell phones, ipods, radios, or electronic games. You will be evacuated from the trip if you bring alcohol, drugs, or firearms onto your trip. Cigarette smoking is not allowed on the trip for fire safety reasons (we’re not kidding). Your leaders will look through all parts of your bag before you leave Tufts, so don’t even try it.

A Note About Cell Phones No first-year students will be allowed to bring cell phones with them on the trail. Leaders will carry cell phones for communication with program coordinators and emergency support if necessary. We ask that you leave your cell phone in your room upon arrival at Tufts. Not only are cell phones unnecessary for the trail, they also distract from the group experience that makes T.W.O. such a valuable experience.

Personal Equipment Frequently Asked Questions

Why is wool or fleece so important? Wool and fleece will keep you warm even in wet conditions. Polyester pile garments work also, but can be far more expensive. Polypropylene long underwear will help insulate and works when wet since it does not absorb water.

What about cotton? Cotton absorbs water and sweat, and becomes dangerous when temperatures drop. Please do not bring cotton jeans, flannel shirts, or cotton sweatshirts on your trip. You will not be allowed to take them with you.

How do I know if I’m bringing too much stuff? Don’t bring things that aren’t on the list. Remember, you'll be carrying a share of the group gear, so leave room in about 1/4 of your pack. Everything you bring, you carry on your back for five days. If it’s not on the list, you won’t be allowed to bring it on the trip.

Who should I call about specific equipment questions? Your local outdoors/camping store should be your first option (i.e. Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS), Hudson Trail Outfitters, or any number of local stores). Their staff is trained to answer specific questions about brand names, quality, and prices. If you show them a copy of your equipment list and tell them what you are planning to do and for how long, they should be able to help you. If you still have any questions, feel free to call us.

What about rental equipment? T.W.O. has a partnership with a gear rental company, Pack Out Gear. You can reserve backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads on the T.W.O. page of their website. If you are going on a canoe trip, you can rent a dry bag. If you are going on a backpacking, hybrid or trail crew trips, you should rent a backpack. You’ll be notified of your assigned trip type in the next few weeks. Rentals are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Does T.W.O. have a Gear Lending Program? Yes! T.W.O. has a limited supply of personal gear that we distribute in sets. Each set has one backpack, one sleeping bag, and one sleeping pad. We allocate them based on financial need as determined by Tufts. Please indicate whether or not you are interested in the Gear Lending Program on the Personal Information Form in the acceptance packet. Contact the coordinators if you have any questions.