Hut Trips

Project CLIMB

Packing Checklist for Hut Trips

MUST HAVE ITEMS: You need this stuff so you have fun and don’t become a liability to the group.

GEAR/EQUIPMENT

____HIKING BOOTS: full leather boots are best - waterproof them with SnoSeal or other product

make sure they are broken in before the trip. NO HIKING SNEAKERS!!!!!

***many sizes available to borrow from CLIMB

____BACKPACK: large enough to pack your gear AND some group food

***available to borrow from CLIMB

____SLEEPING BAG: must be rated to at least 0 degrees F

Lightweight, mummy bag, down packs smaller than synthetic

***available to borrow from CLIMB (if you bring your own have it checked at the meeting)

____3 PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS: One to line main compartment of backpack

another to put your sleeping bag in, one extra just in case

Wet clothes and a wet sleeping bag make for a miserable time.

____SMALL ZIPLOC BAGS: for camera, book, and other items that need to be watertight

____Headlamp: Headlamps are easiest to use

***available to borrow from CLIMB, or bring a small, lightweight flashlight

____EXTRA BATTERIES: Bring one extra set of batteries for your headlamp/flashlight

____2 NALGENE WATER BOTTLES: filled with water. Borrow insulated water bottle insulated sleeves from CLIMB, or insulate with a wool sock. NO CAMELBACKS, ECT. THEY ARE USELESS IN COLD

____GORP: (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts aka: Trail Mix) GORP in a ziplock bag: CLIMB will give you ONE bag (bring other snacks too). Pack it in a place that you can easily reach while hiking

____TOILETRIES: Toothbrush, toothpaste (TRAVEL SIZE), other items you absolutely need in TRAVEL SIZE, some Bandaids and any items of medical necessity.

____ Mug: Insulated mug with a lid – this cuts down on dishes/work

_____ Newspaper: Stuff it in you boots to dry them out

CLOTHING

____FLEECE JACKET AND/OR WOOL SWEATER

____FLEECE OR WOOL PANTS

____2 FLEECE OR WOOL HATS

____3 PR. WOOL SOCKS

____2 PR. POLYPRO LINER SOCKS

____2 PR. LONG UNDERWEAR (SILK OR POLYPRO)

____2 PR. FLEECE OR WOOL MITTENS OR GLOVES

____WATERPROOF/WINDPROOF JACKET

____WATERPROOF/WINDPROOF PANTS

*** CLIMB IS WELL STOCKED WITH THESE CLOTHING ITEMS FOR YOU TO BORROW***

____PERSONAL UNDERCLOTHES

____HUT SHOES to wear hanging out in the hut at night

____1 SET COMFY, WARM HANGOUT CLOTHES (for the hut at the day’s end - these are the ONLY cotton items )

ITEMS FOR BUS RIDE

MONEY (buy snacks, on way to & home)

FRESH CHANGE OF CLOTHES? (for bus ride home)

OPTIONAL ITEMS:

GAITERS (keep the snow out of your boots and pants) CLIMB has these to borrow

BOOK?

CAMERA

SNACKS (extra trail food that you like, NOT big bags of candy)

Hand Sanitizer , Nylon cord, Ear Plugs, toilet paper and used t.p. bag

Notes on Packing your Gear:

- line the main part of your pack with a big garbage bag

- once you’ve stuffed your sleeping bag in the stuff sack, put it in a garbage bag to keep it dry and put it in the bottom of your pack

- organize your gear in plastic bags – you don’t need nylon stuff sacks – plastic grocery bags are great

- keep the heaviest item close to your back

- stow items you’ll need during the day and in a hurry in the easy to get to parts of the pack: top, side or back compartments

Notes on dressing: Dress for Success: It’s NO SWEAT

•Dress in layers so it is easy to peel something off if you get too warm. – if you get sweaty you’ll be sorry and cold

Two thin layers are better than one thick one: with two, you can peel one off, with one, you can’t (a heavy winter coat - like you wear downhill skiing is a bad idea - too heavy and you can't layer well with it)

• Start hiking wearing enough to be on the chilly side, but not warm and comfy – you’ll heat up after a couple hundred yards and either stop and peel off a layer or worse – get sweaty.

• Your hat is the easiest way to thermo regulate – take it off and put it on as needed.

• When you get to the hut change out of any damp clothing – socks too – you’ll stay/get warm much faster.

Notes on Eating, Drinking, and What Comes After

• Drink plenty of water. This can be more important to staying warm than food. Don’t get dehydrated. You’ll get cold, lazy, and you’ll whine a lot. You have two liters of H20 in your Nalgenes – drink up!

• You should have CCPP. This is clinically known as Clear and Copious Urine. Check the snow and you’ll know. If you’re

not going in the snow and only at the hut in the morning and at night, you’re not drinking enough.

• You’re hiking with a pack and trying to stay warm – that means you need fuel. You need to snack along the way.

Candy is a simple carb and gets in you quickly, but think about some more complex carbs and some protein and fats too. A CLIMB trip is not the time to count calories.

PACKING PLAN: