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PACKING FOR YOSEMITE

List of camping equipment to bring to Yosemite

Happy August !

I am writing to make sure you have all the information you need to prepare for the Outing Week backpacking trip to Yosemite. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about trip preparation or the Yosemite program. The Sophomore class travels to Yosemite National Park during Outing Week, backpacking and camping among some of the most beautiful scenery in the High Sierras.

The trip allows each pod (a group of 10 students and two trip leaders) the opportunity to grow close as each member of the pod shares responsibility for the success of the trip. During the course of the six days and five nights spent in Yosemite, students and trip leaders prepare all meals and set up each campsite. The pods travel along some of the most celebrated of Yosemite’s trails, most of which will be at an altitude greater than 9000 feet above sea level. At that altitude, and in the wilderness, trips such as these call for careful preparation. Pod leaders will have met with the pod several times before the first bus leaves the Cate campus, and each camper will have practiced packing up the required gear in the required backpack. A list of required articles will be found at the bottom of this notice, but a few points are worth emphasizing :

1. If you do not have a great outfitter nearby, please do consider using the internet: Recommended sites? rei.com, CampingWorld.com, ems.com, backcountry.com, patagonia.com, SierraTradingPost.com
2. Although the school can provide a backpack to any student, the purchase of an appropriate pack will be a good investment for the student who will travel with the Junior Class on an equally demanding trip, and who may wish to join the Outing Club in any of a number of adventures. We recommend an External (5lbs.) or Internal(7.5) lb Frame Backpack with well padded hip and shoulder pads. The pack should allow attachment of sleeping pad and other gear, and should be capable of expanding to carry the 3.5 lb. “bear canister” which we will provide each student on the trip. When shopping for a pack, ask for a backpack which is intended for a 5 day trip . Packs are made for small,
   medium, and large people, so check to make sure you are buying the right size for you.  The lightest pack we have found is the Osprey but other good backpacks can be found at a mountain sports or full-service sports store.
3. The key to comfort (and safety) in uncertain weather at altitude is layering, using a variety of synthetic materials, such as capilene, polypropelene, nylon, and fleece. NO COTTON on this trip! It is easy to find great and comfortable articles of clothing at mountain sports stores and at full-service sports stores, but not at conventional clothing stores. Anticipate your needs by taking a special trip to buy the layers described on the required clothing list.
4. You will NOT need to buy stoves or tents, but might consider investing in a good sleeping bag. Again, we recommend the synthetic fibers (Hollofill) rather than down and recommend that the bag be rated to at least 20 degrees.
5. A good flashlight is a necessity. Headlamps are ideal! Be sure to provide extra batteries.  

REQUIRED: 

Torso:

1. 1 Long sleeved shirt (long underwear top) for layering (synthetic: nylon, capilene, polypropelene).
2. 2 Short sleeve shirts (synthetic – NOT COTTON)
3. 1 WARM sweater (fleece) or wool) and 
4. 1 synthetic or down jacket 
5. 1 water-proofed ( NOT WATER RESISTANT, BUT WATER PROOFED) shell with hood (Rain Gear
   Jacket)

Legs:

Underwear

1. 1 pair “long-johns”, synthetic
2. 1 pair synthetic quick dry shorts
3. 1 pair synthetic quick dry pants
4. 1 pair WATER PROOFED rain pants (Rain Gear Pants)
    

Feet:

1. 1 pair of well worn in hiking boots or “trail” show with strong arch and tread
2. 4 pair of hiking socks (wool or polypro) NOT COTTON

Extremities:

1. Wool or fleece gloves
2. Wool or fleece cap 
3. Sun hat (baseball cap) 
4. Bandana 

Miscellaneous:

1. 2 water bottles which can be easily attached to the backpack
2. 1 small flashlight (Headlamps are ideal!)
3. Extra batteries
4. Tooth Brush
5. Pack Towel
6. Sun glasses with strap