Equipment List - NOLS

NOLS Professional TrainingOperation Purple® Leadership ProgramEQUIPMENT LISTBackpacking Expedition, August 3 rd – 12 th , 2010Welcome to NOLS!We look forward to meeting you. We have designed this equipment checklist to help you decide what to bring on your course.Please take the time to read the descriptions carefully. The checklist on the far right side of the pages is designed to helpyou organize what to buy and bring with you and what to rent from us.We encourage you to use gear that you already own. Bring a range of items to choose from and your instructors can helpyou decide which gear to select—that is what your instructors are there for! (For example: If you own several upper bodylayers but cannot decide whether two mid-weight tops or one mid-weight top plus an expedition weight fleece is the betterchoice, then bring them all and your instructors will guide you towards a good decision). Note that your instructors willinspect any gear you may have brought with you to determine it’s suitability for your course. If an item is notappropriate, you can leave it with your baggage in storage lockers.If you do not have something we recommend renting from NOLS rather than purchasing expensive gear inadvance. On the list below if the ‘Rental Price’ column is grayed out, that item is NOT available for rent. If the ‘PurchasePrice’ column is grayed out, that item is NOT available for purchase. If you want any items for your course that are notavailable from NOLS for rent or purchase, be sure to bring them with you!If you have any questions or if you would like more information regarding any of the items in the equipment list, pleasecontact the NOLS Professional Training at 800-710-6657 ext. 3 or visit our web site at www.nolspro.edu.All rental prices cover the entire course and all prices are subject to change.ople_el_10 (ado)© National Outdoor Leadership School1

Upper Body LayersEquipmentQtyRentalPricePurchasePriceComments Have NeedSynthetic T-shirt 1 $42Mid-Weight Top 1 $43Synthetic fabrics dry quickly and canbe considered an insulating layer.Light or mid-weight base layer madeof polypropylene, Capilene, or ZeO2.Expedition Wt. Top $68.50–$851Fleece/Insulated Jacket$7 $59Fleece Vest 1 $7 $35–$50Wind Shirt 1 $7 $55Sports Bra or Tank 1 $36Rain Jacket 1Heavy long underwear top, PatagoniaR2, lightweight fleece, thin woolsweater, lined softshell, Primaloft, orother synthetic-filled jacket.Optional. Fleece or synthetic-filledvest. An extra layer if you tend to getcold easily.A lightweight, breathable nylon windshell is great for hard travel days andfor keeping the bugs away. Not arequired item but highlyrecommended.Women should bring a syntheticsports bra, or a synthetic sports tank.A lightweight waterproof jacket witha hood. Coated nylon or breathablefabrics such as Gore-Tex areacceptable. Older/used Gore-Tex isineffective in heavy rain.EquipmentQtyRentalPriceLower Body LayersPurchasePriceMid-Weight Bottoms 1 $38Comments Have NeedLight or mid-weight long underwearbottoms made of polypropylene,Capilene, or ZeO2.Expedition Wt. Bottoms $531Fleece Pants$7 $50Wind Pants 1 $8 $60Optional. Expedition-weight longunderwear bottoms, Patagonia R2, orlightweight fleece pants. Notrecommended for July and Augustcourses.Breathable nylon wind pants roomyenough to fit over all lower bodylayers. NOLS makes some of thebest wind pants available. Weencourage renting or buying from us.ople_el_10 (ado)© National Outdoor Leadership School2

Equipment QtyHiking Boots 1Camp Shoes 1Commercial Insoles 1RentalPriceFootwear (Continued)PurchasePriceComments Have NeedSturdy backpacking boots, with goodankle support, and proper fit arecritical for hiking on uneven terrainwith heavy expedition packs. Themost common mistake studentsmake is getting boots that are toosmall.1 pair lightweight running or crosstraining shoes in good condition.Avoid expensive shoes. Open-toed“river” or mountain sandals are notacceptable. “Crocs,” which arelightweight, rubber, closed- toe shoesare acceptable.Optional. When purchasing hikingboots you can inquire about buyingseparate insoles. They provide archsupport & stabilization for your feet.If you choose this option be sure totry them on with your boots forproper fit.Packs & BagsEquipmentQtyRentalPricePurchasePriceComments Have NeedSmall Stuff Sack 2–3 $.50 $4Internal Frame Backpack 1 $28 $165–$450Lash Strap 2 $1/pr $3.50Trash Bag 2–3 $2Zip-lock Bags 2–3Optional. Used for organizing itemsin your pack. Mesh or nylon.NOLS has a variety of packsavailable for rent. You will need apack that is around 6000 cubic inchesin volume. If you don’t already own apack this size, we recommend rentingone from us in order to try beforeyou buy. If you own a pack with5000–6000 cu. in. capacity bring italong and ask your instructors if itwill work.Optional. Depends on how largeyour pack is.Compactor bags are sturdier thanother garbage bags. Forwaterproofing gear.Optional. Durable quart size Ziplocbags can be handy.ople_el_10 (ado)© National Outdoor Leadership School4

EquipmentQtyRentalPriceSleeping GearPurchasePriceSleeping Bag 1 $26 $200–$250Compression Stuff Sack 1 $2 $25Closed cell foam SleepingPadTherm-a-Rest SleepingPad1$1.50 $10$85–115Comments Have NeedWe recommend synthetic-filledsleeping bags, which are durable andperform well in rainy weather. Downbags are insufficient for the wetconditions we encounter. A syntheticbag with approx. 3 pounds of fillrated to 15°F or 20°F and with 6–8”of loft is needed. Note: Sleeping bagsare an essential piece of gear.Instructors will evaluate the bag youbring from home, for suitability.A sleeping bag stuff sack with strapsattached to compress contents.Full-length closed cell foam pad toinsulate and pad between the groundand your sleeping bag. Therm-a-restpads are acceptable. Please bring apatch kit if you bring a Therm-a-restpad.Sleeping Pad Stuff Sack 1 $.50 $4Protects foam sleeping pads andTherm-a-rests if/when it is lashed tothe outside of your pack.EquipmentQtyRentalPriceEating SystemPurchasePriceInsulated Mug 1 $12Bowl with Lid 1 $7Comments Have NeedNOLS carries 12 and 20 oz insulatedmugs with lids. A wide mouth ½ literNalgene bottle is another goodoption.We suggest a durable Lexan orTupperware bowl with lid.Spoon 1 $2 Lexan spoons are light and durable.Water Bottle 2 $10Camelbak 1Wide mouth quart or liter size plasticbottles.Optional. Many students find theyhydrate more consistently with ahydration system. You are stillrequired to bring 1 additional litersize water bottle in case of a leak.ople_el_10 (ado)© National Outdoor Leadership School5

Miscellaneous ItemsEquipmentQtyRentalPricePurchasePriceComments Have NeedLip Balm 1 $2 Must have SPF 15 or greater.Sunscreen 1–2 $9Bandanna 1–2 $3.50Small bottle of SPF 30recommended. We suggest sunscreenwith Zinc or Titanium Oxide.Handy for cleaning glasses orprotecting your ears/neck.Headlamp w/ batteries 1 $35 Durable and lightweight.Extra Batteries 1 set $5 Bring 1 spare set for your headlamp.Notebook & Pen 1 $1–$8 A small, lightweight notepad is ideal.Watch w/Alarm 1 A waterproof watch.Toiletries 1Hand Sanitizer 1Keep to a minimum. Prescriptionmedications, toothbrush, small tubeof toothpaste, floss, tampons orpads, comb, small bottle unscentedskin lotion. NO deodorant orshampoo is used on course, but it isokay to bring small containers foryour post-course shower.Optional. Soap and hand sanitizerprovided for group use - if youwould like your own bottle pleasebring a small travel size.Insect Repellant 1 $5 Small bottle. No aerosol spray cans.Glasses or Contacts (plusspare)Dental Devices1Camera 1If you wear glasses or contact lensesyou need to bring a back-up pair ofglasses. (Prescription sunglasses canact as a spare pair).Optional. Hard protective caserecommended. Consider bringing anextra if loss/damage would bedetrimental to your teeth.Optional. A small padded case ishighly recommended.Book 1 Optional. A small paperbackTrekking Poles $100Optional. If you like to use poles forhiking. These should telescope foreasy packing.ople_el_10 (ado)© National Outdoor Leadership School6

Equipment QtyCamp Chair 1Prescription MedicationsVitaminsWater Treatment System 1RentalPriceMiscellaneous Items (Continued)PurchasePriceComments Have NeedOptional. Lightweight “Crazy Creek”style. If your pack becomes tooheavy, your instructors may not allowyou to take this.IMPORTANT: Please be sure youhave enough for your entire courseand travel days.Optional. A small quantity of multivitaminsis popular among studentsand staff to supplement rations.Optional. NOLS supplies PotableAqua tablets (hydroperiodide) orAqua Mira for backcountry waterpurification. However, if you aresensitive to iodine or chlorine youmay need to bring your own waterfilter such as the PUR Scout orHiker, or the SWEETWATERguardian.Recommended BootsMedium-weight, off-trail backpacking/light mountaineering boots work best. This type of boot is constructed with a full grainleather upper and typically has a Vibram® rubber sole. Some models utilize an injection molded, composite rubber sole with aranded welt to bond the leather upper to the sole. Both types of sole are acceptable. These boots are designed for extendedbackpacking, provide good support for off-trail hiking with heavy packs, and usually require less break-in time thanheavyweight mountaineering boots.The following list is not exhaustive and is to be used for suggestions only. The boots listed here should help define what types areacceptable for your course. It is fine to substitute a similar boot for one of the types listed here provided the boot that youbring is a good quality leather model designed for extended backpacking expeditions with heavy packs.Examples Of Acceptable Boots*Oboz: Wind RiverAsolo: TPS 520 GV, TPS 535Lowa: Tahoe GTX, Tibet GTX, BanffGarmont: DakotaLa Sportiva: Pingora GTX, Thunder GTXMontrail: Blue Ridge, Torre, TraverseScarpa: Delta M3, SL M3Technica: Galaad NB, Galaad SD GTXVasque: Switchback, Switchback GTX, Zephyr GTX, Zephyr II, Wasatch GTX, Sundowner GTX, Summit GTX, SundownerBlack or Brown GTX, Sundowner Classic GTX, Wilderness Vasque Chinook, Breeze XCR Hiking, Clarion GTX*Please note that boot manufacturers often rename their product line. Visit the manufacturer's website or contact usif you have questions. Refer to your enrollment packet for specific boot fitting information.ople_el_10 (ado)© National Outdoor Leadership School7