Bags & Packing

• Small Packing Cubes or Stuff Sacks

  Optional

  These will help keep your clothing and gear organized.

Clothing

• (2-3) Synthetic T-shirts or Athletic Tops

  T-shirts or tops made for running or working out are good choices. Stick to moisture-wicking fabrics. A long-sleeve, light-color, vented sun shirt may also work well.

• (2-3) Pairs of Shorts

  Bring shorts designed for running or working out or water sports. Look for quick-drying or moisture-wicking nylon, polyester, nylon/spandex, or polyester/spandex fabrics.

• Long Sleeve Baselayer Top

  Look for wool, Capilene, or polyester fabrics. No cotton. Don’t plan to wear this while paddling, you’ll want it to stay dry for cold nights at camp.

• Pair of Baselayer Bottoms

  Moisture-wicking long underwear bottoms or ankle-length tights. Look for wool, Capilene, nylon/spandex, or polyester/spandex. No cotton. Don't plan to wear these when paddling; the seats of our sit-on-top kayaks are a bit too wet to expect these to stay dry.

• (3-4) Pairs Athletic Underwear

  Stick to moisture-wicking fabrics. No cotton. If you pack shorts with built-in liners, you can pack fewer pairs of underwear.

• (2-3) Sports Bras

  Stick to moisture-wicking fabrics. No cotton.

• Upper Body Insulation Layer

  A warm, polyester fleece jacket or synthetic "puffy" jacket. This should be able to be worn under your rain jacket. No cotton.

• Extra Upper Body Insulation Layer

  A lightweight polyester fleece top or other layer to add additional warmth. You should be able to wear this with all your other upper body layers.

• Waterproof/Breathable Rain Jacket

  A lightweight hard shell you can wear over your other upper body layers. You can also substitute a paddle jacket.

• Casual Clothing for Travel
• Waterproof/Breathable Rain Pants

  Optional

  These provide obvious protection from precipitation but can also be worn as an extra lower body layer over baselayers on cold nights.

• Long Sleeve Neoprene Top

  Optional

  0.5 to 1 mm suggested. This provides warmth while paddling - even if wet.

• Full-Length Neoprene Bottoms

  Optional, But Recommended

  These provide warmth when paddling - even if wet. 0.5 to 2 mm thickness suggested. If we experience a cold snap, we'll be glad to have lower body insulation that remains warm when wet.

Hand, Neck, and Headwear

• Hat with Brim
• Knit Hat

  A wool, synthetic knit, or fleece hat for cool nights

• Lightweight Gloves

  Pack fleece, Power Stretch, or other gloves made for running or for use as a medium-weight liner.

• Paddling Gloves

  Optional, But Recommended

  Keep those blisters at bay!

• Buff

  Optional

  Use for warmth, or to keep the sun off your neck, weather depending

Footwear

• River Sandals or Water Shoes

  Footwear is required while kayaking. Bring either sport sandals with ankle straps (like Chacos or Tevas) or water shoes (like KEENs). Flip flops are not acceptable.

• Pair of Hiking Shoes, Running Shoes or Trail Runners

  Plan to throw these either in a dry bag or directly in your boat. A lighter weight and more packable shoe is advantageous. You’ll wear these as camp shoes as well as on a short hike on day 4.

• (2-3) Pairs of Wool Hiking Socks/Athletic Socks

  We recommend sticking to purpose-built, medium-weight hiking socks from companies like Darn Tough and Smart Wool.

• A Pair of Warm Socks for Sleeping
• Neoprene Socks

  Optional

  These will keep your feet warm when wet. They come in handy for cold mornings on October itineraries.

Gear

• Sleeping Bag

  Bring a mummy-cut, backpacking-style sleeping bag rated for 20-degrees Fahrenheit, or colder. Bring a sleeping bag that's highly compressible. Avoid large, heavy, roll-up-only sleeping bags because they may be too bulky to fit in the dry bags we use on the water.

• LED Headlamp and Spare Set of Batteries

  Headlamps with an optional red light won't blind your fellow adventurers or ruin your night vision.

• (1-2) Water Bottles

  Minimum of 1 liter carrying capacity. Pick bottles with a screw-top lid that covers the areas your mouth contacts. A Nalgene-brand bottle is a good choice.

• Camping/Travel Pillow

  A compressible or inflatable camping pillow makes nights more comfortable.

• Sleeping Bag Liner

  Optional

  Nights are likely to be significantly colder if your itinerary is in October. If you are worried about your sleeping bag not being warm enough, having a liner packed is a great way to stay warm.

Personal Care

• Sunglasses with Strap
• Sunscreen

  Pack at least 4oz of sunscreen. Guides recommend at least SPF 30 Small containers work better than larger ones. No aerosol spray cans, please.

• Lip Balm with SPF
• 2oz Bottle of Hand Sanitizer

  It’s handy to have your own personal hand sanitizer that can either live in your tent, coat pocket, or PFD pocket.

• Toiletries

  Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, lotion, moisturizer with SPF, brush/comb, ear plugs, etc.

• Any Medications You Take
• Menstrual Hygiene Supplies

  Menstrual Hygiene Supplies Tampons, Diva Cup, or pads. Pack 50% more supplies than you expect to need.

• Spare Glasses or Contact Lenses
• Bathing Body/Face Wipes

  Optional, But Recommended
• Small Microfiber Towel

  Optional

Other

• Guide Gratuity

  Please consider rewarding hard work and excellent service with a guide gratuity at the end of the adventure.

• Personal Reading Materials

  Optional
• Notebook and Pen

  Optional
• Portable Charger Battery Pack

  Optional
• Phone Charging Cord

  Optional