What to Bring

Jun 1, 2011 at 5:11 PM by Anne Lewis

The field portion of the workshop will be outfitted by Steamboat Game & Fish. They provide sleeping bags, cots, toilet paper, tents, meals, drinking water, dry bags (for packing) and kayaks. A list of recommended items that you bring is below. The items that are starred are absolutely necessary.

Please be aware that the campsites are primitive with no amenities other than what we pack in (in other words, we dig our own toilets and there is no running water).

Also, please be aware that everything you bring must fit in or on your kayak. Packing compactly is essential. The dry bag, which you will receive during the pre-trip orientation during the classroom session, will hold what you will need at camp i.e, clothes, towel, etc. To approximate packing your dry bag, you can pack the gear you will need for camp in a five gallon bucket which has about the same capacity as a dry bag. If it doesn’t fit in the bucket, it won’t fit in a dry bag.

The rest of your gear that you will need throughout the day should fit into a standard sized back pack which will be stored on top of your kayak. This includes your camera, snacks, sun screen, notebook, Sand County Almanac and water bottle. Volunteers will be needed to carry the field equipment on their kayaks.

Your gear and clothes will most likely get wet and or muddy. Please try to bring clothing that can wet. Synthetic materials will dry on average 10 times faster than cotton. Please keep this in mind when choosing clothes. Nylon and fleece like materials recommend.

TO BRING:
Clothes
- Pants for camp to protect against scratches. We will be hiking at camp and the grass is long.
- Shorts or a swimming suit if the weather is predicted to be warm.
- Fleece pullover for evening. It most likely will get cool enough to need at least one layer. It may also double as your pillow.
- ** A pair of sandals or water shoes. You will want shoes that can get wet for kayaking. **
- ** A pair of hiking boots or tennis shoes. Closed toed shoes are recommended for camp.**
- Wool or fleece socks. Minimum two pair, three suggested.
- Tops for layering. A combination of sleeveless, short sleeve and long sleeved tops makes it easy to adjust to the current temperature.
- Knit cap for warmth if the forecast is for cool temps.
- **Brimmed hat or visor. There’s a reason Indiana Jones wore that hat. It wasn’t just to look cool.**
- **Rain gear. We are on the river rain or shine. We only get off for excessive wind or lightening.**
- Bandana.
- Underwear. Quick drying is best.

Personal items
- **Sunscreen Minimum of SPF 15**
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant
- Hand sanitizer
- Wipes
- Small towel

Gear
- **Camera (a digital camera is required). A water tight case such as a Lock and Lock is recommended for stowing the camera when not in use.**
- Binoculars (optional)
- **Sunglasses**
- **Folding camp chair **
- **Water bottle (preferably wide mouth for refilling)**
- Open finger gloves.
- Flash light or head lamp. We will have a waning moon so it will be dark.
- Small cooler w/ beverages (optional) This will be stored on your kayak.
- Favorite snack (store in zip-lock for easy access on the river)
- Plastic shopping bags for storing shoes or wet clothes. You will only need two or three.
- Ziplock baggies for incidentals. Again, you will need just a few.