Equipment List

Equipment List

Bring items you think are usable.  They will be inspected and if not appropriate, you can leave them at WKU for pickup later.

Participants are responsible for WKU equipment checked out to them.  Lost or damaged equipment must be replaced.

Information about boots and clothing:

BOOTS

• When traveling on rough terrain, one needs a sole that will bend for comfortable walking yet be thick enough to withstand sharp, pointed rocks.  The boots or shoes should be durable.   When one carries a heavy pack, the combined pack and body weight of a man may be over 300 pounds.  This type of hiking may need a heavier sole.  However, boots today are made with much lighter materials and thinner soles.  One does not have to carry the weight of a thick sole or heavy boot except in special situations.

• Remember:  For every step you take with a heavy boot, you carry that weight.  For instance, one mile = approximately 3,000 steps.  Multiply that times 2 lbs. of heavy boot and it equals 6,000 lbs just to move your feet.  Do light shoes sound good now?

• Toes should be solid enough to afford protection against rocks and stones in rocky areas.

• Unless one has some special reason (snakes, thorns, personal preference) boots that reach higher than the ankle should be avoided.  Ventilation to the feet is hindered, as is full freedom of the ankle.  The addition of a good pair of gaiters is preferable to high boots.

• Boots must fit properly.  It is a fact that a boot/shoe, which fits loosely, is better ventilated, drier, warmer, and will cause fewer blisters than one that is snug fitting.  However, the conviction that a snug fit is necessary is so prevalent that it is difficult to overcome.  If your boots/shoes were fitted, prior to reading this, you may experience some problems with extended hiking because the boots fit too snugly.

••• To insure proper fit of your Boots: Take off socks, place bare foot in the boot/shoe without lacing it, and push the foot as far forward as possible.  Stand with full weight on the feet, with toes touching the end of the boot/shoe, and bend knees forward.  There should be enough room between the heel and back of the boot to insert a finger without pressure.  This is the minimum space for preventing toes from hitting the boot when one is descending slopes.  People who wear larger sizes should allow slightly more space (up to one and one-half finger widths for size 12).

• Next, try on the boot/shoes with the socks that will be worn in the field.  If climate and foot care demand two pair of heavy or medium-heavy wool socks, fit with two pair.  Stand in unlaced boot/shoes with full weight on the feet.  The sides of the toes or

ball of the foot may lightly touch the inside of the boot/shoe.  If there is pressure to stretch the boot/shoe outward, it is too tight.

CLOTHING

• 4 W's:  Wicking, Wind, Warmth, Water proofing

• Sources for equipment:  Salvation Army, Good Will, Army Surplus and other such stores are good sources of wool clothing at bargain prices.  All clothing must be roomy to allow freedom of movement and ventilation.  Wool, polar fleece, capilene and polar pile are important because of their ability to:  provide warmth when they're wet and their ability to dry quickly.

• The technique of dressing for comfort and safety is a focal point of this course.  A large percentage of outdoor tragedies can be directly traced to ignorance in this technique.

Part 1:  WKU is prepared to provide the following equipment.  You may bring your own but it must meet with instructor approval.

Backpack
Compass
Cook Fly and rope
Cook Gear (Group)
Dry Pack(s) (Waterproof pack)- (1) individual and (1) for cook group (Trip type will determine necessity)
First Aid Kit (class) (Each person is responsible for their unique needs)
Fuel Bottle
Kitchen Bag (Spice assortment for cooking & cleaning)
Map
Rope (Nylon "bear rope")
Sleeping Pads or something else to sit on during presentations
Soap (Biodegradable)
Spade
Stove (white gas)
Stuff sacks (limited supply)
Tents (two or four person), rain fly, ground tarp
Water bag
Water Bottles (2)

Part 2:  You should bring the following items.   Climate and trip conditions may require minor equipment changes.

Bandannas (3-5)
Belt
Canoe packs (optional) (Trip type will determine necessity)
Dry bag (small) (Trip type will determine necessity)
Fleece Top & Pants (capilene, pile)
Garbage bags (Plastic)
Headlamp & extra batteries
Knife -- Big sheath knives are unnecessary
Lighter/matches in container
Pants (long) (quick drying, 1 pair) (no jeans)
Rain/sun hat (w/wide brim) or Wool baseball cap
Rain gear (roomy & lightweight)
Shirts --Lightweight cotton/polyester shirts or synthetic/quick  drying shirts:  No 100% cotton.
Socks:  4 pair--light to medium wool or polypropylene
Sock liners 3 pair
Shoes /*Boots (See notes at end of lists)
Camp Shoes-- for wearing around camp.
Sandals  (canoeing-- open toes not recommended)
Sleeping bag & Stuff sack
Swim suit(s)/short(s) lightweight and fast drying
Toothbrush & toothpaste/powder
Underwear (Long) shirt & pants
Underwear:  (2 pair)  (Boxers or jockey style?)
Wind parka (nylon windbreaker)
Wind pants/running pants (Nylon)
Watch

Part 3:  Optional Items.   Based on: weight, bulk, and the use it will receive.

Binoculars
Camera & film
Comb/brush
Gaiters
Hand/body lotion
Insect repellent
Lip balm -- as needed
Mirror
Poison Ivy Block/Cortaid
Reading material
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Tampons as needed.
Toiletries (personal)