Friday April 19, 2024

Outdoor Action
Sustainable Farming Personal Equipment List

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Here is all the information you need to pack for your Frosh Trip. When selecting gear for the trip, remember that you’ll be in the outdoors for six days, so you’ll want to bring only those things you need to be comfortable. Leave behind what isn’t necessary. This equipment list is based on 40 years of experience running Outdoor Action Trips. If you bring ALL the gear on the list and ONLY the gear on the list, you’ll be comfortable in virtually any situation you’ll encounter on Frosh Trip.

Checkout the OA Video on YouTube to help you pack for your trip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LbrjeQCVq0

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Fabrics: For outdoor work you want clothing that is warm, breathable, and quick-drying. Synthetic fabrics are best because they won’t absorb water, dry quickly, and are relatively windproof. Many people already have synthetic clothing at home, so you may not need to go out and purchase clothing just for this trip. Items like running gear, athletic warm-ups, and skiing/snowboarding gear can easily be used on this trip—so check out your closet or borrow from a friend before going to the store. Lightweight synthetic/cotton (50/50 blend) shirts, underwear, and pants are fine. You should avoid bringing a lot of all-cotton clothing since it absorbs water easily and won’t keep you warm if it gets wet. However, you will also need one pair of work pants (old jeans, overalls, Carharts, etc.), and it is fine if these are all-cotton.

Dressing for the Weather: Weather is unpredictable, so you’ll need to bring a range of clothing for various temperatures, as well as rain. During the day, northeast temperatures at the end of summer can range from the 60s F at the low end to the 90s F. Temperatures can be considerably cooler at night, though, dropping into the 30s F and 40s F.

Layering: Dressing in layers is the most efficient way to stay comfortable in the outdoors. By bringing several different layers, you can add or remove clothing to match your activity level and the weather conditions.

• The Base/Wicking Layer keeps the skin comfortable and dry, which is essential for controlling your temperature. Polypropylene or other synthetic fabrics are ideal since they wick moisture away from your skin. Such lightweight synthetics or synthetic/cotton blends provide good ventilation for the skin to keep you dry and cool. During the day you’ll probably be hiking in a T-shirt and shorts.
• The Middle Layer is made up of a long sleeve shirt and long pants, which provide insulation and some protection from the elements. You may wear these while hiking for cooler temperatures or to protect you from sun, or at camp at night and in the early morning.
• The Outer Layer—usually a fleece jacket or wool sweater—provides insulation. Synthetic fleece fabrics (such as Polartec) don’t absorb water, so they keep you warm even if they get wet. You’ll wear this layer around camp at night and in the early morning when it is cooler.
• The Shell Layer protects you from wind and rain. A waterproof rain jacket is vital in case of bad weather. A coated nylon rain jacket is lightweight, inexpensive, and works well. Waterproof-breathable fabrics like Gore-tex also work well but can be expensive. Raingear is not only essential for Frosh Trip, but also will get plenty of use on campus. All rain gear must be tested in the shower prior to arriving on campus.
• For the final layer, your Head, bring a wide-brimmed hat for sun and rain protection. A sun-protective hat is essential—you may be out in the full sun for hours, and you will be unhappy without a hat! At night, you’ll need a wool or synthetic fleece hat to keep you warm—it can get colder than you think at night.    

          
Packing Your Gear: You want your clothes to stay organized, easily accessible, and dry in your pack or duffle. The best way to do this is to separate things into plastic bags (gallon-sized Ziploc bags or plastic grocery bags) so that you can compartmentalize your gear and keep things dry. Also bring 3 large heavy-duty plastic garbage bags to keep your sleeping bag, pack, and group gear dry.

Sustainable Farming Trip: Personal Equipment List

Think Before You Buy!: Although outdoor activities require specialized gear, you may be surprised how many items you already own or can borrow from a friend or relative. For example, you likely already own the synthetic or 50/50 synthetic/cotton blend clothing that is best for outdoor activities. Items like running gear, athletic warm-ups, and skiing/snowboarding gear can easily be used on Frosh Trip. Borrowing gear not only saves you money, but also contributes to Outdoor Action’s effort to be environmentally friendly in all our activities. After all, hundreds of incoming freshmen buying hundreds of chemical-based products for one-time use on Frosh Trip leaves a pretty serious impact on the environment! Borrow (or improvise!) first, then buy used gear if you can so that polluting/non-renewable resources are not being consumed to manufacture your new gear. Items that are most appropriate to buy new are those that require precise fitting (like shoes) and those that you will use a lot around campus after Frosh Trip (like a rain jacket). ). If you are buying new gear, please ask retailers to show you products made from recycled or sustainable materials, or search online for different sustainable or environmentally friendly options.

 

Outdoor Action can provide sleeping bags and/or backpack/duffle bag if requested by July 31. Update your application at https://oa.princeton.edu/applications/ft/frosh/applicationedit.aspx

If you already own these items or could borrow them, PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN but there is no need to buy one—you will only be using the pack to transport individual and group items to and from the farm.

 

_______        1 duffle bag, or external or internal frame backpack with shoulder straps and padded hip belt. You’ll only be going a short distance to your campsite on the farm so you’ll need something to carry your belongings and group gear and food. A large duffle bag (4,000 - 5,000 cubic inches) or a backpack will work fine. External frame packs should have 2,000 - 3,000 cubic inches of volume and internal frame packs 4,000 - 5,000 cubic inches. Make sure the pack fits well and that all straps and zippers are in working order. If you have an external frame pack, bring sleeping bag straps, bungee cord, or rope to hold your sleeping bag onto the pack.

_______        1 sleeping bag with stuff sack: Any summer weight synthetic fill bag will do (fills like Polarguard Delta, CloudLoft, PrimaLoft, Thermic CF). If the bag has a temperature rating, a 35 to 45° F bag should be fine. The bag should have a nylon shell both inside and outside. Down bags are acceptable, but extra care must be taken to keep them dry. Do not bring bags with cotton shell, fill, or lining—if they get wet, you’ll never get them dry.

You MUST provide the following items. Outdoor Action cannot supply them to you.

Feet:
_______        1 pair of work boots: You will wear these while working on the farm. These can be waterproof leather work boots or lightweight waterproof hiking boots. These will get very dirty, so plan accordingly!
_______        1 pair rubber rain boots: These should be at least mid calf height, up to the knee boots work fine (optional)
_______        1 pair of camp shoes: You will wear these around camp at night. These can be sneakers or running shoes, but they must be closed-toed. Do not bring sandals, flip-flops, or other open-toed shoes.
_______        2-3 pairs of medium weight wool hiking socks: Wool socks keep your feet warm even when wet and give good cushioning. The higher the wool content of the socks the better (we recommend 85% wool, 15% nylon).
_______        1-2 pair of cotton athletic socks: For wearing around camp with sneakers.

 

Lower Body:
_______        1 pair work pants to wear while doing farm work. Old jeans, overalls, Carharts, or similar pants are fine.
_______        Underwear as needed (Girls: 1 per day; Guys: preference). Synthetic preferable.
_______        1-2 pairs non-cotton shorts, loose-fitting (athletic shorts are great)
_______        1 pair non-cotton long pants, loose-fitting: nylon, synthetic, fleece, or 50/50 synthetic/cotton blend. Athletic warm-ups are great. No blue jeans or sweatpants—they take too long to dry!
_______        1 pair lightweight polypropylene long underwear bottoms (optional but highly recommended if you get cold easily)
______          1 pair waterproof rain pants or rain chaps, coated nylon (optional)

Upper Body:
_______        T-shirts: 1 synthetic OR 1-2 synthetic/cotton (must be at least 50% synthetic). Outdoor Action will provide an additional shirt when you arrive.
_______        1 long-sleeve shirt: synthetic (like under armour or nike drifit), athletic warm-up, 50/50 synthetic/cotton blend
_______        1 synthetic fleece jacket or wool sweater: It can get chilly at night! (no cotton in this layer)
_______        1 rain jacket or poncho: coated nylon or waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex. Make sure it’s still waterproof—the waterproof coating on nylon rain jackets degrades over time!  You can easily test in the shower.  Don’t bring heavy rubberized rain jackets; they weigh a ton and you’ll end up getting very hot and sweaty. Be careful with windbreakers and track jackets, most are not waterproof. Water resistant is not the same as waterproof.
Head:
_______        1 brimmed cap (wide-brimmed, baseball, etc) for sun and rain protection
_______        1 wool or synthetic fleece hat for warmth at night

OTHER : The following items should be available at home or can be purchased cheaply.
Personal
_______        Any medications you will need to take during the trip (allergy medications, inhaler, etc.)
_______        Bring glasses, contact lenses, and contact solution as needed. Bring spare glasses if you plan on wearing only contacts. It is difficult to wash hands/lenses in the outdoors, so glasses are preferred, but many do wear disposable contacts during the trip.
_______        Women: bring any feminine sanitary products you expect you will need
_______        1 toilet kit: Only toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, comb/brush, sunscreen, and lip balm. Do not bring “smellables” like shampoo, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, etc. Things that “smell good” to us are an attraction for insects and animals. OA will provide biodegradable soap.
_______        Insect repellent. Repellents with high concentrations of DEET are hazardous, so please do not bring products with more than 35% DEET. No aerosols please—it’s bad for the environment.

                      Gear
_______        1 closed-cell foam sleeping pad (3/8 in. foam) or inflatable camping pad (like a Thermarest—not a full-size inflatable mattress). Sleeping pads provide padding and insulation from the ground for more comfortable sleeping, and they help keep your sleeping bag dry.
_______        2 one-liter  reusable water bottles, preferably Nalgene. You must have these water bottles! We recommend plastic bottles (a non-BPA plastic or polyethylene). The Sustainability Office will be Giving 1 Princeton Nalgene Bottle at Housing Check-in at Baker Rink. So bring 1 with you and get 1 on Saturday.
_______        1 small flashlight or LED headlamp with fresh, alkaline batteries (alkaline batteries last longer). Headlamps are preferred, as they leave your hands free. It gets very dark in the wilderness, don’t forget this.
_______        At least 3 heavy plastic garbage bags: one for sleeping bag, one for inside your backpack, and one as a rain cover.
_______        5-6 gallon size Ziploc bags or 2-3 plastic grocery bags for packing
_______        1 plastic cup with handle (recommend Fairshare Mug)
_______        1 plastic bowl (Tupperware works great) (recommend Fairshare Mug)
_______        1 spoon
_______        2 bandannas or handkerchiefs. They are useful for many things in the outdoors.
_______        Leather work gloves or heavy canvas gardening gloves for farm work
                     
                      OPTIONAL
_______        1 camera
_______        1 small notebook and pencil
_______        1 pair sunglasses or clip-ons
_______        Travel size packets of hand wipes/towelettes (like Wet Ones)
_______        1 pair lightweight, synthetic gloves
_______        1 multi-tool (e.g. Swiss Army, Leatherman)
_______        1 individual bottle of hand sanitizer (2 oz.)

 

DO NOT BRING: You’ll survive without these things, we promise!

• Electronics: cell phones, iPods, CD players, etc.
• “Smellables”: (attracts bugs and wild animals) deodorant, makeup, nail polish, hair spray, etc.

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Sources for Equipment

You may have a local backpacking shop in your town, or you can go to a chain store or shop online. There are also a number of websites that resell used gear, this will save you money and reduce the environmental impact of your gear. Some sources:
EMS -- www.ems.com
REI --www.rei.com
L.L. Bean -- www.llbean.com
Sierra Trading Post -- www.sierratradingpost.com
Campmor -- www.campmor.com