Preliminary List of Supplies for Yellowstone
2010-2011
Optional Items
Camera
Binoculars
Sleeping Gear:
• Duffel bag, suit case or large backpack
• Sleeping bag adequate for winter cold
• Wool blanket (especially if sleeping bag is not very warm)
• Twin fitted or flat sheet
• Pillow & pillow case
Toiletries & personal items:
Note: Anything with a scent, such as toothpaste and shampoo, must be kept in a small zip-lock bag and stored in bathrooms to prevent attracting mice and bears!
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Face soap
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Chapstick (a must in winter!)
• Sunscreen (above SPF 15, high altitude = more intense sunrays)
• Deodorant
• Facial tissue
• Washcloth, bath towel and/or hand towel
• Comb or hairbrush
• Hairdryer
• Flashlight (check the batteries, then flip the batteries during traveling)
• Medication—to be turned in to Mrs. Boura prior to the trip, with your name on it)
For the trail:
• Backpack (can’t be the type that you carry only on one shoulder, like an athletic bag), no wheels
• 2 water bottles-1 quart each
• hat or baseball cap
• sunglasses (Even in the winter! Snow reflects a lot of light.)
Foul weather gear:
• mittens or gloves
• wool cap or hat that covers ears
• warm winter coat (layers work best)
• windbreaker
• rain gear—several ponchos or a high quality rain suit
• rain pants
Footwear:
• hiking boots/shoes, waterproofed and broken in
• clean shoes for wearing in the dorm/mess hall (this is the “dry pair for indoor use at Yellowstone)
• warm slippers
Clothing:
Winter clothing list
• Dress warmly and on layers. The layered use of synthetics and wool with additional protection from the wind is the goal of your clothing choices. Loose fitting layers allow you to maintain a comfortable and dry body by having flexibility in insulation as outside temperatures change and as your own body temperature and moisture output changes with varying levels of exertion.
• It is strongly recommended that you not wear cotton clothing outdoors in the winter, especially next to your skin.
• The use of hair dryers is recommended on winter expeditions as the weather can be very cold and a lot of body heat is lost through the head.
• The use of hand and feet warmers is a great comfort on the trail to cold fingers and toes. These inexpensive chemical packets can be purchased at most outdoor stores.
Ideal clothing list from the skin out
• Synthetic underwear. A light or medium weight is adequate. Synthetic is best, but wool is fine. Wool shirt or polypro shirt/sweater (a light weight, synthetic fleece garment is recommended.)
• Wool/fleece sweater. This is where a slightly heavier layer can be very helpful for less active times. A mid-weight fleece garment is good.
• Down Vest or sweater. Down has the advantage of being very light and compact for its warmth, but becomes useless when wet. It is useful here for a warm, compact layer for less active times.
• Wind shell with a hood. A layer that breaks the wind yet breathes is important. A breathable nylon shell is good. Gore-Tex are excellent.
• Wool, polypro, or fleece gloves. Hands usually stay warm while exercising and a light covering adequate. Warmer mittens are for rest times and very cold weather. Mittens are warmer than gloves.
• Shell over-mitt. To protect mittens from wind, moisture, and wear and tear.
• Hat that can cover your ears. Rag wool synthetic cap, or balaclava- type hats are good.
• Synthetic neck warmer or neck gaiter. These can be very helpful in keeping valuable heat in.
• Socks. A Light polypro liner with a heavier, wool sock over adequate. There are excellent winter socks on the market. Stay away from cotton. Extra socks are always useful.
• Synthetic fleece/pile pants or wool plants. Mid-weight fleece pants are ideal. Wool army surplus pants are good as well as the kind of ski pants used for protection from the wind.
• Pant shell that allows you to be in the snow and still stay dry.
• Gaiters. Knee-high to keep the snow out of your boots and to keep your socks and pants dry.
• Footwear. They should be warm and large enough to fit over thick socks. Tight boots are the surest way to get painfully cold feet. Pack boots or snow boots are ideal. 1-2 extra pairs of shoes or slippers for use in the dorm or mess hall. One pair of indoor shoes must be closed toe for cooking and cleaning chores.
