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Outdoor Action
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You can print out this Equipment List or download the Adobe Acrobat version with full formatting and print that out.
When planning the equipment for your trip, you need to think about the different activities that you will be participating in (the Mt. Princeton climb, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking etc.) This list should provide you with all the information you need. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Outdoor Action Office at (609) 258-3552.
Any time you head into the mountains at higher elevations, you need to be prepared for almost anything weatherwise. "Typical" temperatures for the Buena Vista, Colorado area during mid-July are in the 70's at the lower elevations. Temperatures at the summit of Mt. Princeton are likely to be in the 40's - 50's. However, it is possible to get temperatures in the 30's and with a strong wind you can have a wind chill temperature below freezing. Even in the summer snow or freezing rain are possible at higher elevations. We also need to be prepared for the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms. Since you can never be sure what the weather will be like, you need to bring a range of clothing for various conditions. By having a variety of layers of clothing you can adjust your layers to suit your activity level and the weather conditions. What you actually bring on the day of the climb will depend on the weather.
The clothing layers should consist of several different types of fabrics. Cotton is comfortable and breathable, but it absorbs and retains water, and therefore it will not keep you warm if it gets wet. Also it can be difficult to dry. For this reason you should not bring heavy cotton clothes such as sweatshirts, sweatpants or blue jeans for the climb (these will be fine for some other activities like relaxing at the Ponderosa Lodge). Cotton T-shirts and underwear are fine as are lightweight cotton shirts and pants. Wool or synthetic fleece fabrics (such as Polartec 100 or Polartec 200) don't absorb water so they keep you warm even if they get wet. Fleece also dries very quickly. A wool sweater or fleece jacket provides warmth on a chilly evening.
Combinations of these types of fabrics create a layering system. The inner layer
keeps the skin dry and comfortable. Lightweight polypropylene or other synthetic underwear
provides good ventilation for the skin to keep dry and cool and during the day. The middle
layer provides some insulation and protection from the elements. Long-sleeve shirts
and long pants preferably of wool or fleece make up this layer. The outer layer
provides insulation and is usually a wool sweater or fleece jacket. The shell layer
protects you from wind and rain. A waterproof rain jacket is essential in case of bad
weather. Coated nylon is lightweight and works well. Waterproof-breathable fabrics like
Gore-Tex are also possible but are expensive. The head layer is handled by a
wide-brimmed hat for sun and rain protection. The feet layer is actually two
layers. You should wear a lightweight synthetic liner sock against your foot which helps
pass moisture away from your foot. On top of this you wear a wool/nylon blend hiking sock.
People wonder why you should wear a wool sock with summer heat. Since wool doesn't absorb
water it passes the moisture from your foot outwards, keeping your foot dryer. If your
feet stay damp, they get wrinkled and are more prone to blisters. Having two sock layers
means that your socks will slide against each other so that the friction from your boots
is between the sock layers rather than against your skin (friction against the skin leads
to blisters).
Please check off each item as you assemble your equipment to
make sure that you have everything.
_______ 1 pair of lightweight hiking boots: Boots should extend above the ankle and be leather/fabric or all leather with lug soles for traction. It is best if the boots can be waterproof, either by treating the leather with a waterproofing compound before the trip or if the boots have a Gore-Tex liner. Boots should fit comfortably with two pairs of socks, a light liner sock and a heavy wool sock. Above all, make sure that your boots are well broken in before you arrive. Otherwise your feet will pay the price. We cannot emphasize this enough. Non-broken-in boots invariably cause chafing and blisters.
_______ 1 pair of running shoes, sneakers, or sandals: For around the lodge and/or water activities.
_______ 2-3 pairs of light synthetic/polypropylene liner socks: Wearing liner socks underneath wool socks helps to prevent chafing since the friction is between the two pairs of socks, not between the boots and your feet.
_______ 2-3 pairs of medium weight wool hiking socks: Wool keeps your feet warm
even when wet and gives good cushioning. The higher the wool content of the socks the
better (we recommend 85% wool, 15% nylon).
_______ Underwear as needed.
_______ 1 lightweight polypropylene or synthetic long underwear bottoms
_______ 1 pair wool pants
_______ 1 pair long pants, loose fitting, cotton
_______ 1-2 pairs of loose fitting shorts
_______ 1 swim suit
_______ 1 belt
_______ 1 pair rain pants or chaps (coated nylon) (Optional, but useful)
_______ 2-3 T-shirts
_______ 1 lightweight polypropylene or synthetic long underwear top
_______ 1 long sleeve shirt
_______ 1 fleece vest (optional)
_______ 1 heavy wool sweater, or synthetic fleece jacket
_______ 1 wind shell - nylon: (if the shell is Gore-tex or another waterproof/breathable
fabric, it can also serve as your rain jacket - it must fit comfortably over your other
insulating layers)
_______ 1 rain jacket or poncho: Coated nylon is recommended. Try to avoid the rubberized
canvas jackets if you can. They are heavy and usually result in your getting hot and
sweaty.
_______ 1 brimmed cap: For sun and rain protection
_______ 3 1-qt. water bottles or canteens (high altitude as well as the possibility of
a hot day requires more water)
_______ 1 daypack to carry your gear. This should be large enough to carry water, food,
and several layers of clothing.
_______ 2 bandanas: multipurpose
_______ sunscreen (at least 15 SPF)
_______ 1 flashlight or headlamp with batteries
_______ 1 pocket knife
_______ 1 sunglasses or clip-ons
_______ glasses or contact lenses and spares, glassguard
_______ any medications you will need to take during the trip
_______ 1 small notebook and pencil (Optional)
_______ 1 camera and film (Optional)
_______ Trekking poles (Optional) - very helpful in
taking the strain off your knees on the descent
Mountain Biking:
_______ Biking shorts
_______ Biking Helmet (if you prefer to use your own)
Kayaking:
_______ All equipment provided by outfitter
Rock Climbing:
_______ Loose fitting clothing
Whitewater Rafting:
_______ All equipment provided by outfitter
Copyright © 1998, all rights reserved, Outdoor Action Program, Princeton University.