S.F.D.S. 7th Grade Outdoor Education Equipment List

Safety and the Right Gear
Having the correct equipment is very important for safety in the mountains. The weather in the Sierra in early May can range from 75 to 25 degrees F., and we have seen it all, from sunburns to two feet of snow! Students must be prepared for the possibility of freezing temperatures and rain or snow. Past experience in difficult weather has proved to us the value of each individual item on the equipment list. Your child needs to have all the items on the list below; please pay attention to the detailed requirements for each piece of equipment.

Get Gear Early and Get It Approved by SFDS
Please start collecting items well in advance of the trip, since it will take some time to gather all the gear. If you have questions about equipment, please do not hesitate to call. The students will be given detailed instructions and shown examples of the right equipment in school.

To ensure that everyone is well prepared, all gear will be thoroughly checked by SFDS staff. The sooner you bring in gear to be checked, the better. We can better ensure your child’s safety if potential problems are identified far in advance, rather than during the week before the trip. The most important items, hiking boots, the clothing, rain gear, and sleeping bag, need to be brought to school and checked off several weeks before the trip. See the “letter to parents” for the exact due date for this year. The other items do not need to be checked in until the Friday before we leave. However, please bring in any items you have doubts about before this time. If you need help choosing between one item or another, bring both of them in and we can help make the decision.

Often students come to our pre-trip gear check with insufficient clothing to keep them warm in freezing temperatures. Have your child bring extra layers to school and let us determine the right amount of clothing. This will ease the check-in process.

Weight! Lighten Your Load!
Weight is another important issue related to the quest for gear. Many outdoor products are overly heavy and will quickly add up to bury your child in excess weight. Students will be much happier and safer on the trip if they can limit the weight they carry. The way that serious backpackers do this is to literally count every ounce of their gear and do all that can be done to shave off an ounce here and there. We suggest that you keep focused on the weight of items when you make choices for your children. Our “recommendations list” below is composed only of lightweight gear that is also inexpensive and of high quality.

Borrowing Gear is Fun and Inexpensive!
To purchase all the items on the equipment list would cost a hefty amount of money. Fortunately, it is generally not difficult to borrow most of the gear. We recommend that you start asking your friends right away. In addition, SFDS has some
gear to loan. We have a lot of warm fleece tops, raingear, and some boots. Check with the Herb Bool about the gear you need. Please keep in mind that it is essential to test borrowed equipment very carefully; gear must fit your child well and work effectively. For example, borrowed boots should be walked in for a day or two to ensure there will be no problems and older raingear should be tested in a downpour, with a hose, or in the shower!

Recommendations for Gear Purchasing, Great Gear at Low Prices
Our many years of experience outfitting students for the trip can help you save time and money on the items you may need to purchase. Many name-brand outdoor gear companies and retailers charge very high prices. Fortunately, there are lesser-known companies that make excellent gear at reasonable prices.
First, we strongly suggest that you use the “Gear Recommendations” list attached at the end of this packet. It identifies outstanding values and will make your task easier. In addition, we have ranked the retailers we have experience with based on their overall value and pricing. Try “the absolute best”!

First Tier: The Absolute Best Resources; try these first for the best deals!

Campmor
Advantages: high quality gear at low prices; very reliable; huge selection; carries all the items you need
Disadvantage: mail order; must check fit at home
www.campmor.com ; or 1-800-226-7667; free catalog

Sierra Trading Post
Advantages: high quality gear at low prices; very reliable; has some incredibly great deals, especially on boots!!!
Disadvantage: sells overstocks so availability and selection varies; mail order; must check fit at home
www.SierraTradingPost.com; 1-800-713-4534; free catalog

The Second Tier

R.E.I.
Advantages: local stores in San Francisco, Corte Madera and Berkeley, with excellent service, wide-selection, also has an on-line store
Outlet: http://www.rei.com/outlet
RENTAL: the best local source for rental of sleeping bags, sleeping mats, & backpacks
Disadvantage: mid-range to high prices
840 Brannan St. SF, (415) 934-1938 www.rei.com

Sports Basement
Advantages: Local store, high quality gear at fairly low prices
Disadvantage: sells overstocks so availability and selection varies
Mission Bay (Near Pac Bell Park)1301 6th Street San Francisco, CA 94158 (415) 437-0100
Presidio (Across from Crissy Field) 610 Mason Street The Presidio San Francisco, CA 94129 (415) 437-0100
http://www.sportsbasement.com

The Wilderness Exchange
Advantages: local store in Berkeley across from REI; has low-cost items; also sells used gear
Disadvantage: relatively small selection
1407 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA (510) 525-1255

Outdoors Unlimited, University of California S.F.
Advantages: local non-profit group at UCSF; reasonable rental prices
RENTAL: a good place for sleeping bags, sleeping mats, & backpacks
Disadvantage: limited store hours; mostly useful for rental; only sells used gear a few times a year
UCSF 550 Parnassus Ave (415) 476-2078

Marmot Mountain Works
Advantages: local store in Berkeley with excellent service, high quality gear
RENTAL: a good place for sleeping bags, sleeping mats, & backpacks
Disadvantage: high prices
3049 Adeline St, Berkeley, CA, (510) 849-0735

Eastern Mountain Sports
Advantages: similar to REI on-line store; good prices on their EMS brand gear
Disadvantage: mid-range to high prices
www.ems.com; 1-888-463-6367

The North Face Factory Outlet
Advantages: store in Berkeley; good deals on clothing
Disadvantage: carries mostly close-outs on clothing; little other gear
1238 5th St, Berkeley, CA, (510) 526-3530

The North Face
Advantages: a store in S.F.; high quality gear
Disadvantage: high prices
180 Post St, San Francisco, CA, (415) 433-3223

L.L Bean
Advantages: reasonable prices; good deals on clothing; very reliable
Disadvantage: mail order; must check fit at home
www.llbean.com, or 1-800-221-4221; free catalog

Lands’ End
Advantages: reasonable prices, good deals on clothing, very reliable
Disadvantage: just clothing, no gear; mail order, check fit at home
www.landsend.com; or 1-800-356-4444; free catalog

The Third Tier

Any Mountain Sports: in S.F. and Berkeley
Lombardi’s Sports: in S.F.

Making Your Own Gear and the Lightweight Approach to Backpacking
For those of you who are so inclined, there are some very good resources on the Internet dedicated to making backpacking as lightweight as possible and to explaining how making your own gear is rewarding, easy, and inexpensive. The sites provide lots of information and have designs for building your own clothing and gear.
The Lightweight Backpacker: www.backpacking.net
Ray Jardine’s Adventure Page: www.rayjardine.com; the author of a fascinating book on lightweight backpacking called Beyond Backpacking

T H E E Q U I P M E N T L I S T

CLOTHING
MATERIALS: With only a few exceptions, it is essential that all of the clothing be either synthetic, silk, or wool, and NOT COTTON. This is CRITICAL for securing your child’s safety in wet weather. Cotton is a very poor material for the outdoors because when it gets wet it is a poor insulator. Polypropylene, polartec, and polyester are good materials. The only items that may be cotton are tee-shirts, shorts, and underwear.

First Layer, Against the Skin
1) Thermal Underwear, top and bottom; one (synthetic, wool, or silk; a turtleneck is better than a standard neck)
2) Backup Thermal Top; one (same as the top described above)
3) Underwear; two or three pairs (may be cotton, although synthetic is still best)

Main Insulation Layers
NOTE: You need enough insulation to keep your child warm in below-freezing weather. The exact number of layers needed to achieve this depends on the garments used. BRING IN ALL YOUR OPTIONS AND MORE GARMENTS THAN YOU THINK YOU WILL NEED. We will choose the correct combination from what you bring in.

Torso Layers
Items for this layer can include any combination of sweaters, fleece, or jackets that add up to meet the warmth requirement. To give you an example of the amount needed, about three layers of “200 weight” fleece are adequate. A thin sweater and two fleece layers will work, or one sweater or fleece and a light jacket should also be effective. Any of the following items will work:
1) Sweaters or Fleece - either a wool sweater or a synthetic fleece, polartec, or “synchilla” pull-over; no cotton sweatshirts
2) Jacket - a light ski jacket or fleece” jacket; no bulky, heavy jackets

Pants; two pairs
1) primary insulating pants: must be “200 or mid-weight” fleece or 100% wool; jeans are not acceptable
2) back-up pants: these don’t need to be as great as the primary pair; consider a low-weight option; choose one of the following:
* “100 weight” fleece pants- -sometimes called “expedition weight”--thermal underwear; this is the best choice
* a second pair of 200 weight fleece pants
* a second pair of thermal bottoms or long-johns; a little light on warmth, but acceptable as a back-up
* sweatpants that are all or mostly synthetic, not cotton

Rain and Wind Shell

Rain Suit, top and bottom
1) see “recommendations list”
This is a critical item; it must be fully waterproof and designed for heavy rain; “water resistant” is not good enough; many gore-tex products are not designed for heavy rain and perform poorly; “gore-tex” designed for “extreme wet weather” is what you want; water proof nylons and rubberized items work well; also note that gore-tex fabrics loose their effectiveness after a number of years; no ponchos-- they have not proven successful on previous trips

Warm Weather Clothes
NOTE: While these two items may be made of cotton, it is still best that they are synthetic so that they dry quickly.
1) Tee-Shirt; one (choose a dark color; it won’t show the spaghetti sauce)
2) Shorts; one pair

Head, Hands, and Feet
1)Warm Hat - a ski cap; covering the head is critical for warmth
2) Sun Hat or Visor - something with a wide brim; can be used for sun or rain
3) Warm Mittens or Gloves - must be warm; waterproof is great, but not essential
4) Waterproof Dish Washing Gloves - a pair of inexpensive dish washing gloves are waterproof and have good grip for getting things done in snow and rain
5) Thick Warm Socks; three pairs - must be warm and heavyweight; either wool or synthetic material
6) Liner Socks; two pairs - thin socks to wear under heavier socks for added warmth and protection against blisters; synthetic material; typical polyester socks work fine or get “liner” socks
7) Boots - See “hiking boot guide” below for a full explanation.
8) Camp Shoes - sneakers or light shoes for camp and for a back-up dry shoe; must be a fully enclosed shoe; no sandals, “teva”-like or otherwise

OTHER ITEMS

1) Backpack - external or internal frame; must have a padded waist belt and shoulder straps; the proper fit is essential: the waist belt must be cinched tightly on the waist; must be large enough to carry all of the gear on this list, plus have extra space, about the size of 2 loaves of bread, for group equipment
2) Sleeping Bag - synthetic material is best; goose down is acceptable, but is less secure in wet weather; must be “mummy” style with a hood; must be “rated” to around 20 degrees F.
3) Waterproof Protection and Stuffsack for Sleeping Bag - sleeping bag absolutely must be kept dry by waterproof stuffsack or heavy duty garbage bag inside a stuffsack; place a garbage bag inside a stuffsack, then stuff the bag inside
4) Sleeping Pad - see “recommendation list” below for details. We recommend “closed cell” foam such as the Ridge Rest; a “Therm-a-rest” air mattress is fine, but heavier; the pad must be designed for backpacking and be lightweight and compact; avoid ones designed for “car camping” that are heavy and bulky (consider an optional “Sit Pad” for use around camp; see “recommendation list”)
5) Lashing Straps - depending on your backpack, need enough to attach sleeping bag and sleeping pad; must be nylon type, bungee cords are not acceptable
6) Bandana; two - has a thousand uses
7) Sunglasses - this is important for sun and snow; something functional
8) Fork, Spoon, Cup, Bowl - durable, heat-proof plastic such as “Lexan” is good; metal will work; must be strong and unbreakable
9) Water Bottle - a quart or liter size; no flip or pop-up tops or heavy metal canteens. Three options will work: a sturdy plastic bottle such as a Snapple or Gatorade bottle; a heavy duty plastic hiking type such as a wide-mouth Nalgene bottle; a soft bodied “hydration system” with a tube such as Camelback or Platypus, but this option can only be used if you bring one of the first two options as a backup

10) Flashlight or Headlamp, with new batteries - see “recommendations list” - lightweight but strong; choose one with small sized batteries; avoid heavy ones with “D” batteries; do not bring extra batteries!
11) Heavy Duty Garbage Bags, four - critical for bad weather; make sure they are large and strong; “lawn” type are best, 0.9 mm or greater in thickness
12) Smaller Plastic Bags, six - in bad weather these are lifesavers; they can be used for many purposes, including keeping the feet dry; must be big enough to wear as socks that come up over your ankles; make sure they are strong; smaller garbage bags or plastic grocery bags work well; try them on for fit and test them for strength
13) Pen and Small Pad - the pad should be small; need only 10 pages of paper or so; keep the weight to a minimum
14) Personal Toiletries
Since weight is a critical factor, the toiletries must be kept to a minimum. The school will provide toothpaste, soap, sunscreen, moleskin, and toilet paper. Do not bring the following items: deodorant, perfume, makeup, mouthwash, nail polish, mud packs, lotions, moisturizers, hair removers. Students should bring special personal health items that are essential for their comfort and the following items:
toothbrush
washcloth, or can use a bandana
brush, comb, or use your hands!

OPTIONAL ITEMS
Bring these items if you so desire
Lighter and Pocket Knife - bring them only if you have the maturity to use them responsibly; they are essential for the outdoorswoman and man
Camera
Binoculars
Gaiters - SFDS will provide these; use your own if you prefer; must tie under the sole of the boot and reach up to the calf ; no ankle-high, short ones

Hiking Boot Guidelines

Introduction
Boots are one of the most difficult items to get for the trip. The purpose of this guide is to help you find acceptable footwear. The information presented is gleamed from many years of experience on the seventh grade trip. You may hear contradictory opinions about materials and types of boots from salespeople at outdoor stores or friends. In past years, we have seen families borrow or buy boots that were less than adequate or more than needed and expensive, based on the advice of people who may not be familiar with our trip conditions. These guidelines will help you find the right type of boot that will ensure your child’s safety.

Get Going Early, Break Boots In, and Test the Fit
It is important to get the boots far in advance of our trip in May. New hiking boots must be well broken in. If you are borrowing boots, your child should wear the boots for several days to ensure all is in order. Proper fit is very important when carrying loads on mountainous terrain.

Waterproof, Waterproof, and Waterproof
The boots must be very thoroughly waterproofed with three or four separate coats of waterproofing material. Even brand new boots that are supposed to be completely waterproof need this. Trust us on this! For leather or suede, use a silicon-based rub like “REI Ultra Seal.” Silicon based products are more effective than ones that are wax based. Warming the boot slightly helps the seal penetrate, but heat can damage the boots’ glues. Gob the stuff on heavy until it looks like it has a runny nose and work it into the leather. Let the boots dry for a day. Repeat two or three more times. The perfectly waterproofed boot should look stuffed to the gills in goo and be foul to touch. “Tectron Boot Protector,” a spray product, has also been given high marks for leather. For nylon cloth boots, use a silicon spray product and apply at least three coats.

Hiking Conditions and the Boots You Need
The footwear you need must perform in the following conditions. First, we will be doing fairly strenuous hiking for five days with fully loaded backpacks on both trails and bushwhacking through the backcountry. During about half of the years we have done the trip, we have experienced snowy weather. Therefore, your child needs boots that are rugged, have sure-footed traction and a firm, supportive sole to help carry weight, and are waterproof. The boots do not need to be insulated.

A Medium Weight Hiking Boot for Backcountry Backpacking
Hiking boots are often broken down into three broad categories. “Lightweight” boots are for day hiking and do not provide the support or waterproofness needed for this trip. “Heavyweight” or “mountaineering” boots are for extreme conditions. “Midweight” hiking boots are for backcountry backpacking conditions and are the type you need.

As few seams as possible - The more seams and the more holes, the less waterproof the boot. A high performance boot is constructed from only one or two pieces of leather and has very few seams.

Full-grain leather uppers - Full-grain leather is the best material for the upper; “nubuck” leather is also fine; suede, split leather, and cloth are not as waterproof no matter how they are treated.

Sturdy sole with a supportive shank and sure-footed traction - The sole needs to be stiffened with a shank to help the foot carry the backpack weight. It also must provide excellent grip and traction.

The “Gore-tex” question - If you have a full-grain leather boot, then a “Gore-tex” or similar waterproof liner is not necessary. Some boots combine full-grain leather with a Gore-tex barrier. This is helpful, but is not essential. It will make the boots more expensive.
If your child’s boots are made of suede, split leather, or nylon cloth, then they need to have a “Gore-tex” or similar liner to add waterproofness. However, this combination is not as effective as leather alone, with no Gore-tex. Gore-tex is simply not fully waterproof.

Gear Recommendations

Purpose
This “recommendations list” has several goals. By sharing what we have learned through many years of experience, we can save you a lot of time, effort, and money. In addition, we can help your child to have a more comfortable trip by reducing the amount of weight he or she will carry. Our recommended items are all outstanding for their balance of providing high quality and low weight at a very low cost. Please understand that these recommendations are simply helpful suggestions; these exact items are not required for the trip.

Raingear
There are a number of excellent options for raingear. The main issue is how much money you want to spend. In general, raingear that is “breathable” has one key advantage, although it costs a bit more money. “Breathable” materials will let some degree of perspiration pass outward so that you do not get soaked from your own sweat. Non-breathable options are perfectly fine. Raingear can be very heavy; we recommend the lightweight choices.

Fleece Clothing - Campmor has great fleece at unbeatable prices. There is no need to pay the higher prices you will find at most stores.

Sleeping Pads - A very popular sleeping pad is a “self-inflating air mattress” such as the “Therm-a-rest” brand line. While they are warm and comfortable, they are heavier and less versatile than a “closed cell foam” type such as the “Ridge Rest,” which is also made by the “Therm-a-rest” company. We recommend putting together a system of two closed cell pads. Get the “Ridge Rest 3/4 length;” this is your main sleeping pad. Second, get the “Sit Pad Blue Foam 1/4 Length.” This goes under your feet at night, but during the day you can sit on it in camp and on the trail. It keeps you clean and warm in camp. However, it is fine to only use a 3/4 length pad and save two ounces!

Another good option is the “Standard Blue Foam Pad 3/4 Length” which is a bit cheaper and maybe slightly less comfy. Again, use in combination with the “Sit Pad Blue Foam 1/4 Length.” You can also simply buy the “Standard Blue Foam Pad Full Length” and cut it into two pads. The “High Country” closed-cell pad is the least thick and comfortable, the least expensive, but will work fine. Can cut it into two pads.

Waterbottles - To save a little money and a little weight, try using a sturdy “Snapple Ice Tea” bottle or a “Gatorade” bottle. These are tough enough and have a wide opening. You can duct tape onto it a little strap to carry it and a top strap that attaches the cap to the body of the bottle so you don’t loose it.

Flashlights - Save weight by trying an “LED bulb” style light or headlamp. These are incredibly small, give a lot of light, and last much longer than standard bulbs on a set of batteries. A headlamp is more convenient than a flashlight, but a flashlight is fine.

Boots - Sierra Trading Post has some superb deals, often less than 1/2 the price of other stores. Since they carry close-outs, availability is constantly changing.

Thermal Underwear - Sierra Trading Post has some superb deals; Campmor is the next best source.