Saddleback Backpacking Equipment List
The Outing Club has a limited number of backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads for students to borrow. As such, we encourage bringing your own of these items, or borrowing from friends or family. If this is not possible please be in contact about borrowing these items before August 5th. Additional items will be available for purchase at the BOC upon arrival including wool socks, long underwear (tops and bottoms), headlamps, and water bottles; financial aid is available for those who qualify. If you have any questions about gear please contact bocOtrips@bowdoin.edu.
*What to pack in: An internal or external frame pack that has enough volume to hold all of your belongings as well as some group gear and food (approx: 4500 - 6000 in p³). Remember that you will be carrying everything you pack – please pack lightly! Please do not pack any cotton clothing – cotton gets heavy when it gets wet and does not dry out quickly. Try lining the inside of your pack with a big garbage bag to help make everything waterproof!
Essential Gear
Clothes
▢ 1 tee-shirts - synthetic, quick drying
▢ 1 pair of shorts - synthetic, quick drying
▢ 1 pair lightweight pants; no jeans (they get wet and cold). Leggings are fine.
▢ 1 wool or fleece sweaters, or 1 fleece and 1 lightweight puffy jacket
▢ **1 set (top & bottom) synthetic long underwear, such as polypropylene or capilene. Any types containing cotton are not acceptable. Cotton robs the body of essential heat when it is wet.
▢ 1 wool or fleece hat
▢ 1 hat for sun and bug protection
▢ Underwear for 4 days
▢ 1 pair wool or fleece mittions or gloves
▢ *3–4 pairs of wool socks
▢ Rain gear; rain jacket and pants are ideal. Must be waterproof/breathable (no rubber!)
Gear
▢ *Sleeping bag (pack this inside a tough garbage bag inside its regular stuff sack to help ensure dryness)
▢ *Sleeping pad (closed-cell pads or Therma-Rests® please, open cell foam pads act like sponges)
▢ Sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support (they must fit properly and be broken in prior to the trip - they should fit with at least 1 pair of wool socks)
▢ 1 of each: cup, bowl, spoon (no glass)
▢ **2 water bottles (no glass)
▢ **Flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries
▢ Sunscreen - this is essential.
▢ Toilet kit: its contents should be those things that you cannot live without (toothbrush, toothpaste, pads/tampons/menstrual cup, prescription medication, contacts and contact solution, etc.)
Optional Gear
▢ Lightweight sandals, such as Tevas, for wearing around camp
▢ Camera (the Outing Club loves copies of good photos)
▢ Sunglasses
▢ Journal and pen/pencil
▢ Reading material (a small paperback)
▢ Sock liners (recommend for those prone to blisters or with new hiking boots)
▢ Bug repellent
*= Available to borrow from the Outing Club. Please request by August 5.
**= Available to purchase from the Outing Club on arrival day.
Printable List (PDF)