Personal Clothing and Equipment

Each Participant should have the following personal equipment:

  • 1 sleeping bag and stuff sack (light, summer weight, synthetic recommended. Cotton fill is unacceptable) -May be rented for $5.00
  • 1 ultra-light, ѕ length therma-rest pad and stuff sack. -Very limited rentals available for $10 (The one you need is Therma-rest's smallest, self-inflating pad. It is their thinnest and ѕ length. We strongly recommend you purchase the appropriate stuff sack with it.).
  • 1 brimmed hat
  • 1 hat for warmth (optional)
  • 1 rain jacket - Limited supply available for rent for $5
  • 1 fleece or wool sweater
  • 1 long sleeve shirt - synthetic or blend recommended.
  • 2-3 T-shirts
  • 1 rain pants, wind pants, or synthetic long pants - Limited supply available for rent for $5
  • 2 nylon shorts
  • 1 swim suit
  • Underwear if you are not comfortable with shorts or swimsuit as such.
  • 3 pr socks - one wool or synthetic recommended.
  • 1 pr wet shoes - Canvas sneakers recommended, boots that can hold up to water are okay
  • 1 pr camp shoes - running shoes recommended. Sandals, clogs and moccasins are not acceptable
  • Light - headlamp recommended (LED lights especially)- and spare batteries. - Limited supply available for rent for $5.00
  • 1 Qt. wide-mouth nalgene bottle (captive cap recommended). - If you don't have one, we strongly recommend you purchase a GORP water bottle from us for $5.
  • 1 pr sunglasses with UV protection
  • 1 bandanna (optional, but recommended
  • 1 pocket knife (optional, but recommended)
  • 1 small paperback novel and/or journal (In zip-lock bag)
  • toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
  • toiletries as needed. - See note.
  • glasses and spare or contacts if applicable (glasses recommended over contact lenses. Serious medical issues can arise from contact lens wear while canoeing. Really.)

Note: As this is a backcountry trip, people generally keep toiletries to a minimum. Females please note that this kind of living situation can change monthly cycles. Be prepared.

Also of note: PFDs are provided free of charge, but if you have your own, feel free to bring it. GORP will provide all backpacks and stuff sacks to trail use. You may wish to bring a small book backpack for the bus ride. A note on footwear: Trail shoes will be wet the entire trip which is why we recommend canvas sneakers as an affordable alternative that will hold up to water. However, old hiking boots or running shoes are fine as well. The nature of the trails, does not require hiking boots. Campsite footwear generally stays dry, but we like to see camp footwear that can double as trail footwear in an emergency. Open toed footwear such at river sandals are not acceptable. A note to contact lens users: We strongly urge you to consider wearing eye glasses instead. It is hard to keep contact lenses clean. Although we are aware of many people who have successfully used contact lenses on the trail we are also aware of one very serious eye infection that was most likely related to contact lens use.