Equipment List
This “what to bring” list covers everything you will need for your
PWild backpacking adventure. Improvise and borrow! There is no need to
make any major investments on items strictly for backpacking except
good hiking boots. ALL FOOD AND OTHER EQUIPMENT (cooking, tents) WILL
BE PROVIDED. Remember that food and group gear will be added to your
backpack in addition to the items you bring.
When you leave for the trail, you will store your luggage in a locked
room on campus.
Please try to avoid cotton clothes “on trail.” Wool, fleece, and
polypropylene are better fabrics for keeping you warm (it gets cold out
there! flurries!). You will also want to leave your nice clothes at
home. Expect that your clothes will be well-used and dirty.
Northwestern students receive a 10% discount at Uncle Dan’s, a local
outdoor store. They will be stocked in many
of the items you will need for the trip. If you have any questions about whether or not they carry certain
items, feel free to give Uncle Dan’s a call at (847) 475-7100.
Backpack
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Project Wildcat does not supply backpacks, but they can be rented through Project Wildcat or brought from home. Contact projectwildcat@northwestern.edu if you'd like more information about renting.
A pack that can hold
between 4000 and 6500 cubic inches (55L to 100L) is a good choice.
Footwear
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• 1 pair hiking boots. Your feet are your mode of transportation when
backpacking: hiking boots that fit properly and are well broken-in are
essential. Purchase your boots as far in advance of your trip as
possible. Wear your boots as often as possible before you hit the trail
– on a date, to the opera. You will need a light to medium weight
hiking boot for the areas PWild covers. The boots should fit
comfortably with wool socks on.
• 1 pair lightweight athletic shoes or sandals
• 2-3 pair heavyweight wool or synthetic hiking socks
• 1 pair liner socks
• NO COTTON SOCKS (cotton absorbs moisture more easily and causes
blisters)
Bedding
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• 1 “3-season” down or synthetic sleeping back (synthetic is
preferable) with a water repellent stuff sack
• 1 sleeping pad (at least 2/3 body length) or Thermarest
Headwear
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• Sunglasses
• Hat with brim for sun protection (i.e., a baseball cap)
• Wool, polypropylene, or fleece hat
Trail Clothes
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• 2 shirts or t-shirts
• 1-2 pair shorts – light, durable, and fast-drying
• 1 long underwear shirt (polypropylene, capilene, wool)
• 1 long underwear bottoms (polypropylene, capilene, wool)
• 1 heavy wool or fleece sweater or shirt
• 1 pair long pants (non-cotton)
• RAIN GEAR – pants and jacket are required. Please, no ponchos or thin
plastic rain gear. They are not suited for wilderness backpacking.
Because we encounter all types of weather, good quality ran gear is
essential for a wilderness trip.
Hygiene Articles
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• Small ditty bag
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Washcloth or packtowel
• Sunscreen
• Floss
• Moleskin/Molefoam for blisters
• Feminine hygiene products
• Chapstick with sunscreen
Miscellaneous Items
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• Tupperware bowl and spoon (NO GLASS)
• Pocketknife*
• Small flashlight or headlamp
• Insect repellent (low concentrations of DEET are better)
• Extra batteries for flashlight
• Duct tape, but not whole roll
• 2 large, heavy duty plastic garbage bags (to line pack)
• Plastic Ziplock bags to keep clothes dry
• 2 bandanas
YOU MUST BUY
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• Loud whistle, lifeguard or referee style
• Pen/pencil and a journal/small notebook
• 8 x 10 foot personal tarp (~$7)
• Water bottles with a combined carrying capacity of at least 4 liters
(several small bottles are better than one large container). We
are selling PWild water bottles for $10 each, which you can buy when
you arrive in Evanston. Exciting! They are BPA-Free and cheaper than
you can find in stores.
(If you do not bring these items, you will need to buy them when you
arrive in Evanston)
DO NOT BRING
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• Gum
• Deodorant
• Make-up or any other cosmetics
• Shampoo, conditioner, hair products
• Cologne
• Tents (No personal tents needed)
OTHER THINGS
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• Camera – this is something that we strongly suggest you bring.
Pictures provide an incredible way to remember the things you did and
people you met.
• Crazy Creek style camping chair – many of the counselors bring these
and campers in the past have asked that we include it on this list (you
do not need one, but if you have one, you may wish to bring it)
• Bathing Suit – in previous years, some groups have hiked near lakes
or rivers suitable for swimming, or just to cool off mid-week.
*If you choose to bring a pocketknife or similar device (Leatherman,
etc.) on the trip, please be sure to send that knife back with your
parents when you move into the dorms. It is against University Policy
to have such items in university housing. Having these items in
university housing may result in disciplinary action.
***Project Wildcat lives by and advocates minimum impact camping. There
will be no traces of your stay and anything you carry in must be
carried out – including garbage and toilet paper. Deodorant,
non-biodegradable soap, or anything else that may harm a fragile
ecosystem cannot be brought along! Thank you for respecting this
policy.
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