Packing for Backcountry Travel
Backcountry travel means you can and, for your comfort, should carry a lot less than you do in the regular world; most experienced backcountry travelers will tell you that they bring about the same amount of gear on a three-day trip as they would on a three-week trip.

Your COBS Packing List: 

• We provide all necessary equipment that is not on the Required Clothing & Gear List. This includes stoves, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, backpacks, cookware, sleeping tarps, ropes, drybags, & personal flotation devices. 
• There are no additional fees for the use of our equipment, but if our equipment is lost or damaged beyond normal wear, you will be charged for the replacement. For this reason, we ask that each student brings a credit card or prepaid card. Cash will not be accepted. 
• Pack your clothing and gear in a duffel bag or suitcase. You will keep personal items such as clean clothes for your return trip home and valuables (cell phones, electronic devices, and wallets) in this bag while you are on course. These items will be kept at our base camp in a locked storage area. Please leave unnecessary or expensive items at home.
• Once you arrive at base camp, your instructors will help you pack for backcountry travel. They will assess your personal gear, the group gear you will be required to carry, and help you adjust your pack as needed. 
• We encourage you to leave the tags on any items you purchase for this course. That way, you may return these items if you do not use them on your expedition.
• Please bring everything on the list! If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to reach out to your course advisor.

Medications:

• All prescription medications must be listed in the applicant’s medical record, must be approved by your course advisor prior to course, and must accompany the participant on course. Participants may not be permitted to begin their course without their required medications OR with new medications not approved by your course advisor.
• All medications (prescription, non-prescription, and OTC) must be in their original containers with the prescription label intact. The prescription label is documentation of the dosage directions. If possible, bring a double supply.

What to Wear While Travelling:

We recommend you wear course clothing and boots while travelling and bring all essentials (prescription meds, insurance card copy, cash) in a carry-on. This will minimize the inconvenience in the unlikely event your luggage is delayed in transport. Being dressed for course will also further the efficiency on your first day, especially since front country bathrooms and private changing areas are rarely available.

Gear that Outward Bound Provides

Outward Bound provides all other equipment including but not limited to sleeping bags & pads, backpacks, camp gear. There are no additional fees for the use of our equipment. If you have your own equipment and it meets the criteria below, you are welcome to bring it with you. Your instructors may ask you to use Outward Bound gear in lieu of your own if it does not meet our criteria below.

If you do wish to bring some of your own gear, here are the standards for what may be acceptable

• Sleeping bags – need to be made from synthetic materials (down fill is not appropriate for our courses) and have a 20-degree or colder warmth rating.
• Sleeping pads – can be ¾ to full size in length. They can be closed-cell foam or inflatable. If you bring an inflatable pad please also bring a patch kit. Remember, inflatable pads often weigh considerably more than closed-cell foam pads.
• Backpacks – need to have a minimum capacity of 6,000 cubic inches, comfortably carry 45-60 lbs, and be an internal frame design.

If you bring your own equipment, it will be inspected by your instructor at the beginning of your course. If it does not meet our standards you can store it in a secure location during your course.

Layering:

• First layer—This layer is worn next to your skin. Synthetic and wool materials pull moisture away from your body so your sweat won’t cool you down too much and make you cold.
• Mid layer(s)— the insulation layer (warm tops, socks, fleece pants). This should be thick fluffy sweaters and jackets that will trap and store the heat your body is producing to keep you warm.
• Outer layer—the shell layer (jackets, pants, rain gear). Adding an outer wind and/or waterproof layer makes sure that the wind does not steal all that built up heat and all your insulating layers do not get soaked.

Materials:

• Hard Shell: These are materials that are waterproof, windproof, and breathable and generally worn when it’s raining, snowing, or really windy.
• Soft Shell: These are materials that are water and wind resistant, but not always waterproof. They are more breathable than hard shell materials.
• Fleece: Great insulator and dries quickly, but not always wind proof. In windy conditions, you’ll often wear your hard shell over your fleece to combine the wind-resistance and insulation.
• Wool: Natural material that, unlike cotton, keeps you warm when wet. It’s a bit heavier than some of the synthetic fabric. As a bonus, wool is naturally odor and bacteria resistant.
• Synthetic: Most items listed here should not be cotton, because cotton absorbs water, dries slowly, and steals your warmth when wet. Acceptable non-cotton options are wool, capilene, poly-propylene, polyester, fleece, acrylic, rayon, Polartec, Thinsulate, COOLMAX, and nylon.

Head & Hand Layers:

Quantity	Item	Description
1	Baseball Cap	Necessary for sun protection; full brimmed hats do not work well with backpacks.
1	Warm Hat	Wool or fleece beanie that can be worn under a helmet.
1	Midweight Gloves	Should maintain warmth and be weather resistant. To wear in colder temps.
1	Buff or Bandana	Personal preference

 

Top Layers:

Quantity	Item	Description
4	Sports Bra	Sports bra should be able to provide support in physical activity.
4	Short Sleeve T-Shirts	Outermost shirt, must be comfortable during walking, hiking, and other course activities
2	Long Sleeve Shirt	UPF materials are recommended. Loosefitting, long sleeves. Long sleeve button up shirts and sun hoodies also work to keep you warm and provide sun protection. UPF materials are recommended.
1	Insulated Jacket	This is a puffy, lightweight jacket with a hood to optimize warmth. Will be worn as outermost layer in dry conditions.
1	Rain Jacket	Should be waterproof, not water resistant. Should be helmet compatible and loosefitting as to go over all you other layers of clothes.

 

Bottom Layers:

Quantity	Item	Description
5-6	Underwear	Comfortable underwear for physical activities. Cotton underwear is recommended for sleeping (bring at least one pair).
2	Shorts	Athletic shorts that wick moisture and dry quickly.
2	Hiking Pants	Medium weight, loose fitting pant; These will be your most used pants.
1	Long Underwear Bottoms	Base layers are the first layer of clothing to provide warmth while absorbing and evaporating sweat to keep student warm and comfortable
1	Medium Weight Fleece Pants	These pants are useful in the backcountry. For keeping warm at camp on cool days and evenings, great for layering.
1	Rain Pants	Should be waterproof, not water resistant. Should be loosefitting as to go over all you other layers of pants. Lower leg zippers recommended.
1	Belt	Easily adjustable synthetic belt. Something that will fit smoothly under your backpack hip belt..

 

Footwear Layers:

Quantity	Item	Description
4-5	Hiking Socks	Basic wool hiking sock; crew to ski-length socks
2	Thick Hiking Socks	Important for very cold days, sleeping, and being at camp. Make sure new boots are fitted with the thickest socks
1	Boots	The most essential piece of gear that you will purchase. Must be waterproof, have good tread, a sturdy non-flexible sole, and at least mid-ankle in height. * Please read this blog on choosing boots for more information.
1	Running Shoes	This will be your dry, comfortable, camp shoe. It should be somewhat lightweight and sturdy.
1	River Shoes	Can be additional pair of running shoes/sneakers or dedicated river shoe. (No Crocs or Flip-Flops)

 

Toiletries: 

Quantity	Item	Description
1	Waterproof Sunscreen	SPF 30 or greater.  For courses 15 days or longer, consider bringing a small bottle to carry and a larger bottle to resupply from.
1	Lip Balm	SPF 30 or greater
1	Insect Repellant	Must be a cream or lotion. 2-4 oz., plastic container. Products with Picaridan or DEET (10 - 35%) are most effective.
1	Moisturizing Lotion	4-6 oz. per week for dry feet and hands
1	Toiletry Kit	Travel-size toiletries for basecamp use, if showers are an option.
	Menstrual Products	Choose the method you are most familiar with and bring extra supplies. Regardless of your choice, take into consideration that you will have to pack out all waste. Menstrual cups produce less waste. If you’ve never used a menstrual cup, we recommend you try it before course. If using tampons, consider a non-applicator tampon to reduce bulk and waste.
10-15	Wet Wipes	For extra cleaning and hygiene.
1	Towel	For showering at basecamp.

 

Personal Accessories:

Quantity	Item	Description
1	Duffle Bag	Large duffle bag or suitcase for travel to and from course.
1	ID & Insurance Card	Bring your card if you have insurance. The actual card is preferred, but a copy of the front and the back of the card will be okay. Store in ziplock bag.
2	Bandana	Bring extra if intended to use for backcountry hygiene including as a pee rag.
1	Sunglasses with keeper strap	Sunglasses with UV protection. For winter, or courses expected to travel significantly on snow, peripheral coverage and dark lenses are important to protect from the additional sun glare.
1	Prescription Eye Wear + Extra Glasses and/or contacts	Contacts – bring extra pairs Glasses - Ensure these are compatible with your sunglasses. Bring an extra set in case of damage or backup.
2	Water Bottles	Two wide-mouth 32 oz. water bottle.  A hydration bladder is not recommended for river courses or sections with freezing temperatures.
1	Headlamp	LED headlamp with extra batteries - lithium batteries recommended.
2	Prescription Medications including Asthma Inhalers	THESE MUST BE DECLARED DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS. Bring medications in original containers (name, dosage, and instruction labels should be listed). Bring a ziploc bag for storage. Bring two sets of medication in case original is lost or damaged.
1	Watch	Digital and water resistant recommended.
6+	Large Zip-Lock Plastic Bags Or Stuff Sacks	Heavy duty to protect cameras, etc. from sand and water

 

Travel to and From Course: 

Quantity	Item	Description
	Money &   Snacks	Extra cash and snacks are recommended for travel days and unexpected expenses such as luggage fees, bus fare, etc.
	Emergency Contact Numbers for Travel Delays	Carry a copy of the COBS phone numbers to use in case of travel delays
	Clean Clothes	Please bring a set of clean clothes for your travels home

Optional Items

These are NOT required and you will be fine without them. Please only buy them if you plan to use the items again after your course or you think they will be of great assistance to you while on course (you may be asked to leave these behind depending on weather and space available in your backpack or dry bag).

Quantity	Item	Description
1	Wet Wipes	Unscented. All items must be packed out.
1	Backpacking Water Filter	COBS treats water with Aquamira, bleach, or by boiling. If you prefer a water backpacking filter you must bring your own.
1	Portable Chair	Crazy Creek and REI are popular brands. Must be lightweight and packable/rollable. No chairs with legs can be brought.
1	Camera	Each patrol will have a COBS provided camera. If bringing your own, keep in mind the bulkiness and level of care needed to maintain the camera.
1	Hydration Bladder	You may being a hydration bladder as long as you bring a hard sided wide-mouthed, 32 oz water bottle. Do not bring on river courses.
1	Synthetic Insulated Jacket (Puffy)	Synthetics are water-resistant and will dry quicker than down and retain warmth even when damp.
1	Bug shirt	Good options are usually mesh with a hood for protection from bugs.

Items not Allowed on Course:

• Electronics—cell phones, iPods, etc. These may be brought on the plane or bus but will need to be stored at the base before going into the field.
• Deodorant, makeup, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, cologne, etc.
• Illegal drugs, any CBD/THC products, alcohol, vapes, tobacco products of any kind, and nicotine. 
• Any prescription drugs not cleared by your course advisor.
• Weapons of any kind.

Weather During Your Course:

Expect summer daytime temperatures in the mountains ranging from 60-85 degrees with nighttime temperatures ranging from 35-50 degrees.  On the river, daytime highs will generally range from 80-100 degrees (pro-tip: avoid dark colors since they absorb more heat) with nighttime lows ranging from 50-60 degrees.  Despite these recommendations of what is “normal weather,” our course environments are characterized by unpredictable weather—snow and freezing weather as well as 105 degree heat are all within the realm of possible weather during the summer, although rare.  Please bring everything on this list since weather patterns can change quickly, especially over the course of 50 days through varying elevations.  Once you arrive at course start, your instructors will update you on current weather patterns and what clothing will be appropriate.