Backpacking Trip

July 15th - 16th

    Camping Trip

      July 16th - 18th

• Good outdoor shoes or hiking boots with appropriate socks.
   Something at least water resistant is a good idea, and ankle support is preferred by many.


• Waterproof shell layer / rain gear.
   There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate equipment. We aren't expecting much rain in July, but it is a rainforest!


• Hat, long sleeved light clothing for sun protection.
   Combined with sun screen, carrying your own shade with you makes for a more pleasant time if the weather is hot.


• Dressing in layers makes it easy to regulate temperature.
   Wool & synthetic materials will keep you warm, even if wet. Cotton is a bad idea if it rains. A full change of clothes is important to have in case one set gets wet.


• Sleeping clothes
   You will want something warm & cozy to sleep in that isn't your day clothes.


• Small backpack / day-pack.
   You don't want to haul all you gear with you on day hikes, but you'll want something to carry your spare sun screen, water and snacks for the trail.


• Flashlight / Headlamp.
   There's no power in camp, and unfortunately Olympic National Forest doesn't have much bioluminescence either; so make sure you have a source of light.


• Water bottle, or two.
   Water is available at the camp site, and we'll have some larger containers to bring water back to camp, but you'll want to be able to carry plenty of water on the trail with you. A couple of liters (couple of quarts) is a good amount to bring with you on an afternoon hike in the summer. If you don't have one, a basic Nalgene type water bottle is a great investment and helps keep single-use water-bottles from polluting our planet.


• "Mess kit" = Knife/Fork/Spoon/Spork, Cup, Bowl.
   Again, we don't want to use single use plates or cutlery. A spork, basic camp cup and a high-walled plate/wide bowl can be purchased for less than $10 each.


• A towel, Swim gear.
   If you get wet or decide to go for a swim. Always know where your towel is. The Sol Duc Hot Springs does have swimming pools. Some people also bring a small towel for cleaning their dishes.


• Small first aid kit, sun screen, insect repellant/"bug dope", any personal medications.
    Unless it's something major that's going to require a trip to a hospital, you want to be able to treat minor issues without a long trip to a town. Be sure to remember personal medical equipment like asthma inhalers or allergy medications or epi-pens.


• Other personal hygiene equipment.
   A travel bar of soap and a washcloth can help keep you clean at the camp shower.


• Tent / tarp / bivy-sack / hammock.
   Your choice as to how you wish to sleep, but you'll want some form of shelter that can keep you dry and bug free. Normally rain means no bugs, hopefully we'll have neither. Most tents sleep 2 or 3 people, so you can team up and share here.


• Sleeping bag & pad, or cot.
   The ground is hard, so an inflatable "Thermarest" or foam camping pad are good to give you a soft place to sleep while providing some insulation from the ground. The nights shouldn't be too cold in the summer; so a lighter sleeping bag or camping quilt should suffice, especially in a tent which tend to be a little warmer.


• Toilet paper.
   Camp outhouses "should" be appropriately equipped. You probably don't need a whole roll, but a few sheets can be handy.


• Fire starter/matches/lighter.
   Group camping, we should be set; but again it's never a bad idea to have a few basics yourself also.


• Binoculars, Camera, etc...
   Spare batteries for these and your flashlight.


• Playing cards, camp games, etc...