Semester in the Southwest Welcome to NOLS Southwest! We look forward to having you with us this semester. We have designed this list to help you decide what equipment you will need for your course. Please take the time to read the following information carefully before making any equipment choices. Selection and selection and care is an essential wilderness skill. There is a bewildering variety of equipment on today s market, and if you are new to outdoor pursuits, buying gear before your course may seem like an overwhelming task. We recommend renting or purchasing from the NOLS Southwest gear store rather than buying everything in advance. You will have a better understanding of your equipment preferences during and after your NOLS course, and NOLS Southwest can fully outfit you with almost everything on this equipment list with the exception of footwear. Throughout the semester you will have various opportunities to purchase new and used equipment from our gear store. We offer substantial discounts for purchasing used equipment, and the rental fee for gear used on your course will be applied toward the purchase price. Please bring any gear on our equipment list that you already own. Try to match your selections as closely as possible to the items described. Your instructors will inspect every item of gear you bring to determine if it is suitable for your course. If an item is not approved, you can leave it with your luggage in our storage lockers. You may be asked by your instructors to rent or purchase gear from our gear store if items that you brought from home are not sufficient for your course s specific route and recent weather conditions. In an effort to provide a visual image and to lighten your pack weight, we have listed an example piece of gear and its associated weight for specific items. Please check these examples on the Internet or at a local gear store to see what they look like. These specific brands are not required, they are examples to help you best select between options if you choose to buy anything before arriving in Tucson. If you do wish to buy gear before your course, browse the NOLS online store at http://www.nols.edu/store/home.php or find one of our Preferred Retailers in your area at http://www.nols.edu/about/partnerships/retailers/. Preferred Retailers are retail stores that maintain close ties to NOLS and are familiar with equipment you need for your course. Fees To cover the cost of your equipment purchases and rentals, you have been charged an equipment deposit in addition to your course tuition (see your account statement for the amount). The equipment deposit equals the cost of what the average student spends on gear purchases and rental items throughout the duration of this semester. Additional charges will be incurred for any equipment that is lost or damaged. You will be billed for any charges that exceed your equipment deposit or refunded any balance approximately 2-4 weeks after the end of your course. The following list describes the equipment necessary for your course and the availability of that equipment in the NOLS Southwest gear store. Please pay careful attention to those items we do not provide, and/or those that are for purchase only, with no option to rent. Please note that the rental prices listed are per course. s are subject to change without notice. The availability of each item may be indicated as follows: : The item is available from NOLS, but for PURCHASE ONLY. : The item is available from NOLS, but for RENTAL ONLY. prices are per course.* Must Bring: The item is REQUIRED and NOT AVAILABLE at NOLS; you must bring this item from home. Not Available at NOLS: The item is OPTIONAL and not for sale or rent at NOLS. * items have the opportunity to be purchased at the end of your course if you are interested. The rental price is then applied towards the purchase price. Note: This list may seem overwhelming at first. Please don t stress. Do some research online or bring this list to your local gear store for help. Please do not hesitate to call us with questions at NOLS Southwest (520) 749-0955, we love hearing from students before courses start!
Upper Body Layers NOLS uses a layering system where different combinations of clothing are worn to achieve optimum body temperature control. The upper body garments listed here are either synthetic, which retain their insulating properties when wet, or nylon or Gore- Tex layers which help prevent heat loss by repelling wind, rain, and snow. You will need three insulating layers plus a wind layer and a rain layer. All must fit comfortably over each other so they can all be worn at the same time, if necessary. Item Mid-Weight Top Expedition Weight Top Synthetic or Down Puffy Jacket $40-$60 $80-$50 $50 $25-$95 Fleece Jacket $30 Wind Jacket $25 $60-25 Hiking Shirt/T-Shirts $20-$40 2-3 mid-weight underwear top made of wool, polypropylene or Capilene. [Example: Patagonia Capilene 2 Lightweight Crew, 5.6oz] Polyester fleece pullover/expedition weight top of Polartec 00 or 200, or a wool sweater. DO NOT bring an expensive "favorite" sweater; this item will receive extensive wear. [Example: Patagonia R Hoody, 2.8 oz] Lighter weight and warmer than comparable fleece jackets! A warm, synthetic filled puffy jacket is recommended for people who get cold easily. Down can be used, but requires extra care in wet conditions. You will need this option or the fleece jacket option listed below. Jackets with hoods are recommended. [Example: Mountain Hardwear Hooded Compressor Jacket, 4oz] A heavyweight full-length zip fleece jacket of Polartec 300 or equivalent weight. All other layers must be able to be fit comfortably under this top layer. You will need either this fleece top layer or the puffy jacket listed above. [Example: Patagonia R2 Jacket, 3.oz] A lightweight, breathable, nylon wind shell either pullover or full zip style. Must be large enough to fit over all of your insulating layers. Hooded wind jackets are recommended. Does not need to be waterproof. [Example: Patagonia Houdini Full Zip Jacket, 4.3oz] One synthetic shirt for backpacking, and -2 cotton shirts for the climbing section. We highly recommend Polyester/Capilene for hiking because it dries much more quickly than cotton and can be incorporated into a layering system. Consider a polyester button down dress shirt for a hiking shirt, inexpensive at a thrift store and provides great sun protection! [Example: Patagonia Capilene Silkweight T-Shirt, 3.4oz] 2
Item Rain Jacket $00- $200 Upper Body Layers (Continued) Bring a lightweight (less than 6oz), waterproof, breathable rain jacket. Both coated nylon and breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex are acceptable. Needs to fit over all your insulating layers. [Example: Marmot Precip Jacket, 3.oz] Sport Bras $40-2 We stock Patagonia synthetic sports bras. Our advice? Despite its reputation, the desert can get very cold, especially at night and courses often encounter rain and snow. Temperatures get below freezing some nights. Bring the puffy jackets and other layers you think might work. We'll advise you on the best combination for your course and the current weather conditions. Lower Body Layers You will need at least two insulating bottom layers, plus a wind layer. All must fit comfortably over each other so that they can be worn at the same time. Mid-Weight Bottoms Insulated Puffy Pants or Fleece Expedition Weight Pants Wind Pants/Hiking Pants or Rain Pants Shorts Underwear $35-$65 pair $35 $50 pair $35 $65-$89 pair $35-$50 pair $8-$45 2-4 pair This insulating layer should be made of polypropylene, wool or Capilene. Cotton and cotton blends are not acceptable. [Example: Patagonia Capilene 2 Lightweight Bottoms, 5.7oz] Synthetic or down puffy insulation or Polartec fleece 200 or equivalent. Side zippers (full length, or knee high) make it easier to put pants on over hiking boots. We sell down puffy pants and rent fleece pants. [Examples: Patagonia Capilene 4 Expedition Weight Bottoms, 7.oz or Montbell Thermawrap TEC Pants, 3.9oz] Breathable nylon pants that are roomy enough to fit over all lower body garments. Zippered legs will help you slip your pants on over boots. Lightweight running pants are usually not durable enough. We recommend that you rent wind pants from us. NOLS has a custom design that includes zippered legs and reinforced patches at points of wear. Loose fitting and quick drying nylon athletic or river shorts work well for your backpacking and river sections. Cotton shorts will only be acceptable for your climbing section. [Example: Patagonia Baggies, 8. oz] Silk, synthetic, or none. Briefs or boxers work, though many students prefer to go without underwear and use nylon shorts with liners. Women s briefs in cotton will work. We stock men s and women s Patagonia silk-weight briefs and boxers. Our advice? Bring the synthetic long underwear or pants you think might work. We'll advise you on the best combination for your course. 3
Head, Neck & Hand Layers Sun Hat, Baseball Cap or Visor Wool/Fleece Hat Lightweight Gloves $20-$30 Bring a baseball hat, sun hat, or visor to protect face and ears from the sun. We stock NOLS Southwest baseball caps and visors. $4-$35 A lightweight warm hat made of wool or fleece. $9-$69 pair Wool or fleece is acceptable. [Example: Outdoor Research PL base gloves,.4 oz] Packs & Bags We carry Osprey Escalante and NOLS Deuter backpacks. Various internal frame backpacks are available to rent from NOLS. Our packs are large expedition models. If you are planning to purchase a backpack in advance or bring your own, it must have a volume of 5,500 cubic inches. Backpack $00 New: $350- $400 Used: $200- $350 Climbing Day Pack $40 Small Stuff Sacks $4 $5-$20 2 or 3 Recommended packs: Osprey Aether series, NOLS Deuter pack (4+ lbs), or other packs of similar quality and capacity. The backpack itself should weigh no more than 4-5 lbs. If you do not already own a backpack, we recommend you rent one from us. You can decide after your course what size and type of backpack you wish to purchase. If you bring your own backpack your instructors will examine it to determine its suitability. Used for the climbing section. Must be big enough to carry both daily personal items (i.e., water, food, clothing layers) and group climbing gear minimum of 2,750 cubic inches. A school book-bag pack is unacceptable. [Example: Black Diamond 50 Caliber Pack] Small nylon or mesh sacks with drawstrings for organizing items in your pack. Big Duffel Bag $20 $30-$40 A large-sized zippered nylon bag (4,000-8,000 cu. inches) is helpful for packing/storing all your gear on the base camp climbing section. Our advice? An expedition backpack is a major purchase. If you don't already own one we think you should use ours, gain some experience, then make an informed purchase based on your needs for future outdoor pursuits. 4
Sleeping Bag $80 Compression Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack Plastic Trash Bags Available new and used for $00-$379 $25 Sleeping Pad $5 Sleeping Pad Stuff Sack Sleeping Gear $.75-$.00 2 $8-$2 (ensolite) $79-$60 (Therm-A- Rest ) $4 $8-$6 Ground Cloth $5 $5-60 Despite popular belief, it gets very cold in the Southwest at night, often below freezing. We recommend either synthetic or down bags. A bag with a 0-20 F temperature rating is required. Bags lose loft and subsequent warmth over the years (at least 0 of warmth over the course of a year). We rent the 0 Mountain Hardwear Lamina (3lbs, 2oz) and sell the Thermarest Antares Down Bag (20 degrees, lbs., 5oz. Compression stuff sacks are recommended for use with internal frame packs. These bags have straps attached to them for compressing sleeping bags while packing. Look for lightweight silnylon versions. [Example: Granite Gear Air Compressor Series] 2-3 heavy-duty trash compactor bags (33 gallon) to help waterproof your sleeping bag stuff sack and backpack. We sell them as singles so you don t need to buy a huge box and fly with it! A 3/4-length closed cell foam or self-inflating pad to insulate and pad between the ground and your sleeping bag. Self-inflating Therm A Rest type pads are acceptable if you bring a patch repair kit. NOLS only rents foam pads. [Example: Therm-a-rest Trail Lite, 2lbs] If you are planning to rent a foam pad from us, then you ll need to rent a stuff sack to carry it in. This helps make it easier to pack and cuts down on wear and tear. A lightweight nylon sheet to go between your sleeping pad and the ground. Our advice? A sleeping bag is another major purchase. If you don't already own one, consider using one of ours, gain some experience, then make an informed decision on your needs. Rock Shoes $40 Harness Helmet Cotton Climbing Pants No Charge No Charge New & used $60-$30 Climbing pair N/A N/A $50-$80 Shoes should be tight fitting ( toes just hit the end ), but loose enough that they can be worn continuously for up to five hours at a time. [Example: La Sportiva Mythos] We have harnesses for rent at no charge, but if you own one that you d like to use, bring it along. We will check it for wear at the start of the course. We rent climbing helmets at no charge. If you own one that you would like to use, bring it along. We will check it for stability and wear at the start of the course. Optional. Comfortable cotton or polypro pants to protect your legs while climbing. 5
Climbing Shorts Chalk Bag Climbing (Continued) $30-$60 pair $5-$25 Cotton or synthetic shorts are great for your climbing section. Longer shorts work best with a harness. We carry Prana sportswear. [Example: Prana Mojo shorts] Optional. Chalk bags hold chalk that is used to dry hands while climbing. Optional. Gymnastic chalk enclosed in a tight Chalk Ball $4-$8 mesh sock. Used to dry hands while climbing. Our advice? If you own a harness, chalk bag and pair of climbing shoes, bring them along. If your instructors approve, you can use them. You must use the school's climbing protection, belay devices, slings, carabiners and ropes. Dry Bags (large and small) Sm-$5 Lg.-$35 River of each River Shoes Must Bring Must Bring pair Helmet No Charge N/A Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Long-Sleeved Cotton Shirt Light-Weight Cotton Pants No Charge N/A Must Bring $79-$89 $50-$80 Swimsuit Must Bring Must Bring Large expedition-style waterproof bag (08L) that keeps all your gear dry on the river. Backpack straps and waist-belt allow easy carrying. Small dry bag (30-38L) carries lunch and other items needed during the day. Bring an old pair of running shoes that you don't mind getting wet and muddy. Don t bring shoes with Velcro or zippers, due to the volume of mud. Crocs, Vibram Five Fingers, slip-on sandals, and open-toed shoes are also not acceptable, as they do not provide adequate support and protection on the river. None of these options are available at NOLS Southwest. [Example: Salomon Techamphibian or just an old pair of running shoes] We rent river helmets at no charge. We provide the WRSI current helmet with vents. We have PFDs you can rent at no charge. If you own one, bring it along. We will check it for appropriateness and wear at the start of the course. A collared long-sleeved cotton shirt is an effective form of sun protection. You can find great options for this item at your local thrift store. Cotton or poly-pro pants to protect legs from sun Most students prefer wearing nylon shorts. A sports bra type top with nylon shorts can work as well. Lycra swimsuits are also an option. Having a second set of swimwear allows you to designate one dry set to wear in camp and a wet set to wear on the river. 6
Caving ( if your semester includes a caving section) Caving Clothes Must Bring Must Bring 3 pair Work Gloves Must Bring Must Bring Under Layers Must Bring Must Bring set Flip Flops Must Bring Must Bring set 2 These clothes will receive a lot of wear and tear. 3 pair of slim-fitting pants and 3 longsleeve or short-sleeve shirts. We recommend visiting your local thrift store for inexpensive, durable items. Clothes can be synthetic or cotton and should allow full range of movement. Avoid clothing with extra pockets, buttons, sequins, etc. Slim-fitting leather gardening or work gloves are necessary for your caving section. One basic tank top, T-shirt, or sports bra and one pair of athletic shorts that can be worn under caving gear and allow for comfort and privacy when changing between caving gear and camp clothes. Simple flip-flops for use when changing between caving gear and camp clothes. Miscellaneous Items Insulated Mug Bowl Spoon Water Bottles Hydration System Lip Balm $5-$5 $4-8 $2-2 $8-$ 2 $2-$40 $2-$4 2-3 2 to 20 oz. insulated mugs with lids are preferred. A lightweight bowl with a snap-on or screw on lid. Tupperware works well. Lexan/Titanium spoons are light, durable and popular. Wide mouth quart or liter-size plastic bottles with a total capacity of 2 liters. [Example: L Nalgene Bottle] Very handy and popular. We carry Platypus bottles and MSR Hydromedary bags. Stick, cream, or tube type moisturizing balm with sun protection factor SPF 5 or greater. Sunscreen Bandannas Sunglass Retainers $4-$5 An 8- to 0-ounce tube with sun protection factor SPF 5 or greater. $3 2 or 3 A few of these are always handy. $6 Chums or Croakies for keeping track of your glasses or sunglasses. 7
Sunglasses Headlamp Miscellaneous Items (Continued) $40-$75 pair $20-$50 Lenses should block 00% ultraviolet and 95% infrared light. We carry Suncloud by Smith Optics. Durable and lightweight LED Headlamps are best. Bring spare batteries. We carry Black Diamond Spot and Gizmo style headlamps. Batteries $0.75 each 4 sets We have AA and AAA batteries for sale individually. Disposable Lighters $.50 Used for lighting your camp stove. Toilet Articles Watch Notepad and Pencil/Pen $2-$5 of each Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, skin lotion, tampons, etc. Travel or trial sizes are enough. Soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo are available at NOLS Southwest. $35-$60 A watch with an alarm is a necessary item. $4-$0/ $.50 Town Clothes Must Bring Must Bring 2 sets Towel No Charge - A small, lightweight pad is necessary for taking notes. Bring two sets of comfortable clothing that you can travel in jeans, shorts, t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc. You can also bring extra some comfortable cotton clothing to bring on your base camp climbing section to wear in the evenings. Avoid bringing excess clothing, as storage space is limited. We will provide you a towel for showering with in between sections. Our advice? Keep the toiletries, pocketknife and camera gear to small sizes. We work to keep our pack weight as low as possible, but our packs are still heavy. Saving every ounce is essential! Optional Items Liner Socks $8 2 or 3 pairs Optional. Lightweight wool, polypropylene or Capilene wick dry socks. You will need at least two pairs if you like using the liner sock/wool sock combination in your hiking boots. Pocket Knife $2-$42 Optional. One small, lightweight, knife is sufficient. Simple Swiss Army knives are best. 8
Insoles Book Thermos Camera Backpacker s Camp Chair Prescription Glasses And Contact Lenses Trekking Poles Not Available at NOLS Not Available at NOLS Not Available at NOLS Optional Items (Continued) pair $6-$38 or 2 $28-$48 Not Available at NOLS $30-$52 Must Bring Must Bring -2 pairs $65-$80 or 2 Optional. To assure your comfort in hiking boots an after market insole (these are insoles available for purchase separate from footwear) can provide arch support, stabilize your foot and heel, add cushion and help volume adjustment. [Examples: Spenco Polysorb, Superfeet, Montrail Stabilizing Insoles] Optional. A small, lightweight paperback reading book. Optional. Great for keeping morning drinks warm on your climbing and river sections. Optional. Lightweight point-and-shoot compact digital cameras are sufficient with a lightweight protective case. Avoid heavy lenses and elaborate set-ups on the backpacking sections. NOTE: We do not allow personal cell phones or smartphones in the field, so please do not plan on using your phone s camera in the backcountry. Optional. Crazy Creek chair or one with a Therm-A-Rest fitting. Optional. Bring at least one spare pair of glasses or lenses. Contact lens wearers should also bring a pair of glasses as backup. Prescription sunglasses are a nice item to have. Optional. If you like to use a trekking pole while you hike. Should be a sturdy 2-3 section pole that packs easily. Footwear Hiking Boots Socks Gaiters Must Bring Must Bring pair $8-$2 3-4 pairs $30-$50 pair Sturdy, medium-weight backpacking boots with good ankle support and proper fit are critical for hiking on uneven terrain with heavy expedition packs. See recommended boots at the end of this document. 3-4 pairs, crew length. Socks must be heavy wool or heavy wool/synthetic blend. Cotton/wool blend socks are not appropriate. Additionally, a few pairs of shorter ¼ length socks are nice for the climbing section. Gaiters keep dirt and other debris from entering the boot, and are a critical part of your footwear system. [Example: Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters] 9
Camp Shoes Must Bring Must Bring Footwear (Continued) pair Lightweight running, tennis or cross training shoes, in good condition, to wear around camp. Open-toed "river" or "mountain" sandals are not acceptable for the backcountry. Our advice? Your boots will be a critical piece of gear. If they're not sturdy, don't provide enough support, or don't fit properly with at least a liner and a wool sock, we won't let you use them. If you have any doubts about boots, give us a call. Recommended Boots: Please note that NOLS Southwest does not rent or sell hiking boots. Medium-weight, off-trail backpacking/light mountaineering boots work best. This type of boot is constructed with a full grain leather upper and typically has a Vibram rubber sole. Some models utilize an injection molded, composite rubber sole with a randed welt to bond the leather upper to the sole. Both types of sole are acceptable. These boots are designed for extended backpacking, provide good support for off-trail hiking with 40-60 pound packs, and usually require less break-in time than heavyweight mountaineering boots. The following list is not exhaustive and is to be used for suggestions only. The boots listed here should help define what types are acceptable for your course. It is fine to substitute a similar boot for one listed here provided the boot that you bring is a good quality leather model designed for extended backpacking expeditions with heavy packs. EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE BOOTS* Examples Of Acceptable Boots* Asolo: TPS 520 GV, TPS 535 Lowa: Tibet GTX, Baffin Pro La Sportiva: Thunder II GTX, Garnet GTX Scarpa: Zanskar GTX, Hunza GTX, SL M3 Vasque: Wasatch GTX, Summit GTX, Sundowner GTX *Please note that boot manufacturers often rename their product line. Visit the manufacturer's website or contact us if you have questions. Group All items listed below are provided by NOLS and shared among all expedition members. Group equipment is included as part of the course tuition; however, students will be charged for any lost or damaged group equipment. Tents & Shelters Climbing & Caving Maps, Compass & GPS Units Binoculars Protection Camp Stoves & Cooking Gear Climbing & Caving Ropes Reference Books Repair Kits Fuel and Fuel Bottles Climbing, Caving & River Helmets First Aid Kits Water Purification Trowels or Shovels Bear Spray PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) 0