In the woods, gear is essential to your health, happiness and safety. The most common mistake in selecting personal equipment is underestimating the range of weather you’re likely to encounter. It’s important to plan for everything from hot, sunny days (70’s to 90’s) to cold (30’s to 40’s) nights. It will rain! The second most common mistake is bringing too much gear. Your gear, plus group camping equipment and food must all fit in one medium size pack. A backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, ground cloth, tarp, compass, whistle, second water bottle, food, and cooking equipment will be supplied by the program. You may use your own backpack, sleeping bag, and/or ground pad if you prefer. To find out if your own gear is adequate, click here. The following list of equipment has been refined from years of experience. Although you may consider bringing additional items, remember you will have to carry all of your personal gear, group gear, and food on your back – extra ounces add up quickly! However, do not bring less that what is listed below – required equipment is required. All participants must bring their passport OR a driver’s license AND birth certificate in order to cross the U.S./Canada border.
When shopping for clothing for LandSea, it is essential to choose fabrics and materials wisely. Polyester, fleece, Capilene®, Synchilla®, Polartec®, and other equivalent fabrics are all light weight, quick-drying synthetics that were developed for outdoor trips since they will insulate even when wet. Wool is natural fiber that will also keep you warm if it is wet, but wool is fairly heavy and slow to dry. Clothing made of polyester, fleece, Capilene®, Synchilla®, Polartec®, or other equivalent fabrics, and wool are all suitable for the LandSea program. Cotton will NOT keep you warm when wet, and is extremely slow to dry. For these reasons, many of the layers required for LandSea cannot be cotton! It is also important to note the weight of the fabrics. When moderate to heavy weight garments are specified, you will need moderate to heavy weight, NOT light! Begin shopping for your clothing now. Catalogs and local and online stores will be able to offer the necessary items in a variety of brands and price ranges. A list of outdoor suppliers can be found on the resources page. You must have all of the required LandSea gear prior to arriving on campus for the beginning of the LandSea program.
If you have questions regarding particular gear or equipment, feel free to contact us at 269.337.7356 or tbreznau@kzoo.edu
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REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR LANDSEA
Required Footwear:
Good hiking boots will be the most important item you bring. You will also need camp/swimming shoes, socks, and if sailing, athletic shoes.
NOTE: FAILURE TO BRING OVER THE ANKLE HIKING BOOTS RATED FOR CARRYING HEAVY PACKS (approximately 40-50 pounds) OVER ROUGH TRAILS WILL RESULT IN DISMISSAL FROM THE LANDSEA PROGRAM WITHOUT A REFUND AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE (INCLUDING FORFEITURE OF FEES AND TRANSPORTATION HOME)
Hiking Boots: Boots designed for hiking with a heavy pack over rough terrain are MANDATORY!
See boot information sheet for necessary specifications.
- Your boots will need to be sturdy enough to: protect the soles of your feet as you carry that weight on uneven, rocky surfaces; support your ankles as you hike; and exclude moisture from rain, lakes, etc.
- BOOTS MUST BE WELL BROKEN IN BY SEPTEMBER!
Heavy Hiking Socks: 3 pairs calf-length, heavy wool or synthetic
- NO COTTON!
- Brands to look for: Thorlo®, Smartwool®, or other equivalent brands
Light Sock Liners: at least 2 pair of wool or polypropylene, to be worn under the heavy hiking socks
- Liners are worn with hiking socks to prevent blisters
- Brands to look for: Thorlo®, Smartwool®, WigWam®, or other equivalent brands
Sandals with straps AND/OR Close- toed water shoes:
-1 pair to wear around camp (sandals: Chaco ®, Teva®, etc... NO Flip-Flops! ) and 1 pair for swimming (close-toed: Keens® or other equivalent brands).
- The LandSea program now requires CLOSE-TOED SHOES FOR SWIMMING to protect feet from sharp rocks. You may use your closed-toed water shoes as your "wear-around-camp" shoes and not bring sandals. However, you can not use your sandals as a replacement for closed-toed water shoes.
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Required Upper Body Garments:
The key to staying warm in the wilderness is layering. Having the appropriate layers ensures your body heat is held within the layers of your clothes, keeping you warm. You will need at least 3 insulating layers plus a wind/rain layer, which must fit comfortably over each other so that they can all be worn at the same time if necessary. If you tend to get cold easily, consider bringing an extra layer.
T-Shirts/tank tops: 2 or 3 shirts
We recommend bringing t-shirts/tank-tops made of Capilene® or other synthetic materials. Cotton is acceptable, but is slow drying.
Women may also want 2-3 sport bras in addition to t-shirts/tank tops.
Primary Insulating Layer: 1 light to mid-weight long underwear top (wool, polypropylene or other synthetic material).
Secondary Insulating Layer: 1 medium weight wool shirt, sweater, or fleece.
Top Insulating Layer: 1 heavyweight fleece or wool sweater
- The top layer should be large enough to fit over your other layers and still allow freedom of movement
- Brands to look for: Capilene®, Synchilla®, Polartec® 200 or 300, or other equivalent materials
Rain Jacket: 1 rain jacket that can be used as a windbreaker and outer layer in the cold
- It should be large enough that a sweater, long underwear, and a flannel shirt could fit under it if needed
- PVC-coated nylon with welded seams also provide protection from the wind and the rain, however, they are not breathable
- Brands to look for: Columbia®, Gore-Tex®, Marmot®, Mountain Hardware®, Sierra Designs®, or other equivalent materials
Wool Hat: 1 warm hat made of wool or synthetic material. Hat must be long enough to cover your ears.
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Required Lower Body Garments:
You will need 2 insulating layers plus a wind/rain layer, which must fit comfortably over each other so that they can be worn at the same time.
Underwear: 3-5 pair of quick drying polyester, light cotton or nylon (with cotton crotch for women).
- Capilene®, or other equivalent fabrics, wicks moisture away from the skin and dries quickly
- Cotton is also OK, but will take longer to dry
Hiking Shorts: 2 pair loose fitting synthetic athletic or river shorts. Men may want shorts with liners.
Primary Layer: 1 pair of light to mid-weight long underwear bottoms of polypropylene or other synthetic material.
- NO COTTON!
Secondary Layer: 1 pair of medium to heavy fleece or wool pants large enough to wear over shorts and long underwear
- Brands to look for: Capilene®, Synchilla®, Polartec® 200 or 300, or other equivalent materials
MEDICATIONS:
LandSea provides first aid kits stocked with some over-the-counter medications to help manage symptoms such as headaches, congestion, allergies, etc. that may arise over the course of the program. However, if you are prone to allergies, etc., and prefer a specific brand of medication, we recommend that you bring it. Note: medication for menstrual cramps is not provided.
All prescription medication must be listed on your medical form. When crossing the US/Canada border, customs may ask for a doctor’s note verifying your prescription.
If taking any medication regularly, including birth control, check with your doctor about possible side effects from spending two and a half weeks in a wilderness environment
Check with your physician, but if possible do not increase or decrease medication for depression, anxiety, etc. (Prozac, Zoloft, etc.) immediately before or during LandSea. The program is stressful physically and emotionally, and the effects of significant changes in these medications could be amplified.
If you experience any reoccurring infections (ear, yeast, urinary, etc.) note it on your medical form and bring the appropriate medication.
WOMEN: The stress of outdoor living can radically alter your menstrual cycle. Bring enough sanitary napkins or tampons for two complete cycles.
EYEGLASS WEARERS: It is wise to bring an extra pair of glasses. Contacts are ok for LandSea as long as they don’t require extensive care. However, we recommend bringing an extra pair of glasses in addition to extra contacts in case of eye irritation(s) that makes wearing contacts uncomfortable. In addition, consider bringing sun glasses that will clamp on, or fit over, your prescription glasses.
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Group Equipment:
The LandSea program supplies all other necessary personal and group equipment EXCEPT that which is specifically listed above as “Required and Optional Gear for LandSea”. As mentioned, a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, ground cloth, tarp, compass, whistle, second water bottle, food, and cooking equipment will be supplied by the program. You may use your own backpack, sleeping bag, and/or ground pad if you prefer. To find out if your own gear is adequate, click here. Fees for the use of the LandSea equipment is included in the program’s tuition. Charges incurred as a result of excessive damage or loss of equipment will be the student’s responsibility.
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