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Cornell University

Cornell Outdoor Education

Equipment List

An Outdoor Odyssey pre-orientation tripper wearing a rain jacket

Although this personal gear list is long, these items are necessary for health and safety during your trip. Items with " * " can be rented from the Cornell Outdoor Education Outfitting Center and must be reserved ahead of time by submitting the "Equipment Rental Contract" on the Register page.

Please note that this list applies to ALL Odyssey trips. Before departing for your trip, your guides will help you pack your backpacks and will make suggestions on what to bring and what to leave in Bartels Hall. If you bring an excess of clothing/supplies, there will be storage available in Bartels Hall.

Upper Body

  • Synthetic, non-cotton t-shirts
    • 4 Day Trips: 2-3 shirts
    • 6 Day Trips: 3-4 shirts
    • 8 Day Trips: 4-5 shirts
  • 1 long underwear top (polypropylene or wool, not cotton)
  • 1-2 non-cotton insulating layers (ex. fleece jacket, wool sweater, pile vest, down vest)
  • * 1 Rain Jacket or Poncho (must fit over all other layers and keep you dry)
  • 2-3 sports bras

Lower Body

  • 1 pair synthetic long underwear
  • synthetic athletic/hiking shorts
    • 4 Day Trips: 2 pairs
    • 6 Day Trips: 2-3 pairs
    • 8 Day Trips: 3 pairs
  • 1 pair long pants or lower body shell, one of the following:
    • * nylon wind pants
    • loose fitting synthetic pants, tight weave, NO JEANS
    • rain pants
    • hiking pants
  • underwear (cotton is fine here)
    • 1 pair for each day of trip recommended

Head and Hands

  • 1 warm hat, wool or synthetic
  • 1 to 2 bandanas
  • 1 pair wool/fleece mittens or gloves
  • 1 sun hat, baseball hat is fine

Feet

  • hiking socks (thick wool or synthetic, NOT cotton)
    • 4 Day Trips: 3-4 pairs
    • 6 Day Trips: 4-5 pairs
    • 8 Day Trips: 4-6 pairs
  • 1 pair hiking boots, good ankle support and traction, comfortable and broken in! Do not plan on wearing brand new hiking boots for the first time on your Odyssey trip!
  • 1 pair camp shoes (No open toed shoes to prevent injuries. Crocs, keens, and old sneakers are great! You may be swimming in these shoes, so keep in mind their weight and ability to dry)

Personal Gear

  • * Frame backpack to carry all personal gear and your share of group food and gear: internal or external - pretty big (50-80 Liters)
  • * sleeping pad – closed cell ensolite or Therm-a-rest
  • * sleeping bag & stuff sack (rated to at least 20 degrees F)
  • 3 large heavy duty plastic bags; can be garbage bags (one for your sleeping bag, one to line your pack, and one to cover your pack in case of rain)
  • A few Ziploc bags or stuff sacks for holding toiletries, clothing, other gear.
  • 2 quart-size water bottles, sturdy; Nalgene is a good idea.
    • Do NOT bring water bottles with attached straws or complex lids. Do NOT bring a hydration bladder. 
  • 1 cup, mug, small bowl or sturdy container for eating. Should be able to hold liquids.
  • 1 reusable spoon/spork
  • Optional: pocket knife - small to medium-sized
  • Optional: hammock
  • * headlamp with extra batteries

Personal Essentials

  • chapstick, sunblock, sunglasses
  • toothbrush and toothpaste
  • small towel
  • contacts, solution, glasses
  • medication (let instructors know)
    • If you are prescribed an epipen, you will need to bring it on your Odyssey trip (ideally with a backup). If you are prescribed an inhaler, we highly recommend that you bring it, even if you think you will not need it.
  • money, $10-20 for dinner on the night of day 0
  • pads, tampons, menstrual cups, etc.

Optional

  • 1 to 2 pairs liner socks, synthetic or wool and thin
  • hat, headbands
  • book, journal, field glasses, binoculars
  • digital or film camera
  • something to share (poem, small instrument, reading, a game...)
  • insect repellent (~30% DEET is good) (highly recommended!)
  • hiking poles
  • * crazy creek camp chair

Things not to bring

  • Drugs not prescribed to you
  • iPods or MP3 players, electronic entertainment devices
  • Alcohol or cigarettes
  • Your own tent
  • A hydration bladder

Notes

  • Please don't bring any cotton clothing. Cotton will not keep you warm when it gets wet. Only wool and synthetic fabrics like polypropylene, thermax, or capilene retain their insulating properties when wet.
  • You will be carrying everything that you bring. You want to be comfortable, but keep weight and size in mind.

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