<h2>Thanks for the advice (: Anymore? ~ Surfergirl</h2>
<p>Invest in a small hand held GPS, such as a garmin.</p>
<p>Yosemite is a huge area, and it’s easy to get lost, even with a group. </p>
<p>Wonder off to take a picture, pee or check out some scenery and you could be completely lost, very simple to get turned around.</p>
<p>I’d also ask whoever is in charge if you are allowed to bring a firearm. I understand that this is a school function, but it’s also in a wilderness. Taking a group of students into that environment and not letting them defend themselves properly seems like a gross error in judgement.</p>
<p>As an avid hunter, hiker, camper and wildlife photographer, I can assure you that having a gun in the wilderness is a necessity. Yosemite alone report about 300 - 500 bear/human incidents each year. Now, these are mostly just black bears eating campers food or coming into a campsite, but still - something to chew on. Black bears are usually non-threatening, but hey, ya never know right?</p>
<p>What would really concern me are the cougars. Cougar sightings are way up in Yosemite, and need to be taken seriously, especially if you plan on being there for a whole semester. If you were just doing a weekend trip, your chances of seeing a cougar are slim. But, being there a whole semester definitly raises those odds.</p>
<p>I operate under the logic, it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.</p>
<p>At least purchase some good pepperspray. In this situation get the mist, not gel. As most animals have very sensitive noses, a simple spray into the air from a reasonble distance can be enough to rattle the animal.</p>
<p>I’d also recommend purchasing a good lighter to have with you at all times. Not some cheap Bic one. Go buy an authentic Zippo lighter. Zippos are as durable as they come. In fact, they became popular during WWII because the soldiers all used them because they were capable of working the all environments and weather conditions. I collect them as a hobby, but I have my grandfathers Zippo he used in WWII and IT STILL WORKS! </p>
<p>I spend alot of time outdoors and I have encountered Moose, bears, coyotes and wolves. And take my word for it, you will take a dump in your pants when it happens. Oddly enough, the only time I was actually charged was by a 8 point buck, who I think was mad from disease.</p>
<p>Please don’t take this as me trying to scare you, I am in no way doing that. Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places on our planet and the fact you get to spend a whole semester there makes me incredibly jealous. Just don’t let the beautiful scenery blind you from the reality - it’s the wilderness.</p>
<p>Go out and purchase a good quality camera. I recommend a Pentax, as they make some models that are designed for outdoor use and wildlife photography.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions about what gear to purchase, let me know. I’m pretty knowledgeable on this stuff.</p>