<p>Hey, can't wait for OA, seems like a great way to bond with everyone, but that long list we just got is a little daunting. is it rly necessary to buy all of the recommended clothing items? I have little camping experience, but it seems like 3 layers (core, etc.) will be unbearable considering the weather. how cold can the nights get?</p>
<p>and even if you will need a sweater, or outer layer, is it that important to buy specific camping-approved attire? and checking to see all clothing isn't 100% cotton? i'm just a little nervous about shopping for everything else, and OA seems to add a lot more to my college list.</p>
<p>thanks! can't wait for the trip, just a little apprehensive about the clothes...and not being able to shower for a week!</p>
<p>As far as layers go, you can get by with a few tee shirts, a fleece or other warm layer, and a light rain jacket. It will get cold at night, and you definitely want to have a warm layer. Don't worry about long sleeve shirts if you don't want. I think that the list on the OA website is generally pretty good. I prefer synthetic clothes, but you can get by with cotton tee shirts. Definitely get synthetic shorts.</p>
<p>I think it's a good idea, especially if your hair is long. It can get kinda disgusting after a few days. You may never use either, but they don't take up much room.</p>
<p>Weasel has very sound advice. Backpackers do have an expression "cotton kills," but for the climate (mild), altitude (not high), and length of the trip (short), you should be fine with cotton t-shirts. Mesh athletic shorts should be fine.</p>
<p>A few things NOT to bring:
-sweatshirts
-cotton sweatpants, such as these: Basic</a> Men's Sweatpants with Princeton Down Left Leg Product
-jeans, or ANY sort of denim material
-deodorant. really, you'll survive without it.
-a bulky "camp chair" unless it's a crazy creek that will double as a sleep pad</p>
<p>For each week of my 3-week Outward Bound trip (with 70 degree days and 40 degree nights), I brought:
-2 tech-wick tshirts
-1 zip up fleece pullover (the R1 from Patagonia)
-my north face
-1 pair tech-wick long underwear pants
-1 pair athletic shorts
-2 pairs undergarments (1 to wash, 1 to wear)
-2 pairs smartwool hiking socks (1 to wash, 1 to wear)
-rain pants and rain jacket</p>
<p>I think that's it. I've done a lot of camping, backpacking, mountaineering, etc., so message me if you have any more questions. </p>
<p>Oh, and BREAK IN YOUR BOOTS. You will be VERY SAD if you get blisters. All it takes is one 20-minute walk in a hilly area for a few weeks to break them in fully.</p>
<p>thanks for the comprehensive list! i've never heard of a wick tshirt, but i'll check it out. and if cotton kills, is polyester fine? or a 50-50 cotton/poly blend? (seems like many of my shorts/t-shirts have that breakdown)</p>
<p>Don't bring any soap or shampoo, even if it is bio-friendly and supposedly scentless. Back when I went on OA 2 years ago, they made us get rid of all stuff like that - the OA program is very strict about LNT (Leave No Trace). Plus, we were told bears could smell all of those products. Just bring a cap or a bandanna if you're worried about your hair being gross...OA is just a dirty, smelly experience altogether - but it's totally worth it!!! I <3 OA!!!</p>
<p>Doesn't the list of clothes needed depend on the trip area? Main or Virginia? Any colder or hotter than that? Since freshman are not told about their destination until they arrive on campus, it would be helpful to find out at least the temperature range of possible destination's climatic zones. ;) Where do they typically go?</p>
<p>I can't think of anything you should leave behind due to warm weather (unless you were planning on taking long-johns). Even in Virginia, it will be chilly in the mornings, so you will want a fleece. Some people don't mind having cold legs, so you could possibly do without long pants, but considering how little space they take up, I'd bring them along. One important thing to remember: the more personal gear you have, the less heavy camping equipment you will be able to carry. ;)</p>
<p>and btw, will they actually check your items before you go on the trip...not that i'm planning on bringing anything restricted. I just plan on bringing some biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc, and don't want it to be so obvious that I have unncessary items if (when) I have trouble carring my pack/</p>
<p>My trip leaders checked our packs, but it's not hard to conceal small items like biodegradable soap in you pockets during the "inspection." They take away your watches, so one kid brought his iPhone instead.</p>
<p>You don't want to smell like a piece of fruit when backpacking. Bugs don't bother you as much. The whole idea is to get away from the urban/suburban lifestyle, not import it into the wild.</p>
<p>i still haven't gotten boots yet :(, but i'm going to try as soon as possible to get them. i know you should break them in early, but will ramping up the short hikes (myb 3-4 days a week for the next week) suffice?</p>
<p>Some boots take longer to get broken in than others. The ones that are really heavy and made of nothing but leather take a particularly long time. When you go to buy your boots, tell the salesman a little bit about OA (especially that it's at the beginning of September!), so that he can help you pick out a pair of boots that's easy to break in. I wouldn't worry about it too much.</p>
<p>Yeah, the boots I had were pretty heavy duty mountaineering boots, so I had to walk in them every day before Outward Bound. You should be fine with some lightweight hiking boots. I imagine you didn't sign up for one of the "hardcore" backpacking trips...?</p>
<p>no lol :) and i forgot all about going to the store, since i'm getting a bunch of things online.</p>
<p>one more quick thing-- they mention we'll need sneakers, esepcially for all water activities. would it be foolish to bring new ones, since they may get destroyed? I have a veryyy old pair and need new ones for school anyone but don't want them ruined before school starts!</p>
<p>yea - probably a good idea to bring the old ones, so if they get gross after the trip you can just toss them. However, sneakers are pretty washable, so if you get them wet you can just toss them in the washer/dryer and they'll come out looking brand new</p>