Kayaking Whitewater
Whitewater Kayaking Trips begin with instruction in the basics of how to kayak, including strokes and basic boat movement. From there prepare for a taste of whitewater as you practice on real (small) rapids. No kayaking experience is necessary or expected, but you must be a strong swimmer. We provide all kayaking equipment, but you should bring warm clothes and long underwear which you don't mind getting wet (no cotton!). Kayakers will be required to take a swim test upon their arrival in Hanover.
Packing List
The following list is a guideline on how you should pack. You might not be sure why we have included/excluded certain items, but trust us, we’ve done this before. Remember that all these items have to fit into your pack which you will be carrying. Pack what you need but don’t pack too much!
Remember that you’re only going away for 5 days. And yes, it’s an outdoor trip, so you won’t be looking your best. That’s okay, everyone else will be the same way! Think about what’s practical, not fashionable.
If you have any questions give us a call! 603-646-3996.
REQUIRED
- A dry bag, duffle, or backpack
- A pair of waterproof shoes. (You can also have two pairs of shoes -sneakers or sports sandals: one for in the boat, which will get wet, and one for in camp. Pick sandals that strap to your feet over loose flip flops).
- Sleeping bag (synthetic or down, not cotton or flannel lined, and packed in a stuffsack lined with a plastic bag)
- Foam sleeping pad or thermarest
- Sunscreen
- Hat with a visor
- Wool sweater or fleece pullover
- Raincoat or poncho
- One pair long pants (wool or synthetic insulate when wet -- NOT blue jeans)
- 3 pairs of heavy socks (preferably wool)
- 2 t-shirts and underwear
- 2 pairs hiking, biking or gym shorts
- Warm shirt (Wool or synthetic material insulate when wet)
- Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
- Wool or fleece hat
- Gloves or mittens
- Bathing suit
- Small towel
- Plastic bowl and cup, spoon. We will be providing an outdoor knife/spork for you.
- 2 plastic water bottles (at least one liter each)
- 2 large plastic bags (one to cover your bag in the rain)
- Several smaller ziplock-style bags
- Toilet articles: toothbrush, small toothpaste (you don't need more than this! No razors, hairdryers, makeup, etc.)
RECOMMENDED
- 1 polypropylene or capilene shirt (available at most outdoors and ski shops)
- 1 pair of polypropylene long underwear bottoms
- Biking gloves. They're great at preventing blisters!
OPTIONAL
- LUNCH for the first day! You won't get dinner until 7pm on the day you arrive, so make sure you have food for when you are traveling to Hanover.
- bandanna, pocket knife, compass, camera, sunglasses, wind or rain pants, harmonica, etc.
PROVIDED BY US
cooking equipment, first aid kit, stove, and all other group gear
NOT ALLOWED
firearms, private food, cd players, ipods, radios, TV sets, cellular phones, alcoholic beverages or non-medical drugs, homesickness, garden gnomes
NOTES
- If you are subject to allergic reactions (bee stings, peanuts, etc.), we ask that you acquire an epinephrine kit from your doctor, and if you have an athletic brace by all means do not forget to bring it along as well.
- The rivers and lakes of New Hampshire get quite chilly by September, and weather in New Hampshire is unpredictable. It can be quite hot during the day but it gets COLD at night. Even if you're roasting in your town's summer heat right now, prepare for some chilly nights on your trip by bringing warm, non-cotton clothes. If you bring the proper clothing, you will remain toasty warm, even while wet. Don't cut corners on things like hats, sunscreen and warm, non-cotton layers.
- The COTTON issue: You should avoid bringing cotton clothing as your warm clothing on the trail. Think about throwing your favorite cotton sweatshirt in cold water and then putting it on to keep warm – it's heavy and doesn't insulate. September is likely to be wet at least some of the time, and therefore you should provide for your own comfort and warmth by bringing a long-sleeved top and bottom layer that is not cotton. Any kind of synthetic material will work, as will wool. Don't be afraid to wear an old wool shirt or thermal underwear! Better to be wet and warm than wet and cold!
- Line your bag with a plastic trash bag and pack your clothes in plastic bags as well. In the event of rain you will be thrilled to have some dry clothes and a dry sleeping bag in camp.
- Remember, if you do not have the proper equipment, try borrowing it from a friend or check out your local Army/Navy surplus store. You don't need the top-of-the-line, Himalayan expedition-caliber gear; just make sure it's functional and relatively light. Much excellent wool and polyester can be had for next to nothing at Salvation Army and Goodwill.
- If you have gear questions, contact your local outdoor outfitter such as EMS or REI. Here are some websites that sell less expensive gear: Campmor, REI, Backcountry Store, Sierra Trading Post.
Gearing Up
We at DOC Trips know that it can sometimes be tough to get all the equipment you
need for your trip. If you haven’t been camping before, or just don’t own
equipment, it may be a burden to procure the backpack, sleeping bag, etc. for
your trip. And we at DOC Trips want to help you out!
Step 1 - Read:
Read your packing list to figure out what you need. You might not actually need
legit backpacking equipment for your trip (for instance, Cabin Campers will be
fine with just a duffel bag, and many hikers will be fine with well-worn tennis
shoes instead of brand-new hiking boots). Figure out what gear you already have.
Figure out what you need.
Step 2 - Ask:
Ask everyone you can to borrow equipment! Ask your parents, your neighbors, your
co-workers, fellow classmates, anyone! The best outdoor eqiupment is gear that’s
been used before. If you have really old-school stuff, so much the better!
You’ll just look that more hardcore.
Step 3 - Buy:
Go to your local Army surplus store, thrift store, rummage sale, or outdoor gear
store (EMS, Sierra Trading Post, etc.) and buy the things that you need. If you’re buying
something you’ll probably use only once, don’t spend lots of money. However, if
you’re buying something you’ll use in the future, it might make sense to invest
in the high-quality option (b/c you get what you pay for).
** IMPORTANT **
This is so critically important, every year tens to hundreds of trippees make
this mistake: Do NOT, repeat do NOT, bring brand-new hiking boots on your trip.
You WILL be miserable. If you are getting new hiking boots, buy them at least three
weeks in advance and wear them around on a daily basis to break them in. Brand
new boots will eat your feet alive, and you do not want that. Your Trip is about
fun, not blisters.
Step 4 - Email us:
If you are unable to find or buy gear, send us an e-mail with the subject line
’Gear request’ and a list of the gear you would like to borrow from us. We
provide the following items free of charge for use by students during their
trip.
- Sleeping bags
- Sleeping pads
- Frame packs
- Fishing rods
- Mountain bikes
Gear is not done on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given
to students who are recieving financial aid. We do hope to be able to accomodate
all gear requests, but there is a chance demand will outstrip supply. If for
some reason we are not able to provide gear for you, we will notify you well in
advance to give you time to explore your options.
** Also pretty important **
Please be sure to try other resources (friends, family, goodwill, etc) BEFORE
applying for gear from us. Our gear is a BACKUP in case all else fails.
We ask that all gear requests be sent to us by August 15.
Questions?
Contact us, as always!
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