Equipment Quality
Good quality gear can mean a lot to both your comfort and safety in the field. But quality equipment need not cost a fortune. Big ticket items like packs and sleeping bags can be rented from larger outdoor shops or university outdoor programs. Renting is a good way to field test gear before you make a purchase. You can see what the REI store has available to rent by checking this link: http://www.rei.com/stores/rentals.html#montana. If you do buy, get the best you can afford and plan on many years of use. Discount and surplus stores can be a good source of synthetic or wool clothing, but don't rely on these places for tents, packs, sleeping bags or boots. For these essentials you will need to visit a specialty shop with a trained sales staff. Even equipment from top manufacturers goes on sale in the off-season.

Group Gear
We can loan the following items to you if you don’t want to bring your own. Please request items ahead of time with the registrar.

• Tents. Mountain Hardware Sky Ledge tents are available to share with another participant if you would like to. 
• Stoves. Single burner "MSR Whisperlites" with fuel bottles and fuel. Plan on sharing a stove with others.
• Bear ropes. 50' lengths for hanging all food and food preparation items at night. You will, however, need to provide a suitable bag to contain your food. See below.
• Water bag. We will have water bags for group use.
• Trowel. Our strategy for the disposal of solid human waste will be to bury the waste in individual "cat holes." (We will talk more about this on the first morning of the course.) A small trowel or garden spade will help us accomplish this task. We carry the "U-Dig-It" brand that is made of sturdy metal with a folding handle.

Personal Gear
You will need to provide the following equipment:

• Tents. You may bring your own if you prefer. Make certain it is complete, in good condition, fully waterproof, and that you are familiar with its use. 
• Backpack. Either an internal or external frame model, that fits well and is comfortable when fully loaded. 5000-6000 cubic inches is recommended. Everything should be inside the pack, not tied to the outside where it could be easily lost or damaged. Consider adding external side-pockets to increase capacity and give you a place for hard-to-pack items like fuel bottles.
• Backpack rain cover. Remember, backpacks are not waterproof. You should waterproof everything within the pack, and/or use a cover of coated nylon. A heavy-duty trash bag works well when the pack isn't being worn.
• Sleeping bag. This is your ultimate insulating layer and final refuge when everything else is wet and cold. Yellowstone can, and does, receive snow during any month of the year. Choose a bag that's rated to at least 20 degrees. You can choose synthetic or down insulation; both are very warm for their weight. Especially if you plan on using a down bag, be extra cautious to keep your sleeping bag dry. Line your sleeping bag stuff sack with a heavy duty garbage bag to keep it dry, or use a breathable, waterproof stuff sack.
• Sleeping pad. A lightweight closed-cell or inflating mattress. It provides comfort and, more importantly, insulates you from the ground.

Clothing
Bring a series of layered garments that can be mixed and matched to suit the ever-changing conditions. Make sure outer layers fit comfortably over the base layers. For light weight and the ability to insulate when wet, synthetics are best. Bring items of nylon, polypropylene, fleece pile, or good quality wool.

• Upper-body layers: A layer to hike in, rain and wind protection, plus a minimum of three insulating layers.
• Long sleeve nylon travel shirt. These shirts are light and cool and dry very quickly, and are essential for protection from the sun and from insect bites. Loose fitting is best for bug protection. Some people prefer to wear a synthetic or cotton t-shirt underneath. A clean shirt for each day is not necessary and will only make your pack heavier. Wear the same clothes over again whenever possible.
• Light or mid-weight underwear top. Long-sleeve top of polypropylene, Capilene, or a similar fabric. For sleeping in or as the base layer of insulation.
• Mid-weight fleece or wool sweater. Polartec 100 or 200 fleece, or expedition weight polypropylene top. A tightly knit wool sweater will work also, but is bulkier.
• Fleece or synthetic fill jacket. such as a Polartec 300 weight zip-front, or an insulated coat with a synthetic fill. A down coat may be adequate in late summer, but is not suitable for the wet early season. All your other insulating layers should fit under this one.
• Fleece or synthetic fill vest. (optional) If you are taking a spring or fall course, or you know you get cold easily, consider adding this additional half layer.
• Rain/wind parka. A waterproof, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex is recommended. Make sure it fits over everything else and really does keep you dry. A poncho is not adequate.

Lower-Body Layers
You will need shorts or pants to hike in, wind and rain layers, and an insulating layer or two.

• Nylon shorts or pants. One pair is plenty. They should be sturdy, but lightweight, and quick drying. Pants are highly recommended over shorts for their sun and bug protection. Nylon pants with zip-off legs are convenient. 
• Underwear. Many men seem to prefer hiking shorts with a built-in mesh liner. Women and men might want to consider all the new synthetic fabrics being used in undergarments. It’s best to avoid cotton. It gets wet and stays wet and can lead to chafing.
• Light or mid-weight long underwear bottoms. Polypropylene or similar material. For sleeping or as a base insulating layer.
• Expedition weight polypropylene long underwear bottoms. (or fleece pants) Can be useful for cold weather common in May, early June or September courses.
• Rain pants. Coated, waterproof nylon, or a breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex. Here too look for side leg zippers or a style that will allow you to remove the pants without removing your boots.

Head and Hands

• Sun hat or baseball cap. A wide brim is best for protection from the sun at higher altitudes.
• Fleece or wool stocking cap. For those cold mornings and evenings, and to sleep in at night.
• Mosquito head net. Fine mesh with a drawstring works best. You might not need it, but they weigh only a few grams and can make or break a trip if the mosquitoes are bad
  □ Gloves or mittens. One pair is probably sufficient for cold mornings. Light wool or synthetic.

Footwear

• Hiking boots- Volumes have been written about choosing and properly fitting boots. It is obviously an important matter and may well be your most significant equipment decision, as improper boots can spoil the entire experience. For this trip you will need sturdy boots designed for backpacking. Light hikers or cross-training shoes will not be sufficient. They should have a lugged sole to provide traction. The soles should also be stiff enough to prevent rock bruises and stress fractures even while carrying a heavy pack. The uppers should be stiff enough to provide support and protect the foot from a battering among the rocks. Additionally, they must be comfortable to wear for hours on end. If your boots are new, wear them often before the course. If they have been properly fitted they will not need much breaking in, but wearing them a lot should alert you to potential problems before you start down the trail.
• Socks- Bring plenty. Keep a pair dry and packed with your sleeping bag so you always have a dry pair to put on at bed time. Bring two to three pair for hiking and wearing with your camp shoes. Get quality wool or wool-synthetic blends. They cost more, but the good ones last a long time. Cotton or cotton blends cause blisters and perpetually wet feet.
• Camp shoes- Light weight tennis, running, or approach shoes. Not only does it feel great to get out of your boots at the end of the day, light camp shoes will reduce our impact on the soils and vegetation around camp. Tevas, Crocs, or other open-toed sandals work well too, but keep in mind they leave your feet more susceptible to injuries.
• Gaiters- Gaiters are highly recommended for keeping rocks, dirt, and mud out of your boots, and are essential for May and June courses that are sometimes muddy. Clean boots and socks will dramatically decrease your chance of blisters. Gaiters also are very important to reducing our impact while hiking by allowing us to stay on the main trail even through those wet, muddy sections. Tall gaiters provide more protection and double for winter use, but the short styles are cooler in the summer.

Cooking, Eating, and Drinking

• Cup. An insulated, plastic mug with a lid works best.
• Cooking kit. Bring only the essentials: a single pot and a single spoon.
• Food storage bag. Park regulations, and common sense, dictate that all food and food preparation items be hung beyond the reach of bears whenever they are not being used or transported. Bring a lightweight, waterproof dry sack. It should be big enough to hold all your food and cooking gear. Lining it with a heavy duty plastic garbage bag will reduce odors and help keep your food dry. We will supply the ropes.
• Water bottles. Two wide-mouth, one quart plastic bottles, or some sort of hydration system with a two quart capacity for staying hydrated on the trail.
• Water treatment. All the water we consume in the backcountry will need to be treated in some way. The primary organism we have to eliminate is Giardia lamblia. This can be accomplished by boiling the water, treating it chemically, or filtering. Boiling all our water is impractical. It would use up far too much time and fuel. Iodine or chlorine based treatments are effective, simple, readily available, and perhaps most importantly, lightweight. "Potable Aqua" and "Aqua Mira" are a couple of the more popular brands. Bring enough to treat at least 4-6 quarts of water a day per person. If you opt to use a filter make sure it has a fresh cartridge designed to remove protozoa and bacteria. Be certain it is in good working order and that you know how to clean and repair it. Filters are notorious for breaking down when you need them most so bring a back-up supply of chemical treatment as well. Water filters can also be shared among a couple of folks.

Toilet Articles

• Trowel. We will have trowels available for group use but you can bring your own if you prefer. Plastic trowels are lightweight, but do not hold up well. We recommend “U-Dig-It” brand.
• Toilet paper. If you will be using toilet paper you will have to make provisions to pack the soiled paper back out. Burning and burying the paper are not viable options. Burning creates a serious fire hazard, while buried paper breaks down very slowly and is often dug up and scattered by animals. The easiest way to pack it out is to bring along a couple zip-lock bags, double bag the used paper, and transport it in a small nylon stuff sack. This same approach should be employed with used tampons.
  □ Garbage bags. The plastic bags you have used to repackage your food can be reused to transport garbage and food scraps, but you might need one or two empties to get you started.

Other Items

• Bear spray. We strongly suggest you carry a canister of bear deterrent spray. While the chances of a confrontation with a bear are indeed remote, it is important to be prepared for such an event; pepper sprays are deemed the most effective, non-lethal response. Look for an aerosol spray designed specifically as a bear deterrent, one containing a minimum of 10% Capsicum, and having an effective range of at least 25' - 30'. Carefully read all the manufacturer's instructions and precautions, and familiarize yourself with its use. Make sure it has an effective "safety" mechanism and a holster or some means of securing it to the hip belt of your pack or other easily accessible location. We will address the topic of bear safety during the first day of the course. Airlines do not allow bear spray, so you will need to purchase it here if you are flying.
• Sunglasses. Eye-damaging ultraviolet light is more intense at higher elevations. Good quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection are a must. A hard case and "Chums" or some sort of retainer will protect your investment.
• Sunscreen. Bring plenty and use it liberally. We recommend unscented sunscreen if possible to reduce bear-attracting smells. See important bears and odorants information in the WILDLIFE section below.
• Flashlight or headlamp. Remember extra batteries and bulb.
• Wristwatch with an alarm. For early starts and staying organized as a group.
• Bandana. (optional) One or two cotton bandanas for a variety of uses
• Foot repair kit. Your instructor team will be carrying first aid kits, but you may want a personal supply of band-aids, mole-skin, tape, etc. for blister prevention and treatment.
• Tampons and a few zip-lock plastic bags for waste.
• Medications–make sure to bring plenty of any prescription medications, as well as pain reliever like ibuprofen for sore and achy muscles.
• Extra eye glasses
• Contact lenses and solutions

Optional Items to Consider

• Insect repellent. Mosquitoes can be intense during the early season and common throughout the summer. Wearing extra clothes is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from mosquito bites, which many people prefer to using chemical repellent. Rain jacket and pants work well for bug protection in camp but are hot and impractical while hiking. On the trail, lightweight, loose fitting clothing or insect repellent is the best option. DEET is the standard to chemical insect repellent. EPA and CDC have determined that DEET can be safe when used properly. The % of DDET on a formula affects the length of time it is effective. For instance, 5% gives about 1.5 hours of protection and 24% gives about 5 hours. Picaridin (KRB 3023) is another repellent recommended by EPA and CDC.. Try to find a repellant that has little to no smell. Cutter’s makes a repellent without DEET or odor. 
• Camera. Think about how you will protect it from rough handling and the elements. Also keep your total pack weight in mind.
• Light weight binoculars or spotting scope. The Institute will provide one or two spotting scopes for group use on wildlife courses.
• Trekking poles or hiking staff
• Notebook or journal
• "Crazy Creek" chair. Or something similar (like a small foam pad) to sit on.
• Soap. A very small bottle of good, biodegradable, liquid soap should take care of all your needs for a few days. Avoid scented products, especially those with food scents like peppermint and almond.
• Disposable wet wipes. Great for quick and easy personal hygiene. Be sure to bring zip-lock bags for disposal.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste. A small, travel-size toothpaste or small container of baking soda is plenty. We suggest baking soda, because it leaves less of an impact and is less of a bear attractant.

Please do not bring:

• Cell phones. It is unlikely you will get a signal anyway. We have made other provisions for emergency communications.
• Stereos or radios
• Perfumes and deodorants
• Large knives or hatchets