Packing For Guide School

The less time you spend on your PG (personal gear) in the mornings the more time we all get to spend on the river. Here are some tips on how to pack and keep you camping and river PG organized.

• What To Pack Your Gear In - It is useful to have a few bags to keep things organized. We will provide you with one dry bag to keep your camp gear in. Such as sleeping stuff, dry clothes/shoes, extra warm layers, toiletries etc.. (bring this stuff in a suitcase or duffle bag and repack on day one). It is also extremely useful to have a second "gear bag" for your wet river gear (wetsuit, paddling jacket, helmet, insulating layers, shoes etc...). A guides gear bag is like there personal closet and ultimately you will want one that has some mesh so things can dry out but for guide school any small duffle or old gym bag will work great. On top of your dry bag and gear bag you should also bring a small zip-able backpack or bag to keep your phone, wallet, keys and other items in so they are not roaming around the van floor. 
• How Much Gear - One of the luxuries of rafting is the ability to bring a lot of stuff into the backcountry with you and we invite you to bring some creature comforts. Items like a pillow and big sleeping bag or something else that will help make you more comfortable and warm are acceptable, after all you are not packing for a ten day backpacking trip. That said it is very easy to bring too much stuff, unpacking and repacking an item twice a day for ten days and not using it once is something you will probably experience at some point soon. The less useless stuff you bring the easier it will be to keep the useful items organized.
• What We Provide - PFD's (Life Vest), helmets, dry bags, wet suits and paddling jackets. All the necessary safety equipment for the river as well as all group camping gear and a full river kitchen. Food for meals are provided three times a day on most instruction days, the menus are mostly vegetarian. Be prepared to purchase dinner on one or two travel days.
• What You Will Need - All you are responsible for bringing is your personal camping/sleeping gear, warm layers/shoes for the river, warm camping clothes and the two pieces of personal safety gear we ask that you have before guide school (10' of tubular webbing and one locking carabiner). You are welcome to bring your own river gear if you have it.

Full Packing List FOr guide School Students