Northbayhikes.com

Rob's Packing List

I decided to write this information down for myself & though you might find it useful too. You don't need to bring all of these items, many are optional, though I find I prefer them. I've separated my belongings into 3 bundles:

Rafting Sack: stuff that I take on the raft
Camping Bundle: stuff for overnight camping and next days clothes.
Car Ride Home Bundle: stuff to wear on the way home

All the camping gear for 300 or so people is put together on a large bus, and dumped out on a tarp in a dusty area at the campsite. You'll want to put more delicate items in trash bags, and clearly label everything. (duck tape on trash bags is recommended)

Rafting Sack

Pack everything in a wet sack.
Water bottle in bottle holder, carabineer to clip bottle onto raft.
Camera in waterproof housing or in a Ziploc bag. (wet sack has leaked!)
Snack food: nuts, etc. Pack in a Ziploc bag.
Lunch is provided by the rafting company: sandwich food and chips, no drink. If you are on a diet, you may wish to bring some of your own food. Pack in it's own Ziploc bag.
Mini-wallet: ID and some cash (ID needed for margaritas)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses with croakies/strap so you don't loose them if you tip and swim.
Water cannons (optional)

Camping Bundle

Tent (optional)
Tarp/Ground cloth (otherwise bottom of tent or sleeping bag will get wet)
Sleeping Bag
Foam Cushion
Jeans and Fleece for evening if it gets cold
Loud Hawaiian costume for dinner time contest
Change of shoes in case day's shoes are wet (sandals or tennis shoes)
Next day clothes: bathing suit, T-shirt
(note: on hot evenings the previous clothes dry out & can be reused. They don't always dry)
Bug Spray
Flashlight
camp chairs (optional)
old towel
small water for camp (for drinking, brushing teeth, wash off face/feet before bedtime)
bathroom pack: brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, melatonin, tylenol.
Diet food: snacks, crystal light in a 2-litter plastic container for drinking. (they have water & cups)
Extra trash bags, tape, and scissors to wrap everything up and send back.

Car-ride home bundle

On the last day of rafting, you end up at the car soaking wet after going through the rapids known as the mother. You can buy T-shirts or rafting pictures, and then take off. It's nice to have a change of clothes if you don't want to wait in the sun for yourself to dry.

Pack into it's own backpack and leave in the car for the way home.
Shorts and T-shirt
Towel to dry off and change underneath
Perhaps extra money for T-shirt, rafting pics, gas, or refreshments on the way home.

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