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Evaluating Tremont's Impact
Learn why your school's visit to Tremont will be "more than just a field trip."
Items Tremont Provides | Suggested Items to Bring | Item Descriptions
-Backpacks (external frame)*
-Tents
-Groundpads
-Cooking equipment and eating utensils
-Food
-Maps
*If you have your own backpack, feel free to bring it along, and we will determine if it is suitable.
_____1 pair hiking boots- broken in!
_____3 pair thin liner socks*
_____3 pair heavier padded socks
_____1 pair long pants
_____1 pair shorts
_____2 T-shirts
_____1 long-sleeved shirt or long underwear
_____1 pair long underwear bottoms
_____1 sweater, flannel shirt, or fleece pullover
_____ rain gear
_____ wool hat and mittens/gloves
_____3 pair underwear
_____1 pair Tevas‰ or camp shoes
_____2 bandannas
_____sleeping bag
_____toiletries
_____small flashlight (extra batteries)
_____pocket knife*
_____waterbottle
_____a few plastic bags (garbage and ziplock‰)
_____Camera and film*
_____Compass*
_____Sunscreen lotion*
_____Hat for rain and sun protection*
_____Swimsuit*
_____Soap (Biodegradable)*
_____Field Guides*
_____Small Sketchbook, journal, or book*
* optional items
Hiking boots:
When hiking, your feet are your most valuable possession, so make sure your feet have the support that they need. Hiking boots should be comfortable and broken-in to avoid blisters. The weight of your hiking boots (lightweight nylon, lightweight leather, or heavy leather) depends upon how much support you need for your ankles, but all boots should have a good sturdy sole with excellent traction. If you plan to purchase a new pair of hiking boots, remember to try on new shoes with the socks that you plan to use for hiking. Usually, this means hiking boots will be 1/2 to a full size larger than your regular shoes. Outdoor stores are generally very helpful in giving you advice. We recommend that you wear your footwear as often as possible prior to arriving for your trip.
Socks:
Should be wool or synthetic. Consider wearing thin, synthetic sock liners along with the wool, to give extra protection from blisters and added warmth in wet, cold weather.
Sleeping bags:
We recommend nylon bags with synthetic or down filling. Synthetic bags are often cheaper than down and work better when wet. If you bring a down bag, you will need to take extra precautions to keep it dry. Bring a nylon stuff sack (or several heavy-duty garbage bags) to help keep your sleeping bag protected and dry. We strongly discourage using cotton sleeping bags (the bulky, “slumber-party" variety). These bags are inefficient as insulators and are heavy and useless once wet.
Long underwear, tops and bottoms:
Cotton undergarments are fine when dry, but are the least likely to dry once wet. Wool, silk, and synthetic undergarments have the advantage of maintaining much of their insulating ability when wet. Also, synthetic and silk are lightweight and quick to dry.
Shorts/T-shirts:
These are for hiking comfortably and can be any kind that you choose. Nylon shorts dry (from sweat or rain) much quicker than cotton and can double as swim trunks. One long sleeve and one short sleeve T-shirt are a good combination.
Long pants:
Long pants are useful on cooler hiking days and on buggy evenings around your campsite. They are best if nylon or a cotton/polyester blend. Nylon tends to be lightweight, it dries quickly, and acts as a good barrier to wind in cold weather. Blue jeans are not recommended; they are heavy and will not dry fast.
Insulators:
Long sleeve shirt and long pants- Could be wool, fleece, or a thick flannel. If these items are not available to you, sweat shirts and sweat pants with a pair of nylon pants or rain pants will act as a substitute. Good quality, cheap wool pants (under $10) can often be found at army surplus stores.
Raingear:
Expect rain at some point during your stay here in the Smoky Mountains. Layering of clothes with a rain coat as the outer layer will provide plenty of warmth and wind protection. A good plastic or rubberized rain coat is acceptable. Other more expensive and lighter-weight alternatives are available, such as Gore-Tex&Mac226; or coated nylon. Rain pants are a wonderful luxury if you have them. We do not recommend Ponchos, as they often rip within a few hours of wear and can be very cumbersome while hiking with a pack and going through vegetated areas.
Underwear:
is your business, although one per day should suffice.
Bandannas:
Exceptionally versatile. Can be used as washcloth, dishrag, Kleenex, pot holder, sweatband, etc. They are thinner and dry quicker than a traditional wash cloth.
Camp shoes/wet shoes – Any pair of light-weight shoes with a good sole, or a pair of tough sandals (such as Tevas‰) are good to have for river crossings and for wear after a long day of hiking.
Wool hat, mittens/gloves:
Should be wool or fleece. In cold weather, up to 60% of your body heat can be lost through your head since the blood vessels flow close to the surface of the skin.
Plastic bags:
Plastic bags have a number of important uses. Large, heavy-duty bags (30-55 gallon) can be used as pack covers and as pack liners. Other smaller bags (such as, freezer bags or ziplocks‰) provide convenient protection from rain for clothes, toiletries, cameras, sketchbooks, etc. Extra bags always come in handy for packing out trash and used toiletry items.
Feminine Hygiene:
If there is any doubt as to whether you will need them, then bring them. Staff will not carry extra supplies. These must be packed out, so bring a few extra plastic bags.