What To Pack For A Therapy Excursion
Being prepared is an essential part of our therapeutic excursions. Because of the ways in which we’ve designed these excursions, which centers around a mix of wilderness based activities and cultural experiences, knowing what to expect and how to be prepared is really important to get the most out of these experiences. As the Scandinavians say, “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.”
In this guide, we would like to give you a sense of what kind of equipment and clothing you would need for one of our excursions.
This list will not be an exhaustive one, but instead will be a general guide to help get your mind prepared for what could be needed. The reason for this is because each of our excursions are designed with different environments in mind and have vastly different itineraries with diverse activities. For example, what you would pack for our trips to Peru will not be the same as what you would pack for our trips to Costa Rica, or even Colorado or Utah.
Our ethos around what to pack derives from our experiences as seasoned backpackers, wilderness guides, world travelers and adventures. We place a strong emphasis on preparing and packing with the mindset of functionality, simplicity and a lack of excess.
We believe this type of mindset is essential for the types of traveling we will be doing - we want you to be prepared for an itinerary that would have you trekking in high mountain ranges, or white water rafting class III/IV rapids, and then cruising through cobblestone streets and enjoying a cuisine at a local restaurant in the evening.
In this list, I will also provide you with some links for the gear or clothing
Backpack
45-55 liter - having the right type of backpack is vital. It will be the backbone of your gear. You will be using this as your luggage, as well as your backpack for some of the activities we will be doing, especially on the trips that we incorporate multiday treks. You’ll want one that offers enough space for multiple days of travel, but offers versatility and lightweight options. Below are a couple of brands that have proven to make some of the best backpacks in the worlds and are tried and true.
Daypack
(Optional) Having a day pack can be a wonderful accessory to have when you don’t want to lug around a big backpack, especially for those city days of travel. There are options out there that are extremely portable and packable, that can be added into your main backpack as you travel, but then used when your gear is staying put and you need something that allows you to bring some water, snacks, a jacket or baselayer.
Shoes/Footwear
Trail runners or lightweight midsize or full hiking boots. I should emphasize here that trail runners are excellent options that double as both hiking shoes and casual walking around. They are durable, lightweight and you can find ones that offer waterproof (Gore-Tex) options. However, some people like the option of having a full hiking boot that goes above the ankle for greater support. These would be considered if we were doing high alpine trekking in mountainous terrain. But trail runners work great too! With so many options these days, and a variety of fits, its best to get out there to a store like REI and try some on. But we’ll share with you some of our favorite brands
Sandals/Crocs/Chacos
From kicking around basecamps, to lounging on the beach, having lightweight options is important. Chacos, as well as Tevas, have been go to footwear for many wilderness adventures, because they offer such versatility, durability and comfort.
Headlamp
Never leave home without some type of light source! Headlamps are far superior then flashlights in terms of versatility and ease of use, especially as it frees up your hands while still giving you the light you need.
Hats
Headwear can be your best friend on those super sunny days on the mountains, or rainy days in the jungle. Not to mention, they’re great for hiding that bedhead or when you just don’t care about doing that hair. It’s recommended to bring a hat you don’t mind getting a bit dirty
Rain Jacket
Regardless of the itinerary, environment or country we are traveling in, having a rain jacket is essential. There is a plethora of rain jackets out there, offering up different fabrics and materials, but choosing one with either Gore-Tex or high level DWR (Durable Water Repellent) can be the difference between staying dry or wet, which can really impact ones mood, or even vulnerability to cold weather exposure. Here is a blog that offers up some insights into what you should consider when thinking about buying a rain jacket, as well as recommendations.
Hygiene Kit
Having a small bag to keep your bathroom/shower essentials, but is still lightweight and durable is important. Saving weight without loss of comfort or necessity is part of our ethos of preparation. Even down to things you may not have considered, like the hygiene kit. Below you’ll find a couple examples of kits we recommend.
Stuff Sacks
Organization is key! Using small, lightweight and durable stuff sacks can help keep your clothes organized, even separating the dirty from the clean makes all the difference! Some options of stuff sacks even come as a “compression” sack, which gives the ability to compress your clothes down into the smallest unit possible. This helps save precious space in your bag.
Travel Pillow
(Optional) Having a lightweight pillow can be a lifesaver. From the plane, to car and train rides, getting a comfortable power nap is a great option with a pillow in tow. There are ultralight and super packable inflatable options, to foam density pillows that packs up relatively small. Always consider however, how much space it will take up. Or, maybe you know yourself and having a pillow is an essential item. Below is a list of pillow options that REI offers
These are just some of the basic stuff to consider for any of our excursions!
When you choose to join us on one of our trips, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of items that you will need, that will be targeted directly to the duration of the trip, what activities we will be doing, and what kind of weather you may encounter along the way. This will alter the amount and type of clothing you will pack.
In terms of preparation of items for the therapeutic portion of the trips, plan on bringing just a few things:
Small lightweight Journal
Pen
Open mind, curiosity, excitement and willingness to jump in and get dirty!
Additionally, we will be doing a pre-trip consultation with each traveler to ensure we have a comprehensive medical background. This would include the results of the latest physical you have had, and any current medications you are currently taking. We want to ensure that these things are covered. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding medical issues.
