KROKA EXPEDITIONS

2024 FULL CIRCLE WINTER SEMESTER PACKING LIST DOWNLOAD

EXPLANATION OF PACKING LIST OPTIONS:

* BRING (You need to acquire–buy or borrow–this item on your own. Need help or advice? Feel free to call us!)

* BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA (you need to acquire this on your own OR you can purchase it from Kroka in advance)

* BRING OR RENT FROM KROKA (you need to acquire this on your own OR you can rent it from Kroka in advance)

*BRING OR BORROW FROM KROKA (bring it if you have it; do NOT purchase this; you can borrow this item from Kroka if you do not already own it)

* REQUIRED PURCHASE (no need for you to do anything; we will automatically add this item to your invoice)

* REQUIRED RENTAL (no need for you to do anything; we will automatically add this item to your invoice)

* OPTIONAL (this item is optional for you to bring if you want)

HOW DO I PURCHASE OR RENT FROM KROKA?

Use the SHOP button on your portal to place your order OR Contact our store manager Linda, at 603-835-9087; office@kroka.org. Please note that supplies are limited - do not wait until the last minute!

BEFORE YOU BUY SOMETHING NEW, SEND US A PHOTO OF WHAT YOU HAVE OR WHAT YOU’RE THINKING OF PURCHASING.

CLOTHING

___ SHORT SLEEVE SHIRTS (2) BRING
2 cotton short sleeve shirts that will get very well worn. Please be mindful of the graphics and logos you choose to represent!

___ Long-sleeve wool/thermal shirt (2) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA
1 lightweight wool thermal baselayer; 1 heavyweight thermal or fine gauge wool sweater that is comfortable directly on skin. These can be blends but must NOT contain cotton. The more wool the better (and less stinky). Some recommended brands: Ridge, Minus 33, & merino wool crew necks from your thrift store. Kroka Store offers 200-weight wool by Woolpower.

___ Sweaters (2) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA
One packable for expedition; one optional for basecamp. Expedition mid-weight fleece, lightweight wool sweater, or button-down wool shirt is appropriate. Kroka Store offers 400-weight wool by Woolpower.

___ Insulated Jacket (1) BRING
Warm, mountaineering-style down or synthetic with hood, and some bum covering. Should fit OVER your sweater and layers. If you run cold, add a down or wool vest. If you have something that you think may work, send us a photo! Examples: DAS parka or the Fitz Roy Down Hoody.

___ Shorts (1) BRING
Quick-dry, synthetic shorts.

___ Long underwear wool/thermal bottoms (2) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA
1 mid-weight (200), and 1 light-weight (100). 1 must be wool; 1 can be fleece or synthetic, but NOT thin spandex leggings. Wool is still best & least stinky!! Refer to wool tops for brand recommendations. Kroka Store carries 200-weight wool by Woolpower.

___ Work Pants (1) BRING
Durable. Examples: old jeans that can layer and can get beat up, Dovetails, Carharts, overalls, or Patagonia Canvas Double Knee Pants

___ Rain or shell pants (1) BRING
Must be waterproof, packable and durable. Example: Patagonia Torrentshell Pants. Snow pants are not part of the winter equipment layering system, no insulated shells.

___ Dress clothes (1) BRING
A nice all-season set of clothing for events, presentations, contra dances, and other more formal dress up occasions. Button-down shirt, dress pants, cardigans, dress or skirt, nice shoes. No jeans or work pants.

___ Bathing Suit (1) BRING
Shorts and sports bras can double as bathing suit, as appropriate.

___ Lightweight long-sleeve sun-shirt (1) BRING
Light colored. For the spring expedition sun and bug protection. Button-up collared shirts and cotton work fine.

___ Wool Socks (6) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA
Wool, various thicknesses. Example: Darn Tough, available from Kroka’s Camp Store

___ Underwear (4-8) BRING
Eight pairs recommended for menstruating bodies. At least half need to be wool or quick dry (but wool is still better and still less stinky). Underwear and socks are our most important hygiene supports!

___ Sports Bra (2-3) BRING
If applicable. Quick-dry, wool or synthetic.

___ Sun hat (1) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA
If you sunburn easily, it should be wide-brimmed. Otherwise, a baseball cap will suffice. Kroka store carries US-made baseball cap.

___ Winter hat (2) BRING

One mid-weight, warm hat; one lightweight. Wool or synthetic. Should be able to layer both together.

___ Neck warmer (1) BRING
Wool neck warmer. Example: Buff Merino Wool Neckwarmer

___ Insulated leather work gloves (1) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA

Rigorous use during the semester will likely wear out. Example: Kinko lined winter leather gloves. Alternately, consider purchasing Vermont Glove work gloves from Kroka’s Camp Store. They will last a much longer time, and can be worn with glove liners (below).

___ Glove liners (1) BRING

Thin, lightweight wool/fleece/nylon glove for ski practice.

___ Mitten liners (1) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA

Knitted wool or wool blend mittens. These will be used with mitten shells (provided) on expedition. Handknits are great! So are old, re-purposed sweater mittens (think Bernie Sanders’ iconic mittens). Kroka Store offers 400- weight Woolpower mittens and is working on sourcing a US-made version (stay tuned!).

___ Running Shoes (1) BRING

___ Water Sport sandals (1) BRING

Must be secure on your feet to withstand the rigors of a paddling expedition. Example: Chacos with a toe loop (Z2s with water soles) or Keens. In addition, you may bring neoprene water shoes and/or socks for early spring paddling.

___ Lightweight rubber boots (1) BRING

For the spring expeditions wet weather and farm chores. Knee-high, flexible, lightweight, compact and packable (No neoprene boots).

___ Insulated waterproof winter boots (1) BRING

These must have removable liners for easy drying and should weigh less than 4.5 lbs/pair. We highly recommend Kamik Icebreakers (or alternate Kamik models “forester” or “hunter”) as an affordable, durable, warm boot. You can’t get better.

GEAR

___ Sleeping bag (1) BRING

Synthetic or down, rated 15-25 degrees F (depending on how warm you sleep).
Mummy style bag that weighs less than 4 LBS.

___ Insulated sleeping pad (1) BRING, RENT OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA

X therm from Thermarest or Exped Dura8R. Must have a minimum R value of 7.

___ Petzl Actik Core USB-rechargeable headlamp (1) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM

KROKA. This specific item is required. Kroka Camp Store carries them. We have extra rechargeable batteries as part of our group gear, so our lights last for the duration of our expeditions and all batteries are interchangeable.

___ Orienteering/field Compass (1) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA

Not fancy; should be priced under $30.

___ Watch (1) BRING
Digital or analog, but no smart watches, PLEASE!

___ Water bottle (1) BRING

Wide-mouth, insulated 32-oz stainless steel water bottle. Example: The Liquid Savvy.

___ Sunglasses (1) BRING

Polarized is recommended for snow and water. Please do not spend $ on expensive sunglasses! Goodr makes inexpensive, durable, polarized glasses.

___ Ski Goggles (1) OPTIONAL

___ Match container (1) BRING

A screw-top pill bottle works well.

___ Carabiner (1) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA

For holding your water bottle. Any kind is fine, even one from the hardware store!

___ Cross-country skate skiing gear BRING OR BORROW FROM KROKA

Please do NOT go out and buy this if you don't already own them. For pre-expedition practice; bring skate skis, boots and poles.

___ Ice Skates (1) BRING or BORROW FROM KROKA

For training in January.

___ Small day pack (20-40 liters) (1) BRING

This pack will be used to carry your belongings around campus, and also used while bikepacking. Make sure it is comfortable to wear for days (weeks!) at a time and is a minimum 20 liters. Consider a bag with a chest strap for comfort.

PERSONAL & ACADEMIC SUPPLIES

___ Toothbrush (2) BRING

___ Toothpaste powder or toothpaste (1) BRING

All natural, please

___ Hairbrush or comb (1) BRING

Compact/ lightweight

___ Bath towel or Sarong (1) BRING
Medium (not full ) bath towel, sarong is a versatile alternative.

___ Glasses (2) BRING

(If applicable) If you need them, please bring glasses only (not contacts).
You will need a case and safety strap. Please bring a spare pair.

___ Menstrual supplies (5 months worth) BRING

(If applicable.) Consider re-usable, but not menstrual underwear (difficult to dry).
Examples: Diva Cup, and reusable cloth pads.

___ Bandana (2) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA

For many uses. Kroka Store offers a variety, all US-made.

___ Mug (1) BRING

Your favorite tea mug for use at the Kroka farmhouse during basecamp.

___ Instrument OPTIONAL

Let’s play music! Bring whatever you play!

___Academic Journal (2) BRING OR PURCHASE FROM KROKA

Journals will be used every day for academic class and personal journaling. You will be writing, drawing, and recording observations in this journal; for this reason, we recommend blank journals, however, if lines or a grid would help you be more organized, please make the choice that works for you! Journals need to have a hard cover (easy to write on without any external support), be well-bound and sturdy, and be between 8.5" x 9" - 9" x 9" (approximately).

___ Pencils to share (5) BRING

___ Pens to share (6) BRING

___ Colored Pencils to share (1 set of no more than 12) BRING

___ Eraser to share (1) BRING

Drawing pencil quality

___ Letter writing supplies to share (15+) BRING

A minimum of 15 stamped envelopes

___ Watercolors to share OPTIONAL

Bring supplies if you paint!

REQUIRED PURCHASES (no need for you to do anything; we will automatically add this item to your invoice)

There are a number of required purchases, as stated in your financial acceptance form. These range from educational supplies and travel fees to craft supplies. Relevant to the packing list, the following items of clothing are Required Purchases, will be given to each student on arrival day, and are all embroidered with the Kroka logo. Please be sure you've filled out the Clothing Size form in your portal.

Rain jacket
Quick-dry pants

REQUIRED RENTALS (no need for you to do anything; we will automatically add this item to your invoice)

The following packages are Required Rentals. This gear is expedition specific, which is why Kroka insists on providing it. The rental cost covers the cost of the depreciation and repair of the equipment.

Arctic Warmth Package: Includes overbag (adds warmth to your personal sleeping bag), gaiters, winter anorak, and shell mittens (similarly, adds warmth and waterproofing to mittens and gloves).
Expedition Ski Package: Includes backcountry skis, bindings, boots and poles.
Expedition Backpack: Large volume, sturdy expedition backpack. These are made by Osprey for expedition programs and are simply the best. DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN EXPEDITION BACKPACK.

A NOTE ABOUT CHOOSING PRODUCTS: As consumers we vote with our spending habits. Sometimes choices are limited due to budget constrictions, but when possible please reduce your footprint by choosing socially and environmentally responsible companies. (For example: when choosing clothing, we prefer Patagonia and Wool Power, because they are two of the most responsible manufacturers.)

We value the reuse and resale of outdoor gear when possible and appropriate. Please consider scouring Wornwear, GearTrade, Poshmark, Ebay, ThreadUp, and Outdoor Gear Exchange for gently used clothing and gear. And finally, start hitting the thrift stores! They are a great place to find wool and many of the items on this packing list, but it may take a couple trips of sifting and digging to find the gold.