This Yosemite trip is an OATS favorite destination. We’ll be headed to this spectacular national park for 6 days, but will avoid the crowds and sight of vehicles by basing ourselves out of Hetch Hetchy. This northern section of the park provides us with the amazing scenery, miles of remote trails and plenty of lakes, mountains and meadows to explore. This trip is great for you whether you’ve never been to Yosemite or whether you grew up visiting the valley each year as a child.
Day 1: Meet your group at 1:00pm on campus, Group Introductions, Gear check, Drive to Yosemite and stay at a trailhead campsite, Learn basic camping skills
Day 2: Take down camp and head into the backcountry. Explore area lakes and trails while learning leave-no-trace skills. Choose backcountry campground for the evening, and practice backcountry cooking.
Day 3 – 5: Take down camp and continue backcountry hiking, Enjoy the lighter packs with less food in them while exploring remote trails, Choose a new backcountry campground for each evening.
Day 6: Take down camp, Hike out to trailhead, Pack up gear into vans, Return to Berkeley in the afternoon, Return group gear. Wrap up by 5:00pm
There’s no problem if this is your first time hiking and camping, as long as you know what you’re getting into. Students will be required to carry packs of up to 1/3 of your body weight of personal and group gear while hiking at a moderate pace. Daily hikes will range from 4-10 miles on backcountry trails and include regular breaks to check in with each group member. This trip will be a little more strenuous than the Big Sur OATS trip due to the topography of Yosemite National Park however it is still suitable for first time backpackers.
This packing list includes the clothing you are wearing upon arrival to meet up with your group. Please note we will be able to provide storage for one small duffel bag to be left in Berkeley.
Camping Gear
Hiking Boots: make sure they are comfortable, sturdy, and broken-in. Good ankle support is critical.
Sleeping bag: Synthetic. No cotton bags. Must be rated to 30° or colder. equipment into kayaks, Paddle to a boat-in beach campground to stay the next two evenings.
Sleeping pad: Ensolite or Thermarest (closed-cell foam)
Backpack 4,000 – 5,000 cubic inch capacity- internal frame preferred. (should fit all your personal gear with space for group gear and food)
2 one liter water bottles (Nalgenes, Sports Drink Bottles, etc.) If you choose to bring a camelback, that’s great but please still bring one water bottle as well.
Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries, size AA or AAA.
Small Mug/Cup, Bowl and Spoon (sturdy plastic Tupperware works great)
Large heavy duty trash bag (compactor bags work best) or rain cover for your pack and gear
Clothing: Upper Body
Long underwear top (synthetic/polypropylene)
2-3 t-shirts (non cotton preferred)
Mid-weight fleece/wool shirt
1 heavy-weight fleece jacket/wool sweater (should be able to be worn over your mid-weight layer)
1 waterproof rain jacket (with hood)
Clothing: Lower Body
1 pair long underwear bottoms (synthetic/polypropylene)
3 pairs underwear
1 pair nylon shorts
1 pair fleece or wool pants for cold weather (no cotton sweat pants)
1 pair lightweight pants- nylon wind pants work great.
1 pair rain pants (waterproof layer)
2 pairs of wool or synthetic socks for hiking
Optional: 1 pair Polypropylene thin liner socks (recommended for those who are new to hiking and not sure if they are fine without them — they help prevent blisters)
Personal Camping Gear
In camp shoe: old sneakers work best — no flip flops please.
Lightweight gloves (wool, polyester, or polypropylene).
Sun hat (baseball cap or broad-brimmed hat).
Warm hat (wool or fleece, not cotton).
1 extra medium stuff sack, for storing food.
Personal hygiene items, toothbrush, toothpaste (travel size).
1 bandanna or washcloth for personal hygiene use.
Sunglasses (with retention strap), sunscreen and lip balm – sunscreen and lip balm should be at least SPF 30.
Eyewear: Glasses (w/ hard protective case), extra contact lenses, contact solution (travel size), contact case.
Extra supply of prescription medications (i.e. asthma inhalers)
Insect repellent.
$40 cash for two meals on the road. One meal for each day of travel.
Optional: 1 extra stuff sack.
Optional Items
hacky-sack, playing cards, notebook/pen, camera (be aware, digital cameras do not handle water and sand well. If you would like to bring a camera, waterproof disposable cameras are the best for a trip like this)
Separate small duffel labeled with your name and safely stored on campus until your return.
Clean change of clothes.
Any paperwork needed for move-in.
Wallet
Other toiletries needed upon return (medicines, shampoo, soap, lotion).
Phone
Please Do Not Bring
Electronics: I-PODS, Cell Phones, CD Players, etc. (phones approved for use in car ride only
Perfume / Cologne
Other expensive items you would be upset to lose or have break.
Should you prefer to fill out a paper application you can download a Registration Form, complete it and return it to the Rec Sports Customer Service Center at the Recreational Sports Facility, 2301 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94720-4420 or fax it to (510) 642.8343.
