Trip Finder
Yosemite
Information for Enrolled Students

Packing List

We’ve provided packing recommendations below; however, equivalent items work just fine. We also offer many items for sale via our online store. These items are marked with an “x” in the appropriate column.
Keep in mind that June and July are still pretty chilly in California – especially on Mt. Shasta! Warm layers are very important, as evening temperatures can dip down in the low 40’s.

Long Underwear / Base Layer Top

Synthetic, non-cotton, medium-weight long sleeve top, 1 hooded sunshirt

Qty: 2
Patagonia Capilene Crew, North Face Wander Sun Hoodie

T-Shirts

Minimum of 2 synthetic, non-cotton t-shirts, other shirts may be cotton

Qty: 6
Patagonia Capilene T-Shirt, Marmot Windridge

Long sleeve Sun shirt

Qty: 1
Patagonia Men’s Tropic Comfort Hoody II

Lightweight Top

Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater, or a full-zip jacket

Qty: 1
Patagonia R1 fleece

Fleece Jacket

Heavy-pile fleece pullover or full zip jacket is good

Qty: 1
Patagonia R2 Jacket

Rain Jacket w/ hood

Must be 100 % waterproof - not water resistant (do not pack a Frogg Togg)

Qty: 1
Patagonia Torrentshell or Marmot Precip

Insulating Jacket

Poly-fill or medium weight down insulating jacket - mandatory for Shasta climb

Qty: 1
Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket

Sports Bra

For girls

Qty: 4

Required Clothing Items

Long Underwear / Base Layer Bottom

Synthetic, non-cotton medium weight long underwear bottoms, one pair can be leggings for girls

Qty: 2
Patagonia Capilene Lightweight/Midweight Bottoms

Rain Pants

100% Waterproof pants large enough to fit over regular pants

Qty: 1

Fleece Pants

Synthetic, non-cotton fleece pants or heavyweight long underwear bottoms

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Pants or Patagonia R1 Pants

Hiking Pants

One pair synthetic, non-cotton hiking pants

Qty: 1
ExOfficio pant

Shorts

Two pair nylon, quick dry shorts

Qty: 3
Patagonia Baggies

Bathing Suit

Boys: your quick-dry shorts can double as your bathing suit

Qty: 1

Underwear

Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are okay)

Qty: 7

Required Clothing Items

Gloves

One pair of medium-weight wool or fleece gloves (Necessary for Mt. Shasta!)

Qty: 1

Glove or Mitten Rainshell

Waterproof cover for gloves - very important!

Qty: 1

Warm Hat

Wool or fleece, non-cotton beanie

Qty: 1

Baseball Hat

A baseball hat or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

Qty: 1

Mosquito Head Net

REQUIRED

Qty: 1

Additional Required Items

Hiking Boots

Heavy or medium weight boots - break them in before arrival!

River Shoes

These can be open-toed, but do need to have a back strap - no flip flops!

Qty: 1
Chaco, Teva, Keen

Tennis Shoes (optional)

One pair of old tennis shoes

Qty: 1

Socks

5 non-cotton midweight hiking socks, other pair of lightweight socks for rock climbing

Qty: 6 Pair
Smartwool or Darn Tough

Gaiters

High / mid-calf length - must have strap to fit under hiking boots; no zippered gaiters, Velcro only!

Qty: 1 Pair
Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters- Men’s

Required Shoes

Duffel Bag

100 – 155 liters

Qty: 1
North Face Base Camp Duffel XL or Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 100 L

Backpack

Internal frame; 65 - 80 liters

Qty: 1

Backpack Cover (waterproof)

Covers your backpack – 2 heavy duty trash bags work well!

Qty: 1

Day Pack

20 – 30 liter daypack /school backpack is fine

Qty: 1
Recommendation: Patagonia Refugio Pack 26 L)

For carrying all of your gear

Sleeping Bag

Synthetic Sleeping Bag Rated 15°- 25° Fahrenheit With a Compression Stuff Sack

Qty: 1

Ground Pad

Insulating Ground Pad

Qty: 1
Therm-a-rest RidgeRest or Therm-a-Rest ProLite)

Your duffel bag needs to be able to fit all of your belongings. Your sleeping bag & ground pad will take up a lot of the room in your duffel, so we encourage you to pack light around those bulky items.

Camp Chair

HIGHLY recommended

Qty: 1
Crazy Creek

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large is ideal

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel

Ground Tarp

Approximately 6' x 9'

Qty: 1

Laundry Bag

Either mesh or other breathable fabric

Qty: 1

Bandana + Buff

For additional sun and wind protection. Buffs are tube-like and can be worn up to 12 different ways providing versatile sun protection. Can even be worn as a headband! (Bring one bandana + 1 buff)

Qty: 2

Whistle

Small, pea less plastic will do

Qty: 1

Wallet

Personal wallet with $200 spending money and valid identification

Qty: 1

Notebook with Pen

For journaling

Qty: 1

Additional required gear

Water Bottles

Minimum 32oz water bottles

Qty: 2
Nalgene 1L wide mouth

Cup with Lid (Optional)

Sturdy plastic or metal; thermal plastic mug is best

Qty: 1
16oz Nalgene wide mouth

Bowl with Lid

Qty: 1
Tupperware or Nalgene

Plastic Spoon

Light My Fire Spork

Qty: 1

Sunglasses

Full Coverage, With 100% UV protection

Qty: 1
Goodr

Sunglasses Holders

Qty: 1
Croakies or Chums

Headlamp

With fresh batteries + 2 sets of spare batteries

Qty: 1
Black Diamond Spot or Black Diamond Storm

Additional Required Items

Notebook with pen

For journaling

Qty: 1

Digital Camera

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Canon Powershot G9 X

Go Pro

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card (Used GoPros available for sale on Moondance Gear Store)

Qty: 1

External charger

Portable charger / power bank to charge camera and GoPro

Qty: 1

Backpacker's Pillow

Backpacker's Pillow

Qty: 1

Carabiner

One non-plastic carabiner

Qty: 1

Personal Protective Equipment: Mask

(2) reusable, breathable masks that completely cover nose and mouth and fit snuggly; Moondance will not provide masks. To be used where it is required by trip location or outfitter.

Qty: 2
Moondance Buff

A Good Book

Paperback books are less bulky

Qty: 1

*Since we don’t allow cell phones during the course of our trips, you may not use your phones as a camera. Leaders will take photos that will be shared at the end of the summer.

Packing Tips

In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost in transit, we want you to be prepared. Therefore, wear tennis or hiking shoes on the plane. Plus, pack the following items from this packing list in your daypack / school backpack carry-on:

  • A change of clothes (underwear + t-shirt + shorts or pants)
  • Your rain jacket
  • Prescription medications & toothbrush
  • ID, money

These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!

Lodging

Sleeping

4-person, single gender tents at frontcountry and backcountry campsites.


Eating

Please bring all personal eating utensils listed on the packing list. Moondance will provide all group cooking gear.

If you have any special dietary restrictions / considerations, please contact the Moondance office for further information.

Flights

Yosemite 1, June 8-June 21, 2024

Arrive
  • Sacramento, CA (SMF)
  • Saturday, June 8, 2024
  • 10AM-1PM
Depart
  • Sacramento, CA (SMF)
  • Friday, June 21, 2024
  • 10AM-1PM

Yosemite 2, June 25-July 8, 2024

Arrive
  • Sacramento, CA (SMF)
  • Tuesday, June 25, 2024
  • 10AM-1PM
Depart
  • Sacramento, CA (SMF)
  • Monday, July 8, 2024
  • 10AM-1PM

Yosemite 3, July 12-July 25, 2024

Arrive
  • Sacramento, CA (SMF)
  • Friday, July 12, 2024
  • 10AM-1PM
Depart
  • Sacramento, CA (SMF)
  • Thursday, July 25, 2024
  • 10AM-1PM

Important Travel Notes:

If you’d like to book your travel through our partnered travel agency, Fly My Group, please follow this link and use the registration code “moondance24” to start the booking process. They are familiar with all Moondance flights.

• Keep in mind the group travels to and from the airport together, so arriving and departing within the specified windows below is very important.

• Remember when booking your child’s flight to allow at least a 2-hour layover in any connecting airport to avoid missed connections or baggage delays

• Ideally, fly direct and depart early to prevent any problems with flight changes and delays.