CB17 FAQs

Required Clothing & Gear

Bringing the required clothing on your course is crucial to being prepared for ALL the weather conditions you may encounter. On expedition, you carry a lot less than when you travel in the regular world. The clothing on this list is designed to keep you warm if it is cold or wet and be flexible enough to allow you to pack away items if it is hot. Please bring everything on the list.

Tops

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  • 2+ Long Underwear Tops: Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene, or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Lightweight.
  • 4 Sports Bras: Quick-drying synthetic bras.
  • 4 Synthetic T-Shirts: Can be 50/50 blend of cotton/polyester, but all synthetics dry faster. One could be a tank top.
  • 4 Cotton T-Shirts: Nice for dry weather or for sleeping in.
  • 2 Warm Fleece Jackets or Wool Sweaters: One should be thick: 300-weight Polartec® or the equivalent in wool or pile. The other can be a vest or light jacket. A full front zipper helps you vent and makes layering easier.
  • 1+ Mid-Weight Fleece or Wool Shirt: 100-weight Polartec or equivalent in wool or pile.  A full front zipper helps you vent and makes layering easier.
  • 1 Long-Sleeved, Lightweight Shirt: Old loose-fitting dress shirts are great for sun protection. Thrift stores generally have the best and brightest selection!  Can be cotton.
  • 2 Rash Guard or Swim Shirt: Tight fitting, long-sleeved surf shirt with a UV (UPF, SPF) protection of at least 30.
  • 1 Hooded Rain Jacket: Can be Gore-Tex or coated nylon. Make sure that the seams are taped or welded so they can’t leak.
  • 1 Insulated Jacket: Synthetic (preferred) packable, insulated jacket with a hood. You should be able to layer it over a fleece jacket or sweater. Good for colder weeks of course.

Bottoms

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  • 7-10 pairs Underwear: Synthetic fabrics work best, but cotton is okay.
  • 2+ Long Underwear Bottom: Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene, or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Lightweight.
  • 2 Quick-Dry Pants: Loose-fitting, lightweight nylon fabric dries quickly.
  • 4 Shorts: Loose-fitting, quick-drying athletic shorts.
  • 1 Medium Weight Pant: Mid-weight: 100- or 200-weight Polartec® or the equivalent, or expedition weight long underwear bottoms
  • 1 Rain Pants: 2.5- or 3-layer thickness, made of one of the following waterproofing systems: Gore-tex, eVent, Omni-Tech, Pertex Shield, Porelle Dry, H2No or Proflex. Sized so it can fit layers underneath but also be comfortable worn as a single layer if needed. Make sure that the seams are taped or welded so they can’t leak.

Additional Clothing

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  • 2 Swim Suits: One-piece quick-drying swimsuit, t-shirt and/or sports bra and shorts, or lightweight swim shorts
  • 1 Sarong or large piece of fabric: A length of very light cotton or rayon (3’ x 7’), preferably not white,  to wrap around yourself while changing clothes.  A non-fitted twin bedsheet can be used.
  • 3-4 sets Travel & Base Clothes: Clean clothes for traveling and time spent on base (will not be worn on expedition)

Head, Hands & Feet

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  • 1 Sun Hat: For sun protection, either a broad-brimmed hat with chin strap or a baseball cap.
  • 1 Winter Hat: Make sure it covers your ears when you pull it down. Wool or synthetic only.
  • 1 Head Net: Fine mesh bug net that will fit over your head, to be worn as needed on land.
  • 1 Balaclava: Mid-weight hat that covers the neck; you could also bring another hat and a neck gaiter. Make sure it covers your ears when you pull it down. Wool or synthetic only.
  • 1+ Fleece Glove Liners: Thin fleece or wool gloves that can be worn inside warmer gloves.
  • 1 Winter Gloves or Mittens: Can be wool or fleece. Avoid ski-type gloves where the insulation cannot be removed from the shell for drying.
  • 1 Winter Over-Mitts: Waterproof shell to be worn over your gloves or mittens.
  • 1 Sun Gloves: For blister and sun protection.  Can be light cotton work gloves or fingerless sailing, cycling or weightlifting gloves.
  • 7 pairs Socks: Thick – wool or synthetic only. NO COTTON.
  • 1-2 pairs Liner Socks: Thin synthetic socks that can be layered under thick socks for additional warmth or blister protection.
  • 1 pair Running Socks: synthetic socks.
  • 1 pair Running Sneakers: Full-coverage, below-the-ankle, athletic footwear. Bring extra laces
  • 1 pair Neoprene Boots/Socks: Either a pair of booties with a sneaker-like sole, OR neoprene socks to wear inside sneakers in water.
  • 1 pair Crocs (or similar): Closed-cell resin clogs with partial foot coverage, drainage and ventilation holes, and a heel strap.
  • 1 pair Backpacking Boots: As described in the Boot Guide below.

Personal Items

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  • 1 Headlamp & Batteries: Minimum three volts (two or more AA- or AAA-batteries). Bring one set of alkaline batteries per week of course.  Preferred: a style that offers a red-light mode for preserving night vision.
  • 2 Water Bottles: 32 oz. water bottle. Wide-mouth makes filling easier.
  • 1 Pack Towel: A synthetic, wringable towel, also called a chamois, a sports towel or a swimmer’s towel. No cotton.
  • Watch: Make sure it’s waterproof and inexpensive. Stopwatch, light, and alarm are useful functions. Smart watches are NOT permitted on the course.
  • Sunglasses: Bring a strap to hold them on and a hard-sided case to protect them when you’re not wearing them.
  • 1+ Journal/Notebook + Pens: Personal journal or notebook, put in a Ziploc with pen. You may want to take notes during your course. (5″ x  8  1/2″ or smaller.)
  • Spoon & Bowl: Spoon can be metal or plastic (bring an extra spoon if possible). Bowl can be wood or tough plastic; having a secure lid for it is preferred.
  • 2-3 Bandannas: Useful for cleaning sunglasses, as pot holders, and more.
  • 3-4 Plastic Bags: Gallon-sized Ziploc®-type with a closure for keeping things dry or separating wet items
  • Basic Toilet Kit: Toothbrush, small trial-size toothpaste, floss, comb or brush, foot powder, biodegradable soap, hand sanitizer, anti-fungal cream, zinc oxide and aloe vera gel. Don’t bring deodorant or makeup.  Bring 3 months’ -worth of supplies–either bring 1 set of small trial sized bottles and large bottles for multiple refills or enough small trial sized bottles for 1 month.  There will be a chance to buy more toiletries before traveling to the Bahamas.
  • 1-2 Hand Sanitizers: Pocket sized squeeze bottle of hand sanitizer
  • Course End Toiletries: Towel, soap and shampoo, deodorant, etc. for the course end shower and to prep for travel home.
  • Disposable Menstrual Products: An ample supply. Changes in diet and activity can produce changes in cycles. Bring a 3-month supply.
  • 4 Reef Safe Sunscreen: 8-oz, minimum SPF 30.  Do not bring aerosol sprays.
  • 2 Lip Balm: Minimum SPF 30.
  • 1 Insect Repellent: Bring a small unbreakable container, 10-50% DEET.  And/or Avon Skin So Soft. Do not bring aerosol sprays.
  • 1 Medium Dry Bag: Lightweight  in a variety of sizes from 10-20 liters
  • 2-3 Small Dry Bags: Lightweight in a variety of sizes from 4-10 liters
  • 1+ Locking Carabiner: A load bearing Carabiner with a screw or auto locking gate for attaching personal gear to boats or packs.
  • 1 set Mask, Snorkel, & Fins: Does not need to be designed for scuba diving – a simple snorkeling set that fits your body (face for the mask, feet for the fins) is all that is needed.
  • 1 Daypack: A small backpack or book bag for travel and basecamp time.
  • 2 sets Prescription Medication (if needed): MUST be in original bottles or vials. The extra set is just in case the medication gets lost or damaged.
  • Eyeglass System (if needed): Bring a hard case and a keeper strap for your glasses. Bring two pairs, or a pair of contacts and your glasses.
  • Insurance Card: If you have health insurance, please bring your card, or a clear photocopy of both sides of it.
  • $200 Cash, or a Credit/Debit Card: For medical emergencies, personal use or to pay for lost or damaged gear. T-shirts may be available for sale at the end of your course. Students should not travel with more than $200 in cash.
  • Passport: You must bring a valid passport with an expiration date of at least 6 months AFTER the date of your return flight home. Every student not coming from the Americas or a European Union country should consult the following web site to ensure that they meet immigration requirements for Bahamas: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/the-bahamas.html
  • 2 copies of Passport & Itinerary: Make two copies of each. Leave one set at home and bring the other with you to the course.

HTML Table

Table

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Quantity Item Description
1 Fleece jacket or pullover, medium weight To keep you warm when not active in camp, should be warm enough to be worn alone but thin enough to fit under an outer layer like a rain jacket
1 Long sleeve shirt (base layer) Worn closest to skin, snug fitting, to provide warmth
2 Long sleeve shirt, light weight Button up is preferred, worn over other clothing to protect from biting insects and sun


THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE.
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