Backcountry crews hike in all their gear a few miles to make camp in remote locations near their project work. They need to pack light and leave some room in their pack for some group gear and food as well.
Check out this video of Kelsey, SECC's Program Director, backing her backcountry bag. (this is for backcountry gear - not frontcountry)

WE HAVE LOANER GEAR!!!

Items marked with a red asterisk below are things we have available to loan out. Please ask if there is anything else that you need, as we may be able to get more loaner items as needed!

​Required Gear

  • Backpacking pack (65-80L)*
  • Day pack (20-35L)*
  • Two pairs of long work pants (no big rips/holes; Dickies or Carhartts are a good choice, jeans with stretch are not recommended, overalls or coveralls are acceptable)
  • ​Sturdy work/hiking boots (needs to reach over your ankle and be mostly leather, steel toes not recommended)(Chainsaw crew members, see the "Chainsaw Crews" tab for extra boot requirements!)​
  • Rain jacket
  • Tent*
  • Sleeping bag* (rated to at least 0°F for spring & fall crews; sleeping bag liners are helpful)
  • Sleeping pad*
  • Headlamp*
  • Several pairs of wool or synthetic socks (avoid cotton at all costs!)
  • Fleece, wool, or synthetic jacket/sweater
  • As much underwear as you think you’ll need​
  • Reusable water bottles* (4 liters total capacity, plastic recommended because it's lighter, water bladders like CamelBaks are great, but bring at least one bottle to have around at meals and stuff)
  • Tupperware/storage container (to pack lunch)
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush/comb, feminine hygiene products, biodegradable wet wipes, any prescription or over the counter medications you normally need)
  • Watch with alarm or any alarm that is not your phone

Spring/Fall Crews Additional Required Gear

  • One or two pairs of wool, synthetic, or silk long underwear tops and bottoms
  • More than one fleece, wool, or synthetic jacket/sweater
  • Warm hat
  • ​Warm gloves or mittens

​​  Recommended Gear

  • Camp clothes: comfortable clothing to change into at the end of the work day. No offensive graphics please.
  • Warm Hat and Gloves
  • Camp Shoes: Highly recommended! A pair sandals or comfy shoes to change into at the end of the workday. Let those feet breath!
  • Sandals: NO FLIP FLOPS. Good to have if camped near water. Shoes are required in water, and sandals with a back strap are a good option.
  • Shorts and/or bathing suit. Modest.
  • Long Sleeve Work Shirt: to protect you from the sun.
  • Hat with a brim: baseball hat, visor, or other brimmed hat for shade.
  • Sunglasses
  • Bandanna or Washcloth
  • Small Pocket Knife or multi tool. No blades over 3 inches.
  • Ziploc Bags: for food storage and for keeping personal items dry and organized.
  • Sewing kit or patch kit
  • Camp chair: something packable, such as a crazy creek or similar camp chairs.
  • Personal First Aid Kit: Small kit of personal supplies to supplement the crew first aid kit provided by SECC.
  • Sleeping Bag Liner: A liner for your sleeping bag can boost the warmth rating by a few degrees. Some people also like to have a sleeping bag liner as they are easier to wash than the sleeping bag itself, and can help keep your bag clean.

Fun Items

  • Books or other reading material
  • Cards or small games
  • Camera
  • Journal, pens and pencils, postage stamps
  • Musical instruments

Not Recommended Gear

  • Non-biodegradable products (they must be packed out, which means you have to take the trash with you). If you bring non-biodegradable wipes or plan to use disposable menstrual products, we recommend you bring a Ziploc bag covered in duct tape and with a little baking soda inside to store the discarded items.

Prohibited Gear

  • Drugs & alcohol
  • Firearms, fireworks, or explosives
  • Knives with blades over 3” long
  • Clothing with inappropriate or offensive graphics
Backcountry Pack
Backcountry packs are NOT required for all crews, or for all projects. On frontcountry projects, a large duffle bag that can hold all of your gear will work. If you are looking to purchase a backcountry pack, you should consider one with a capacity of 70-90 liters. If you have the chance to try packs on in person, it is highly recommended to do so! Find the pack that fits you best and is comfortable with weight in it. Internal frame packs are recommended. Osprey, Kelty, and Gregory are a few good brands to look into, and all have good warranties.
Daypack
All crews are required to have a daypack. This is a backpack that will hold all of your water (at least 1½ gallons), food, and rain gear for the day. Finding a pack that is comfortable is important. There are many great brands of daypacks, a few good ones include: Kelty, Ospray, Gregory, REI, Deuter, etc. A pack with a waist strap is recommended, as it helps reduce strain on your shoulders.
Work Pants
Work pants should be durable canvas or denim that will hold up hiking, bending, squatting, and more. Consider brands such as Dickies, Arborwear, Dovetail, Ben Davis, or Carhartts. Women's pants can be especially challenging to find, but you can look into Red Ant Pants, Gamine Workwear, Dovetail Workwear, as well as women specific Carharts and Dickies.
Work Boots
Work boots/hiking boots do not need to be all-leather, but do need to have a sturdy toe and cover your ankle. A steel toe is not required. When shopping for boots, trying them on in person is highly recommended! Consider that you may be asked to hike many miles in these shoes, so comfort is key. Consider brands such as Vasque, Asolo or Scarpa, but any brand that fits the requirements and is comfortable will be fine. If you are purchasing new boots, try to break them in as much as possible before your first day. Also consider bringing moleskin or athletic tape to help mitigate blisters.
Sleeping Pad
You should have an insulating foam or inflatable sleeping pad such as a Therm-a-Rest or Ridge Rest. Therm-a-Rest, or other inflatable pads have the advantage of being lightweight and compact, but the disadvantage is that it's easy to puncture. Be sure to bring a patch kit with you if you use an inflatable pad. Do NOT bring an air mattress! They are easily damaged, and do not keep you warm.

Some folks double-up on the sleeping pads, and will bring both a foam and an inflatable mattress to stack on top of one another. This can be especially cozy during colder months, since it will add an additional layer of insulation.
Acceptable Water Bottles