Hi! Looks like the Smoky Mountain have already gotten the first snow of the year - which reminds me it is time to give you some updated information about the wilderness medicine elective. We've expanded the class from 28 to 32 students due to demand so there continues to be a bit of movement on the waiting list :) 
1) Gear list. I've attached a suggested gear list for the course. Now is a great time to look for online sales and talk to friends and family about borrowing gear - or add things to your christmas wish lists. You do not have to have everything on the list - these are suggestions. The smokies can be warm or VERY cold - lots of layers of synthetic clothing are key - with rain protection. 

2) Travel plans: Please plan to arrive at Camp Wesley Woods on Sunday February 1st. If you a flying please fly into the Knoxville TN airport. We will run shuttles to the airport several times on Sunday. As the elective gets closer I'll need to get travel info from each of you. We could use a couple of those driving to the elective to arrive Saturday evening to help with setup and shuttles :)
Plan to depart from camp on Thursday Feb 26th. We will return from the backpacking portion on Wednesday evening and have an end of course banquet. If you are flying - remember to depart from Knoxville TN airport. We'll do shuttles once again. 

3) Academic Credit: Your institution will need to be willing to award you academic credit for the elective. The elective is recognized as a 4th year elective by Virginia Tech-Carilion SOM, however they do not award credit as this elective is not part of VSAS (visiting elective). You will need to bring any evaluations needed by your school. I will the contact and "preceptor" and am happy to help with any paperwork you need. 

4) Emergency Medicine Residents - Any EM residents attending please contact Frayda
fkresch@maimonidesmed.org as she is working making plans for taking the inservice exam and would like to coordinate with others. 
5) This list serv is the current class roster, plus the organizing committee (Teri, Erin, Liz, Rob, TK, and me (Steph). 
Please let me know if you have any questions!

-Stephanie 

EQUIPMENT LIST

WMS FEBRUARY 2015

You will be comfortable in direct relation to your gear and its quality!

 

 

Travel Mug for coffee/ hot cider in the classroom!

Upper Body Clothing

• Long underwear top (not cotton!)
• 3 to 4 insulating light layers (expedition weight long underwear, fleece jacket, wool sweater or fleece vest)
• heavy sweater or light weight pile or other synthetic material jacket
• Rain/Wind layer (Must be waterproof and fit over most of the other layers!)

Lower Body Clothing

• Long underwear bottoms (not cotton!)
• Insulating layer (fleece, expedition weight long underwear, wool, nylon, or soft shell pants, etc. — not cotton!)
• Lower body shell* (quick dying nylon, wind, or rain pants). Optional but highly recommended
• Regular underwear as needed

Head and Hands Protection

• Warm hat (fleece or wool)
• Baseball or brimmed sun hat
• light liner gloves (polypro)
• medium or heavy weight synthetic gloves and/or #mitten shells (nylon or goretex)

Feet Protection

• 1 to 2 pairs liner socks (thin, synthetic material to protect feet from blisters)
• 3 pairs thick wool and/or synthetic socks
• 1 pair camp shoes (sneakers, tennis shoes, light hiking shoes, etc. – not open-toed sandals)
• 1 pair hiking boots
• gaiters (optional)
• water shoes/boots (optional)
• Yak Traks (optional)

 

Personal Gear

• Sun Protection:  sunglasses, sunblock (SPF 25+), chap stick with SPF
• Small stuff sacks, garbage bags or Ziplocs (to organize and waterproof stuff)
• Hydration System:  2 liter capacity, e.g., water bladder (note possibility of water freezing in exposed area like the straw)
• Pocket knife
• Headlamp (with extra batteries)
• Whistle
• Compass
• Lighter or matches, in Ziploc or waterproof container
• Notebook and pencil
• Map
• Emergency Food and extra clothing

 

Camping Gear

• Internal frame pack (3500-5000 cu. in.)
• pack cover or extra large stout garbage bag to serve that purpose
• Daypack - optional
• ensolite pad or thermorest
• sleeping bag, rated to 20 degrees or warmer, synthetic highly recommended
• Tent
• Tarp (optional)
• Parachute cord

 

Kitchen/Cook Gear

• cup, bowl, plate, utensils
• stove and fuel (to be shared in back pack groups)
• cookset (pan, pot, thermos, spoon, spatula)
• clean-up (scrubby, food filter)
• Hand Sanitizer (Purell)
• water purification system        
• Food (to be determined by each backpack group)

 

Personal Maintenance Kit

• Chapstick, sunblock, sunglasses
• Toothbrush and toothpaste (small travel size recommended)
• Toilet paper and tampons/pads (bring ziploc bags to carry out)
• Contacts, solution, extra glasses
• Medication (let instructors know)
• Bandana
•  2-3 misc sized stuff sacks for organizing
• zip locks
• Washcloth or small towel for cleaning and/or drying
• First Aid Kit
• Waste System (Trowel or Wag Bag)

 

Optional Personal Gear

• Camera and memory (extra or fresh battery for longer trips)
• Crazy creek chair
• Binoculars
• Snacks (candies, nuts, etc.)
• Wet suit
• Neoprene socks or rubber boots

 

Camp Wesley Woods

• Towel
• bedding
• toiletries
• day clothes
• Climbing Gear (optional)