The weather can change in a few minutes at Sellars Creek Ranch, especially in June. It's important that everyone is prepared for heat, cold, rain, hail, fog and even snow (although that would be rare this time of year). Even in summer the ranch can get intense rain storms and cold nights. Below is the list of items we feel will ensure a comfortable trek experience.
Because of weight and space limitations we are each limited in the amount and type of gear we can bring. You will need the following items:
Place the following personal items in your 5 gallon bucket (Home Depot) marked with your name:
-1 pair of water shoes (or something you don’t mind getting wet & muddy, but NO flip flops)
-1 rain poncho or rain coat
-1 pair work gloves for pulling the handcarts
-1 small hand soap
-1 small hand towel/wash cloth
-1 comb/brush
-Deodorant
-Toothpaste/toothbrush
-Flashlight or headlamp
-Book of Mormon
-1 pen or pencil
-Contacts or glasses as needed
-Comfortable clothes for the bus ride home (you do not need to wear pioneer clothes going home)
- Plastic camping plate, fork, knife and cup for each meal. We will not be using paper products for meals.
Place the following items and clothes in a duffel bag marked with your name:
-A sleeping bag
-A small pillow
-A compact Sleeping pad
-A warm coat (that you don’t mind getting dirty)
Male Clothing:
-2 long sleeved shirts (flannel or cotton/ no t-shirts)
-1-2 long trousers (wool or cotton or quick drying)
-1 pioneer/western wide-brimmed hat (no ball caps)
-3 sturdy walking/hiking socks
Shoes: Comfort is most important! All trekkers should bring well broken-in shoes. Sturdy running or walking shoes are recommended. Do not wear hiking boots unless you have taken at least 2 months to break them in.
-2 changes of underwear
-1 pair warm sleepwear (sweats/sweatshirt)
-Bike shorts or boxer shorts to prevent chafing while walking
-Beanie/knit hat for sleeping
Shirts: Men’s shirts were worn loose. Plain colors were common, but stripes or plaids were also used. Light colors will be coolest. Choose something larger than a regular fit, with LONG sleeves. You may find an old shirt from your grandpa’s or dad’s closet. Maybe even your own closet. To make it look more like a pioneer, a simple method of trimming/cutting the collar and picking the pocket off with a seam ripper can be shown to you. (view sample shirts on website)
Pants: Pants were also worn loose. Cotton pants work great. Colors can include blue, black, gray, browns, especially beige and tan. Choose rather loose fitting through the crotch and thigh area to add comfort in walking. As a reminder, no jeans are to be worn.
Hats: Men’s everyday hats ranged from cowboy hats, straw hats, wide brimmed low felt hats, or round crowned hat. Don’t wear a baseball hat. A hat is strongly encouraged to avoid sunburn
Vests (optional): If desired, thrift stores are a great option to find a vest. Vests can also be sewn.
Most every clothing item on the men’s clothing list can be found at a second-hand store, borrowed, or right out of their own closet.
Female Clothing:
-1-2 pioneer dressed or skirts (mid-calf)
-1-2 long sleeve blouses
-Bloomers or light cotton pj pants to prevent dust and dirt
-Bike shorts to prevent chafing while walking
-1 bonnet (optional) or wide brimmed hat
-1 apron (optional)
-3 sturdy walking/hiking socks
Shoes: Comfort is most important! All trekkers should bring well broken-in shoes. Sturdy running or walking shoes are recommended. Do not wear hiking boots unless you have taken at least 2 months to break them in.
-2 changes underwear
-1 pair warm sleepwear
-Beanie/knit hat for sleeping
-Feminine hygiene supplies (as needed)
Dresses: Back then, women wore floor length dresses, some with ruffles. The sleeves were full, and long, with buttons or bands at the wrist. Necklines were usually high, with buttons up the front. Fabrics were cotton in solid colors or small print.
Experienced pioneer trekkers today have found that dresses or skirts should be mid-calf to just above ankle in length. This helps the women to not trip over their skirts while pulling.
Skirt & Blouse: Long skirts & Blouses were also worn by pioneers. Solid or print fabric skirts can be sewn for a very low price. Blouses of all colors can be found at any second-hand store (or even in your own closet). A simple method of cutting the collar off will make any blouse a pioneer style.
Spandex shorts / Exercise leggings: It is strongly recommended to wear longer spandex shorts or exercise leggings under skirts or dresses to avoid chaffing. Bloomers were worn in the pioneer days and can also be worn.
If interested in sewing a dress, skirt, bonnet or apron, many pattern options can be found online.
Aprons are strongly encouraged: The standard apron was six to twelve inches shorter than the skirt length. It gathered at the waist and tied. Daytime aprons were made of calico remnants. Sunday aprons were made from white fabric and did not have a bib. For trekking today, large deep pockets are helpful to carry things along the trail
For trekking today, large deep pockets are helpful to be able to carry different by along the trail. An apron can be made out of a pillowcase or there are patterns available.
Bonnets or hat: Women wore bonnets whenever they were outside. They were made of cotton with a deep stiffened brim and back ruffle to protect the neck. They could be white, plain colors or a print, but they never matched the fabric of the dress. A hat straw hat or wide brimmed hat can also be worn. A hat or bonnet are important on trek to give protection from the sun. If windy, bonnets or hats with ties are helpful because they are secure.
The good news is that Sellars Creek spray's for mosquitos which significantly reduces their numbers. They have also said that ticks are very rare and shouldn't be a problem. However, we still recommend that you spray your clothes with Permethrin Mosquito/Tick repellent 5 days prior to trek and bring mosquito spray. Permethrin is available in local sporting goods stores, Walmart, and Amazon.
Please bring a small backpack that you will have with you on the bus and during trekking. Include the following in your backpack:
-Sack lunch for the bus ride up
-Prescribed medication
-Insect repellent with deet
-Sunscreen 15+ SPF
-Lip balm
-Band Aids & Moleskin (for blisters)
-Hand sanitizer (pocket size)
-Baby wipes (optional)
-Small disposable camera (optional)
Please eat breakfast before being dropped off on Wednesday morning and bring a sack lunch placed in your backpack for the bus ride. Dinner will be the first provided meal on Wednesday, June 11th.
Please wear pioneer clothing when you arrive and pack everything else in your bucket and garbage bag.
DO NOT BRING:
-Soda, electronic items (phones will not work on the ranch anyway) pocket knives, weapons or jewelry.
*PLEASE REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR NAME ON PERSONAL ITEMS!