Jackson Falls Gear/Information List

[Colin Pizarek]

I've got the aforementioned gear list/information here for Jackson Falls. This is really intended for a first time climbing-tripper, but also contains useful info for those who have never been to Jackson specifically.

 

TRIP TIME: OCTOBER 9-12

DEPARTURE: THURSDAY NIGHT

RETURN: SUNDAY EVENING

 

This gear list is salvaged/savaged/revised from the honorable Nathaniel Hopkins, and alum of our club (apologies for not citing in APA format):

 

The drive is 3.5 to 4 hours each way. We will be camping in wooded spaces at our cars, and camping is free. If you do not have a tent, you can probably find an open space in someone's tent, or if you are an ISU student, you can rent one from Rec Sports. (For the record, they are thoroughly clueless as to how to rent you gear, but if you bother them enough they'll figure it out.) There is a pit toilet but NO POTABLE WATER supply so bringing enough water for the weekend is imperative. Bringing your own TP is a good idea because they frequently run out. This is a secluded and primitive area. There aren't picnic tables, running water, or Pepsi machines within a half hour's drive (or so). Also! It is very inconvenient to get out of the gorge once you're in. Don't plan on being able to run back to camp during the day, because it could be anywhere from at least a 15-minute hike to an hour-long trudge, depending on where we are. It's not impossible, just takes a while and isn't much fun. Due to an oversight on my part from the last trip, I should warn everyone that the approach hiking into the gorge is comparable to the difficulty of the rugged trails at Turkey Run State Park.

 

Things you will need to come on this trip (not a complete list):

 

-Climbing harness and shoes. Any other climbing gear is a plus.  If you have ropes please bring them. The climbing club will have two harnesses plus hardware available for general use. NOTE: My attitude towards these harnesses is: "One size fits all, but fits none well." They are not particularly comfortable, though they are perfectly safe. Everyone in the club ought to have their own, anyway. They're no fun to trade. I also strongly encourage real climbing shoes. You won't have any luck climbing outdoors in tennis shoes. It will be frustrating and you probably won't have a very good time.

 

-A backpack to carry your stuff for the day.

 

-A tent or a confirmed space in someone else's tent. NOTE: Last time we went down there, we had way too many tents (too large of tents, really) for the number of people we had. We shouldn't take up any more campsite space than necessary, since it often fills up on weekends. Try to avoid jumbo-size tents unless you intend on filling them with people. If need be I can supply a smaller "bunkhouse" tent for up to 3 people to share.

 

-Sleep system appropriate for nights with lows around freezing: good sleeping bag and sleeping pad. This will be mid-October. I have no idea right now what the weather will be like. It could be freezing, or it might be sweltering.

 

-WATER.  This is very important as there is no water supply at the crag.  Enough to drink and prepare meals for the weekend.  Figure about a gallon a day per person for drinking and cooking (because inevitably somebody forgets to bring water.)

 

-Food for yourself.  Three breakfasts, two dinners and easily portable food to eat during the day such as clif bars, granola, gorp, etc. I encourage you to team up with others in meal planning.  I highly recommend planning a hot breakfast and bringing hot drinks such as tea or cocoa.  If you do not have your own pots, don't expect to do more cooking than boiling water unless someone with pots has agreed to share with you.

 

-General camping gear:  A bowl, spoon and mug are a must, as is a flashlight or preferably a headlamp.  A packable chair (crazy creek style) is really nice. I've found earplugs for sleeping are wonderful because nature (or rednecks with radios, or didgeridoos) can get really loud down there. Bring what you need, but pack light since we're carpooling and space is at a premium. We don't want to yard-sale our gear all over the campground. If you have never packed for a trip like this before and this gear list is confusing, please talk to me and I can help you figure out what to bring.

 

-Those of you with camping stoves and pots please bring them.  We may have a fire, but do not expect to rely on it for cooking your dinner. We cannot import firewood, so you have to use whatever you can find down there on the ground.

 

-Layerable clothing for hanging out at camp on a cold evening and climbing during the day.  The routes are in a gorge and often shaded, but climbing makes you hot quickly.  Plan to wear warm enough clothes to stay warm when you are sitting waiting your turn to climb, but able to take off layers while on the climb.

 

-A Note about group gear: I am hoping/expecting that we have enough people with climbing ropes, tents and camp stoves and pots to share among the group and that people will share.  This being said, there is no official "group gear" aside from climbing equipment, so make sure you have a space in a tent, and that if you plan to do more than boil water someone will loan you a pot.

 

If there's anything I've left out, or if you have further questions, please contact me immediately. There are no bad questions*.

 

-Colin Pizarek

 

*There are stupid questions, however.