FACEtime

Trips

Beginner Backpacking

This program is an ideal way to meet and bond with a small group of your fellow RIT freshmen. Spend one day on the RIT campus learning basic backpacking and wilderness skills and then depart for a four-night backpacking trip on the Finger Lakes Trail. This trip is perfect for those with little or no backpacking experience and will involve hikes on easy to moderate terrain. Learn backcountry skills, enjoy the FLT wilderness, and make the friends that you will be spending your college years with, while living day-to-day with only what you carry on your back. This program begins on Friday, August 27 1:00 PM at the Red Barn followed by an afternoon and evening of training and preparation. We depart the next morning for the trailhead and, after four nights in the backcountry, return to RIT at noon on Wednesday, September 01 for the Start of on-campus New Student Orientation. The trip fee covers most backpacking/camping gear (including tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks), all group gear, transportation, and meals are provided. Students must have proper backpacking footwear and clothing for the outdoors.

This trip requires that you be able to:

Hike over varying, but moderate terrain for several miles at a time with a 30-pound backpack.
Adjust to spending time in the wilderness and away from typical day-to-day amenities like toilets, running water and beds.Outhouses may be available.
Be psychologically prepared for varying weather possibilities, insects and other kinds of wildlife, and simple nutrition.
Be mentally and physically challenged, but be rewarded with an invaluable experience that you may never forget

Gear List

Unless specified, all the gear listed here is essential and required. In remote settings, your safety and comfort depend on being properly equipped. If you have any questions about anything on this list, please do not hesitate to contact us.
You will need to bring the following gear/equipment:

1 pr broken-in, comfortable hiking boots
2 shirts. At least one should be fast-drying, synthetic material.
1 wool sweater or pile pullover or jacket
1 pr. shorts (quick drying soccer-type shorts are best)
I pr. Synthetic or wool pants (no cotton). NO JEANS!
2 pr. underwear
4 pr. wool or synthetic socks
rain jacket
1 wool or fleece hat (like for skiing etc)
toiletries (toothbrush & paste, contact solution, tampons, etc). Keep it small! No glass.
eating utensils (fork and spoon) plastic bowl and insulated mug
extra glasses if you wear contacts
sunglasses, chapstick, sunscreen (SPF 15 to 30)
insect repellent (with DEET); small plastic bottle – no cans
any required medication
whistle – this is essential for wilderness safety
small notebook and pen
small headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
2 durable quart-sized water bottles
4 large heavy duty plastic garbage bags
You do not need to bring your own backpack, sleeping bag, or sleeping pad; these will be provided. You may bring your own if you prefer.
We will provide all other camping equipment including tents, food and cooking supplies, water purification, and first aid kits.

Optional Equipment

folding pocket knife (Swiss Army or Leatherman are ok)
camera
very small towel
compass
stuff sacks (various sizes for gear)
1-2 bandanas
1 lightweight brimmed hat

DO NOT BRING

Because of the goals of FACEtime and the objectives of the program, this is a substance-free and electronics-free trip. It is our intent that participants make “face time” by leaving all unnecessary possessions at home so that they can really get to know each other and appreciate the outdoor experience. For these reasons, DO NOT BRING: CIGARETTES, TOBACCO, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, ILLICIT DRUGS, FOOD, JEWELRY, MAKE-UP, RADIOS, MP3 PLAYERS, CDs, OR ANY OTHER ELECTRONICS. IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT. Cell phones may be brought along but should remain OFF except for emergency use.We will do a thorough bag check prior to departure.

Intermediate Backpacking

Join a small group of your fellow freshmen in this spectacular multi-day loop among the Adirondack High peaks! Spend one day on the RIT campus learning basic backpacking and wilderness skills and then depart for a four-night backpacking trip through the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack State Park. This trip is appropriate for those with some backpacking/hiking experience, or for those ready to handle greater physical challenges. The terrain covered will me moderate to strenuous. Learn backcountry skills, enjoy the Adirondack wilderness, and make the friends that you will be spending your college years with, while living day-to-day with only what you carry on your back. This program begins on Friday, August 27 1:00 PM at the Red Barn followed by an afternoon and evening of training and preparation. We depart the next morning for the ‘Dacks and, after four nights in the High Peaks Wilderness, return to RIT at noon on Wednesday, September 01 for the Start of on-campus New Student Orientation. The trip fee covers most backpacking/camping gear (including tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks), all group gear, transportation, and meals are provided. Students must have proper backpacking footwear and clothing for the outdoors.

This trip requires that you be able to:

Hike over varying, sometimes dificult terrain for several miles at a time with a 30-pound backpack.
Adjust to spending time in the wilderness and away from typical day-to-day amenities like toilets, running water and beds.
Be psychologically prepared for varying weather possibilities, insects and other kinds of wildlife, and simple nutrition.
Be mentally and physically challenged, but be rewarded with an invaluable experience that you may never forget

Gear List

1 pr broken-in, comfortable hiking boots
2 shirts. At least one should be fast-drying, synthetic material.
1 wool sweater or pile pullover or jacket
1 pr. shorts (quick drying soccer-type shorts are best)
I pr. Synthetic or wool pants (no cotton). NO JEANS!
2 pr. underwear
4 pr. wool or synthetic socks
rain jacket
1 wool or fleece hat (like for skiing etc)
toiletries (toothbrush & paste, contact solution, tampons, etc). Keep it small! No glass.
eating utensils (fork and spoon) plastic bowl and insulated mug
extra glasses if you wear contacts
sunglasses, chapstick, sunscreen (SPF 15 to 30)
insect repellent (with DEET); small plastic bottle – no cans
any required medication
whistle – this is essential for wilderness safety
small notebook and pen
small headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
2 durable quart-sized water bottles
4 large heavy duty plastic garbage bags
You do not need to bring your own backpack, sleeping bag, or sleeping pad; these will be provided. You may bring your own if you prefer.
We will provide all other camping equipment including tents, food and cooking supplies, water purification, and first aid kits.

Optional Equipment

folding pocket knife (Swiss Army or Leatherman are ok)
camera
very small towel
compass
stuff sacks (various sizes for gear)
1-2 bandanas
1 lightweight brimmed hat

DO NOT BRING

Outdoor Rock Climbing

This program is an excellent and exciting way to meet and bond with a small group of your fellow RIT freshmen while rock climbing at a popular northeast climbing destination! Spend one day on the RIT campus learning basic climbing skills and then depart for a four-night bouldering and top-roping at Cooper's Rock, West Virginia. This trip is appropriate for all ability levels and no previous climbing experience is needed. We will stay at a local campground just minutes from the climbing. This program begins on Friday, August 27 1:00 PM at the Red Barn followed by an afternoon and evening of training and preparation. We depart the next morning for West Virginia and, after four nights climbing at Cooper's Rock, return to RIT at noon on Wednesday, September 01 for the Start of on-campus New Student Orientation. The trip fee covers most necessary camping gear, all group gear, transportation, and meals are provided. Students must have proper clothing for the outdoors.

This trip requires that you be able to:

Hike over moderate terrain while carrying equipment and supplies.
Climb, using hand and feet, on vertical terrain that is steep and/or high enough to require protective equipment.
Spend daytimes in a wilderness setting and evenings in a rustic cabin.
Be psychologically prepared for varying weather possibilities, insects and other kinds of wildlife.
Be mentally and physically challenged, but be rewarded with an invaluable experience that you may never forget

Gear List

Clothing

6-8 pairs of socks, some cotton, some synthetic
6-8 pairs of underwear
2 pairs of pants for climbing, loose fitting, durable material, preferably not jeans
1 pair of jeans (optional)
4 pairs of shorts for climbing, loose fitting, durable material
6-8 t-shirts
1 set of pajamas or sleep attire
1 sweatshirt and/or fleece top
1 light rain coat
1 bathing suit (optional)
1 hat (optional)

Footwear

1 pair of approach/light hiking shoes with closed toes
1 pair of flip flops/sandals
1 pair of rock climbing shoes (optional)

Equipment

1 large duffle bag capable of carrying all or most clothing, footwear, and equipment
1 rock climbing harness (optional)
1 rock climbing helmet (optional)
1 rock climbing chalk bag (optional)
1 school size backpack
2 one-liter size water bottles
1 reusable lunch bag
1 headlamp
1 pillow
1 set of bed linens for a twin size bed or sleeping bag (cabin is climate controlled)
1 bath towel

Toiletries

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Unscented deodorant
Contact solution (if necessary)
Soap
Shampoo
Suntan lotion (we will provide)
Bug spray ( we will provide)
Hand Sanitizer (we will provide)
1 camera (optional)
Extra contacts and/or glasses (if necessary)