The following is a not necessarily complete list of suggested gear. It’s the usual backpacking/camping gear with a few caveats for the terrain and weather conditions expected on Agrihan. If you have questions/concerns please ask.
Looking at historic weather data you’ll see CNMI has the most consistent weather in the world with temps in the mid-80Fs and high humidity. Night-time temps at higher camps will be in the high-60Fs and breezy.
If you have access to technical climbing gear, please let me know. I’m hoping we can source group gear (ropes, pickets, …) from among us versus having to buy gear.
(Leather) Gloves [Essential]
Sword grass can inflict painful cuts (worse than paper cuts) and we’ll be passing through lots of tunnels. You’ll need gloves to protect your hands.
Eye protection (sunglasses) [Essential]
The primary concern is to protect your eyes from errant sword grass leaves – and sun protection. Sunglasses are just fine. Googles will be too hot/sweaty to be bearable.
Broad-rimmed hat
Sun protection. Highly recommend one with a chin strap so it doesn’t blow off during the boat journey.
No-see-um headnet
There are millions of (mostly) non-biting flies/gnats on Agrihan. You’ll likely want a headnet for sanity while resting/eating. They seem a bit stifling while hiking though.
Long-sleeved shirt – synthetic or quick drying for the frequent rains
You’ll want to protect your arms from sword grass cuts. It offers sun protection as well
Long pants – synthetic or quick drying for the frequent rains
You’ll want to protect your legs from sword grass cuts and gouges from punji sticks. It offers sun protection as well. You might consider convertible pants so you have shorts while relaxing.
Compression socks
They have a tight enough weave to help protect from punji stick gouges.
Snow gaiters (calf high)
Some people used snow gaiters to protect their lower legs from punji stick gouges – especially if you wear shorts (not really recommended). Bring extra strings to hold them to your boots
Hiking shoes or mid-height boots
Most people use hiking shoes although mid-height boots can be useful (ankle support and punji stick protection).
Sandals or water shoes
You’ll want these for un/loading the skiff at the beach. Crossing a hot black sand beach can be very painful.
Wool/warm shirt – sleeping
It doesn’t get that cold at night (high-60Fs?) so you don’t need a lot. I find a wool shirt or lightweight fleece jacket is sufficient. Especially in combination with a wind/rain jacket or bivy sack to stop the wind.
Rain jacket or Poncho
It’s a tropical rain (cool but not cold). Quite helpful while resting or sleeping. Given the humidity, they’re pretty useless while hiking. The locals go without or use el-cheapo garbage bag ponchos.
Sleeping bag
I think it’s overkill but it’s your call. The lightest weight possible – perhaps a hammock bag?
Sleeping pad – FOAM
We’ll be sleeping on the ground when not at the beach camp. Inflatable pads and sharp punji sticks don’t mix well. Foam is highly recommended.
Bivy sack
You might consider bringing one for the higher camps. Helps stop the wind and keeps you drive from wind-driven rain under the main sleeping tarp.
Tent or Hammock
It’s nice to have at beach camp. Some place to store your stuff and get away from the flies/gnats. They are useless elsewhere on the mountain. If you’re weight constrained bring a bivy sack which can be used at all camps.
Earplugs or iPods/earbuds
Very useful for snoring or large flapping tarps.
Mid-size (45L-65L) backpack [Essential]
You’ll need a mid-size pack capable of hauling 25-30 pounds of gear/water on a daily basis.
Trekking poles
Quite useful for bashing through sword grass and saving your knees with heavy loads
Microspikes
These can be useful – about 1/3 of the team used them in 2018. Down low they help with wet/slippery sword grass leaves on the trail. Up high they help in the mud/gravel.
Climbing or Bicycle helmet
Bring one if you want; you are climbing. I will note that the ground/walls are heavily vegetated with a mud/gravel substrate. No-one used one in 2018.
Climbing harness “setup” [Essential]
You’ll need a lightweight (alpine/glacier) climbing harness, 1 or 2 locking carabiners and 1 or 2 prussik knots (or ascenders). You’ll need this for a short pitch of fixed line travel. If you don’t have this, let me know so I can bring spares.
Electrolytes
You’ll be sweating a LOT. Don’t underestimate this. Drink lots of fluids and use electrolytes with lots of salt. I’m budgeting 1 – 1.5 gallons of water person per day (drinking and cooking). Bring lots of salty snacks as well.
Medicines
If you take prescription medicines, consider double or triple bagging them along with desiccant packets. The high humidity and pills don’t mix well.
That’s most of the personal gear I can think of. I have a suggested personal medical kit listing (coming soon). We’ll also have group gear which needs to be collected (coming soon).
Power adapters – NOT NEEDED
Saipan and Guam use the standard US 2/3-prong outlets.
Currency – US DOLLARS
Saipan and Guam are US territories and use US currency
Agrihan 2019 