Animas Valley Institute

Animas Quest Equipment List - Aravaipa

Please read through this thoroughly:

The weather while we’re camped on the land can do anything (and probably will). Significant rainfall is
quite possible -- even in the desert. The nights at Aravaipa Canyon may fall below freezing, so
bring all the warm stuff -- it’s better to have too much than too little. When fasting, it can be a
real challenge to stay warm, more so than when not fasting. It's your responsibility to properly
clothe and equip yourself, although you are welcome to email or call us at any time if you have
questions that you cannot get answered by a friend or salesperson. Once we begin as a group, there will
be no further opportunity to acquire any additional gear; any camping store would be many miles
away. We recommend assembling and trial-packing your gear a few days before your departure. You
want to be sure that your backpack is adequate in size and fit.

If you don’t already have camping gear, you can likely obtain it by borrowing from friends, renting it
from a local sporting goods store (such as REI), or obtaining gear from an on-line store like Camp-Mor,
etc. If you purchase your gear online, please speak with a sales representative from that store first to be
sure that the sleeping bag you are ordering meets the requirements below. The list below is
intentionally specific. Please follow our guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact the
Animas office at 970-259-0585.

GEAR

While we highly recommend you have everything listed in the GEAR section, you must have all items
listed in RED in this section (which are critical for safety). If you do not have all the items listed in
red, the guides will ask you to find and/or go buy the missing or inadequate items, which means
you’ll lose valuable time during the preparation phase of the quest. Please have all gear with you
when you show up on the first day. If you are unable to procure the necessary gear, the guides will
not let you go with them into the backcountry.

In terms of layers, you know whether you tend to be hot or cold. If you get cold easily, err on the side
of bringing more layers. When fasting, it’s especially good to bring more layers as our bodies have
less available energy to burn and warm. If you have experience camping/backpacking and know a
particular system that works for you, bring that system (keeping in mind the altitude and weather
may be different from your home location).

If you have questions about anything that is on this list, please call 970-259-0585 or email
soulcraft@animas.org.

Camping gear:

___ Tarp (or tent): with sealed seams

• Tarps should be at least 7’ x 9’; 9’ x 11’ is better

• Rip-stop nylon is best, but others will do if they are strong and have grommets.
Brown or green are the best colors because they blend more readily with the
desert and forest environments.
 • Be sure the interior seams are water-sealed! Here's how to tell: hold a seam up to a
strong light, spread the seam apart, can you see light coming through? If yes, it's not
sealed. Buy a tube of seam sealer and follow the directions.
Tents versus Tarps: Each person must bring a personal shelter. On most programs, we
strongly prefer tarps because they isolate you so much less from the very wilderness you
have labored so hard to get into, the wilderness that will be your teacher and, with good
fortune, a mirror of your soul. Tarps are also much lighter and less bulky to carry. Tarps are
entirely adequate shelter for most wilderness areas in which we enact vision fasts. If you do
not know how to set up a tarp, please look up information on the internet or ask a friend to
teach you. We will go over this again in camp, and expect everyone to have at least a basic
understanding of how to do this.
For the Aravaipa Quest, a tent or free-standing tarp is recommended because of the
scarcity of trees in the desert for tethering your tarp. You can still bring a tarp or
choose to sleep outside your tent when it is not raining. If you are skilled in the
wilderness and prefer a tarp, you are welcome to bring a tarp instead of a tent. You
are also welcome to bring both and choose later. **You can buy a thick plastic tarp fairly
cheaply or invest in a fancier nylon or sil-nylon tarp. Either will be just fine. We have
received negative reviews on the Outdoor Products nylon tarps, so recommend not buying
their tarps.**

___ Tent stakes: 6-10

___ Nylon cord (to set up your tarp): 100’ minimum light-weight nylon cord. Ask for “alpine
cord” or “3 mm utility cord”- not clothesline. This is often available at hardware or
camping stores by the foot.
___ Waterproof ground cloth: minimum 4’ x 7’; 5' x 8' is better
___ Sleeping pad: either inflatable [i.e. Thermarest] or closed cell foam [i.e.Ridgerest]

___ Sleeping bag:

• Down-filled or synthetic fiber-filled, not cotton-filled
• MUST have a hood with a functioning drawstring
• For an older (3 years, or more than 100 nights) bag, it MUST have a minimum of 4
inches of loft. Here’s how to check: unstuff your bag, fluff it up, and lay it flat on the
floor, zipped up - the top of the bag MUST be at least 4 inches off the floor
everywhere from hood to toe. Please measure your bag’s loft with a ruler. Your
guides will be checking this, too, on the first day of the quest. They won’t make any
exceptions. Those without adequate gear will not be allowed to go into the
wilderness for solo time. This policy is for your safety and allows us to be
inintegrity with our safety protocols and insurance requirements.
• If you are purchasing a new sleeping bag, you can use the temperature rating. We
recommend a 0-10 degree rating. Please remember it can be very cold, even in
Arizona. A summer bag alone will not be warm enough. You can combine
(nest) 2 sleeping bags to get the warmth and loft that you need. Fasting tends
to make you even colder.
Sleeping bag tips: If you have been storing your sleeping bag stuffed into its little stuff sack, please
unstuff it now, fluff it up really well, apologize to it, and tell it that you’ll never stuff it again except
when you absolutely have to for travel. Keeping it stuffed eventually destroys its loft and its ability
 to keep you warm; it’s not the manufacturer’s starry-eyed temperature-rating that keeps
you warm, it’s the inches of loft. Hang it in a closet for storage.
___ Backpack: Be sure that your pack has a well-padded hip-belt, is large enough and adequate to
carry the gear you will need on your solo. It is important that the pack fit you well; if you are not
very experienced as a backpacker, be sure to find someone who is and have them help you.
__ Waterproof pack cover or plastic bag liner for pack (can be a large garbage bag)

___ Daypack or large fanny pack

___ Flashlight or headlamp, with new batteries installed, and extra batteries

Clothing:
___ Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
___ Long pants (1 pair for warmth - fleece or wool)
___ Long pants (1 pair quick dry or cotton)
___ Long sleeve shirt (turtleneck or zip-neck, best if synthetic or wool)
___ Long underwear, top and bottom (synthetic or wool, NOT COTTON)
___ One additional warm non-cotton layer, such as a fleece or wool shirt
___ T-shirts (1 to 3)
___ Hiking socks (2 to 5 pair, synthetic or wool, NOT COTTON)
___ Warm jacket, preferably fleece or wool. Definitely NO COTTON; must be warm but can still
be lightweight material. Regardless of the time of year, it can get very cold at night! Down
jackets are also great. It can be chilly at night.

___ Rain jacket with hood (or long poncho with hood)
___ Rain pants (yes, yes-essential item for staying dry, plus warm)
___ Warm hat (synthetic or wool)
___ Sun hat
___ Sunglasses
___ Bandanas (1 or 2)
___ Watch or time-piece (preferably not your cell phone or other device)
___ Additional warm clothing as necessary / desired (be generous and bring some extras in the car
for yourself)

Kitchen Gear, Food and Water:

There will be several outdoor spigots where you may clean your personal dishes for lunches. This water is
potable well water and can also be used for your drinking water. Also there are two outdoor showers you
can use or you may bring a sun shower and avoid sharing the outdoor shower space.
___ Large plastic / metal cup or mug for hot drinks (or insulated water bottle)
 ___ Lightweight bowl for your lunches
___ Spoon, with optional fork for your lunches
___ Personal sponge(s) to clean your dishes
___ Water bottle (1 quart or 1 liter) filled with water with your own identifying mark on it
___ Three 1-gallon containers to carry water for your solo. Empty (and cleaned) one-gallon
jugs from water or juice, etc., will do (be sure that they have screw-on caps, and then reinforce
the bottoms and sides with duct tape). Or you can purchase 2-, 3-, or 4-gallon collapsible water
jugs with handles that are made for backpackers.
___ Lunches and snacks – bring 7 lunches (limited refrigeration available; see “Quest Food
Suggestions” at the bottom of this). You may also bring a personal cooler to store your lunches
& snacks.
___ Personal Cooler for lunches
___ Any food you expect to need during your solo, if you do not fully fast (you need to
be in communication with the guides if you choose not to fast)
___ Tea and beverages
___ Emergency food stash (see “Quest Food Suggestions” at the end of this document)
___ Water treatment method: this is not essential for this quest, but could be used if you wish to
drink from Aravaipa Creek. Mmm. Communion.
___Camp Stove (optional)
___Dromedary bag, p-cord to hang it, and soap for personal handwashing, hygiene, and
dishwashing (COVID-19 protocol)

Sundries and Miscellaneous:

___ Small trowel for digging “cat holes”
___ Sunscreen (fragrance-free)
___ Lip balm
___ Toothbrush, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene items (opt for fragrance-free
lotions)

___ Toilet paper in Ziploc bag (1/2 to 1 roll is sufficient)

___ Women may want to bring several washable “pee rags” to wipe yourself after peeing
outside. Bandanas work great.
___ Large Ziploc bag for used toilet paper, or several smaller bags
___ For women: menstruation supplies and zip-lock baggies to carry out used supplies. Bring these
even if you do not anticipate being on your cycle, as spending time in the wilderness and with
other women can and often does alter cycles.
___ Garbage bags (two large heavy-duty plastic bags) for storing your sleeping bag and other gear
under your tarp or in your tent during inclement weather
___ Personal journal in Ziploc bag with pen and/or pencil
EMERGENCY KIT (carried with you at all times in the wilderness):

___ An emergency First-aid Procedure Checklist will be given to you by your guides at the
beginning of the Quest
___Band aids – just a few
___ Anaphylactic shock kit, Epi Pen or AnaKit if you know you have any
life-threatening allergic reactions to, e.g., insect stings, medications, or certain foods.
___Benadryl for anyone with life-compromising allergies (this is in addition to your Epi Pen)
___ Waterproof adhesive tape (small roll) and/or some moleskin
___ Other first-aid materials that you want to bring and know how to use
___ Emergency blanket (lightweight super-compact inexpensive foil type)
___ Emergency whistle
___ Pocket knife
___ Matches in watertight container (also a lighter if you’d like)
___Small candle or the top inch or two of a candle (for emergency fire starting)
___Mask and gloves (COVID-19 protocol)
___Personal hand sanitizer/ hand wipes, fragrance free please (COVID-19 protocol)

Optional Items:

___ Baby wipes or Wet Wipes for hygiene (in a sealed baggie: bring an extra Ziploc baggie to carry
them out)
___ Backpacker’s chair
• A great option is to bring a chair sleeve that will convert your Thermarest or other
inflatable mattress to a chair. Light-weight Crazy Creek-type chairs are acceptable
options, but are hard on the sit-bones for extended periods of time. Whatever chair
you bring should be relatively low-to-the-ground for sitting in circle with others,
and be light and easy to carry. You will likely be sitting for several hours a day
and may be outside in light rain, so make sure it is one you can be
comfortable in.
___ Camp shoes, sturdy sandals, or down-filled booties (for cold weather) - a nice option to get out
of your hiking boots and relax in light weight, comfortable footwear
___ Candle lantern and an extra candle

___ Insect repellent

___ Extra upper-body layer if you tend to get cold easily. This could be a wool sweater, fleece shirt,
down jacket, or down or fleece vest. You will likely be colder while you are fasting.
___ Short pants (1 pair, or long pants with zip-off legs)
____Sarong: useful as a scarf, skirt, blanket, towel, ground cloth, shade cover, etc.
___ Warm gloves or mittens
Ceremonial Items: (see additional information on “ceremony” in the next section below)

___ Drum, shaker, lightweight rhythm-maker

___ Ceremonial clothing
___ Sacred objects
___ Items for the Fire Ceremony (see “Psychospiritual Preparation” document)

CEREMONIAL ITEMS

Creating the Dance (Music):

We will create ceremonial dance and song to help us ease out of our ordinary modes of being and
perceiving—into the sacred, timeless, symbolic world of myth and transformation. It will help if
you bring with you some rhythm or musical instruments. Most relevant are the “primitive”
(original) ones: drums, shakers (rattles, gourds, maracas, tambourines, tin cans with pebbles or
seeds inside, etc.), bells, conches, whistles, flutes, and recorders.
Any instrument with which you can easily travel is welcome. However, small and light ones that
you can place in or attach to your backpack are especially relevant. Without a doubt, you will at
least want to make, borrow, or buy a ceremonial gourd shaker to have with you during your solo
time!

Threads:
First and foremost, it is essential that the clothing that you bring with you is functional – that it
keeps you warm, dry, comfortable, and mobile. Once you are sure you are properly equipped on
the functional level, you may want to consider the symbolic significance and ceremonial potential
of your garments:
What would you really want to wear when you are preparing to consciously die or surrender?
What would you want to wear when you are being (re-)born, celebrating your essential core
human-ness or encountering spirit beings or your own soul?
You may want to pay attention to the colors of what you bring to wear, as well as to personal
meaning and significance—meanings of which only you may be aware. It may be a favorite t-shirt,
a piece of clothing that you wore during an important life transition (formal or otherwise), or an
article of clothing that helps you feel more deeply for any of a variety of reasons.
Your ceremonial clothing may include hats, cloaks, sarongs, ribbons, jewelry, face/body paints,
and so on.
For the ceremonial dance that we will enact in base-camp, come prepared to dress as the Inner
Magician of yourself: the one who can access and manifest any and all of your sub-personalities!
On backpacking quests, keep in mind that you will have to carry to base-camp in your backpack
whatever you plan to wear for the dance. If you have any doubts about any piece of clothing, bring
it with you: you can always leave it in a car at the trailhead.

Sacred Objects:
Like many people, you might live with (not necessarily “possess”) certain small objects that are of
great meaning and significance to you—that help you access the dimensions of spirit, soul,
tradition, archetype, myth, courage, insight, intuition, imagination, will, love, truth, and so on—
that stimulate, focus, or amplify your experience of personal or transpersonal power. These
 objects may include special or “magical” stones, seeds, jewels, figurines, bones, teeth, claws,
photographs, feathers, powders, crystals, carvings, etc.
You are encouraged to bring with you any such small power objects that may help you access
important personal or transpersonal qualities and that may aid you during moments of fear, or
confusion, or numinous encounters. Some people bring special pouches or satchels in which to
carry these objects.

Mood Altering Substances

Please leave all mood/perception altering substances at home (even if they are legal).

Animas Valley Institute: Quest Food Suggestions

7 lunches, snacks, beverages, and any emergency food while on your solo, are your responsibility. In
order to assist you with bringing the most nutritious, delicious, and easy to pack meals, we are offering
the following suggestions. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Concerning the fast:

Whether or not you fast and in what way you fast are ultimately up to you (except that it is
recommended that you drink at least three quarts of water per day). Most people choose to consume
only water. We recommend a 4-day fast and a 3-day solo, so that the fast begins a day before the solo.
Some people, especially those for whom fasting is not medically safe, eat very light foods that require
no preparation. We encourage you to do a water-only fast unless a healthcare professional has advised
you otherwise. If you choose to eat lightly during your 3-day solo, you must bring the relevant food
items for yourself. If you are concerned about constipation, bring a laxative or herbal laxative tea such
as Smooth Move.
To prepare for your fast and to ease the possible effects the fast may have on your body, we
recommend doing a gentle cleanse in the weeks preceding the quest. At the very least, consider
abstaining from sugar and caffeine prior to your quest.

Lunch suggestions:
The main considerations for planning, purchasing, and packaging your food are:
• How perishable is it: you may bring a cooler for personal use, but there will be no opportunity to
replenish your ice (there may be limited refrigerator space – more info later).
• Quantity: spend some time thinking about how much you will actually eat. You may want to
experiment with making your lunch ideas at home and see how much you need to feel
nourished.
• Nutrition: you will want things that are rich in nutritious calories...lots of calories for their
weight. On the note of purification, consider less meat, less salt, less sugar, etc.
• Simplicity: little or no preparation required. The guides will not be able to provide hot water at
lunches. While dehydrated soups, etc. might be a yummy option, it is likely best not to rely on
this type of meal, (unless you plan to bring a “pocket rocket,” or other mini stove with your
own fuel).
Lunch and snack ideas:
• Dried fruit (fresh fruit like apples or oranges are also fine.)
• Cheese - white cheese that is made with skim milk keeps better than oily, fatty cheeses. Hard
cheeses (like aged gouda/some cheddar) do better than soft (like jack).
• Crackers
• Dark German or Swedish breads - usually found in the international isle, these thinly sliced
dark-dense breads (like sunflower seed, rye or pumpernickel) last a long time and keep their
shape. High in fiber too!
• Nuts or nut mixes - making your own trail mix is great (a mix of nuts and dried fruit is great)
• Hard salami or dried salmon keeps well if you are a meat eater
• Jerky (any kind works great) - Attempt to find jerky without nitrates. Health food stores
typically carry some great turkey and fish jerkies.
• Dried hummus (add water as needed). If bringing hummus you might bring a small bottle of
olive oil. Olive oil makes hummus much more palatable. A small supply of sea salt & cayenne
could also greatly enhance this staple.
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Avocados, if purchased rock hard will hopefully ripen at just the right time - they are great
on crackers
• Carrots (if you like fresh veggies, carrots keep well)
• Beets, turnips, etc. can be good grated (but you'll need a small grater) or thinly sliced

• Almond butter or peanut butter, etc

• Honey or jam (also in plastic tube) if you desire
• Tortillas are generally better than bread - they last longer
• Bags of tuna or chicken -
• Nutrition & snack bars - Powerbars, Cliff Bars, Balance Bars, Kind bars...you choose - these are
great to have handy on the trail or for a quick snack
• Tabbouleh – just add water & spices…yum! Even better with hummus!
• “Tasty Bite Meals” - While meant to be warmed, there are quite tasty at room temp and are very
filling, especially the ones that come with rice. You may want to purchase one and try it at
room temp to see if it will work for you. Available at health food markets.

One last suggestion on quantity: It's a great idea to actually figure quantities for each lunch, and then
don't bring extra...like, 10 crackers, 5 slices of cheese, 1/4 cup nuts, etc.

Beverages
• Bring tea bags and/or powder for hot drinks. You will likely drink more than you expect, count on
one for breakfast, one for dinner, and maybe one for snack or lunch, depending on if there is hot
water. We generally have hot water each morning and sometimes after dinner.
• If you like milk, bring powdered milk.
 • If you are a coffee drinker or black tea drinker, we recommend quitting before the quest to
avoid caffeine headaches. If you must have it, consider instant coffee.
Tips
• Whatever you choose to bring, you will want to make sure that you have enough for 7 lunches
and snacks.
• If you are concerned about constipation during the quest, you may want to bring along some
herbal laxative tea bags, such as Smooth Move Tea (from Traditional Medicinals Teas), or a
fiber supplement.
• Consider bringing Emergen-C’s or another electrolyte powder that is easily packable and doesn’t
contain sugar. A small bit of sea salt added to your water bottle works great, too.

Emergency Food:
This is important! Don't forget it ☺…The following information is intentionally precise. This small food
stash is for the rare situation in which we'd have to pull folks off of their fast and ask you to be present
and energized quickly to assist with an emergency. On the morning you return to basecamp from your
fast, we will be serving you a yummy, nutritional, well planned meal to break your fast. Your emergency
stash is not intended for that meal. Historically, this stash is rarely used for emergencies, so it will be a
great treat post fast. In addition, we will be instructing you to eat a very small morsel of your emergency
food should you enter into a state of physical need while on the solo.

Package the following separately in a Ziploc or two and stash it in your pack:

• 1/4 cup dried fruit without sugar added: raisins or cranberries work well
• a nutritional bar with protein in it and little or no sugar
• a couple of packets of sugar-free Emergen-C or similar electrolyte drink mix

Please contact us with any questions! 970-259-0585 or email soulcraft@animas.org