European Explorer

Enrollment Forms

Below is the Admissions Material packet and other information for European Explorer.

Admission Material 2010

Prepare & Pack

European Explorer is rated 7 on a scale of 1- 10 (1 is easiest). This rating places European Explorer in a high moderate category and means that participants must be prepared for some long days on the trail (groups average five to nine miles a day over challenging terrain).

Your trip will be significantly more enjoyable if you have a basic level of fitness and well-broken-in boots. We cannot overemphasize the importance of well-broken-in boots. There have been students who have had to leave their trips because of blisters from boots that were not broken in. The training guidelines below are designed to help you properly break in your boots and develop a solid fitness base.

Five weeks before your trip: Wear your boots for 15-30 minutes a day to walk around your house or neighborhood so your boots will begin to conform to your feet.

Four weeks before your trip: Take three 30-minute hikes or walks in your boots.

Three weeks before your trip: Take three 1-hour hikes or walks in your boots.

Two weeks before your trip: Take three 1-hour hikes or walks in your boots with a backpack loaded with 10% of your body weight.

One week before your trip: Take two 2-hour hikes or walks in your boots with a backpack loaded with 15-20% of your body weight.

Experience among participants will vary and your enjoyment of this trip will hinge on several factors:

1. The quality, duration and intensity of your preparation. Your health, safety and well being on the trip will depend on your pre-trip preparation.
2. Your desire to hike. There are travel days built into the itinerary that allow for rest and relaxation but when we're in the mountains, we're on the trail, loaded up and hiking.
3. Your understanding that while the route is beautiful, this is not a sightseeing trip. There are short visits in Barcelona and Geneva, but these are simply a chance to walk the outdoor public spaces of these vibrant cities.
4. Your commitment to teamwork and the group. A trip such as this requires compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trip mates, and you’ll find that you have a great experience!

Train hard for the trip, be prepared for a challenge and come ready to be an important member of a close-working team.

“The best part of Overland is the leaders!" Lora Gettleman, Evanston, Illinois

Packing for Your Trip

Our packing list is designed to keep you safe and comfortable while hiking and camping this summer. Nighttime temperatures are much cooler when you are at high elevation than they tend to be in the regions most of us are from. The warm clothing and layers listed may seem unnecessary now, but we guarantee you'll appreciate them this summer! Keep in mind, however, that there are a wide range of products available in terms of clothing and equipment. Overland programs are relatively short, and although you want your clothing and equipment to be durable, this does not mean it has to be top of the line. Oftentimes more basic and less expensive options perform just as well. Some of our favorite brands in terms of quality of product for a reasonable price include REI, EMS and L.L.Bean.

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.  Bring only what you need and pack everything in your backpack or daypack. You should wear your hiking boots on the plane and carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the plane with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.

Please bring only the clothes listed below. Do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. By layering you will stay cool on warm days, dry on rainy days and warm on cool nights. You will have the chance to do laundry periodically. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office.

Clothing

• Fleece Jacket or Pullover & Long Fleece Pants
  The fleece should be medium to heavy weight and reasonably compact. Please don't bring jeans or sweatpants. They are heavy, bulky and will not keep you warm if wet.


• Synthetic Long Underwear Top or Synthetic Long-Sleeve Shirt
  One only. Synthetic material will keep you warm in varying weather and is a comfortable layer to wear while hiking or in camp.


• Winter Hat and Gloves/Mittens
  For cool nights in camp.


• Waterproof, Breathable Rain Jacket and Pants
  Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable as they are difficult to hike in and don't provide the same protection that a rain jacket does.


• Insulated vest
  An insulated fleece, Thinsulate or down vest will help keep your core warm during cool mornings out on the trail. Be sure it's compactable.


• Shorts To Hike In
  Two pairs of synthetic (no cotton) shorts. Athletic shorts or hiking shorts work well.


• T-Shirts
  Three. Synthetic are recommended; cotton are acceptable. At least one synthetic shirt is recommended because it will dry faster than cotton. One cotton shirt works well for at night in camp.

• Underwear
  Five.


• Socks
  Three pairs of thick wool/synthetic blend socks made for hiking. Synthetic socks dry faster after a day on the trail and help protect your feet better than a cotton sock.


• Pajamas
  One pair only. Pajamas aren't required as many students sleep in shorts and a t-shirt.


• Bathing Suit
  One only.


• Sport Sandals
  With a heel strap for swimming and around camp. Crocs or heavy duty flip-flops are okay, if you do not have sport sandals.

Hiking and Camping Equipment

• Hiking Boots
  Waterproof backpacking boots (recommended price range $125 to $175). Choose a comfortable boot that is designed for hiking with a medium weight pack. Your boots should have a durable leather upper that can be treated with waterproofing wax or liquid, or have a waterproof fabric/leather combination. If the boots you like have a GoreTex liner, that is great but your boots do not need to have GoreTex liners to be waterproof; good quality leather when treated properly is waterproof. Follow the waterproofing instructions from the boots' manufacturer prior to the start of your trip; typically you must wear the boots for at least a week before they will accept waterproofing treatment.


• Backpack
  4,000-5,000 cubic inches.  Before you purchase a backpack, find your backpack size by measuring your torso length and your hips.  We recommend getting fitted at a store where you can try on a number of different packs. Follow REI's guidelines on how to find your backpack size:
  Measure Your Torso Length.  This is key: Your torso length, not your height, determines your pack size.  Here's how to measure it: 1. With the help of a friend, locate the bony bump at the base of your neck.  This is where the slope of your shoulder meets your neck, also known as the seventh vertebra. Tilt your head forward to locate it more easily. 2. Using a flexible tape measure, have your friend start measuring at that spot down your spine, following the curves of your back. 3. Place your hands on your hips to feel your iliac crest, the twin pointy protrusions on the front of your hips. Position your hands so your thumbs are reaching behind you. 4. Finish measuring at the point where the tape crosses an imaginary line between your thumbs. This distance is your torso length.  
  Measure Your Hips. While less critical than torso length, this is helpful if you're considering a pack that offers mulitiple sizes of interchangeable hipbelts. To measure, take your tape measure and wrap it around the tops of your hips. This is the "latitude line" where you can feel your iliac crest, the two pointy bones on the front of your hips. A properly positioned hipbelt will straddle your iliac crest at this line.
  

• Sleeping Bag
  We recommend a lightweight, compact sleeping bag either synthetic or down that is warm to 30 degrees or less. Your sleeping bag should compress enough to fit into your backpack. Some sleeping bags come with a stuff sack, which is a small bag that you can stuff your sleeping bag into and then cinch down to make it compact. If your bag does not have one, you can purchase one at most outdoors stores. A stuff sack that compresses your bag to 12" to 20" is recommended. Carry your sleeping bag on the plane with you.


• Sleeping Pad
  Either a full length or 3/4 length pad that is inflatable like a ThermaRest or a closed cell foam (thin and firm) like a Therma Ridge Rest is appropriate. It should be compact enough to either fit in your pack or be strapped to the outside. Carry your sleeping pad on the plane with you.


• Water Bottle
  One 1-liter Nalgene (or similar) water bottle. Overland will provide you with a second water bottle on arrival. A Camelbak or similar water bladder is acceptable.

• Small Flashlight / Headlamp
So you can see in camp when it's dark outside.  A headlamp is a small light attatched to a band that you can wear on your head, which is nice because it allows both hands to be free.

• Small Safety Whistle
  Plastic or metal with a string or lanyard attached. This is for safety reasons in case a student is separated from the group.


• Utensils
  For meals you will need a 6" to 8" plastic Tupperware/Rubbermaid (or similar) dish or bowl with a top and a spoon. We also recommend a plastic insulated mug to be used for hot drinks.

Miscellaneous Gear

• Towel
  Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.


• Plastic Bags
  Ten large ziplocks (1-2 gallon) and 4 large trash bags. The trash bags will be used to line your pack and to wrap your sleeping bag and pad in. The ziplocks will be used to organize and waterproof the rest of your gear.


• Toiletries
  All travel size (in a plastic bag). If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.


• Moleskin or Molefoam
  One full package for blister protection.


• Sunglasses & Hat
  With visor (e.g., baseball cap).

• Sunscreen (SPF 15+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent


• Paperback Book and/or Journal
  Optional. Your group will collectively keep a group journal, and you will receive a copy of the journal after your trip. If you would like to keep your own journal, you should bring one.


• Camera/Batteries/Memory Card

Optional. Interested in seeing your photographs or videos on Overland's website next year? Bring a camera with lots of pixels (10 or more) and lots of memory (4GB or more). Buying a new camera? One of our favorites is the Canon PowerShot SD960 IS digital camera.

• Valid Passport
  Leave a photocopy of your passport at home just in case.


• Spending Money
  $50/week in cash or with a debit or ATM card for souvenirs, gifts and necessities (like more sunscreen if you run out, or envelopes to mail letters).

Note: Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs (e.g., cellphones and iPods). We do, however, allow students who fly to their program to carry a cell phone while traveling; on arrival, Overland's leaders will collect all cell phones for the duration of the program and return them for flights home. Perhaps, a better option would be to bring a pre-paid phone card so that the leaders do not have to carry cell phones for the duration of the program.

Contact Us: Phone: 1.800.458.0588/1.413.458.9672 Email:

info@overlandsummers.com

Travel Information

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from the trip start/end locations. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the arrival and departure airports to provide supervision and assistance. European Explorer starts at the airport in Barcelona, Spain and ends in Geneva, Switzerland.

FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Barcelona International Airport (BCN) between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Sunday, 6/27.
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: Geneva International Airport (GVA) between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Saturday, 7/24.

Drop Off: BCN, Terminal 1, 2nd floor, "La Plaza" (right outside baggage claim and customs) at 9:00 AM
Pick Up: GVA Continental Airlines Check-in Area at 8:00 AM

Any other special cases: please call the Overland office to coordinate, if you have not done so already.

Flight & Travel Information 2010

Program Start & End Information 2010

Mail Stops

Mail: Please only send mail via the US Postal Service. Sending mail to a moving target in Europe is challenging. To have the best chance of getting mail to your son or daughter, please note the following:

1. Use United States Postal Service Air Mail only.
2. Do not use Express Mail. Do not use FEDEX, UPS, DHL or any other express or courier service. Our European hiking and biking trips have mail stops that are either post offices or small rural campgrounds. Twenty years experience has shown us that despite what you might be promised here in the US, if you use these services your mail will not make it to your son or daughter. Furthermore, it is almost impossible to track these packages or letters.
3. Send mail 14 days or more before the scheduled mail stop.

European Explorer A

Mail Stop #1: We’ll pick up mail at the end of our hike in the Pyrenees (mail must arrive prior to July 7th). On the lower left hand corner of the envelope, please write “Para Grupo Overland Travel, 7 julio”. Please address mail as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EX A
c/o Barcelona Mar Hostel
Carrer Sant Pau 80
08001 Barcelona
SPAIN

Mail Stop #2: We’ll pick up mail during our Tour Mont Blanc (mail must arrive prior to July 18th). On the lower left hand corner of the envelope, please write “Poste restante pour groupe Overland Travel, 18 juillet”. Please address mail as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EX A
c/o Camping des Glaciers
1944 La Fouly
Switzerland

Mail Stop #3: We’ll pick up mail at the end of our Tour Mont Blanc in Chamonix (mail must arrive prior to July 22nd). On the lower left hand corner of the envelope, write: “Poste restante pour groupe Overland Travel, 22 juillet”. Please address mail as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EX A
c/o Camping Les Marmottes
140 chemin des Doux - Les Bossons
74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
FRANCE

European Explorer B

Mail Stop #1: We’ll pick up mail at the end of our hike in the Pyrenees (mail must arrive prior to July 8th). On the lower left hand corner of the envelope, please write “Para Grupo Overland Travel, 8 julio”. Please address mail as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EX B
c/o Barcelona Dream Hostel
Ave. Alfonso XIII - 28 B
08912 Badalona
Barcelona, SPAIN

Mail Stop #2: We’ll pick up mail during our Tour Mont Blanc (mail must arrive prior to July 18th). On the lower left hand corner of the envelope, please write “Poste restante pour groupe Overland Travel, 19 juillet”. Please address mail as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EX B
c/o Camping des Glaciers
1944 La Fouly
SWITZERLAND

Mail Stop #3: We’ll pick up mail at the end of our Tour Mont Blanc in Chamonix (mail must arrive prior to July 22nd). On the lower left hand corner of the envelope, write: “Poste restante pour groupe Overland Travel, 22 juillet”. Please address mail as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EX B
c/o Camping Les Marmottes
140 chemin des Doux - Les Bossons
74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
FRANCE
 

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2010