Hello Future Pioneer Trekkers!

Welcome to the Northridge Utah Stake Pioneer Trek blog. This is Patrice Quigley. I will be one of the blog contributors posting on this blog. We are getting so excited for this years trek, "A Step Closer to Christ," and hope ya'll are too.

The fireside a few weeks ago was awesome. Loved the music and the speaker, local actress,Christina Torriente, from the movie Ephraim's Rescue. She spoke of her experiences filming the movie and Elizabeth Bradshaw, the character she played in the movie. We went the very next day to see the movie for FHE. It was then that I realized, Elizabeth Bradshaw was actually my great, great, great, great, grandmother! I couldn't wait to get home and compare the movie with actual family history. I must say it was portrayed very accurately. This made the sacrifices the pioneers made so much more real to me, and gave me such a greater sense of gratitude toward them. If you are planning on going on the trek, I highly recommend you go see this movie. It was very moving!

With the Trek just over a month away, we thought we should start sending some information your way. First of all, If you've been a couch potato so far this summer, you need to get up and get  moving! Grab a pair of comfortable athletic shoes, some decent socks, (preferably athletic type) and go on some long walks.Trust me, you will be glad you prepared for this when the time comes! No, we won't be trekking from Illinois to Salt Lake in 2 1/2 days, but it won't be a loop around the Sand Ridge park either. :)  Here are some great guidelines that should help you out...

CONDITIONING YOUR FEET FOR THE TREK:    Wearing the wrong shoes on the trek will rub you wrong and that means foot pain and blisters.  Remember, your toes need room to expand, because your feet will swell a full shoe size as you walk on the trek. So be sure to bring only comfy trekking shoes.   Running shoes are the best bet for trekkers because they are specifically designed for cushioning, motion control, and support.  Keep in mind that hiking boots do not provide motion control features that many people need, and may be inflexible and heavy.  And they are certain to rub you wrong!  Since you know that you will be trekking soon, try to do a couple of walks with your trekking shoes and a light backpack. If, or when you feel hot spots forming, stop! Go home, rub your feet with rubbing alcohol and let them dry out. This should allow you to form calluses that can protect you on the trek. To physically prepare yourself for the trek, here are some general guidelines: Walk 4-5 times per week For 2-3 times per week, walk 2-3 miles, and 2 times a week, walk 4-5 miles About 4 times before the actual Trek, walk longer periods of time up hill.  Remember, the trek experience is an authentic one.  You will not have canned soda on the trek.  If canned pop is a habit for you, we encourage you to "dry up" for at least a week before the trek.  :)  REALLY!

Layton Utah Northridge Stake Pioneer Trek

Personal Packing List (Please label all items):

Girls & Women:  
2 mid-calf length dresses
(long-sleeved dress or skirt and long sleeved blouse)
1 Bonnet
1 Pair of bloomers (to be worn under dress)
1 Apron with pocket(s)
1 Pair warm modest pajamas

Men & Boys:
2 pair canvas or cotton pants with a belt
(no jeans, sweats, or shorts)
2 long sleeved button down shirts
(no hoodies or T-shirts)
Wide brim hat-western style (no baseball caps)
                      
Everyone:

 No Cell Phones or Electronic devices (Sorry Charlie) :)

I pair shoes (athletic type, broken in, comfortable)

3 pair sturdy socks

3 pair inner socks (knee high nylons can be used, this prevents blisters)

2 sets under clothing

Rain poncho

1 hand towel with comb or brush

1 tooth brush                                                                

Chapstick (with sunscreen)

Sunscreen

Insect spray

1 flashlight

Personal Hygiene items & prescribed medications only

1 set of Old Scriptures

2 heavy duty black garbage bags

1 pair of leather work gloves

5 Gallon bucket with Lid (wear or put all above ^^ items in bucket) Packed bucket should weigh less than 17 lbs

1 warm sleeping bag (put in a plastic garbage bag, no pillows)

1 pillowcase--stuff your coat inside to make a pillow at night

1 warm coat with hood or bring beanie (roll up in sleeping bag)

1 warm blanket (roll up in sleeping bag)

1 outfit with hat and shoes will be worn there chapstick should be in pockets.  The other back up outfit and remainder of items need to be packed in your bucket or sleeping bag sack.

If you have questions please contact the Clothing Specialist: Mick & Patrice Quigley at

 801-771-6304/ 801-675-2100 or your ward Trek Representative as listed below.

 Hobbs Creek Mick & Patrice Quigley 801-771-6304                           

 Lakeview Wade & Heather Vantassell 801-771-0557

28^th Ward Gabe & Anne Aguirre 801-688-5922                                    
 Ridgecrest Chad & Marci Shupe 801-771-7263
Tri Oaks Dave & Trisha Clark 801-771-721                                              
LaDonna Mesa Chris & Darcy Miller 801-771-8720



Pioneer Clothing

                          

WHAT TO WEAR ON THE TREK:   

Dressing in pioneer clothing can have a tremendous impact on the spirit of the trek.  The following is a short description of how pioneers dressed and it is our hope that the youth will dress likewise for the trek. 

Men’s clothing: 

Men’s shirts worn loose.  Plain colors were common, but stripes or plaids were also used.  Light colors will be coolest.  Choose something larger than a regular fit, with long sleeves. 

Pants were also worn loose.  Wool or linen was used.  Corduroy, twill and canvas pants are good choices.  Trekker in our day find that wool is to hot but that cotton work great.  Colors include blue, black, gray, browns, especially beige and tan.  Choose rather loose fitting through the crotch and thigh area to add comfort in walking. 

Suspenders; Men’s pants were held up by suspenders that were buttoned on the outside of the waistband, and crossed in the back. 

Hats:  Men’s everyday hats ranged from pilot caps, straw hats, wide brimmed low felt hats, or round crowned hat.  No ball caps allowed. 

Ties; Usually vests/ties were worn only on Sunday or when attending a meeting or social event.  Ties were small, black and silky.  Wrapped around the neck one and tied in the front with a square knot. 

Women’s clothing:  

Dresses:  Women’s basic dresses were floor length.  It could be plain or have many ruffles.  The sleeves were full, and long, with buttons or bands at the writs.  Necklines were usually high, with buttons up the front.  Fabrics were cotton in solid colors or small print.  Bright colors were popular (especially bright yellow)  Blouses and long skirts or jumpers could be used.  Pioneer trekkers now have found that dresses and skirts should be mid-calf or above top of a hiking boot in length (so the girls do not trip over their skirts while pulling). 

Aprons; The standard apron was six to twelve inches shorter than the skirt length.  It gathered at the waist and tied.  The bib attached at the waist and was pinned to the dress bodice at the top two corners.  Hence, the name pinafore (Pinned at two of the four corners).  Daytime aprons were made of calico remnants.  Sunday aprons were made from white fabric and did not have a bib.  For trekking today, large deep pockets are important to be able to carry different items along the trial. There's a pattern you can use Here

Pantaloons were worn underneath the dress and were normally white.  Reach between knee and mid calf.  Could use scrubs or pajama pants hemmed shorter.  Wearing pantaloons helps maintain modesty in trekking situations.  (Although the young women often wear denim jeans, on the trek they should be discouraged because they are too tight, hot and don’t breathe.)  There's a pattern:  Here

Bonnets; Women wore bonnets whenever they were outside.  They were made of cotton with a deep stiffened brim and back ruffle to protect the neck.  They could be white, plain colors or a print, but they never matched the fabric of the dress.  Today, bonnets or straw hats for the girls are important, they need to have something they will wear to protect them from the sun.  Pattern Here

What NOT TO Wear
Blue jeans, baseball caps, tank tops, t shirts, tight/short dresses, brand new shoes.

 The Historical Pattern Company
Various men’s and women’s patterns are shown on this website Here

Please do not think you need to show up for trek as the best dressed pioneer. Barrow clothing from past trekkers and check second hand stores. If you are having trouble rounding stuff up, please don't wait until the last minute. Ask your parents for help or call your ward trek specialist. Their phone numbers are listed above. ^ ^ 

Check this blog often. We will  continually be updating it with information you will need to prepare.

It's going to be an experience you will never forget!!  Yehaw!