Backpacking Check List

BackPacking Check List

What you carry on a backpacking trip depends on your physical condition and the degree of comfort you want on the trail.  A strong healthy person may be able to carry 30 to 50 pounds.  A person with a weak back or weak knees may select to carry under 20 pounds.  Ultralight weight backpackers carry under 20 pounds in their packs but do without all of the optional and many of the essential items listed below.  The lighter the backpack the easier it is to carry   but the less comfort you will have on the trip.  Many manufacturers make lighter equipment but these items will be much more expensive.  Before every backpacking trip I print the check list below and use it to plan my trip.  I use a postal scale and a weight watchers scale to weigh every item that goes into the pack in order to stay within my 20 pound limit.  I measure each item in grams.  You can get a more accurate measurement using the metric system.

w=winter  s=summer


Essentials


_____ Backpack (30 to 40 liters) (w&s)


_____ Sleeping Bag (30 degree and higher summer or 20 degree and cooler 
           winter)


_____ Map (w&s)


_____ Headlamp or flashlight (w&s)


_____ Rain coat or poncho (w&s)


_____ Toilet Paper (w&s)


_____ Shelter-Tent, Tarp, Bivy, Hammock (including poles and pegs) (w&s)


_____ Ground Cloth or Foot Print (use under tent) (w&s)


_____ Food-Usually allow for 2 to 3 pounds per day-Bag for Hanging) (w&s)


_____ Sleep Clothes-Socks, shirt, panths (winter thermals, summer synthetic)


_____ Extra Clothes-Underware, shirt, pants (w&s)


_____ Sleeping Mattress (w&s)


_____ Jacket (winter down, summer fleece)


_____ Brim hat (s)


_____ Camp Shoes (w&s)


_____ Cook Stove and Fuel (w&s)


_____ Matches or Lighter (w&s)


_____ Eating Utensils or Spork (w&s)


_____ Sharp Knife or Multitool (w&s)


_____ Water Bottles (2) (w&s)


_____ Water Filter or Purification (w&s)


_____ Small First Aid Kit (Band-Aids, mole skin, Antiseptic, Tape) (w&s)


_____ Prescription Medicine (Epi-pin) (w&s)


_____ Hand Sanitizer (w&s)


_____ Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Hand Soap (w&s)


_____ Mobile Phone (w&s)


_____ Money ($50) (w&s)


_____ ParaChord (50 feet) (w&s)


_____ Towel (small travel type) (w&s)


_____ Waterproof Plastic Bag for Wallet (w&s)


_____ Insect Repellent (s)


Optionals


______ Sock Liners (w&s)


_____ Sleeping Bag Liner (w)


_____ Bandana (w&s)


_____ Swimsuit (s)


_____ Pillow (w&s)


_____ Pillowcase (w&s)


_____ Trekking Poles, Walking Stick (w&s)


_____ Compression Sacks (w&s)


_____ Stuff Sacks (w&s)


_____ Cooking Pot (w&s)


_____ Water Bladder (w&s)


_____ Water proof Bag for clothes or sleeping bag (w&s)


_____ Duct Tape (w&s)


_____ Tweezers (remove ticks) (s)


_____ Anti-diarrheal medicine (w&s)


_____ Ear Plugs (w&s)


_____ Camera (w&s)


_____ Pencil/pen and Journal (w&s)


_____ Book (w&s)


_____ Paper Towels (w&s)


_____ Bear Spray (s)


_____ Hand axe or saw (w&s)


_____ Shovel (w&s)


_____ Gloves (w)


_____ Hat (w)


_____ Sun Screen (s)


_____ Sun Glasses (s)


_____ Measuring cup for dehydrated food (w&s)
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