Backpacking Checklist

This list is a starting point for the thinking process in preparation for a trip. You don’t need to take all of these items on every trip. Factors which dictate what gets taken include: how many will be on the trip to share common gear; anticipated weather conditions; weight of the pack after you finish loading it; what doesn’t fit into the pack as you finish loading it; personal preference; and how many days the trip will last.

Gear

  • [  ] backpack
  • [  ] backpack rain cover
  • [  ] stuff sacks

Emergency gear

  • [  ] mirror & whistle
  • [  ] spare glasses
  • [  ] waterproof/windproof matches/firestarter
  • [  ] compass/maps
  • [  ] duct tape
  • [  ] rubber bands
  • [  ] tent repair kit
  • [  ] ThermaRest repair kit
  • [  ] seam sealer
  • [  ] sewing kit
  • [  ] emergency blanket
  • [  ] backpack repair pieces
  • [  ] spare batteries
  • [  ] Swiss Army knife/multi-tool
  • [  ] 50 cord/rope
  • [  ] flashlight or headlamp
  • [  ] garbage bags (2) (tie type)

First Aid Supplies

  • [  ] Wilderness Medicine (First Aid book)
  • [  ] Bacitracin ointment
  • [  ] Pepto
  • [  ] Gauze/gauze pads
  • [  ] Sore muscle cream
  • [  ] Band Aids
  • [  ] antacid
  • [  ] adhesive tape
  • [  ] safety pins
  • [  ] tweezers
  • [  ] cough drops
  • [  ] moleskin/molefoam
  • [  ] Coban/Kling dressing
  • [  ] anti-gas pills
  • [  ] Irrigation syringe
  • [  ] Iburprofen/Tylenol
  • [  ] lip balm
  • [  ] nail clippers
  • [  ] nitrile gloves
  • [  ] sun block
  • [  ] thermometer
  • [  ] Povidone/iodine
  • [  ] Ace bandages
  • [  ] AfterBite
  • [  ] antihistimine drugs (Diphenhydramine 50 mg)
  • [  ] Burn cream

Health/Personal Toiletries

  • [  ] water filter/treatment
  • [  ] waterbottles (2 to 3)
  • [  ] toothbrush/toothpaste
  • [  ] deodorant/soap
  • [  ] pack towel
  • [  ] trowel/TP
  • [  ] insect repellant
  • [  ] eyeglass strap
  • [  ] clothes pins
  • [  ] medications/vitamins

Sleeping Gear

  • [  ] tent/ground cloth
  • [  ] sleeping bag
  • [  ] pillow
  • [  ] sleeping pad

Clothing

  • [  ] Raingear top & bottom
  • [  ] Long underwear (top & bottom)
  • [  ] hiking shorts/pants
  • [  ] Outerwear based on forecast (fleece or down jacket + warm hat/gloves)
  • [  ] Synthetic or wool t-shirt
  • [  ] Rain/sun hat
  • [  ] Bandanas
  • [  ] camp shoes
  • [  ] hiking boots
  • [  ] socks (synthetic or wool)
  • [  ] underwear

Cooking

  • [  ] cook set
  • [  ] spatula
  • [  ] lighter/matches
  • [  ] cup/mug
  • [  ] utensils
  • [  ] stove
  • [  ] spare gas/ cartridge
  • [  ] trash bags (for toting out your garbage)

Food

  • [  ] freeze-dried food
  • [  ] vegetables
  • [  ] tortillas
  • [  ] raisins
  • [  ] tuna fish/bread/crackers
  • [  ] apples
  • [  ] hot chocolate
  • [  ] licorice bites
  • [  ] mayo packets
  • [  ] soup
  • [  ] cashews
  • [  ] trail mix

Entertainment

  • [  ] deck of cards
  • [  ] steno pad/pen/pencil
  • [  ] book(s) to read
  • [  ] binoculars

Fishing

  • [  ] fishing pole/lures
  • [  ] Teflon fry pan
  • [  ] filet knife

Photography

  • [  ] camera
  • [  ] panoramic camera
  • [  ] spare camera batteries
  • [  ] film/unipod