Backpacking can be a wonderful adventure or a miserable expedition and much of it depends on your gear! Please bring the following items and limit any extras.
Pack right and pack light.
CARRYING SYSTEM (ON YOUR PERSON)
Backpack + Water bladder or 2L water bottle
Underwear
Convertible Pants or pants (synthetic materials, no jeans/cotton)
Short Sleeve Shirt (synthetic)
Wool socks
Hiking boots or trail-running shoes
Bandana
Pocketknife
Hiking Poles or Hiking Stick (optional)
Sun hat
Whistle
UTILITY SYSTEM
Headlamp / Flashlight + extra batteries
Compass
Paracord
1 heavy duty trash bag
Small Hand towel
Ziploc gallon freezer bag for toilet items:
Trowel*
Toilet paper bundle in a ziploc quart bag
Ziploc quart freezer bag with toiletries:
Toothbrush
Small toothpaste or mouthwash
Small sunscreen
chapstick
Small biodegradable soap
Compact hairbrush & hair ties
Insect repellent
Ziploc quart bag with:
Tampons/pads
Extra ziploc bag for used tampons/pads
Personal first aid kit
Ointment
Band-aids (various sizes)
Gauze
Moleskin
Daily medications needed
FOOD SYSTEM
Backpacker Stove and pot OR JetBoil*
Fuel for stove*
Firestarter (waterproof matches, flint/steel or lighter)
Ziploc bag with dryer lint for starting fires
Water filter / Purification System*
Gallon ziploc freezer bag with:
Mug or cup
Bowl
Spork / Plastic spoon & plastic fork
SHELTER SYSTEM
Tent, Tarp or Hammock (& stakes if necessary)*
Ground cloth / footprint
Rain poncho or Heavy Duty trash bag
Thin nylon bag for clothing with:
1-2 pair underwear
Fleece or wool hat
Inner shell / thermals
1-2 pair wool or synthetic socks
Swimsuit
Shorts (if you don’t have convertible pants)
1 long sleeve shirt (synthetic)
Warm gloves (optional)
Lightweight Flip flops
Lightweight, fleece/synthetic warm jacket
SLEEPING SYSTEM
Good quality, light weight sleeping bag
Lightweight sleeping pad
Bag liner (optional, if cold)
Travel pillow -or- pillowcase (to stuff with clothes)
Space blanket
*Pick a buddy and only one of you carries a:
Tent
Backpacker Stove and pot OR JetBoil
Water Filter / Purification System
Trowel