Fits on your back : backpacking check list

6 years later, and I may or may not have just perfected this list.

First you will need to decide the items that you perceive as essential. Put those in one pile. Then you will need to decide the items that might be nice to have, but might tack on some weight. Has your training paid off enough to make it worth carrying it? Put the yeses into another pile. Put anything else back.

My essentials:

Starting with shelter and cozy living

  • Tent (are you going with someone? Who is carrying it?)

  • air mattress

  • Air pillow

  • Silk sack for warmth (dependent)

  • Sleeping bag

Night time clothes

  • sweat pants or long pants depending on the time of year

  • long sleeve thermal (what type of material is best for the environment you will be in?)

  • beanie?

  • gloves?

  • long underwear?

  • warmer socks?

Daytime clothes (to rewear how many days)

  • 1 shorts

  • 1 sunshirt?

  • 1 shirt

  • 1 underwear per day up to three days (then wash at site)

  • 1 pair socks to last at least 3 days

  • hat

  • sunglasses

  • glasses (for a mind blowing difference in star gazing abilities)

  • hiking boots

Filling your belly

  • camp stove or Jetboil

  • fuel (how much is left? will you be camping at elevation?)

  • utensils

  • cup

  • dishes

  • lighter?

  • water filter (does it need to be cleaned? Does your site have water near by?)

  • food

  • bear bag?

  • trash bag

  • coffee

Odds and Ends

  • map

  • compass

  • water bladder and 2 other bottles of water

  • first aid kit

  • tiny tooth brush and paste

  • toilet paper and shovel

  • headlamp

For the 4 legged fur ball

  • water

  • food

  • pack

  • leash

  • frisbee or tennis ball

  • extra treat

  • blanket

  • light up collar

  • poopbag

Things to leave

  • your plan of action with someone staying behind and the number to the nearest ranger station

Non Essentials

Nonessential items usually worth carrying

  • backpacking chair? (are you camping at a place with tables?)

  • hammock (does your site have trees near by?)

  • cards

  • book or journal

  • stargazing book (whats the weather supposed to look like? what time is moonrise? what phase in the moon in?)

  • biodegradable hand wash

  • pack towel to dry all the things

  • camera

  • trail treats

A non-comprehensive list of non essential items you could bring

  • Alcohol or any substance you would like (it’s your trip)

  • clothes line

  • change of clothes for every day

  • cleansing wipes

  • bug spray

  • electrolyte tablets

  • hairbrush

  • sandals for post hiking

  • ID, insurance and blood type card

Hopefully this helps in deciding what you might need! I start with expanding my bag as much as possible and rearranging items until I find an even distribution of weight. I usually pack my sleeping bag in a compression sack in the very bottom. Next, I slide my air mattress side ways into the bottom of the main pack, neighboring the jet boil and camping chair. Then goes the clothes, compressed down so not a drop of air remains. Sandwiched on top is either the food or tent (or both). Tent poles usually clip on the bottom of the outside of the bag. Top pocket is all the odds and ends and non essentials with my camera. On the very outside goes my book, map, sandals if I bring them and my cup! In the waist pockets I put my ID, blood type and insurance card. In the other pocket goes trail treats for quick energy!

What are essentials or non essentials you like to bring anyway on your backpacking trips?

Happy Trails!

Klare Nicholsbackpacking, camping, hiking, adventure, gearComment