Hiking or Backpacking Checklist

Here's my checklist... Possible Things to Take Hiking or Backpacking. This is a reminder for me... you do whatever you want.

Separate things into two: a backpack ready to go hike and an overnight bag for motel and flight the day before and after. Yes, you'll have duplicates or you may not need overnight bag. It may rain, so everything in NEW zipper type Ziploc bags or standard weather-sealed ditty bags. The list below is comprehensive and you need to take just whatever part applies to your specific hike (short or long, winter or summer, glamping or wilderness, etc.). Do not over-pack the backpack... keep it to an absolute minimum. I hike with less than 30 pounds, including week's worth of food... ultralight and minimal is key.

If it's a car drive take a cooler with beer for after!
Light and small tent.
Pad, foam (I bust air pads).
Down sleeping bag on very waterproof bag.
One dry set of clothes change only!
Layers of clothes.
Everything poly-prop or wicking (no cotton).
Electrolyte (Gatorade).
Bladder on pack.
Bottle for airport or ride.
Pack, day pack or ultralite backpack, with waist belt and breast strap.
Water purifier pills.
Hiking pole(s), telescoping, with tennis ball on end for airplane.
Duct tape wrapped on hiking pole.
Whistle on lanyard around neck for bear.
Boots, very comfortable, roomy (anti-bluetoe) and broken in.
Arch support in boots.
Sunblock for face/nose and shoulders (if tank top use).
Lunch (Subway frozen turkey sandwich?), trail mix, snacks if glamping.
No-stove backpacking food (chicken, crunch noodles, trail mix, etc).
Cable ties for repairs and for first aid.
Camera, waterproof.
GPS.
Cell phone, charged full, with solar recharger?.
Take 110-volt house and 12-volt car recharger for before and after.
Batteries, extra, for camera, GPS, etc.
Maps, paper, on very waterproof bag, and compass.
Visor or hat to keep the rain off glasses and the sun off face.
Anti-fog cloth for glasses (important for rain).
Neck pillow if a long airplane trip there and back.
Deet for mosquitoes.
Alcohol as bug bite antiseptic and as part of ear unclogger.
Small flashlights, LED light or Petzl headlight.
Very small and light umbrella.
Rain poncho with built-in hood, for rain, wind or warmth.
Do not take an outer layer without hood!
Small disposable ponchos for rain or emergency tent.
Socks, thick wool socks and thin sock liners.
Underwear/briefs.
Shorts-pants/convertibles if nights are cool.
Shorts, light, for sleeping in heat.
Maybe gym pants for sleeping in cold.
T-shirts, one for the way up and another for dry or for the way down.
Tank top for heat.
Thick down vests for nights or idle.
Light camp shoes or water shoes.
Knive if driving or checking luggage, otherwise buy one there.
String and Velcro for bear/mouse/raccoon overnight bag and repairs.
Food bag for hanging.
Long-sleeve shirt for black flies or mosquitoes!
Don't take stupid beekeeper hat for black flies or mosquitoes, use hood!
Lightweight gloves for flies and mosquitoes, and cold.
Ear bands for cold.
Bandanas or sweatband or visor for sweat.
Maybe pack cover for incessant rain.
Sunglasses if sun (or high altitude).
Single-vision glasses.
Nose spray decongestant for sleeping and reduce snoring.
Benadryll, sleeping pills, etc. for sleeping.
Aspirin for hip pain.
Vaseline for chafe and massage.
Band-aids and moleskin for blisters.
Maybe Brandy for hot chocolate and as a gastro/hip pain killer before bed.
Tampons for the ladies as necessary.
Kleenex, small travel packs, or a roll of TP for #2's.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, maybe a washrag or bandana.
Matches, for just in case.
Pillow for motel before and after (use pack on-trail).
Stamps and addresses for postcard mailings to kids on-trail.


-copyright 2014 by Willy