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

Secret Fitness Techniques

Wow, this year went by so fast that it was a blur!

I was looking over my notes and trying to determine how I did with my resolutions this year. On the positive side: I lost weight/fat and improved muscle tone, and vastly improved my hiking endurance. On the negative side: I did not bicycle enough, I had knee and shoulder injuries, and I did not consume enough protein.

My resolution for this next year is to continue hikes and lifting as is, but increase protein and bicycling, and be more careful about injuries.

I wanted my self-discipline and self-motivation to be stellar this year but it was a year full of stress. Stress may be the reasons for the injuries and for a very long "cold," or maybe it was over-training. So, let's try it again next year, and every year, and let's use the same secret techniques that have produced a good work career for me. To remind myself, what to do...

Set goals. What worked well last year was a target waist size and related weight loss, a defined "easy" hike mileage, and increased reps... when my weightlifting buddy wasn't looking. Begin with the end in mind. At work, it's been the number of technical reports published.

Be proactive. What worked well before was to madly cross-train, using all off-work time (no hanging around the house watching TV!). Just do it, the Nike ads say. At work, my interest takes over. Nobody has to tell me what to do, since I'm doing it. Do keep in mind that I have a desk job.

Do not overdo it. Think no over-training injuries. Allow both the mind and the body to win. Think win-win. At work, it has been distributing success credit to others.

Key is playing nice, smiling, sharing, mentoring, being courageous, keeping integrity, and demonstrating patience... with myself and others at the gym, trail, road, and work/lab. However, I do admit that I avoid some people to...

Be happy, and stay happy. "Do what you can with what you got," is my mantra... and...

Remember to rest. Nothing beats eliminating drama and reducing stress, and thus getting good sleep. The body has to heal itself after the carnage. Add regular massage, too.

Shhh... those are my secrets. Don't tell anybody.


- © 2012 by Willy

P.S., a happy new year to you.

Plan Checklist

Lessons learned from this year's backpacking trip with Jennifer (written at Pinkham Notch lodge library).

- Don't plan on hiking in the heat! If it's in July, it'd better be up north.

- Don't plan on hiking at too high an altitude! Dad doesn't have time to acclimatize.

- Planning ahead, everything ultralight and minimal.

- Don't even start unless dad has really trained well, is the right weight and uninjured.

- Look at the plan! And again, this time from the eyes of a 60-year-old!

- Don't hike on the day we fly in.

- Keep the mileage low for the first couple of days to warm up to the place.

- Daily mileage less than ten (there won't be anything easy).

- Come up with exit strategy, Plan B or bailout points (won't be anything easy).

- Nothing longer than a week (won't be anything easy).

- Plan on rain (in equipment, slow days and dryout spots).

- Take the GPS and extra batteries, no matter the weight (15 hours/set of 2)!

- Remember that daughter is in MUCH better shape than her dad!

On-the-way procedure that works is for dad to break camp at daylight and let daughter catch up later. Also for daughter to go ahead on climbs and wait for dad at the top. Daytime food to be on the run (bars), with one big sitdown at camp end-of-day. Drink water continuously and generously (bladder and bottles).

- © 2009 by Willy