Gear List

BACKPACKING TRIP EQUIPMENT LIST

This equipment list is meant to be exhaustive for lightweight backpacking or mountaineering trips. You will probably never carry every item on this list on any one trip so select only the items that are necessary. Throughout this list bold items are things you probably should have. All the others are nice but add weight. Pick a few luxury items to bring, but not so many that your pack (back) creaks. Special notes for Fast Packers are included. Those items are marked with U. Following these notes should help you keep your pack under 20 lbs.

These are items you should have with you at all times. Essentials should be easily available and located in pockets or in the top of your pack. They should be the smallest and lightest RELIABLE items you can find appropriate for the trip. For example, do not bring a 10oz bottle of sunscreen if you are only going out for the day. Do not bring a 4D cell flashlight if a small LED key-chain light or AAA light will do. You get the idea.

Backpack (w/ plastic liner or pack cover if foul weather is expected) U (no heavier than 3 lbs)

Water bottle(s) (1-2Ltrs.) or Camelback type system U -use bottled water bottles to save weight!

Map(s) U -print out TOPO! Maps and put them in Ziploc bags.

Snack food / energy bars

Small tarp or emergency blanket (for winter and day hikes only.

Small flashlight (extended night or alpine starts require larger lights) U -place an led light into a Maglight headlamp strap

Small compass U - a nice Silva key chain type works well

Small knife U -the 1 oz laser cut REI knife works great

Small sunscreen and lip balm w/ SPF15 or greater.

Matches or lighter & fire starter

These are items you should have somewhere in or on your pack.

ID, $$, credit card, insurance card & car keys.

TP (Enough to get you through the trip. Do not bring an entire roll if you are out for a short trip).

Sanitary spade (or ice axe), U -or find a digging rock/stick

Parachute cord - 15'-20' - used to repair things, make clotheslines, etc.

Trekking poles - a good pair of nice trekking poles are best, but some old ski poles will work just fine. Be sure they are the correct size: hold the pole upside down with your hand UNDER the basket. Your lower arm should be level with the ground.

Duct Tape (5 feet, high-quality, fresh - wrapped around trekking poles just under handles)

Guide book section - photo copied U on the back of your TOPO! Maps!

DEET - if you expect bugs (April through September)

Small camera + film (memory chip) + batteries

2-way radio w/ fresh batteries

Water purification system

If you carry all of your water, you won't need to refill or,

U iodine + neutralizer (lighter - regardless how you pack, bring this as a backup system) or,

U a light weight and quick dip-and-go filtration system such as U Exstream or SafeWater or,

A pump filtration system if none of the other options will work.

Blisters, headache, gas and diarrhea are the most common mountain ailments. A simple kit with a few basics will usually suffice.

U Remember, if you aren't carrying all that weight, you won't need as much first aid gear!)

Aspirin, Acetaminophen, or Ibuprofen

Duct tape for hot spots

Providone iodine for wound care

Steri-strips for larger cuts

Triple antibiotic ointment

Kenelog (for poison oak if you are sensitive.)

Extractor (for snakes and stings in lower habitats)

Large bandages if mountaineering or climbing

Altitude medications - acetazolamide (Diamox) and nifedipine U -fast climbers are more likely to need these!

Personal Medications

This is the easiest place to save weight. Do not over pack! You can do laundry on the trail. It is nice to put clothes in two clothing stuff sacks - clean and dirty. U At night, if you get cold, simply wrap yourself in your sleeping bag!

Fuzzy pull-over hat - keeps you warm when it turns cold.

Glove liners or light gloves and if colder, either:

Gloves (Windstopper), or

U Trail running shoes or light hikers for hiking and approaching climbs

hiking socks (Smart wool brand is by far the best I've tried)

Insoles or orthodics

Comfortable shoes for the car (UGGs, Berkenstocks, etc)

If you'll be near water, don't forget the water sandals.

Clothing base layer:

Swim trunks or running shorts will help prevent chaffing on the trail and dry quickly.

Mid-weight long underwear (mountaineering, high country, cold weather, or if you get cold easily)

Synthetic-T shirt(s)

Stnthetic long sleeved shirt (mountaineering, high country, cold weather, or if you get cold easily)

Clothing mid layer:

This is your insulation layer. It should be lightweight, but you should be able to spend the night in it if you had to.

U Wind shirt or light jacket plus:

U Down Vest or down/Polarguard 3D sweater provide the most warmth to weight

Windblock jacket (about 2lbs)

200 wt. Polartech fleece jacket (about the same weight as the above but not as warm)

pants: most people are OK without warm pants, but bring mid-weights if you think you'll need them in extreme cold..

Lightweight, waterproof & breathable shell (Activent, Stormlight, etc.) for wind and light rain protection. U -if your skills are solid, you can use this for almost any climb or trip and save another pound!

Gore-Tex for winter and foul weather trips.

Nylon or polyester long pants (convertibles) in fair weather.

Lt wt. Water-proof or Gore-Tex pants (foul weather or glissading) U -suck it up and save another pound or two by leaving these home if you can

OVERNIGHT TRIPS:

Tent / Bivy bag / netting / tarp - light weight U -with 2-3 people, a tent may be lighter than either a tarp or bivy bags

Foam pad - ¾ or full closed cell foam

Change of clothes for the car

Ground sheet cut to tent floor / bag size (may substitute as tarp)

Sleeping bag, sack & plastic liner, down or synthetic, rated between 10-30 degree bag depending on how you sleep and conditions. U - wear your down sweater and most of your clothes to bed along with your fuzzy hat. This allows you to use a lighter bag. If you need to get up in the night, you're already dressed! There are several manufacturers making 1.5-2 lb bags in the 30° range. Choose down for lightweight, comfort, durability, and compressibility. Choose Polarguard 3D for damp or wet environments or to save a few bucks.

Boil and pour freeze dried meals are best for short backcountry trips.

Breakfasts and lunches are best left uncooked to save time, mess, and fuel. Do not over pack snack foods and trail mixes; figure out how much you will eat and do not bring extra.

Bear Box (overnighters where required) U -for short trips, try stuffing food deep into a small crack and sealing it with rocks

Freeze dried meals (two 2-serving pouches is about right for three people)

Jerky, Fruits, Nut mixes, Energy bars, etc. (figure on 12-20 oz per person per day)

Share with your tent mates. You'll only need one cook kit for every 3-4 people.

Stove U -there are several small butane stoves in the 4 oz range. Butane gas is almost 2x as efficient as white gas per oz

Pot U -you've gotta love Evernew titanium

Fuel (4-8 oz/person/day) U primus iso-butane is my favorite

Plastic spoon (for each person) U -tape a chop stick to it so you can dig deep into the freeze dry bag and leave the bowl at home!)

Insulated cup or dinner bowl.

EXTRA FOOD: to get you by if you need to stay an extra day. Bring lightweight items.

Raman U - eat this before your meal as a soup. You'll be full and won't need as much freeze dry for dinner

Benzo wipes or hand cleaning towlettes.

Shampoo U - suck it up and use soap!

Deodorant U - break off a piece and put it in a baggie

Toothpaste and toothbrush

MOUNTAINEERING AND WINTER WEATHER (bold are required):

Helmet - CE or UIAA rated climbing helmets only

Ice axe w/ leash and point protectors

Full shank leather or plastic mountaineering boots

Crampons - if ice or hard snow are possible

Glacier glasses OR Goggles

Water-proof gloves.

Water-proof pants and jacket

Optional and trip dependent equipment:

Lithium or ni-cad batteries (these are both cold resistant)

Pee Bottle (foul weather overnighters)

Hiking Sticks w/ self arrest handles

Shoe traction device


	BACKPACKING TRIP EQUIPMENT LIST This equipment list is meant to be exhaustive for lightweight backpacking or mountaineering trips. You will probably never carry every item on this list on any one trip so select only the items that are necessary. Throughout this list bold items are things you probably should have. All the others are nice but add weight. Pick a few luxury items to bring, but not so many that your pack (back) creaks. Special notes for Fast Packers are included. Those items are marked with U. Following these notes should help you keep your pack under 20 lbs. EQUIPMENT ESSENTIALS These are items you should have with you at all times. Essentials should be easily available and located in pockets or in the top of your pack. They should be the smallest and lightest RELIABLE items you can find appropriate for the trip. For example, do not bring a 10oz bottle of sunscreen if you are only going out for the day. Do not bring a 4D cell flashlight if a small LED key-chain light or AAA light will do. You get the idea. Backpack (w/ plastic liner or pack cover if foul weather is expected) U (no heavier than 3 lbs) Water bottle(s) (1-2Ltrs.) or Camelback type system U -use bottled water bottles to save weight! Sunglasses Hat Map(s) U -print out TOPO! Maps and put them in Ziploc bags. Snack food / energy bars Small tarp or emergency blanket (for winter and day hikes only. Small flashlight (extended night or alpine starts require larger lights) U -place an led light into a Maglight headlamp strap Small compass U - a nice Silva key chain type works well Small knife U -the 1 oz laser cut REI knife works great Small sunscreen and lip balm w/ SPF15 or greater. Matches or lighter & fire starter Whistle 10+ These are items you should have somewhere in or on your pack. ID, $$, credit card, insurance card & car keys. Watch Altimeter TP (Enough to get you through the trip. Do not bring an entire roll if you are out for a short trip). Sanitary spade (or ice axe), U -or find a digging rock/stick Parachute cord - 15'-20' - used to repair things, make clotheslines, etc. Bandana(s) Trekking poles - a good pair of nice trekking poles are best, but some old ski poles will work just fine. Be sure they are the correct size: hold the pole upside down with your hand UNDER the basket. Your lower arm should be level with the ground. Duct Tape (5 feet, high-quality, fresh - wrapped around trekking poles just under handles) Guide book section - photo copied U on the back of your TOPO! Maps! Pen and paper DEET - if you expect bugs (April through September) Small camera + film (memory chip) + batteries 2-way radio w/ fresh batteries GPS (if required) Water purification system If you carry all of your water, you won't need to refill or, U iodine + neutralizer (lighter - regardless how you pack, bring this as a backup system) or, U a light weight and quick dip-and-go filtration system such as U Exstream or SafeWater or, A pump filtration system if none of the other options will work. First Aid Kit: Blisters, headache, gas and diarrhea are the most common mountain ailments. A simple kit with a few basics will usually suffice. U Remember, if you aren't carrying all that weight, you won't need as much first aid gear!) Aspirin, Acetaminophen, or Ibuprofen Anti-diarrheal Gas medicine Duct tape for hot spots Providone iodine for wound care Assorted bandages Steri-strips for larger cuts Triple antibiotic ointment Kenelog (for poison oak if you are sensitive.) Extractor (for snakes and stings in lower habitats) Large bandages if mountaineering or climbing Altitude medications - acetazolamide (Diamox) and nifedipine U -fast climbers are more likely to need these! Personal Medications CLOTHING: This is the easiest place to save weight. Do not over pack! You can do laundry on the trail. It is nice to put clothes in two clothing stuff sacks - clean and dirty. U At night, if you get cold, simply wrap yourself in your sleeping bag! Head: Fuzzy pull-over hat - keeps you warm when it turns cold. sun hat Hands: Glove liners or light gloves and if colder, either: Gloves (Windstopper), or Gloves (fingerless) Footwear: U Trail running shoes or light hikers for hiking and approaching climbs hiking socks (Smart wool brand is by far the best I've tried) Insoles or orthodics Comfortable shoes for the car (UGGs, Berkenstocks, etc) If you'll be near water, don't forget the water sandals. Clothing base layer: Pants: Swim trunks or running shorts will help prevent chaffing on the trail and dry quickly. Mid-weight long underwear (mountaineering, high country, cold weather, or if you get cold easily) Shirts: Synthetic-T shirt(s) Stnthetic long sleeved shirt (mountaineering, high country, cold weather, or if you get cold easily) Clothing mid layer: This is your insulation layer. It should be lightweight, but you should be able to spend the night in it if you had to. U Wind shirt or light jacket plus: pick any one: U Down Vest or down/Polarguard 3D sweater provide the most warmth to weight Windblock jacket (about 2lbs) 200 wt. Polartech fleece jacket (about the same weight as the above but not as warm) pants: most people are OK without warm pants, but bring mid-weights if you think you'll need them in extreme cold.. Outerlayer: Jackets: Lightweight, waterproof & breathable shell (Activent, Stormlight, etc.) for wind and light rain protection. U -if your skills are solid, you can use this for almost any climb or trip and save another pound! Gore-Tex for winter and foul weather trips. Pants / Shell: Nylon or polyester long pants (convertibles) in fair weather. Lt wt. Water-proof or Gore-Tex pants (foul weather or glissading) U -suck it up and save another pound or two by leaving these home if you can OVERNIGHT TRIPS: Equipment: Tent / Bivy bag / netting / tarp - light weight U -with 2-3 people, a tent may be lighter than either a tarp or bivy bags Foam pad - ¾ or full closed cell foam Change of clothes for the car Ground sheet cut to tent floor / bag size (may substitute as tarp) Sleeping bag, sack & plastic liner, down or synthetic, rated between 10-30 degree bag depending on how you sleep and conditions. U - wear your down sweater and most of your clothes to bed along with your fuzzy hat. This allows you to use a lighter bag. If you need to get up in the night, you're already dressed! There are several manufacturers making 1.5-2 lb bags in the 30° range. Choose down for lightweight, comfort, durability, and compressibility. Choose Polarguard 3D for damp or wet environments or to save a few bucks. FOOD: Boil and pour freeze dried meals are best for short backcountry trips. Breakfasts and lunches are best left uncooked to save time, mess, and fuel. Do not over pack snack foods and trail mixes; figure out how much you will eat and do not bring extra. Bear Box (overnighters where required) U -for short trips, try stuffing food deep into a small crack and sealing it with rocks Freeze dried meals (two 2-serving pouches is about right for three people) Sport drink mix Jerky, Fruits, Nut mixes, Energy bars, etc. (figure on 12-20 oz per person per day) COOKING GEAR: Share with your tent mates. You'll only need one cook kit for every 3-4 people. Stove U -there are several small butane stoves in the 4 oz range. Butane gas is almost 2x as efficient as white gas per oz Pot U -you've gotta love Evernew titanium Fuel (4-8 oz/person/day) U primus iso-butane is my favorite Plastic spoon (for each person) U -tape a chop stick to it so you can dig deep into the freeze dry bag and leave the bowl at home!) Dish ½ bandana Cooking stow bag Insulated cup or dinner bowl. EXTRA FOOD: to get you by if you need to stay an extra day. Bring lightweight items. Cocoa or Tea Raman U - eat this before your meal as a soup. You'll be full and won't need as much freeze dry for dinner TOILETRIES: Benzo wipes or hand cleaning towlettes. Shampoo U - suck it up and use soap! Soap Deodorant U - break off a piece and put it in a baggie Toothpaste and toothbrush Towel MOUNTAINEERING AND WINTER WEATHER (bold are required): Required items: Helmet - CE or UIAA rated climbing helmets only Ice axe w/ leash and point protectors Full shank leather or plastic mountaineering boots Crampons - if ice or hard snow are possible Glacier glasses OR Goggles Water-proof gloves. Water-proof pants and jacket Optional and trip dependent equipment: Bivy bag Wands Lithium or ni-cad batteries (these are both cold resistant) Pee Bottle (foul weather overnighters) Sled Snowshoes Hiking Sticks w/ self arrest handles Snow shovel Snow saw Pickets Dead-men Ice screws Ropes Climbing pack Glacier / sun shirt Gaiters Shoe traction device