BACKPACKING EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
by Patrick Dearen
Permian Basin Outing Club

The Ten Essentials (as defined by the Seattle Mountaineers)

To find your way:

• map
• compass
• flashlight (spare batteries & bulb)

For your protection:

• sunglasses
• spare food & water (an adult needs one gallon of water per day)
• extra clothing (for weekend trip, 1 pr. underwear, 1 pr. socks, and
  sleep wear, including sleeping hat for cold weather. Pack additional
  clothes if very wet or very cold conditions are expected.)

For emergencies:

• waterproof matches
• candle for fire-starting
• knife
• first aid kit

What to Wear Starting Out

• boots (waterproof)
• undershirt (if weather demands)
• underwear (cotton; longjohns for extreme cold)
• socks (wool or wool blend; thin nylon or cotton “undersock”)
• pants (loose fitting) (silicon- spray legs for waterproofing)
• long-sleeved shirt (cotton, flannel, wool, depending on weather)
• sweater, parka, windbreaker (if weather demands)
• hat or cap (cotton, wool, straw, depending on weather, terrain)

Additional Items to Pack

• toilet paper (the 11th essential)
• sunblock , high rating (the 12th essential)
• backpack
• tent with rain fly (or waterproof, breathable tent)
• sleeping bag with stuff sack (line inside with plastic bag)
• sleeping pad
• ground sheet
• rain gear
• toothbrush & toothpaste
• water purification tablets (for terrain with water sources), or
• plastic jug for purifying water (for terrain with water sources), or
• microfiltration pump for purifying water (for terrain with water sources)
• backpacking cook stove & fuel
• spoon (additional silverware generally unnecessary)
• cup (metal)
• canteen or plastic water bottle (bring several of these filled with potable water)
• metal container in which to boil water (if needed for cooking)
• can opener (if packing canned items)
• extra twine (perhaps dental floss)
• bear bag & 25 feet of cord (in bear or varmint country)
• plastic trash bag
• whistle (for emergency signaling; 3 shrill blasts means “help!”)

Clothes to Pack

• wool socks (1 pr. sufficient for weekend trip)
• underwear (1 pr. sufficient for weekend trip)
• handkerchief or bandana
• sleep wear (including pull-over hat for cold nights)
• vest, jacket, or parka (depending on weather) (can use as pillow)
• gloves, mittens (for cold conditions)

First Aid Kit

• Any medication you take regularly or think you might need
• Sunblock (high rating, i.e. 35 or higher)
• artificial tears
• tape
• chap stick (sunblocking)
• Sting-ease
• insect repellent (without deets)
• ace bandage
• Calandryl lotion (for insect bites, poison ivy)
• Tylenol or another pain reliever (NO aspirin except for adults)
• first aid cream
• snake-bite kit (suction-type, NOT the cutting kind)
• moleskin
• Band-Aids, large & small
• cotton
• gauze
• antiseptic swab
• laxative (for extended trips)
• Pepto-Bismol
• Gas-X
• first aid guide
• Certs (alleviates dry mouth & thirst in desert areas)
• tweezers
• baby powder

Optional

• duct tape
• candle lantern
• walkie-talkies
• collapsible daypack or fanny pack (for dayhiking out of backcountry camp)
• space blanket
• notebook & pen (to keep journal)
• soap (biodegradable; for areas where water is plentiful)
• frisbee (for use as plate & games)
• garden trowel (for digging hole for restroom; can also use stick or rock)
• wash cloth
• plastic container of ½ rubbing alcohol, ½ water (for spit-baths), or
• Purelle alcohol-based personal cleaning wash
• lightweight camp shoes
• comb
• twistees for plastic bags
• book (can use for emergency fire-starting)
• portable shower & towel (for areas where water is plentiful)
• digital camera or camera and film
• watch (to time yourself from backcountry camp to backcountry camp, or in dayhiking; non- digital watch can be used as compass)
• paper towels
• foil
• bandanna (for desert areas or for straining water)

Food Suggestions

Breakfast:

• cans of fruit
• fresh fruit
• granola bars
• breakfast bars
• pop-tarts
• hot chocolate
• tang or Hawaiian punch

Trail Snacks:

• nuts
• jerky
• dried fruit

Lunch:

• pork and beans
• tuna fish
• sardines
• hardboiled eggs (eat soon, unless cool weather)
• peanut butter
• honey
• carrots

Supper:

• wieners (only in cool areas & if making first camp quickly; cook immediately)
• potatoes (where fires are allowed)
• hash
• beef stew
• fried spam
• tea
• cookies
• salt & pepper
• freeze-dried food (in areas where water is available)

Other food suggestions:

• nutri-grain bars
• bagels
• instant oats
• stove-top dressing
• top-o-rama
• pasta
• crackers/bread
• carrots
• cereal
• dried fruit
• instant soup