Equipment Packing Checklist

Try to limit the weight of your personal gear to approx. 25-40 lb.
A guideline is one-third of your weight.

_____ Backpack with padded hip belt and shoulder straps

_____ Sleeping Bag (30-65 degrees rating) and waterproof cover

_____ Sleeping Pad (important for insulation as well as comfort)

_____ Plastic Ground Sheet

_____ Tent, poles, stakes (can share)

_____ Appropriate Straps/Shock Cords to attach things to pack)

_____ Canteen/Water bottle (2 qt.)

_____ Spoon/Cup/Bowl

_____ Pocket Knife (multiblade?)

_____ Lip Balm (such as Chapstick)

_____ Sunscreen with SPF 15 or more

_____ Wide Brim Hat

_____ Sunglasses

_____ Bandana

_____ Flashlight/ extra batteries

_____ Band-Aids/ Moleskin/Tape

_____ 50' nylon Cord

_____ Candle/Matches

_____ Rain Gear (Poncho or parka/rain pants)

_____ Sturdy Work Gloves (maybe an extra pair)

_____ Stocking Cap (like Navy watch cap)

_____ Warm Sweater/Vest

_____ Long Sleeve Shirt

_____ Long Pants (required for work and needed for evenings)

_____ Hiking Shorts

_____ Underwear

_____ Hiking Boots (Comfortable/Well-Broken-In)

_____ Camp Shoes (Light sneakers or Teva type)

_____ Socks (at least 3 pr.; preferably not cotton)

_____ T-Shirt

_____ Small towel (cloth diaper or 'easy wipe' wiping cloths are light and dry fast)

_____ Comb/brush

_____ Toothbrush/small tube toothpaste

_____ Soap/Shampoo / Foot Powder

_____ Compass (& Maps?)

_____ Whistle

_____ Insect Repellent

_____ Camera/Extra Film

_____ Pens/Notepad

_____ Zipper-type (Ziplock) bags (for packing above)

_____ Personal Medications (with enough for extra days)

_____ Daypack

Since the official equipment information provided now is extensive, I think there's merit in having a simple check-off sheet to be sure you have what you need.

I must tell you that I have never succeeded in getting my gear down to 25 lb., but I try very hard to come as close as possible. Jeans are HEAVY, you will get cold in cotton if it gets wet, and jeans take forever to dry. The new nylon Supplex fabric is great if you have pants made of it. I'm hoping to finish sewing a second pair of these for this year's trip. With long johns underneath, lightweight pants are still cozy on cool evenings. One set of work clothes is sufficient. You may get them washed on a free day, or you may just look pretty "grungy" by the end of the trip, but everyone else will ,too.

I usually take an empty milk or Clorox jug with the top 1/3 cut off. This makes a good wash basin for bathing or washing clothes.

Toilet paper is included on the cook's shopping list.

Please pass along to female participants that these trips have been known to induce unexpected menstrual periods, so be prepared.