|
|
Contact: ![zenseeker [at] hotmail [dot] com](EmailImage.gif)
Weekend Backpacking Packing List
Most weekend backpackers have a different philosophy than lightweight and ultralightweight backpackers. Basically, they plan on walking a short distance to a lake or other scenic spot, set up a comfortable campsite and possibly go out on day hikes from there. With their special little camps comes a great deal more weight than carried by the lightweight or minimalist backpacker. With more weight, you will also need a heavier duty pack, boots and repair kits.
The amount of gear carried by weekend travelers can be enormous and the follow is just a basic list of gear often carried.
| Item | Location | Notes | |
| Worn | |||
| Nylon long-sleeved shirt | Worn | Nylon dries quickly and keeps you warmer than cotton; cotton works in hot environments but kills in cold or wet environments | |
| Hiking pants | Worn | Again, nylon and other synthetics dry quickly and cotton kills; cargo pockets are nice and convertible pant allow you to switch between pants and shorts | |
| Hiking socks | On feet | High density wool worn inside out work best | |
| Sock liner | Under socks | Hikers prone to blisters may benefit from a thin poly sock liner under their wool socks | |
| Good pair of hiking boots | On feet | You will want good support and durability; Gortex lining is nice to have | |
| Heavy duty belt | Through pant belt loops | Can be used to secure cargo, as tourniquet, etc; some can even be used as a emergency harness | |
| Waterproof wrist watch | Left wrist | Waterproof is really preferred; alarm may be useful if you are on a time schedule | |
| Wrist compass | On wristwatch | Attached to watch strap; usually sufficient for most backpacking | |
| Sunglasses | Worn | Good pair with side protection; if not sunny, pack them | |
| Backpack | Generally worn | Take your time to find a good fitting pack; external frame packs provide a good amount of support and comfort and generally cost less than a well built internal frame backpack | |
| Mini LED light | Right shoulder strap | Used to signal group or take quick looks at your map | |
| Bottle of water | Side pocket | Lexan bottles are extremely durable, but you may opt for a Camelback type system | |
| Knife/mutlitool | Outer compartment | Multitools with pliers can come in quite handy; Rambo knife is optional | |
| Toilet paper | Outer compartment | Stored in Ziploc bag | |
| Female hygiene products | Outer compartment | Needed if female and menstruating; kept in own Ziploc bag | |
| Snacks (trail mix, bars) | Outer compartment | A small amount in a Ziploc bag; don't go overboard | |
| Headlamp | Outer compartment | Allows you to walk in the dark; put in fresh batteries prior to trip | |
| Maps | Outer compartment | Take just what you need; stored in Ziploc bag or waterproof | |
| Binoculars | Outer compartment | Waterproof is preferred; if not waterproof, store in Ziploc bag | |
| Protractor | With map | ||
| Real compass | Assessable | Great for orienteering | |
| GPS | Outer compartment | No guess work in figuring out where you are at; put in fresh batteries prior to trip | |
| Pen | Outer compartment | Used to leave notes and mark maps | |
| Bug cream | Outer compartment | Extended release DEET is best; store in bear bag at night | |
| Sunscreen | Outer compartment | If light skinned, take even if overcast | |
| Hat | Outer compartment | Protects you from sun, cold and bugs | |
| Camera | Outer compartment | Put in fresh batteries prior to trip | |
| Bear canister | Main compartment or outside pack | See Below | |
| Plastic trash compactor bag | Main compartment | Used to keep clothing dry | |
| Waterproof jacket | Main compartment | Breathable material such as Gortex is preferred; this is a must in potentially wet environments | |
| Soft jacket or pullover | Main compartment | Better to have and not need than need and not have; should fit under outer jacket | |
| Extra shirt | Main compartment | Synthetic quick drying preferred | |
| Extra pants | Main compartment | Synthetic quick drying preferred | |
| Thermal underwear | Main compartment | Synthetic or wool | |
| T-shirts | Main compartment | Good for hot days around camp | |
| Shorts | Main compartment | Wear when washing and drying pants; used as swim suit | |
| Trekking socks x 3 | Main compartment | High density wool preferred | |
| Camp slippers | Main compartment | Gives your feet a break from your boots | |
| Hygiene Kit | Main compartment | See Below | |
| Extra Ziploc bags | Main compartment | Used to separate and waterproof any number of things; take a couple of small ones and a couple of larger ones; freezer bags are more durable than regular bags | |
| Camp Towel | Main compartment or hung from pack to dry | Fast drying; used to dry body and wring out washed clothing | |
| Water bladder | Main compartment | Enough to carry a days worth of water; more is needed when traveling through areas that have limited water points | |
| Stove | Main compartment | Choice of stove depends on many factors; gas canister stoves are the easiest to use and preferred for most backpackers but others provide turbo charged multi fuel stoves | |
| Stove fuel | Main compartment | Remember that you will need enough to heat meals as well as beverages and it may be cold out there; pack more if it's going to be really cold | |
| Cook Set | Main compartment | See Below | |
| Mug | Outer compartment | Titanium preferred for light weight; allows you to drink nice hot beverages | |
| Sleep pad | Outside of pack | Not only provides comfort, it insulates back from ground; ones that convert into camp chairs are preferred | |
| Lantern | Outer compartment | Battery or white gas; allows you see at night | |
| Mosquito coils | Outer compartment | Not recommended for use in tent due to fire hazard; keep in Ziploc bag | |
| Sleepingbag | Sleepingbag compartment | 3 season down in dry environments, synthetic in wet environments | |
| Camp pillow | With sleepingbag | So nice to have; a pillow case can be filled with extra clothing | |
| Compression bag | Main compartment | Used for sleeping bag; if room is not a concern, a plastic trash compactor bag can be used | |
| Tent | Main compartment | Three season tent will give you protection from wind, rain and bugs; shop carefully | |
| Tarp | Main compartments | Nice to put over eating/leisure area | |
| Tarpline | Main compartment | Used to set up tarp | |
| Space blanket | Main compartment | Keep in day pack; used as ground cloth; can be used blanket or separate tarp | |
| Water purifier system | Outer compartment | Makes water safe to drink | |
| Small shovel | Outer compartment | Small plastic one sufficient to dig cat hole | |
| Repair Kit | See Below | ||
| Daypack | Variable | If pack does not have removable top, you may wish to pack a very pack to use as a day pack | |
| Cook Set | Titanium and steel are nice and durable; you may need multiple stackable pots; store in large stuff sac | ||
| Windscreen | Cook pot | Needed for any stove | |
| Stormproof lighter | Cook pot | Used to start stove and fires | |
| Waterproof match case | Cook pot | Even waterproof matches need protection from water; carried as backup | |
| Waterproof matches | Waterproof match case | Even if your stove comes with an igniter, bring in case you need to start campfire | |
| Match strip | Waterproof match case | Used to ignite match; take even if you have strike anywhere matches | |
| Thermal pads | Cook pot | Used to lift and move pots; can be made from several layers of rags sewn together | |
| Fire starter | Film canister | Fill a film canister with Vaseline impregnated cotton balls; use to start fire in survival situation or to start camp fires | |
| Plates and/or bowls | Same stuff sac | Titanium are light and more durable than plastic | |
| Cutlery set | Bear bag | Titanium or Lexan | |
| Bear Canister | A bear bag is optional, but nothing protects your food like a good bear canister or a purpose made bag constructed of ballistic material | ||
| Food | Mix of freeze dried meals, noodles, cheese and maybe some eggs | ||
| Cord | Used if you are using a bear bag | ||
| Seasoning | Salt and pepper shakers and bottle of hot sauce | ||
| Hygiene Kit | Backpack | Nylon stuff sack; hang with bear bag | |
| Toothbrush | Soft Bristles are easy on the gums | ||
| Toothbrush holder | protects bristles | ||
| Tube of toothpaste | 3oz or less to make it through airport; more purchased later | ||
| Soap dish | |||
| Soap bar | |||
| Bottle of liquid soap | Use for washing, laundry and dish washing if needed | ||
| Disposable razor | If male and would like to shave; use soap lather to shave or pack shaving cream | ||
| Mini nail clippers | Take if on longer trips | ||
| Mini GUM dental floss container | Used for flossing, sewing and as string (such a for holding up bug nets) | ||
| Prescription meds | Carried if needed - this would also include extra glasses, contact lenses, birth control pills, etc. for those that need these; all stored in Ziploc bag | ||
| First Aid Kit | Backpack | Small zippered nylon case; everything kept in Ziploc bags; kept minimal | |
| Assortment of dressings | Ziploc 1 | Band-Aids, Steri strips, 4x4 gauze pads, 2x2 gauze pads | |
| Single use Betadine packet | Ziploc 1 | ||
| Betadine on cotton tipped applicator | Ziploc 1 | ||
| Alcohol swabs | Ziploc 1 | ||
| Antibiotic ointment pack | Ziploc 1 | ||
| Small roll of medical tape | Ziploc 1 | Many uses - secure dressings, splinting, taping sprained ankles, make rope | |
| Safety pins | Ziploc 2 | Used to hold dressings and slings together; close large wounds; clear tongue from obstructing airway | |
| Premium grade moleskin | Ziploc 2 | Put on ideally prior to blister formation; several precut | |
| Sterile suture pack | Ziploc 2 | Silk with needle attached - can be used to sew skin or gear | |
| Sewing needles | Ziploc 2 | Heavy duty stainless steel keep in mini plastic holder; kept here so it doesn't get lost, but can be used to sew skin in a pinch | |
| Vinyl Exam gloves | Ziploc 3 | 4 in own Ziploc bag - why get someone else's blood or body fluids on your hands? | |
| Roll of sterile gauze | Ziploc 4 | Air squeezed out of package and stored in own Ziploc bag; used to pack, cover and wrap larger wounds as well as make slings, tie up splints and make tourniquets | |
| ACE warp | Ziploc 5 | Used to warp dressings or injuries | |
| Small bottle of Betadine | Ziploc 6 | Kept in small Ziploc bag; used to disinfect wounds and water in a pinch; works better when diluted so a little goes a long ways | |
| Medication card | Ziploc 7 | laminated; reminds you dosages and when and how to use meds | |
| Selection of meds | Ziploc 7 | sample or blister packs of Katadyn chlorine dioxide (water purification), loperamide (Imodium), Tylenol (paracetamol or acetaminophen), ibuprofen (Advil), ciprofloxacin (for bacterial diarrhea) - if in areas of risk: metronidazole (Flagyl of amebic dysentery), Mebendazole (Vermox for worms), a bottle of doxycycline for malaria, and/or other meds; all kept in small Ziploc bag | |
| Repair Kit | Main compartment | Kept in small stuff sack | |
| Duct tape | So many uses | ||
| Stove repair kit | Need if using a multifuel stove | ||
| Fabric repair patches | Good for quick temporary repairs of jackets, tents, tarps, etc. | ||
| Mattress repair kit | Required if packing an inflatable mattress | ||
| Common Additions to List | |||
| Extra clothing | Backpack | Needed if really cold or wet | |
| Mini can opener | Hygiene kit | US military type is very small, with less mass than many coins; allows you to eat canned foods | |
| Radio | Backpack | Some backpackers need some form of background noise to relax | |
| Notepad | Backpack | Journal type or waterproof; used to right notes, etc.; keep in Ziploc if not waterproof | |
| Paperback, religious text, etc | Backpack | Kept in Ziploc bag | |
| Camp tools | Backpack | Generally not needed unless living in the outback for a long period of time | |
Please feel free to link to this site so that others can find it. It's easy to link to this site - simply copy the text below onto your web page.
