Always Use A Backpacking Checklist. It Is Safer.

Without a backpacking checklist, I inevitably forget something. Nothing can ruin a trip quicker than leaving behind a piece of important gear or some food. Get into the habit of using a backpacking checklist while you load your backpack at home.

The following is a checklist that has worked well for me for most three season backpacking trips. Add or delete items based on personal preference, time of year, and length, purpose, destination of trip.

To help you come up with your own backpacking checklist, consider consulting "The Complete Walker", a book which goes into amazing detail about every possible thing you might need.

3-Season Backpacking Checklist

Ten Essentials
1. Extra food
2. Extra water
3. Extra clothing (like a sweater, warm hat and rain jacket)
4. Map of the area
5. Compass
6. Flashlight, extra batteries extra bulb
7. Pocketknife or all-in-one-tool
8. Fire-making items (lighter, or matches in waterproof container, candle)
9. First aid kit
10. Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, hat)

Main Items
Backpack
Pack rain cover
Day pack
Tent, poles, pegs, groundsheet
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad

Cooking Items
Food
Stove (with all accessories & parts)
Fuel
Wide-mouth water bottles (two or three)
Cooking pot
Small plastic dipping/measuring cup
Cup or mug
Pot scrubber

Clothing Items
Boots or hiking shoes
Sandals (campwear, wading streams)
Waterproof clothing bag
Socks, inner and/or outer
Underwear
Pants (non-cotton)
Pile/fleece jacket
Shirts (long-sleeve and short-sleeve)
Gore-Tex (or similar) Parka
Hat for sun protection
Fleece headband
Cold-weather hat (covers ears)
Thin, lightweight gloves
Rain Pants
Long Underwear *
Winter gloves or mittens *
Wool gloves *
Mitten shells *

Other items
Water purification system (iodine or filter, etc)
Sunscreen
Lip sunscreen
Insect Repellant
Biodegradable Liquid Soap (Campsuds)
G.I. can opener
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Watch
Toilet paper in plastic
Plastic bags (grocery bags, garbage bags)

Extras/Repair
Extra lighter
Extra flashlight bulbs
Extra batteries
Extra pack buckles (waist buckle, 3/4" buckle)
Extra draw cord toggles
ThermaRest and tent patch kit
Stove maintenance kit
Tent pole repair tube
Sewing kit (w/heavy duty needle, thread)
Small length of wire
Duct tape
Nylon cord

First Aid Kit
Extra-Strength Tylenol or aspirin (12 tablets)
Cold medicine, cough drops
Ibuprofin for pain anywhere on body (12 tablets)
Antacid tablets (6 tablets)
Antibiotic ointment
Antiseptic towelettes, wrapped singly (10 pckgs)
Adhesive bandages of various sizes (12 one-inch)
Butterfly adhesive bandages (6, various sizes)
Roller gauze (2 rolls, 2" x 5 yd.)
Burn cream
Medical tape (2" roll)
Moleskin
Triangular Bandage
Elastic bandages
Safety Pins
Needle, Tweezers
Scissors and/or razor blade
Thermometer

Other
Camera and film
Tripod
Binoculars
Notebook
Entertainment (reading material, cards, ?)

Double Check...

Functionality (is it in working order?)
Flashlight
Stove
Camera
Lighter

Reusables (do you need to buy/bring more?)
Sunscreen, lip balm
Toilet Paper
Insect Repellant
Soap/Wipes/etc
Water Tablets/Iodine
Film

"Extra" Items sometimes forgotten
Spare batteries (camera, flashlight)
Change of clothing: socks, underwear

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