Backpacking Gear Checklist - Backpacking With Dave

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Backpacking Gear Checklist

This is the gear, equipment and menu checklist I go over before each backpacking trip.

BACKPACKING GEAR CHECKLIST — With an outdoor activity like backpacking, it is especially important to check your gear and make sure you have everything before you go.

Equipment

1. Fire: matches, knife

2. Direction: map, compass, flashlight & batteries, scriptures

3. Protection:

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clothes: waterproof jacket, long and short sleeved shirts, pants, fleece, extra socks and underwear, and hat.

optional clothes: rain pants, camp shoes or moccasins. (For cooler weather you could add a parka, gloves, stocking cap and snow pants or gaiters.) Be prepared for rain or unexpected snow.

first aid kit: bandages (assorted sizes), gauze, tape, tweezers, scissors, needle(s), safety pins, aspirin, ibuprofen or Tylenol, soap, benadryl, neosporin, other medications as needed, thermometer, pencil/paper, molefoam or moleskin, and coins

food & water: water bottle, # day’s supply of food, and water filter, hip or day pack for side hikes

sun protection: polarized sun glasses, sun block (15+), and hat

4. Shelter: tent, cord/rope, space blanket or tarp

5. Cooking: 1-2 pots/pans, cup, plate, spoon, fork, salt & pepper, 1 gallon water bag, plastic sheet, food/bear bag and cord

6. Sleeping: sleeping bag, Thermarest or closed cell foam pad

7. Personal Kit / Sanitation: soap/shampoo, toothpaste & brush, comb, dental floss, toilet paper, repair kit (wire, tape, etc.), small towel, tweezers, chapstick, water filter, scouring pads or dish soap, paper towels, mosquito repellant

8. Pack, Backpack: add hip or day pack if going on hike or to a summit

9. Stove & Fuel

10. Fishing Gear & License if going fishing

Sample Four Day Menu

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
1	Cereal Milk, juice Sweet Roll	Sandwiches, chips, Carrots/celery Box drink/Kool-aid	Rice-a-Roni Rolls, butter Fruit punch
2	Scones Honey, jelly, butter Milk	Crackers Jerky, chips Dried fruit, nuts Candy bar	Spagetti/sauce/cheese French bread, garlic butter Pudding Lemonade
3	Cereal (any kind) Milk (powdered) Hot chocolate	French onion soup Crackers, chips Dried fruit, candy Grape Drink	Beef stroganoff/pasta Breadsticks Fruit punch
4	Granola Bars Hot chocolate	Candy bars, trail food Raspberry Lemonade	Urban Survival Food

Sample Backpacking Cook Kit

Many of the cooking items in the equipment list can be consolidated into a backpacking cook kit. Your cook kit would include equipment like:

1. Stove w/fuel, 1-2 pots w/ lid, Spatula, Frying pan, Matches

2. Cup, Plate, Spoon & Fork (don't forget your pocket knife)

3. Salt & Pepper, Cooking Oil, Other seasonings

4. Dish soap or pads, Paper towels

5. Butter or margarine, Honey, Jam and/or Jelly

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