The following items are some of the items we will pack in our backpacks on hiking trips, but you may want to add to or delete some of these items depending on the length and area of your hiking trip. Planning ahead is a big must. Just remeber, some carefull planning ahead could save your life!
- Water bottle or hydration system such as Camelbak, Ultimate Directions or Platypus (carry two quarts in mountains when water is available; one gallon per day in desert environments)
- Water purification
- Nylon cord (50 feet)
- Waterproof/windproof matches
- Flashlight (extra bulb and batteries)
- Fire starter
- Pocket knife
- Toilet paper
- Topographic map
- Compass
- Emergency blanket
- Whistle
- Signal mirror
- Emergency snacks
- Sunscreen
-
First Aid
- Antibiotics
- Antiseptics
- Tylenol
- Benadryl
- Tincture of Benzoin
- Sterile gauze pads
- Roller gauze
- Nonadherent dressing
- One-inch adhesive tape
- Steristrips
- Ace wrap
- Large compress
- Moleskin
- Second Skin
- Tweezers
- Bandage scissors
- Irrigation syringe
- Low-reading thermometer
- SAM splint
- Space blanket
- Sawyer snakebite kit
- Emergency report form
- Pencil
- Emergency Phone Numbers and money for a phone call
Clothing
First Layer
- Underwear
- Long underwear (tops and bottoms in either light, midweight. Synthetic is best or wool / synthetic/cotton blend
- Liner socks
- Wool outer socks
- Sport Specific Socks
- T-shirt (cotton / synthetic blend such as those made by Sierra Designs or Patagonia or synthetic such as Tekware by The North Face)
Second Layer
- Wool shirt
- Fleece, Polartec or wool sweater
- Shorts
- Long pants
Protective Layer
- Sun hat
- Fleece or Polartec jacket
- Parka
- Rain suit (jacket and pants)
- Windbreaker
- Hiking boots
Miscellaneous Gear
- Fishing gear and license
- Thermometer
- Bandana
- Note pad and pencil
- Camera, film, lenses
- Binoculars