backpacking gear - General List

All gear has been chosen and tested with the goals of having as little as possible with me and making what I do have as lightweight as possible.

I have divided this into Essential and Optional gear, depending upon how minimalist I want to go on any given trip. For more guidance on what is essential gear, see the TEN ESSENTIALS list at the bottom of this page, compiled by mountaineers and used worldwide.

​Note: First Aid gear, dog gear and horse gear will be addressed on separate pages

Essential Gear:
  • Knife: Fold-up or Straight
  • Matches​ - There are a number of fire starting choices out there.
  • Bear Spray - no brand preference, just make sure you know how to use it and carry it on your person, not tucked away in your gear.
  • Water Gear:
  • Clothing
    • sox
    • underwear
    • t-shirt
    • shorts
    • pants
  • Emergency Clothing
    • rain poncho
    • hat
    • gloves
    • scarf
    • long underwear
    • sweater/fleece
  • iPhone and charging solar battery and cord
  • Garmin Inreach and chargrills cord
  • Personals
    • lib balm
    • sunscreen
    • bugspray
    • towel 
    • comb
    • headlamp and extra batteries
    • driver's license 
    • forest passes and permits
    • medicines
    • money - just a $20 or less tucked away.
  • Bathroom
    • toilet paper
    • period stuff 
    • shovel
  • Tools:
    • saw
    • shovel
    • fencing tool
​
Optional Gear:
  • Pillow
  • Basic Kitchen Gear
    • camp stove and fuel
    • pot, cup, bowl, etc
    • spork
    • hot pad
  • Other Kitchen Gear
    • cutting board
    • frying pan
    • large spoon
    • clean-up sink
    • towel
    • biodegradable soap
    • mug
  • Water Gear:
    • Lifestraw
    • Extra water bottles
    • Collapsible Water Jugs
  • Camp Shoes/Water Shoes
  • Clothing
    • ​sleeping clothes
    • sweatpants
    • other extra clothing
  • Journal and pen
  • glasses
  • Bathroom Stuff
    • wipes
    • hand sanitizer
  • Peronals
    • tent lights
    • scrunch or headband
    • personal body wipes
    • toothbrush
    • toothpaste
    • hand lotion
    • mascara and eye pencil
    • mirror
    • book
    • reading glasses
    • headphones
    • recorder and music to learn to play
  • Gun and extra clip
  • Frog
  • Tools:
    • hatchet
​
Ten Essentials - designed in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, these ten things are meant to answer the two basic questions: First, can you respond positively to an accident or emergency? Second, can you safely spend a night - or more - out?
  • Navigation - map and compass. Always have a detailed topo map in protective water-proof covering and a compassions, even if you are planning on relying on technology to get around. You may also want other navigational tools such as an altimeter or GPS, Garmin Inreach, rout descriptions, trip reports, smartphones or photos.
  • Sun protection - sunglasses and sunscreen. Lip, skin and clothing.
  • Insulation - Extra clothing. The basic clothes should always include socks, footwear, underwear, pants, shirt, warm jacket, hat, mittens or gloves, rain gear. Extra gear is an extra layer to survive bad storms.
  • Illumination - headlamp. Cary spare batteries.
  • First Aid Supplies - first aid kit
  • Fire - waterproof matches or lighter for emergencies. Carry a couple firestarters. 
  • Repair kit and tools - Knife, safety pins, needles and thread, duct tape, nylon fabric prepare tape and cordite. 
  • Nutrition - Extra food for unexpected longer stays. A one-day supply is usually fine for shorter trips. Food should require no cooking and be digested easily.
  • Hydration - Extra Water. Always cary at least one water bottle or collapsible water sack. Two quarts of water per day should be your minimum but 6 quarts may not be enough in hot conditions. Carry extra and ways to purify water if you need to get more.
  • Emergency Shelter - tent, tarp, garbage bag, emergency blanket. Carry something that could be used to spend the night out even if you don't plan to. 
USEFUL RESOURCES:
Click here to see my YouTube page of videos on how this trip is going every step of the way, including my preparations at home and my days on the trail.
Want to know more about who is on this trip? Me, my dog, my horses and any friends who happen to join me along the way...
Click here to see my YouTube page of videos on how this trip is going every step of the way, including my preparations at home and my days on the trail.