Trail Check List for a Week Long Backpack Trek
Follow this list! if you want to add/subtract/change anything, talk to you Scoutmaster first!
NOTE -- No glass or spray cans! They are expensive and heavy, and glass breaks. Use light weight plastic containers. Count every ounce NOW because you will regret every extra ounce along the trail.
OPT = Optional
Pack:
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pack & frame (padded shoulder straps; padded, wraparound hip belt; sleeping bag straps - No shock cord or rope) |
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Small waterproof bags for ALL gear in pack (nylon, cloth, plastic, etc; make your own!) |
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rope (8m, 6-10 mm diameter/ 25 feet, 1/4 to 3/8 inch diameter. |
Foot gear:
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4 prs light socks |
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2 prs heavy socks (wool best) |
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hiking boots (waterproofed, comfortable, and big enough) |
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sneakers (not moccasins or sandals) |
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foot powder |
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moleskin |
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12 band aids (25-mm/1-inch strip type) |
Basic clothing:
| 3 t-shirts/tank tops |
| 3 pr underpants |
| 2 pr shorts (or 1 long pants & one pr shorts) |
Protective Outerwear:
| long sleeved shirt (wool best) |
| sweatshirt or windbreaker or light jacket |
| down vest or warm sweater |
| OPT sunglasses |
| OPT hat with sun visor to protect nose/ears/neck |
| OPT wool hat (especially for sleeping) |
Foul Weather:
| rain jacket or poncho |
| waterproof pack cover or 3 large plastic trash bags |
| OPT rain pants |
| OPT gaiters |
Sleeping:
| Light weight sleeping bag |
| waterproof sack for sleeping bag (use a plastic trash bag inside a nylon stuff sack) |
| sleeping pad |
| 2-person tent and accessories (share with partner) |
| flashlight with brand new batteries (good AA size or small C size; share with partner) |
| extra bulb for flashlight |
| OPT headlight |
Survival/Repair/Miscellaneous:
| compass (liquid filled) |
| whistle |
| needle (large eye) |
| thread (wind around piece of cardboard) |
| 4 safety pins |
| extra shoelaces |
| extra clevis pins/split rings for your pack (use as zipper pulls) |
| OPT camera & film |
Personal Care:
| 2 bandanas or handkerchiefs (they really are useful) |
| chap stick/carmex lip balm |
| toilet paper ( in waterproof bag; at least 1/2 roll) |
| "pooper scooper" plastic hiker's trowel |
| "camp suds" or soap (hotel size or tube or liquid soap) |
| comb |
| toothbrush & toothpaste |
| insect repellent (stick or liquid, no aerosol or glass) |
| OPT dental floss |
| OPT metal mirror |
| OPT hand towel/pack towel |
| OPT personal medication (inform scoutmaster) |
| OPT sunscreen (especially for light complexions) |
Cooking/Eating:
| water bottle (1 liter/quart wide mouth; canteen not recommended) |
| water purification system with new cartridges plus spare cartridge (share with partner) |
| iodine water purification tablets (1 bottle as backup to water filter; share with partner) |
| collapsible water container (10-liter/2.5gallon;share with partner) |
| pocket knife |
| cup (plastic or metal; "Sierra" cup not recommended) |
| spoon (fork not needed: use pocket knife instead of silverware knife) |
| food & snacks (900 g/2 lbs of snacks/scout is plenty (450 g/1lb/adult) in waterproof bags; share with partner |
| pot & lid (2 liter/quart minimum; share with partner) |
| one burner lightweight backpacking stove (share with partner) MSR Whisperlite recommended; see Scoutmaster for options |
| 2 fuel bottles (750ml/25 oz) or equivalent amount (total of 1.5 liters/50 oz; share with partner) |
| wooden matches in waterproof container |
| 2 scouring pads |
| 5 handiwipes paper cloths or chamois |
| 2 plastic trash bags |
| OPT wet/dry towelettes |
| OPT dishwashing detergent (biodegradable only) |
"ADULT" Options: (Scouts-don't look)
Here are some options adults may consider. Because of cost, or the fact that adults seem to need more comfort and assistance than most scouts, these options apply primarily to adults, though scouts are welcome to use them too.
Strongly Recommended:
| hiking/trekking poles - These are similar to ski poles, but designed for hiking. |
| thermarest-brand sleeping pad - a scout can use a closed-cell foam pad (like "Ensolite"), which is cheap and effective. An adult is usually willing to pay more for the added comfort of a thicker, self inflating pad. |
| freeze-dried suppers - Instead of buying all your food at the grocery store (the cheapest option), you can buy freeze-dried meal packages for some or all of your suppers. A significant advantage of this is the reduced cooking time and fuel usage. and reduced clean-up. |
Worth Considering:
| notepad/journal + pencil/pen - a lot of adults (and no scouts) enjoy keeping a log or journal of the trip. |
| mesh hat (anti-mosquito) - this is a light mesh "hat" designed to be worn over a regular hat that protects your head and neck from mosquito's and flies. |
Not Recommended:
| mesh jacket and/or mesh trousers (anti-mosquito) |
| Sandals - NOT RECOMMENDED - yeah, they're nice in camp and for stream crossings, but they are not suitable for hiking. You absolutely must have two pairs of footgear suitable for hiking (hiking boots + sneakers), so sandals add extra weight with limited extra value. |