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Author Article
ck1



Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Articles: 9
Comments: 0
Location: Mesa
 Posted: 11/30/2003, 6:01 pm

Read Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. In it, Bill speaks to the intricacies and nuances of packing a pack. Colin Fletcher is a master in describing his backpacking gear to the minutia. Chris Townsend explains exactly what he took with on his AZT hike in Crossing Arizona. Each of these sources provides excellent references on what should go in a pack. How-to books like Freedom of the Hills, NOLS Wilderness Guide and even the Trailside series have extensive gear lists included with their valuable information.

When it comes to day hikes, my day hike pack is always packed and ready to go. I grab the (already filled) water bladder from the crisper drawer of the fridge and hit the trail. I hike a great deal though, but I know I'm not alone in having a pack pre-packed and ready to go.

Below is a General Gear List. The list includes activity specific gear for various outdoor pursuits, including mountain biking, fishing, skiing, etc. You'll also find a list to set yourself up with a pretty decent base camp. On our weekend adventures, we like to establish a base camp. This would be where we pitch our tent and eat our meals. We'll then head out from base camp to go hiking, or climbing, or riding...etc.

A smart hiker/backpacker/outdoor adventurer will pull from these lists the items they believe will be useful and necessary for their particular adventure. I have several different lists, depending on length of trip, location, expected activities or any number of other variables. As I said, use these list as a guide. Obviously, you wouldn't bring everything below on every adventure, you'd take what you need! I've tried to cover the basics as well as include some overlooked gear. My hope is that readers will add to this list by posting their own additions to the list.

In my own day hike pack, I carry an assortment of gear. Everything I carry is listed in some capacity below. Fill your own packs with what you think is essential for you, and as always..

Be Safe!
Colin (ck1)



General Gear List (obviously you wouldn't take all this gear)

PACK
Backpack
Internal frame
External frame
Hydration attachment/pack
Other
Day Pack
Hydration pack
Fanny pack
Rucksack


BASIC ESSENTIALS
Water bottle(s) or bladders
Fire source (matches/lighter)
Map(s)
Compass
Flashlight (extra batteries/bulb)/headlamp
Emergency whistle
Signal mirror
First aid kit (see below)
Nylon/Parachute cord (approx 50 feet)
Cutting tool (knife/multi-tool)
Emergency/Space blanket
Duck/Duct tape
Extra food
Extra clothing
Energy drink powder
Sunglasses
Hat
TP
Sunscreen/block
Lip balm
Water decontaminator/purifier
Trekking poles

FIRST AID KIT
Prescription medications
Vitamins
Diarrhea medicine
Motion sickness meds
Eye drops
Moisturizer
Laxative
Basics
Ace bandage
Anti-bacterial ointment
Antihistamine
Anti-itching ointment
Antiseptic soap
Athletic tape
Band-aides
Latex gloves
Moleskin/second skin
Pain reliever/aspirin/Excedrin
SAM splint
Gauze pads
Sunburn cream/aloe
Thermometer
Triangle bandage
Tweezers

CLOTHING - Warm Climate
Base Layer
Wicking top/t-shirt - numerous products available from polypro to Capiline
Wicking brief/sports bra - numerous products available from polypro to Capiline
Wicking sock liner - numerous products available from polypro to Capiline
Cotton t-shirt (with caution as cotton can kill, but can also be cooling in the desert)
Mid-weight long underwear tops/bottoms for nights

Outer Layer
Shorts/pants (ideally pants with legs that zip off to create shorts)
Waterproof - breathable jacket
Fleece jacket/wool sweater
Wool/fleece hat
Sun hat
Wool/synthetic sock
Boot/shoe/sandal


CLOTHING - Cooler Climate
Base Layer
Mid-weight (or Expedition weight if extremely cold) long johns (top and bottom)
Long sleeve t-shirt
Synthetic briefs/bra
Synthetic t-shirt
Balaclava

Insulation Layer
Non-cotton shirt/sweater
Down/fill jacket
Fleece pants
Wool (or similar) socks
Gloves
Wool (or similar) hat

Outer Layer
Waterproof - breathable pants
Waterproof - breathable jacket
Fleece jacket
Waterproof gaiters
Sun hat
Boots/shoes
Camp shoes/sandals
Shell jacket / pants
Rain jacket / pants



SHELTER
Tent (poles and stakes)
Tarp
Bivouac sack
Mosquito netting
Ground cloth

SLEEPING
Sleeping bag
Pad/Barrier/Therma-rest
Ground cloth

BASE CAMP
Cooler
Water container(s)
Sun shower
Crazy Creek/camp chair
Lantern
Candle lantern (for in tent) with extra candles
Bandanas
Fire starter
Camera/film/lenses/extra film/batteries
Binocular/monocular
Repair kit/sewing kit
Journal/pen/pencil
Nature guides
Travel guides
Reading material
Tent games
Trowel
Garbage bags
Insect repellent
TP
Personal hygiene items
Money/phone card (or coins)/cell phone

CAMP KITCHEN
Stove (repair kit/replacement items)
Fuel/fuel bottles
Lighter/matches
Windscreen
Pots/pans/handles
Ziploc bags
Large spoon
Spatula
Can opener
Utensil set
Bowl/plate
Insulated cup
Cutting board
Scrubber
Towel/bandana for cleanup
Biodegradable soap
Spice kit
Energy bars
Libations of choice


DOG GEAR
Leash
Water
Dog pack
Bowl
Food
Treats/bones
Doggie first aid (see related article)
Collar with tag and contact information
Location and number for nearest vet
Clean up materials - plastic bags/scoopers/etc

WINTER RELATED GEAR
Avalanche probes/beacons
Snow shovel
Glacier glasses
Stove pad
Snow stakes
Snowshoes
Crampons
Ice axes

SKI GEAR
Skis/snowboards
Poles
Boots/bindings
Ski goggles
Spare parts/tools
Wax/skins
Scrapper/cork

FISHING GEAR
Pole(s)
Tackle
Bait
License
Bill Dance Strike King fish finding sunglasses
Scaler/filet board
Extra line

CLIMBING GEAR
Rope(s)
Shoes
Harness
Belay device
Gear rack
Helmet
Chalk/tape
Guidebook

MOUNTAIN BIKING GEAR
Tire pump
Spoke tool
Spare tube and patch kit (and make sure that the glue hasn't dried up before you start!)
Tire irons
Chain tool
Identification
-(a label in your helmet with your name and phone number, in case you crash)
Allen wrench
A $1 bill and a quarter (for a ripped tire wall and an emergency phone call)
A couple feet of duct tape (for all kinds of mending)
Energy bar and water (even if your ride is short -- the easiest rides can turn into epic ones if conditions take a turn for the worst)
A couple of extra chain links -- a short chain can wreck your rear derailleur

PADDLING GEAR
Vessel
Personal flotation device (PFD)
Throw rope
Paddle(s)
Dry bags
Plastic map case
Sandals

A note on traveling in Arizona; in less than 3 hours you can go from extreme heat to winter cold with snow and ice. You should prepare your vehicle for your adventures. There are plenty of stories about people getting lost or stranded with their vehicles. Be prepared. Below is a list of what goes with me.

VEHICLE GEAR
Insurance card and contact number
Roadside assistance number
Cell phone plug in cord
Spare tire and jack/equipment
Maps, tons of maps.
Dash mounted digital compass
Numerous flashlights, from pen lights to 12 inch Mag-lite
Fleece blanket/sleeping bag
Crazy Creek chair(2)
Multi tool
Motorola two-way radios
Tie downs
2 gallons of water
Energy bars
Binoculars
1st Aid Kit
Rain jackets
Survival tool (shovel/hatchet/pick)
File of information/resources for area being explored
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