CrossBone's Ultralight Backpacking Checklist

CrossBones · **Posted:** Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:30 pm

The Ten Essentials (for safety, survival and basics comfort)

1. Navigation
* Topographical Map (of the area you are hiking / camping in)
* Compass (or watch w/compass).

2. Sun protection
* Sunscreen and lip balm
* Sunglasses (with a retaining strap)
* Sun-shielding brim hat and clothing.

3. Insulation
* Jacket or vest (preferably synthetic).

4. Illumination
* Headlamp and or Flashlight (with extra batteries / bulbs).

5. First-aid supplies
* First-aid kit (see my first-aid checklist).

6. Fire
* Matches (in waterproof container), and a Fire Starter.

7. Repair kit and tools
*Knife or multi-tool
*Duct tape strips on bottle or other gear

8. Nutrition
*Extra day's supply of food and spare energy bars, gels, trail mix (pack all this in the very bottom of your pack where it is not easily reached, this way you won't eat this food when you feel the need for an unscheduled snack break).

9. Hydration
* Water bottle or hydration reservoir
* Water treatment system ( I plan to write a detailed post on the subject).

10. Emergency shelter
*Tarp, bivy sack or reflective blanket.

The above was a basic checklist. Even pack light conscious hikers will carry extra's.

Beyond the Ten Essentials (not every person will carry every item)

* Backpack
* Tent, tarp or bivy sack
* Stakes and guylines
* Footprint (used under tent)
* Sleeping bag
* Stuff sack or compression sack
* Sleeping pad
* Whistle
* Ice axe
* Trekking poles
* Stove
* Fuel
* Cook pot
* Utensil(s)
* Measuring cup / mug
* Food-storage sacks or canister
* 25 to 50-foot nylon cord.

Clothing options (base choices on trip length and possible weather extremes)

* Wicking T-shirt
* Wicking underwear
* Quick-drying pants/shorts
* Long-sleeve shirt (for sun, bugs)
* Hat
* Waterproof/breathable shell with hood
* Waterproof/breathable rain pants
* Bandana of buff
* Gloves or mittens.

Footwear

* Light-hiking or trail-running shoes
* Socks (synthetic or wool)
* Gaiters
* Water sandals (for river fords).

Personal items

* Insect repellent
* Headnet
* Toilet paper
* Sanitation trowel
* Biodegradable soap (nothing else!)
* Toothbrush

Other items

* Permits
* Route description or guidebook
* Camera (digital or film with extra batteries / Memory cards / film)
* GPS receiver
* Two-way radios
* Cell phone
* Small amount of cash or credit card
* Trip itinerary left with a family member or friend (this should always be done).

I highly recommend people buy a First-Aid Kit from your local backpacking / outdoors sporting store. These are great. But for those who prefer to build their own here is my recommended First-Aid Checklist:

Select items that match your trip plans and your group size.

* Comprehensive first-aid manual
* Emergency blanket
* Magnifying glass
* Small mirror
* Tweezers
* Needle and thread
* Safety pins
* Scissors
* Small knife or multi-use tool
* Razor blade
* Matches/lighter
* Thermometer
* Adhesive tape
* Duct tape

Bandages
* Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
* Butterfly bandages
* Triangular bandage
* Large compress bandage
* Wire splint
* Elastic-wrap bandage
* Gauze pads
* Gauze wraps
* Safety gloves
* Medical tape

Medications/Treatments
* Antiseptic wipes
* Anti-bacterial ointment
* Aspirin
* Burn ointment
* Prescription medicines
* Snake-bite kit
* Cough drops
* Eye drops
* Foot powder
* Antihistamine
* Sunscreen
* Lip balm (with sun protection)
* Vitamins
* Salt tablets
* Antacid tablets
* Insect repellent
* Iodine
* Calamine lotion
* Moleskin/2nd Skin
* Biodegradable soap
* Towelettes

Again, not all items will be used on every planned trip, but this should give you a good start to complete your personal kit.

Khaki-KJ · **Posted:** Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:18 pm

Great list! I would suggest one item to add to it, medium sized Rubbermaid containers to store what you are not going to put into the backpack. Two of them fit very nicely side by side in the back. One for extra oil, jumper cables and such, the other for the camping / survival items that may be needed. Put a piece of cut to fit plywood over top, and you have a nice shelf to put more stuff on top.

jeepmedic46 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:37 pm

Definately a great list

durangotang · **Posted:** Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:42 pm

Somebody has a copy of freedom of the hills :lol:

CrossBones · **Posted:** Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:39 pm

Not quite. NOLS Alumnus of the Brooks Range Backpacking / River Course - Alaska.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:07 am

Great list, but I have a couple of recommendations.

I always take Gorilla Tape instead of duct tape. It's thicker, stickier and more durable. Some of the cheaper brands of duct tape are just junk.

The insect repellent needs to be 30-70% DEET. Personally, I use the 30%, DEET can be some pretty nasty stuff, but it is the only proven repellent. There are studies out there, buut they vary on what strength they recommend. Some say that 30% is effective enough, but they all that there is no sense buying anything stronger than 70%. My wife and I tried some 100% DEET once when we were in some very buggy country. We were walking along and her watch dropped to the ground. The DEET had dissolved her plastic wristband. Be careful with it around plastics, i.e. glasses, headlamp/flashlight lenses, etc.

I always wear sunglasses. I you're going on a multiple day hike in open country, you'll be exposing your eyes to 12+ hours a day of UV radiation, which will lead to cataracts. They also cut down on glare from water or snow/ice. Plus they make you look hella cool.

A signaling mirror should also be added to the kit. You can't always count on cell phone coverage in an emergency.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:31 am

Well I am going solo backpacking tomorrow to 11,000 feet to a beautiful Colorado high country lake with some good flyfishing. Your list is great, but the one thing I am adding is my plastic flask of peach schnapps :lol:

CrossBone's Ultralight Backpacking Checklist

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