Hey, what do I pack?

 

Whether you’re hitting the local trails, heading to a state park campground, or prepping for a solo hike-in, proper gear is paramount.

 
 

Gear list.

gear.jpg

I’ve adapted this list over the years adding things for comfort when I have the luxury of extra cargo room.

I’m looking at you, tent fan.

First aid.

Day hikes.

Camping.

Camp cooking.

Notes to self:

  • add a printable

  • add a basic first aid printable for first aid kits

  • add first responder assessment & SOAP report printable for first aid kits

 

First aid.

This is more extensive than the average first aid kit. If you don’t know what it’s for, don’t pack it. Based on NOLS recommendations.

 

Basic supplies

  • Clean water - wound irrigation (preferably filtered)

  • Hand cleaner - soap and/or antiseptic towlettes

  • Nitrile gloves (keep your biohazards to yo’self)

  • Biohazard bag - something to pack your trash out

  • Digital thermometer

  • Whistle

  • Emergency blanket

  • Cortisone - reduces swelling and itching from stings and rashes

  • Medication - properly labeled prescriptions

  • OTC Pain relief - acetaminophen, ibuprofen

  • Pencil

  • Paper

  • Cold weather? Toe / hand warmers

Athletic injuries (usable injuries)

  • Ace bandage - compression to prevent swelling

  • Cloth/athletic tape - taping a joint for support

  • Triangular bandages (cravats)

  • SAM splint

Blister care

  • Scissors

  • Moleskin - applied to hot spots to reduce rubbing

  • Molefoam - cut a donut-shaped piece to fit around a blister

  • Second skin or blister band-aids - open blister care

General wound care

  • Tweezers - sterilize to debreed a wound

  • Bacitracin / Neosporin - topical antibiotic for cuts, scrapes, and burns

  • Gauze pads / gauze roll

  • Band-aids

  • Steri-strips or butterfly bandages - for closing cleaned lacerations

 

Day hikes.

Don’t forget to check the weather and tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.

 

Day pack

  • Navigation tools / communication device - phone, walkie talkies

  • Battery backups (if relevant)

  • Water - add a method of disinfection for longer excursions by using filtration / purification, heat, chemical disenfection, or UV inactivation

  • Snacks - calories for energy - nut butters, fruits, nuts, protien bars, granola bars, jerky, hummus & veggies

  • First aid kit

  • Insect repellant

  • Knife / multitool

  • Carabiners

  • Headlamp

  • Extra batteries for headlamp

  • Emergency blanket

  • Firestarter

  • TP / wipes

  • Trash bag

Sun protection

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Chapstick

Proper clothing

  • Moisture-wicking bottom layers

  • Warmer top layers - think wind

  • Rain protection

  • Hat

  • Gloves

  • Double socks (moisture wicking and wool) - for blister prevention

  • Dry socks - for backup

  • Proper shoes for the terrain and weather - barefoot shoes? Trail runners? Boots?

  • Bandana

 

Camping.

Pack up the car and head out!

 

Sleeping

  • Tent

  • Tent stakes (forgot those once…terrible idea)

  • Footprint

  • Rainfly

  • Tent light (check batteries)

  • Headlamp (check batteries)

  • Tent fan (why am I camping in Summer again?)

  • Yoga mat (extra ground layer)

  • Sleeping pad

  • Sleeping bag (or sheets & blankets)

  • Pillow (if you have the room)

  • Hammock

  • Extra batteries

Camp site

  • Tarp - tarps are great for everything

  • Rope - clothesline, rain shelter tiedowns, etc

  • Knife / multitool

  • Camping chair

  • Lantern(s) (check batteries)

  • First aid kit

  • TP / wipes

  • Trash bag

  • Whiskey

Fire

  • Hatchet / axe / saw

  • Firestarters

  • Firewood + kindling (do you have to bring in, collect, or buy?)

  • Tinder (dryer lint, cotton balls, dandelion puffball, dry grass)

Clothing

  • Swimsuit

  • Camp towel

  • Toiletries

  • Bug spray

  • Sunscreen

  • Weather-appropriate clothing

  • Backup clothing

Devices

  • Phone / camera

  • Phone charger

  • Watch

  • Watch charger

  • Walkie talkies

  • Bluetooth speaker

  • Speaker charger

  • Battery backup / solar charger

  • Extra batteries

 

Camp cooking.

 

The back of my Forester becomes a pantry while camping which makes night cleanup easier. I use a 3-drawer storage system for storing cooking supplies.

Food prep

  • Camp kitchen organizer / drawers

  • Cutting boards

  • Prep knives

  • Prep bowls / mixing bowls

  • Foil

  • Can opener / bottle opener

  • Measuring cups / spoons (this may fall off my list soon)

Cooking

  • Camp table

  • Camp stove

  • Propane

  • Fire grate

  • Pots / pans

  • Griddle

  • Hot pad

  • Spatula

  • Cooking spoon(s)

  • Tongs

  • Ladle

  • Roasting sticks (campfire cooking)

  • Eating utensils

  • Plates / bowls / cups

Food

  • Food cooler (treat it like a refrigerator)

  • Drink cooler

  • Ice / ice packs

  • Water bladders

  • Food (freeze things used on later days)

  • Drinks (freeze as ice blocks)

  • Spices

  • Oil / ghee / butter

  • Aeropress

  • Coffee mug

  • Coffee

  • Creamer / sugar

  • Whiskey

Camp cleaning

  • Food storage containers / bags

  • Wash bucket

  • Camp dishsoap

  • Camp dishcloth

  • Cast iron scraper

  • Drying towel

  • Paper towels

  • Trash bags