Basic Three Season Gear Check List

Remember two things: if you bring an item, you will carry for the trip, and if you didn't bring an item, you won't have it during the trip.  I have a companion gear guide to provide more details and ideas.  I have also collected pointers to a number of folks gear lists which you might find useful.

Clothing Wear
  • trail runners, hiking shoes, hiking boots, or sandals which are comfortable
  • footwear for crossing streams: sandals, bare feet, etc
  • wool, coolmax, or nylon socks
  • underwear (ideally not cotton): coolmax, capilene, etc
  • pants / shorts (ideally not cotton): such as the nylon "travel" pants, river shorts, unlined synthetic  "warm-up" / "running"
  • shirt (ideally not cotton): long sleeve supplex nylon, silk weight long underwear, technical tee-shirt, or biking shirt
  • day hat (for shade)
Home: Sleep and Storage
  • backpack
  • sleeping bag (approx warm)
  • foam pad or therm-a-rest

Essentials

  • personal first-aid kit
  • lighter,  matches, firestarters
  • water (bottle or hydration)
  • whistle
  • pocket knife
  • blistex or chapstick
  • sunscreen
  • compass + map
  • flashlight, batteries for flashlight
  • sunglasses
Clothing Carry
  • extra socks for hiking
  • warm socks for sleeping in
  • light/mid weight long underwear: synthetic or merino wool
  • insulating layer: 200/300 weight fleece, or vest / jacket insulated with polarguard or primaloft
  • rain and wind protection: either waterproof breathable jacket  (pants optional) -or- poncho made of waterproof fabric and windshirt
  • warm fleece or wool hat 
  • gloves (if your hands get cold)

Kitchen

  • cup
  • eating utensils: at least a spoon
  • plate (if you don't want to eat and drink out of your cup)

Bathroom

  • toothbrush
  • bio-degradable soap
  • small towel
  • toilet paper

Optional

  • camera
  • field book
  • "camp" footwear
  • "camp wear": extra shirt and pants
 
 Individual or Shared Items

The following items could be carried by each individual, or pooled as a group:

  • shovel (or use a stake)
  • bug repellent
  • water filter
  • trash bag
  • 50' of rope
Group Items

Each group will need to bring a number of items which will be shared between the group during the trip.  These items should be divided appropriately between people based on weight, size, and individuals abilities:

  • food
  • tent(s) or tarp(s)
  • stove
  • fuel for stove
  • cooking pot (2-3L) w/ lid
  • object to clean pot
  • bear canister(s) if appropriate
  • large water bag (optional)