Backpacking Checklist

[Nick]

Per Ndheiner 's request, here is a copy of my personal backpacking checklist. It'll be different for everyone so I also uploaded the MS Word document so you can download and make your own changes.

Basically I put anything I would ever bring for a 3-season trip on this list. When it's time to start packing, I sit down and fill out all the blanks. How much fuel, how many dinners, lunches, breakfasts and what food to bring. I cross out all the things I don't need and sometimes add others in the Notes section. For example, I bring my lightweight tarp when I'm going without my tent and sometimes in addition in the desert but I put both on my list so I can't forget.

Feel free to critique and make suggestions and definitely upload/share your own lists!

My weight for a 4-day trip in the desert with a liter of Scotch was right about 33 pounds including full camera gear.

Download the MS Word version here: http://backcountrypost.com/forum/uploads/BackpackingChecklist.doc

PDF below:

 

[Nick]

Here's a JPEG of my list so you don't have to download the PDF or .doc if you don't want to.

 

[Bill]

I like how you keep a memory card in your first aid kit. I guess if its always in there you never forget an extra.

 

[Nick]

I like how you keep a memory card in your first aid kit. I guess if its always in there you never forget an extra.

Yep. I'd rather forget my stove than my camera or memory card. Back in 2005 I forgot left my camera in the car (which drove away) as I started a 35 miles solo point-to-point in the Uintas. At the time it was by far my most serious backpacking trip to date, especially solo. It pissed me off to no end to hike through it all and not be able to take a picture. So of course I had to go back and do the route again a couple years later. Those trip reports can be found here.

 

[nmanwaring]

Thanks for posting this! Question for some clarification:
1) What rating of sleeping bag do you use for the Uintas? Knowing not all are created equal, what actual bag do you use?
2) Where do I get GPS and/or Paper maps for the Uintas? (There are several sites that have them, but it's really helpful when someone experienced gives a stamp of approval on something.

Thanks again,
~Nathan

 

[Nick]

Thanks for posting this! Question for some clarification:
1) What rating of sleeping bag do you use for the Uintas? Knowing not all are created equal, what actual bag do you use?
2) Where do I get GPS and/or Paper maps for the Uintas? (There are several sites that have them, but it's really helpful when someone experienced gives a stamp of approval on something.

Thanks again,
~Nathan

For a typical Uintas summer trip I use something between a 15-20 degree bag. For a long time I used my synthetic North Face Mammoth (great for big people). More recently I've been using a Marmot Flathead down bag. The synthetic is a safer option for the Uintas as it will still keep you warm if it gets wet. But the down is lighter and packs down way smaller.

I got snowed in on one of my early backpacking trips in the Uintas. I was in a down bag at the time and it ended up forcing us to leave because I was getting buried in snow on my end of the tent. This was back in the day when I thought it was cool to pack two dudes, two dogs and gear into a small 2-man tent that wasn't properly pitched. That trip report can be viewed here: Smith & Morehouse Trail, Uintas

As for maps, you can get really good FREE GPS maps online at GPS File Depot or Miscjung.org. I'm going to create a thread when I get a minute all about maps and map resources that will also help.

For paper maps, I absolutely love the Trails Illustrated High Uintas Wilderness map. But I don't use it so much for navigation as I do trip planning. For navigation and safety backup, I use USGS 7.5 quad maps. You can buy them from the USGS or at a lot of outdoor stores like REI. You can also make your own buy buying National Geographic's Topo Software for Utah. That can be really helpful for making specific maps for each trip.

What I've been doing lately is downloading the free maps from the Utah Geological Survey or the Utah GIS Portal websites and making my own with customized markers and sometimes even text from guidebooks along the side.

Here's an example of one of my custom maps designed for an 11x17 printer. This one doesn't have any special add-ons other than the scale but it does include data from what would normaly four seperate USGS quads all on one sheet. And on the other side of the paper I printed a zoomed in version of the area we were camping in. I just stitched them together in photoshop. My Salt Creek map on the other hand is filled with waypoints and text from the guidebook, unfortunately the NPS got all pissed the last time I posted that online for the public.

 

[cirrus2000]

Memory cards are so cheap and plentiful now, it's a great idea to keep one in the medical kit. I think I'll have to do that!

In '07 I spent 4 days hiking down Buckskin/Paria. I just had a waterproof point & shoot, but I left the bag of extra batteries and SD cards in the car at trail end. Had one battery and one 1GB card. I managed to make it last, though, right through the trip. Now I always double and triple check!

 

[HomerJ]

Nick, when I click on the link for your backpacking list it just takes me to your website... Can you fix it or shoot me the list in an email.
Thanks

 

[HomerJ]

Memory cards are so cheap and plentiful now, it's a great idea to keep one in the medical kit. I think I'll have to do that!

In '07 I spent 4 days hiking down Buckskin/Paria. I just had a waterproof point & shoot, but I left the bag of extra batteries and SD cards in the car at trail end. Had one battery and one 1GB card. I managed to make it last, though, right through the trip. Now I always double and triple check!

I keep a spare in my car too after (more than once) having jumped in the car and ran somewhere to take photos and realized my card was at home on my desk! DOH!

 

[Nick]

Nick, when I click on the link for your backpacking list it just takes me to your website... Can you fix it or shoot me the list in an email.
Thanks

Thanks for catching that! I fixed the link, http://backcountrypost.com/forum/uploads/BackpackingChecklist.doc

 

[HomerJ]

Thanks for catching that! I fixed the link, http://backcountrypost.com/forum/uploads/BackpackingChecklist.doc

Thanks, it's working now!

 

[pixie1339]

Good stuff Nick! Thanks for uploading that. It's helpful to see an actual backpacker's list, not just a generic list.

 

[Alison]

Per Ndheiner 's request, here is a copy of my personal backpacking checklist. It'll be different for everyone so I also uploaded the MS Word document so you can download and make your own changes.

Basically I put anything I would ever bring for a 3-season trip on this list. When it's time to start packing, I sit down and fill out all the blanks. How much fuel, how many dinners, lunches, breakfasts and what food to bring. I cross out all the things I don't need and sometimes add others in the Notes section. For example, I bring my lightweight tarp when I'm going without my tent and sometimes in addition in the desert but I put both on my list so I can't forget.

Feel free to critique and make suggestions and definitely upload/share your own lists!

Download the MS Word version here: http://backcountrypost.com/forum/uploads/BackpackingChecklist.doc

PDF below:

VERY USEFUL! Thanks for the post.

 

[neiloro]

Nick, you need to fix the link to the NatGeo maps on Amazon. I think you meant to post: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005QYZF/?tag=backcountrypo-20

 

[Nick]

Nick, you need to fix the link to the NatGeo maps on Amazon. I think you meant to post: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005QYZF/?tag=backcountrypo-20

Nice catch. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Don]

Memory card in the aid kit made me think of something I keep in the aid kit; extra contact lenses.
I keep contact solution, a contacts case, and 1 spare in a small fleece stuff sack that usually comes in the sleeping bag with me to prevent freezing. I also carry a signal mirror connected to a piece of 550 cord so I can hang it on a tree or something and use it to insert my contacts each morning. In addition to that I ALWAYS carry 3 more spare lenses in my first aid kit.
Might be easier to get some new glasses (current pair have an old prescription) but I like wearing sunglasses with my contacts...

 

[intuitive cat]

with a liter of Scotch

nice. what's your brand? I was a Lagavulin man until the price shot so high & i now have to go all of the way to Moab to get it.
now it's an annual christmas gift to myself

 

[Nick]

nice. what's your brand? I was a Lagavulin man until the price shot so high & i now have to go all of the way to Moab to get it.
now it's an annual christmas gift to myself

I guess my brand would be Johnny Walker Red. That's what I've bought the most. I only started really enjoying scotch a couple of years ago so I haven't really explored the possibilities. Probably the biggest reason I kept buying JW Red was becase I would always end up with a little left over in a bottle so I'd have to buy more of the same to refill my flask for backpacking! The last couple of trips I've been on I've been drinking bourbon. Gentleman Jack this weekend.

 

[Nick]

Memory card in the aid kit made me think of something I keep in the aid kit; extra contact lenses.
I keep contact solution, a contacts case, and 1 spare in a small fleece stuff sack that usually comes in the sleeping bag with me to prevent freezing. I also carry a signal mirror connected to a piece of 550 cord so I can hang it on a tree or something and use it to insert my contacts each morning. In addition to that I ALWAYS carry 3 more spare lenses in my first aid kit.
Might be easier to get some new glasses (current pair have an old prescription) but I like wearing sunglasses with my contacts...

I was just talking to a coworker about contacts and camping today. Man do I not miss those days. I used to be SO blind. My contact prescription was like -7.00 in each eye. But then I got lasik so no worries anymore. Definitely a critical item to have extras of though, especially if you are as blind as I was!

 

[pixie1339]

Memory card in the aid kit made me think of something I keep in the aid kit; extra contact lenses.
I keep contact solution, a contacts case, and 1 spare in a small fleece stuff sack that usually comes in the sleeping bag with me to prevent freezing. I also carry a signal mirror connected to a piece of 550 cord so I can hang it on a tree or something and use it to insert my contacts each morning. In addition to that I ALWAYS carry 3 more spare lenses in my first aid kit.
Might be easier to get some new glasses (current pair have an old prescription) but I like wearing sunglasses with my contacts...

I take a spare pair of contacts along, as well. I'm pretty blind, so I'd be screwed without them. After my last trip I realized I should have brought along glasses as well for those middle of the night potty breaks. I always take my glasses car camping, but I was trying to save a little weight. Not a good call. I just went to the eye doctor this week to get new glasses. I've had my current pair for 11 years, so the prescription was a bit off.