What to Pack

What to Pack

On any given camping trip you will need to bring some sort of gear. What sort of gear, you may ask? That depends on the kind of camping trip. You wouldn't bring your huge stove backpacking, and you don't need a backpack when you're car camping. Here are a few lists that give the necessities for each kind of camping we do.

Every camping trip - There are some items common to each kind of camping

• Sleeping Bag

• Mattress pad - air or foam (optional)

• Close-toed shoes, hiking boots are good

• Toiletries

• Flashlight, preferably headlamp

• Rain gear - jacket and pants

• Swiss army knife/Leatherman/multi-tool/etc.

• Water bottle, i.e. Nalgene - At least two liters

• Mess kit - fork, spoon, cup, plate/bowl

• Insect repellent, subscreen (in season)

• Camera (optional)

• Fire starter - matches, flint etc.

• Extra clothing

• Tent for every two-four people*

• Food for meals*

• Patrol first aid kit*

• Kitchen supplies - pot, stove and fuel, food storage bags, trash bags, paper towels*

• Rope*

Overnight Backpacking - Backpacking requires some specialized gear you wouldn't need if you were car camping, and everything you bring should be light-weight.

• Sleeping bag should be light-weight

• Backpack with rain cover

• Hiking boots, preferably waterproof

• Individual snacks - trail mix or granola bars

• Personal first aid kit

• Map and Compass

• Whistle

• Hiking pole (optional)

• Water filter or purification tablets*

• Backpacking stoves*

Winter Camping - As you may have noticed, some of these lists can be combined, so you could have a winter backpacking trip, for example.

• Waterproof boots - you don't want a layer of ice against your feet

• Layers! at least these three:

  • Liner layer against your skin (long underwear)

  • Insulating layer (fleece)

  • Wind- and water-proof shell

• Hat & face mask (balaclava) - over half your heat can be lost through your head

• Gloves

• Socks and extra socks - two layers (liner and thick) work well. Too many layers can cut down circulation, however.

• Crampons or snowshoes (trip dependent)

*Patrol supplies - carried by individual members but not necessarily one per person.