When I first started backcountry camping I made a lot of assumptions about what to pack and what to leave behind. After going on multiple trips I have gotten an idea of what is necessary, what is nice to have, and what is not needed. Here is what I pack when camping in the Summer. These lists also change based on the different times of the year and what area you are camping in.
Sleep
- Shelter (tent, hammock, bivy, tarp…)
- Sleeping pad
- Sleeping bag
Activities
- Hiking shoes/ boots or suitable footwear
- Rain jacket
- Suitable clothes (I can get more into this in another post)
- First aid kit
- Compass
- Map
- Knife
- Backpack to carry everything
- Headlamp
- Whistle
- Phone or check-in plan (depending on cell phone service)
Food and Hydration
- Water filter system
- Water bottle/container
- Lighter, matches or way to start a fire
- Food (I can get more into this in another post)
- Food preparation equipment (pot/ pan, spork, bowl…)
- Food storage solution (bear barrel, bear vault, dry bag, rope and carabiners…)
Sleep
Sleep is so important, especially when on a backcountry trip when you need your energy. That’s why I strive to find a balance between lightweight and comfortable. I always pack a shelter of some sort (tent, hammock, bivy, tarp…), sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. I try to choose a sleeping pad and bag that is rated warm enough for the time of year I am going.
Activities
When backcountry camping it is important to pack clothes and shoes for the weather and terrain. It’s important to have suitable, durable, and comfortable shoes. It’s also important to pack different clothes based on temperature. If you are going in Summer you won’t need as many layers as if you were going in Winter. If you are expecting rain, it’s essential you have a rain jacket and maybe rain pants.
A compass, map, or GPS are important to bring on a hike so you can navigate where you are and where you want to go. I normally use a map and compass along with landmarks around me to figure out where I am and where I am going.
Of course, you need a first aid kit, whistle, knife, backpack, and headlamp (or another source of light). It is a good idea to pack a whistle in case you need to signal to someone with a loud noise or need assistance. A knife can be useful for many reasons including food preparation and repairing equipment on the trail. A headlamp or flashlight is essential to allow you to see your surroundings at night. I have used my first aid kit on every backcountry trip I have been on. It is important to carry bandages, antibiotic ointment, disinfectant, gauze, medical tape, and other supplies in order to treat possible ailments.
Food and Hydration
Hydration is so important. You need to have a way to clean water so you can safely rehydrate. I normally use a gravity filter and water clarification tablets. There are also pump filters, squeeze filters, water bottle filters, life straws, water clarification pens, and liquid clarifiers. It’s up to you to determine which kind works best for you.
Food storage is another one with many options. There are Ursacks, bear barrels, hanging your food and some sites have bear boxes to store food in. I normally hang my food from a tree in a heavy-duty dry bag but have also used bear boxes when available.
If you are planning to cook or boil water you need to make sure you have a pot, a way to start a fire, and a stove (or fire) to cook on. There are lots of different types of stoves including wood burning, propane, butane, and white fuel. Make sure you use a type that is allowed where you will be camping and make sure you bring the right kind of fuel for your stove.
Make sure you pack enough food for your trip and food that will keep. I normally pack oatmeal, protein bars, dehydrated meals and other dried foods but there are lots of options. I also try to pack an extra meal in case something goes wrong and I don’t finish the trip on time.
These are just the things that I find necessary but I would love to hear what you can’t camp without!
