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[75playa]

My check list for warm weather hiking and camping...


This is a warm weather hiking list: Sleeping and cooking gear are the most important things that you will have to pack as far as weight and bulk. Choose VERY carefully unless you are a princess…lol REI and Outdoor Provision are very good places to get stuff as well as Dick’s

Backpack: I use a Gregory Baltoro 70: http://www.gregorypacks.com/products/view/15 because I think they make the best packs for durability and organization, comfort and quality. You may want to invest in a pack cover if it’s raining. North Face would be my second pick. Don’t buy Osprey or REI because of the shoulder strap system. I have had an Osprey pack shoulder strap break on me way in the woods and it had to be rigged where I couldn’t use the padded portion of the strap and not fixed because of the design. REI packs are EXACTLY alike in this poor design.

Clothes: just a couple of pairs except socks. I do NOT take long pants because I can use my rain pants if it’s cold. You want 4 to 5 pairs of good socks. Do not scrimp on socks. I like smartwool: https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm#/mens/socks/performancesocks/outdoor/228/ If you sweat a lot like me you may want to take a rash guard top. I have several that I use for boogie boarding. They keep your skin fairly dry and your shoulders won’t tend to get all rashed up when the shoulder straps dig in. Two or three thin nylon belts. Get the kind that cinch tight and NOT the kind with holes and buckle. You will lose weight on the trail. Pack a warm windbreaker but take one or two of the cheapie rain poncho/jackets that pack into themselves in a sleeve or ball. The ones you can clip onto the outside of the bag are the best. I only use the jacket. I have a pair of heavier rain pants that is one of my sacrifices on weight. They are a tad bulky but stand up to scratching and trail wear and tear. A couple of bandanas. REI makes a great one that doubles as insect repellant. It has no odor or taste and is completely safe: http://www.rei.com/product/746685 When the bugs are horrible you can put it on like the old train robbers and that will keep the bugs out of your ears and mouth. Trust me, they will go there if you don’t have one. I keep one around my neck always when on the trail. It also works great for cooling you off. Just did in the stream and put around your neck and it feels like the temperature dropped 15 degrees. Boots are VITALE and need to be broken in buy not beat up. They need to be light, comfortable, and fairly waterproof. Bring sandals or flip flops for the end of the day. You won’t regret it.

Sleeping: My tent weighs 2 lbs 14 ozs and is all I need. You want one that is mostly screen and has a cover for when it’s raining. A footprint for your tent is a must as well to keep you off the wet ground. It’s a personal thing so you should choose it carefully but this is what I use: http://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/Seedhouse2 Lots of companies make pillows and blankets that pack in on themselves as well. Mine are VERY lightweight and are both from REI. If you get one get them the ones that pack in on themselves in waterproof bags so if you need to keep them outside of your bag it won’t get wet. I would suggest that you go and test either a self inflating mattress (I use a Trekker 1.75) or a piece of foam. Foam is more comfortable but more bulky and doesn’t dry well when wet. They both weigh about the same. Some folks use string hammocks and bivy’s but I can’t get used to a hammock and a bivy feels like a coffin to me. Very lightweight though.

Tools: They have readymade ones but I pack my own. I have a multi-tool (absolute necessity)with all kinds of stuff. I would take tweezers, nail clippers, a lighter, needle and thread and reading glasses. I also have a magnesium fire starter that is always clipped to my bag: http://www.rei.com/product/737335 Great for warmth or visual rescue.

Medicine/Toiletries bag: ANY DRUG YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO LIVE. Mine has Advil, Tylenol sinus, tiny packs of Neosporin, band aids and alcohol swabs. If you chafe you might want to get some rub-on chafe guard. I take deodorant, but some people take soap. If you do it needs to be biodegradable, phosphate free and pH neutral trail soap so you don’t ruin the environment. Or you could do something like this: http://www.rei.com/product/708776 You will need a small light towel or two. A tube of sunscreen and some insect repellant.I like the ones that hang on the outside of the bag. Buy a roll or two of Scott toilet paper (far and away the most wipes per cubic inch) and take a broom stick or something similar and roll a quarter roll or so on the stick and then slide it off and pack it. Take a few of these quarter rolls. The card board center is useless and takes up space.

H2O: You will want 2 or 3 water bottles. I suggest 1 liter bottles that are very durable and light. I have a water purifier so I don’t have to do the “old school” iodine drops. It works great and there are no filters to change. It can be field cleaned over and over.: http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/expedition-water-treatment-and-hydration/miniworks-ex-microfilter/product As long as a couple of people in the group have them that is enough.

Light source: Many available but for convenience I use a headlamp

Bags: You will want a mesh bag and some plastic or trash bags. The mesh bag is for hanging stuff in like dirty or wet cloths and plastic bags keep things dry. Of course you will be taking every bit of your trash off the mountain as well so make sure you have a few.

Food and cooking: I use: http://shop.jetboil.com/index.php/flash.html and this attachment and that is all you could ever need: http://shop.jetboil.com/index.php/pot-supporter-and-stabilizer.html You will want pot/pan/cups if you go another route. All I need is a spork: http://www.rei.com/product/751779 with my setup because I drink my coffee right from my Jetboil mug and eat my freeze dried meals right from the bag. I only take freeze dried foods, protein bars and bagels that have been flattened out to save space. I only drink water but I do drink a cup of coffee in the morning. I take instant coffee. I know caffeine is a no no but I really enjoy my morning coffee. I see a lot of powdered Gatorade (instant) as well as protein gels and energy chews (never tried the stuff) so it must be popular. I think that Mountain House makes the best freeze dried foods but again it’s a personal think. I buy the “serves 2” packages for dinner because singles don’t get it for me. I can survive on an egg and meat breakfast with a bagel and coffee, a single serving lunch (no bagel) and a double serving diner with a bagel for dinner. Throw in 2 Cliff bars (my favorite) for a mid morning / afternoon snack and all is good.

I use a walking stick made from a branch or tree but most folks use ski poles. Don’t get them too short.

You will want sunglasses and hat(s) too. I also take a camera and extra batteries.

You should go to: http://www.rei.com/ Look on the top left and click “camping and hiking” and click “All Camp/Hike gear” Look at the big list because there may be something that YOU may need that I don’t use…like a compass, bear repeant, lanterns, GPS, camp seats, binoculars or maybe a solar charger for you phone or ipod…lol