Related topics: •  Car Camping: What to Take •  Day Hiking: What to Take

A weekend-long escape into the wilderness can be rewarding and refreshing -- if you've got the right gear. After all, you'll be miles from your car and the rest of civilization. Below, we've put together a list of the items you'll need in order to have a safe and successful backcountry adventure. Be sure to customize what you take according to the season, the weather, the surroundings, and everyone's personal needs.

Just print out this list and check items off as you pack them. If you want a more specialized list, you can copy and paste this article into a Word document on your own computer and add your individual essentials.

•Backpack (with internal frame, lots of shoulder-strap padding, and a capacity of 3,000 to 4,000 cubic inches for multiple-night trips)

•Drinking water

•Water bottles

•Waterproof matches

•Firestarter (for lighting wet wood)

•Swiss Army knife (with corkscrew, can opener, scissors, and at least one sharp blade)

•Wilderness first-aid kit

•Insect repellent

•Map of the area

•Compass

•Flashlight with fresh bulb and batteries

•Sunglasses

•Sunscreen

•Whistle (to call for help in an emergency)

•Trash bags

•Park, fire, and camping permits (if required)

•Water filter or purification tablets

•Newspaper (for starting fires)

•Energy bars

•Gorp (short for "good old raisins and peanuts") or trail mix (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, M&Ms)

•Raw veggies or fruit

•Crackers

•Cheese

•Oatmeal

•Hot chocolate, tea, instant coffee

•Freeze-dried meals

•Resealable plastic bags for food storage

•Camping stove and fuel

•Lightweight cooking and eating utensils

•Cup and bowl

•Cooking pots and pans

•Pot holders

•Dish scrubber

•Biodegradable dishwashing soap

•Warm hat

•Sun hat or baseball cap

•Raingear

•Gloves

•Long underwear

•Extra underwear

•Quick-drying swimsuit (if you'll be near a lake or swimming hole)

•Fleece shirt and pants

•Change of clothes

•Hiking socks

•Extra socks

•Hiking boots or shoes suited to the terrain

•Gaiters (to keep loose stones or snow out of your boots)

•Toilet paper

•Biodegradable soap

•Tampons

•Washcloth

•Toothbrush and toothpaste

•Comb

•Deodorant

•Shampoo

•Small towel

•Handkerchief or bandanna

•Lip balm (with sun protection)

•Tent

•Rainfly

•Tent stakes

•Ground tarp

•Sleeping bag (in a waterproof stuff sack)

•Self-inflating sleeping pad

•Tent-repair kit

•Watch

•Moleskin (for blisters)

•Camera and film

•Hiking staff

•Duct tape (for repairs to the tent and other gear)

•Cord (for hanging food, if necessary)

•Reading glasses

•Field guide (to vegetation, wildlife, terrain, etc.)

•Binoculars

•Money

-- Benj Vardigan is a senior editor for Consumer Health Interactive and the winner of an Outstanding Young Journalist award from the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

References

First published May 11, 1999
Last updated April 17, 2007
Copyright © 1999 Consumer Health Interactive

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