It’s time to hit the trail – but what do I need to pack? There is no straight forward answer – it depends on the duration and remoteness of the hike, the season, the terrain, and any other risk factors. Gear lists are personal, what’s essential to you might be unnecessary extra weight to me. Here’s a check list for you to think about as you pack.
What else would you take?
| Day | Overnight | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PACKS & POLES | Backpack | ||||
| Stay dry | Raincover, pack liner or dry sacks | ||||
| Poles | |||||
| FEET | Boots or shoes | Waterproof or mesh? | Waterproof or mesh? | ||
| Socks | Wool (merino), including a spare | ||||
| Gaiters | For sand, spinifex, mud and off track scrub | ||||
| Camp shoes | Lightweight crocs or similar | ||||
| CLOTHES | Shorts/Pants | Quick dry shorts or longs, optional leggings | |||
| Shirts | Quick dry. Long sleeves are good for sun protection and for scrub. | ||||
| Gloves | Cheap gardening gloves for off track scrub or rock scrambling. Gloves for cold weather and sun protection. | ||||
| Stay warm | Thermals, fleece, down jacket, beanie, gloves, buff | ||||
| Sun safe | Hat, sunglasses & strap, sun cream, buff. Regular sun-sensitive walkers consider sun sleeves (like cyclists wear) and sun gloves. | ||||
| Stay dry | Rain jacket, rain pants | ||||
| Fun | Swimable undies or swimwear, towel or sarong | ||||
| At the end | Change of clothes and towel in car, spare food and water in car | ||||
| FOOD AND WATER | Water | Bladder, water bottle, purification system | |||
| Food | Food for meals, snacks, and emergency rations | ||||
| Heat and eat | Stove, fuel, lighter, billy and lid, potholder, thermos flask (day walk alternative to stove). Mug, bowl, cutlery | ||||
| Rubbish | Zip lock bags | ||||
| SAFETY | Don’t get lost | Map, compass, route notes (if needed), GPS (if have one), watch, whistle, reading glasses (if needed) | |||
| Communications | Mobile phone (fully charged) and phone backup battery. Set up your emergency details on your phone. Zip lock bag to keep dry. | ||||
| Emergency | PLB or similar (can be borrowed), money! | ||||
| See in the dark | Head torch, spare battery | ||||
| FIRST AID | Feet | Blisters stuff (eg compeed, hikers wool, tape) | |||
| Snakes & critters | Setopress bandage, insect repellent, salt | ||||
| Pain and injury | Painkillers, anti-inflammatories, anti-histamine, anti-chafing, compression bandage | ||||
| Emergency | Space blanket, small pen knife, matches | ||||
| Skills | Do you know what to do? Get Basic or Remote First Aid training, it weighs nothing | ||||
| Personal | Personal medicine, braces for knees etc | ||||
| Other | Multi-purpose items – safety pins, duct tape, hair elastic, shoe lace, a couple of clothes pegs and micro caribineers | ||||
| TOILETRIES | Toileting | Hand sanitiser, loo paper, zip lock bags | |||
| Stay clean | Toothpaste, brush, handkerchief, wet wipes (and a zip lock bag to carry them out) | ||||
| Girl stuff | Teeny pots of moisturiser, and all the other things that make us feel good | ||||
| SHELTER | Tent | Tent with poles, groundsheet | |||
| Sleep | Sleeping mat, sleeping bag (in dry sack), liner (optional), small pillow case (stuff it with your clothes). Ear plugs! | ||||
| OTHER | Memories | Camera, notebook and pen | |||
| Entertainment | Book (kindle), lightweight games, and maybe some knitting! |
essential items
essential in colder weather
personal choice
a little bit of luxury