Note: for regular campouts see:  Personal Equipment List

REMEMBER - smaller & lighter is better also, EVERYTHING must fit IN or ON your backpack securely!

Various sources say limit backpack weight to 1/4 - 1/3 of your body weight.  

Professional backpackers say limit weight to 25-40 lbs, depending on the conditions of your hike and the duration.  

• Link: Lighten Up Your Backpack
• Plan to drink 8 cups of water per day - more if you are on a strenuous hike or camping/hiking in hot temperatures.  Water adds a lot of weight to your pack, though, so carry an essential amount of water AND a portable water filter or purification supplies. 

Essentials

• Backpack!
• For younger Trailmen, something with adjustable straps can help lower your costs, because the backpack can be adjusted as they grow.  REI makes a great youth pack - the REI Passage backpack.
• We also have a number of folks with extra backpacks, so feel free to reach out to the leaders to see if there might be one  you would like to borrow. 
• For size, a 60L pack can serve an adult for a weekend trip.  Smaller is OK for Trailmen, but they'll need to be able to get all their gear in or on (see above!) the pack, so if they can't fit it in a 45 or 50L pack, they might need to go bigger or eliminate gear.
• Having a pack with lots of small, outside, reinforced loops can actually be a blessing.  They are actually more useful than you might think.  You can clip a lot of items on the outside with carobiners, strap a sleeping pad to the bottom with bungie cords, etc.  
• First Aid kit - see: Contents of a Personal First Aid Kit
• Sleeping bag - must fit in the pack, 20 degree or better
• Sleeping pad - Thermorest are excellent - many other types
• Rain gear - nylon jacket is good, ponchos work but don't last
• 2 water bottles (1L each) or hydration system w/ bite tube - "Platypus" is popular.  Note you might need more water (bottles) depending on available water sources on the trail, so plan ahead!
• Mess kit & utensils - cup, spoon & bowl are sufficient - fork, plate, knife optional
• Dishsoap - small amount - "sample size"
• Pocket knife
• Lighter or matches - waterproof the matches
• Ziploc bags - 2-4 quart size to seal in odors so animal are not attracted & for 'wet stuff' along the way.  These can also serve as trash containers.
• Trash bag - carry out waste.  Additionally, a large black trash bag can serve as a makeshift backpack cover or rain poncho. 
• Toilet paper - 1/4 roll in ziplock - Biodegradable if possible - woods is your bathroom
• Sunscreen 
• Tooth brush and paste
• Antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer or soap - small size
• Hand towel
• Compass
• LED headlamp or light flash light - NEW batteries included!
• Clothes (see below) - full change for second day or if others get wet & dirty
• Extra socks - a pair to sleep in, keep dry
• Snacks (e.g. trail mix, nuts) - Carry snacks in a Ziploc to keep in food smells
• Bible small - NT only is OK
• Paper & pen/pencil small - usually in your First Aid kit

Clothing

Note: Synthetic materials are best (poly, dry-wicking, fleece, etc), especially underwear & t-shirts as cotton/cotton-poly holds moisture then acts like a refrigerator. You can bring cotton, but be prepared to bring extras for dry change, especially at night.

• Layering is best - day & night
• Hat - stocking cap is great for cold nights
• Hiking shoes/boots - good, supportive hiking with a stiff bottom sole - water proof
• Socks - wear 2 pair at a time! to prevent blistering - best is polypropylene sock liner & wicking wool outer
• Jacket - layer-able, fleece is great, with nylon/poly rain jacket as an outer layer
• Pants, shirt, underwear, socks - 2 sets; wear one set - pack another.   Wet and sweaty socks can lead to blisters and/or "clammy" feet - and who wants that?  
• Optional - flips or Crocs to change into when you reach your destination.  A change of shoes allows your feet to decompress after being on them most of the day.
• Rain gear (also above) 

Shared Items

These items can and should be shared to lighten your load. Depending upon item, can be shared between 2,3, or more in your trekking crew. Work with your crew and/or Troop to obtain these items.

• Tent 2-person - small, light

• Ground cloth or tent footprint for under tent & sitting/eating on trail

• Cook stove - propane is best for most - "Pocket Rocket" is popular.  There are a ton of brands - Jetboil (which includes the cook pot), MSR, etc.  Research the right one for your style and budget.
• Cook pot - for boiling water - but note that it needs to work with the type of stove you've selected
• Gas for your stove and an extra if the first cannister has already been used. 
• Appropriate food freeze dried and cookable, light, and packable
• Water purification - quick working tablets(cheap) or mechanical pump ($50+)
• "Bear bag" & rope - animals love food; keep them out of your tent!
• Mini shovel plastic - for personal latrine
• Map of route & campsites
• Knowledge 

Optional Items

• Rope - parachute cord is great.  Good for hanging wet socks and clothing, a tarp, etc.
• Bandanas - handy to wipe sweat, nose, first aid, etc, etc.
• Lip balm
• Backpack cover - acts as a raincoat for you pack - dew can be heavy as rain
• Trekking poles - an asset for uphill or downhill, especially for adults: WalMart $15/pole -$40+ elsewhere (REI)
• Alcohol wipes - disinfect hydration system mouth piece after each fill
• Journal
• Camera
• Something to sit on.  Easy to not think about this, but it can make a nice difference vs. sitting on the ground.  Something small and light, for ex. Light chairs, a sheet of plastic, gardening knee pads.

Rules to follow

• Fully loaded pack must weigh less than 25% of body weight
• Try to keep it as light as possible - Take Only what you NEED!
• Pack must "fit" if carrying over 15 lbs
• Ultra light packing with a buddy
• Don’t wear cotton clothes - you'll be cold

Food - You will need to Pack 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, and snacks

See "Planning Your Backpacking Meal" for more details, but here are some tips:

• Freeze dried food - add boiling water in the bag and eat - clean up is easy and fast.  Be creative; there are plenty of choices in the grocery stores - tuna packs, rice or noodle dishes, jerky, etc. 
• Trail mix and/or bars for lunch - Grazing through out the day allows for efficient hiking
• Vienna sausages
• Hot chocolate or cider mix
• Cliff bars, granola bars
• Instant oatmeal or grits