Backpacking List for Primitive Camping
What You Need on Your Backpacking List and Why
First Aid
Safety first; your carefully stocked first aid kit is of utmost importance. Backpacking is a rugged activity and you’re bound to have some aches and pains (which increase with age) so you’ll want some pain killers, preferably of the anti-swelling variety. A decent selection of band aids in all sizes and shapes, ointment such as Neosporine, and gauze. Carry moleskin (or whatever blister care and prevention material you prefer), tape, tweezers and/or scissors. I always carry an ace bandage which came in real handy when I rolled an ankle once out there. Be sure to have lip balm, sun screen, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, Zip Locked toilet paper, toothbrush and paste, and a mini-deodorant. Another little treasure you might really miss is an antacid tablet. Be aware that sleeping pills don’t generally work at high altitude and can often produce the opposite intended effect leaving you bug-eyed and confused the next day.
The Backpacker’s Checklist
Now for the backpacking list, let’s start with your stove. The best one going is a small butane gas stove you can get for $50 that all you have to do to make it operable is twist the gas canister on, turn a knob, and light it. The white gas stoves are still reliable but they require pumping and maintenance that the propane gas ones just don’t need. Sleeping bags are designed to withstand certain temperatures (such as 15 degrees) and now you can get one for really cold weather that’s not as bulky and heavy as the older models. Sleeping pads are great to have and a compact pillow is a luxury item that’s worth hauling.
A headlamp is essential for the goodness of the night when it’s upon you and they’re superlight, compact, and run off the super small lithium batteries now (Black Diamond makes an excellent, inexpensive model). Water filters by trusted manufactures like Pure and Katadyn are necessary even in pristine mountainous settings because those tail-slapping Beavers can cause a diaheria like nightmare called Giardia.
I like carrying a Camel Back which is a bladder bag with a hose so you can drink while you’re walking. You should also have at least one Nalgene type of water bottle. You’re cooking gear (pot or pan) and coffee mug (I only carry 1 metal canteen cup that serves both purposes and can be heated on the stove). Don’t forget the knife, fork, and spoon.
Apparel
Bring some gaiters into the mountains in the spring because when you’re hiking then, you never know what kind of snow might still be on the ground around that next bend. Of course you want your fire starting stuff (sealed in a water tight bag), the maps and compass or GPS if you prefer. A light weight knife or Leatherman is a smart idea.
The clothing you should wear and pack was covered thoroughly in How to Dress for Snowshoeing Part 1 – Understanding the Layering Concept. By linking you to what to wear for the coldest weather, you can adjust accordingly to the season and what you’ll expect, just get a good grip on the extremely effective wicking apparel discussed there.
Grizzly Bear Country Tips
I often backpack into Grizzly country so I keep my food and all the wrappers from eaten food sealed up in re-sealable plastic bags. I like to seal my garbage in large Zip Lock bags but your standard drawstring plastic garbage bag will do. All my food is stowed in a bag and thrown up on a limb at least 10 feet high (far away from my tent) with light weight 550 cord (a good length of cord can always come in handy). I always go for optimum simplicity when it comes to food out there. Either I eat it out of the wrapper or add a little hot water for it to stew and it’s done (Mountain House makes excellent meals that you just add water to and eat straight out of the bag). Exploring, fishing, and lounging against a particularly comfortable tree trunk in front of an astounding panorama are far more important than meddling with dishwashing. And don’t forget the bear spray either.
My gear room is staged with all these supplies in my pack so I’m always ready to take off on a trip at a moment’s notice partly because the wilderness is always calling and partly because I was once an Infantry soldier and I’ll therefore always be ready. Remember, once the tent is set up and the forgiving breeze is shaking hands with the pines, you’ll remember why you came and rejoice in the majestic splendor of nature which you worked so hard to get to.
This post is part of the series: Backpacking Basics
In this two part series a comprehensive list of backpacking supplies will be given for you to plan well for your primitive camping trips out on the trail.
