Gear: Checklist

We got most of our gear from Rockfish Gap Outfitters in Waynesboro, VA.  Waynesboro is a good trail town and Rockfish Gap Outfitters is an excellent outfitter for AT hikers and others as well.  Ask for Rich.  He is very knowledgable and helpful. 

Backpacking Checklist:      (2+ weeks)


1. Clothing – In Pack - cool weather
_ 2 spare pair socks and liner socks
_ 2 spare pair underwear
_ 1 pair wicking long underwear (pants & shirt)
_ 1 spare SS shirt
_ 1 spare LS shirt
_ Separate sleeping clothes - socks, pants/shorts, shirt
_ camp shoes (Crocs or slipper socks)
_ 1 pair short or quick-dry swimsuit (optional)

2. Outerwear
_ 1 fleece Jacket or down sweater
_ 1 nylon pant and/or 1 fleece pants ???
_ 1 poncho and/or 1 rain suit
_ 2 pair gloves - liner + waterproof
_ 2 neck gaiter and/or 1 scarf (shade & sweat)
_ wide-brimmed rain/sun hat and/or visor for under poncho

3. Clothing Worn, and Items Carried
_ 1 pair hiking boots (insulated?)
_ 1 pair wicking liner socks
_ 1 pair hiking socks
_ 1 pair underwear
_ 1 wicking shirt LS
_ 1 convertable pant
_ 1 backpacker wallet with ID, cash, and credit card
_ 1 pocket knife
_ 1 watch (w/ altimeter)
_ 1 pair trekking poles (with rubber tips)

4. Camping Gear
_ backpack + camera case and flashlight/knife case on belt
_ hammock inc. 4 stakes, tarp w/ 20 ft. cord
_ sleeping bag (+ extra bag?)
_ 1 pad (optional depending on bag/tent)
_ 1 pillow sac
_ 1 sit/stand pad (optional)
_ extra stuff sacks and zip lock bags
_ trash bags for pack (several) and boot bag
_ strips of velcro and twist ties
_ 1 8x10 ft. tarp (optional)
_ 1 headlamp (AAA)

5. Kitchen Group
_ 1 Jet Boil inc. fuel bottle, french press (Wendy)
_ 1 lighter and/or water proof matches (Hal or Wendy)
_ 1 platypus bladder (2L) + 1 filter bottle (.75 L) (Wendy)
_ 1 bottle on pack (0.8 L) + 2 filter bottles (.0.8 & 1.0L) (Hal)
_ 1 bottle water purifier tablets (Aquamira) (Hal or Wendy)
_ 1 steri pen (Wendy or Hal)
_ 1 sil-nylon stuff sack – food bag (Hal and Wendy)
_ 1 length cord – 50’ for food bag (Hal or Wendy)
_ 1 plastic spork
_ 2 one gallon ziplock bags to carry water. (Hal)

6. Hygiene Group:
_ 1 small pack towel and/or car drying cloth
_ 1 small bottle Dr. Bronners biodegradable soap
_ 1 small zip lock bag with toiletpaper
_ 1 small toothbrush
_ 1 small tube tooth paste (or baking soda - no odor)
_ 1 comb
_ 1 disposable razor
_ 1 asprin, 3 Meds., 3 Vits. * # of days
_ optional: powder/alcohol/lubricant/hand gel/lotion/chapstick
_ optional: Sunscreen

7. Navigation Group: (Hal)
_ map(s) in waterproof container
_ 1 compass
_ 1 Trail Guide/Data Book/Companion

8. Repair/First Aid Group: (Hal or Wendy)
_ 1 small roll of duct tape
_ 1 First Aid kit
_ 1 emergency fire starter pack
_ extra cord for tarp / emergencies

9. Luxury items / Other Optional:
_ 1 Android phone
x 1 MP3 player
x 1 camera (AAA) 2GB data card
x 1 extra data card ?
x 1 GPS?
_ extra AAA batteries
_ monocular (Hal)
_ notebook and pencil (or write log on maps)
_ extra flashlight (AAA)
_ Deet & headnet
x sun glasses
_ whistle, mirror, etc. Wendy

10. Consumables (Food & Water)
_ 48 ounces water / day
_ 32 ounces food per day? (less? (20ozs?))
_ 2 ounce fuel per day x 15 days (Wendy)

11. Trip Plan (left with a responsible friend)

*Note, this list has already changed as a result of my final packing for the AT (too much - too heavy).  I will update it at the mid-point  or at the end of the hike.  As a wise hiker once said, "The more I carry, the more I like camping.  The less I carry, the more I like hiking."   -from WhiteBlaze.net