Backpack Camping Packlist

Backpack camping is what we consider to be "High Adventure"— but that doesn't mean it's more difficult or too much for you to participate in.  Specifically, you will need to think about packing correctly— too much and you'll wear yourself out, too little, and you'll find yourself in lack.  (Though when it comes to backpacking, less usually is more.)

Backpacking Items Highly Recommended:

• Large backpack suitable to haul all your gear on the hike(s).
• Dehydrated food or other lightweight food items for all meals (and snacks).
• Backpackers stove and fuel (We will be making lightweight stoves at an upcoming meeting)
  • For canister cooking— check out the MSR Pocket Rocket or Titanium mini-stove 
  • For alcohol fuel cooking — use our Fancy Feast stoves, or a Trangia Spirit Burner with some sort of Fuel bottle like this one   - You'll also need fuel like 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (GREAT VALUE), Denatured Alcohol which you can also pickup at HomeDepot or Lowes.  Here's a great comparison of various fuel types.
  • NOTE: Check with Fire restrictions— many of our backpacking locations have restrictions or outright prohibitions of all fire— plan and pack accordingly.  MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) from the Army/Navy Surplus or also available online with Chemical heaters are a good alternative for fire bans.
    • Alternative Chemical heaters are available online: Lava Gel Heater or Barocook System
• Water Bottle or bladder for carrying daily supply of water.
• Water filtration device for purifying water from the streams (Sawyer Squeeze and Sawyer Mini recommended or similar)
• Metal Container— or Canteen cup for boiling water.
• Camp spork, or utensils for eating.
• Lightweight Shelter (if you have a large family tent, you may want to invest in a lightweight tent)
• Small Shovel & Roll of T-P. (there will be no formal restrooms in most campsites)
• Trash Bag (we will pack out all trash)
• Bear & Rodent Safe Food Storage - Either a bear can, or appropriate bag and rope for safely hanging food away from camp.  In locations with bear lockers this is not required.
• Adventure pass (most of the backpack hiking locations are in areas where an Adventure pass (parking permit) is required for your vehicle.  These can be purchased at Big5, REI, or other locations for about $30 and are valid for 1 year)
• Fire Permit - Free, and takes about 10 minutes to get directly from the PreventWildfireCA website.

How Heavy should our pack be?

We often get this question— how heavy should our dad’s and Trailman’s pack be? So to get a starting point for how much you may be able to carry (for an extended distance), simply take the percentage that I listed for each fitness level and multiply it by your weight.  (Be realistic on fitness level selected too!

• Poor – 10% of Body Weight (Pack Weight for 160 lb. Person = 16 lbs.)
• Average – 15% of Body Weight (Pack Weight for 160 lb. Person = 24 lbs.)
• Excellent – 20% of Body Weight (Pack Weight for 160 lb. Person = 32 lbs.)
• Elite – 30% of Body Weight (Pack Weight for 160 lb. Person = 48 lbs.)

So if you are 180 lbs and your fitness level is “Average” -  180 x .15 (or 15%) = 27lbs for a comfortable hike.   You can certainly carry more— but this is a good rule of thumb for a long hike.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR ALL CAMPS:

Clothing

This list is optional— and for backpacking you will simply want to pack for warmth for the evenings, and comfort during the day— Zip off pants (like our troop uniform pants) are always a good choice as they pack two clothing items in one!)

Recommended:

• A change of socks
• A warm Jacket (Down is always a good choice as it compacts well)
• Pants (or Zip on legs for your shorts)
  • You can also use an "under layer" like a thermal 32 degree warming layer under shorts for warmth)
• Hat (Or beanie) for both sun protection and warmth at night
• Hiking Shoes or boots.
• Water shoes / Flip flops (for locations including water)

Other clothing not often brought but optional:

• A change of Underwear  (you likely wont use it!)
• A change of Shorts
• Additional Short-sleeve shirt(s)
• Sweatshirt / Hoodie/Jacket
• Gloves

Sleeping

• Cover — Tent (w/ Rain fly, under-tent tarp optional)
  • • OR  Hammock with appropriate warmth layers (and at campsites possible with enough trees)
• Sleeping Pad / Mattress
• Sleeping bag or Top-quilt
• Pillow
• Flashlight (the 6th C— Candle)
• Personal & Toiletry
  • TP and a Small hand Trowel for sanitation
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wipes
  • Fingernail clippers
  • Tweezers
  • Tooth brush & paste
  • Sunscreen
  • Lotion
  • Bug repellant (extremely important in some locations)
  • Other first aid needed by you or your son. (Asthma inhalers, medicines, etc)
• Sunglasses
• Cotton Towel

Luxury Items / Equipment for Activities

• Compass
• Cutting Tool/ Knife (only w/ knife safety training)
• Cordage /Short rope (for knots training & practice)
• Containers / Water bottle(s)

OPTIONAL IF WEIGHT ALLOWS:

• Handheld Radio for Communications (MURS, GMRS or HAM)
• Ham Radio Basestations
• Backpacking Chair
• Backpacking table
• Camera
• Sketch pad
• Nature journal
• Binoculars
• Playing cards
• Lanterns

Food & Or Snacks

• All food and snacks you and your Trailman will eat during the trip!
• Note: everything must be packed back out too, so factor that into your packing list!

* BEAR WARNING: If bringing snacks to a campground with potential bears—you are required to store all food, toothpaste or other potential “food” items in a bear safe container away from our sleeping location. The troop has several “scent blocking” plastic bags that can be used to store these items. DO NOT leave them in your car or in your tent, as they can attract bears and other scavengers.

Attached is a PDF download of the recommended items that you can print out.

It's aways good to follow and pack the 10 C's of Survival 

1. Cutting Tool (Like a knife)
2. Combustion (Something to make fire)
3. Cover (to make shelter)
4. Container (for storing and boiling water)
5. Cordage (some sort of rope)
6. Candle (flashlight or other quick light source)
7. Cotton (bandage, signal, tinder)
8. Compass (for navigation)
9. Cargo Tape ( like duct / gorilla tape)
10. Canvas Needle (splinters, repair work)