BASIC BACKPACKING GEAR

The following is an annotated list of backpacking gear. It reflects my growing belief that less is definitely more in the sport of backpacking: The less you carry, the farther you can go and the more you can concentrate on the real values of the experience (and the less on keeping up with your stuff). I firmly believe that you should be able to start a 4- or 5-day backpacking trip with 35 pounds on your back, including food (but not water). If you're carrying more than 45 pounds, you just have too much stuff. (Note that this page doesn't address food, a subject for another place.)

Basic Personal Gear. These are the basics that each member of a backpacking outing needs to have on their own. Group gear should be more or less evenly distributed among hikers, in addition to these things.

• Pack. As I mention in DEATH MARCH NOTES, I've switched from an external frame to an internal frame pack. Each system has its partisans and I'd have to say that I now have the zeal of the convert when it comes to internal frame packs. What really matters is getting a pack that can comfortably carry the load on your back. Shop around and, more importantly, walk around. Most places that sell backpacks will let you load up a prospective pack and will help you adjust it to fit your back. Walk around, try to find some stairs, see how it feels. Try to imagine how it will feel after a long day of walking. If it passes those tests, buy it. My recommendation for an inexpensive pack is whatever Coleman is now calling their external frame "Peak 1" pack.
• Tent. The right tent and the right number of tents for a particular group varies with weather and personal taste. Because of my size, I like to carry my own tent and sleep in it by myself, if I'm going to sleep in a tent at all. I often don't use my tent at all, though, and wonder why I carried it. Then it rains, and I remember why. Backpacking tents can be expensive, so think hard before you shell out a lot of bucks: How often are you really going to use it? If you're only a once- or twice-a-year backpacker and don't do serious snow camping, you don't really need to spend a lot of money on a tent. A decent dome tent for the intermediate backpacker shouldn't cost more than $150 and you can get simple tents on sale for a lot less.
• Sleeping Bag. There's even more variation in what's right in a sleeping bag than in packs or tents. Be aware that you can spend a lot of money for more sleeping bag than you need. If you're going to be camping in areas and at times when you're unlikely to have to spend multiple nights at sub-freezing temperatures, you can save a lot of money by buying an intermediate-level bag. I use a "10-40" bag and have never been cold. If you get hit with colder than expected wether, layering clothes can make up the difference, even if you do have only a medium-duty bag.
• Sleeping Pad. I struggled with heavy, unreliable old-fashioned air mattresses for years. I now have a very nice Therma-Rest and highly recommend that style of sleeping pad. They're expensive, but if cared for properly, will last a long time, so investing in a good sleeping pad is a good idea. Whatever gear you get, having something for this purpose is essential.
• Boots. Don't scrimp on boots. Before you buy, know what your body really needs: Unless you've got young, very strong ankles, go for more support and heavier construction. Make up for the added weight of stout boots elsewhere in your kit.
• Water Bottles. Notice the plural. You should have a quart of water on your waist or otherwise at hand while you're walking, and at least one additional water container for camp. Dehydration is the major cause of problems large and small on backpacking trips. Much has been written on that subject, so I won't reiterate it here. I've gotten away from the old-style military canteen and use "holstered" nalgene bottles now. I strongly recommend not getting the old "horse" canteen for backpacking: They don't really fit on a human body that's carrying a pack, make annoying clanking noises and catch on things.
• Day Pack. A fanny pack or real day pack folded up in your backpack is a very good idea. You never know when you'll need the extra carrying capacity and having one makes even unplanned day hikes more practical.
• Eating Utensils. I use a strong, nested stainless steel combination cooking and eating kit made by Coleman. If you backpack only very rarely and will be looking to others to supply the actual cooking gear, the old-fashion military style aluminum kit is fine. You need a metal drinking cup. I've gotten one of those stainless steel, vacuum jobbies, and am very happy with it. Something less expensive and elaborate is fine, though: I did OK with a bent-up old cup for years. A fork and spoon is essential, but again, just about anything in this category of tool will do.
• Flashlights. Notice the plural. I recommend one small headlamp (which doesn't look as odd these days as it did when headlamps first came out for backpackers) and one small, shock-resistant hand-held torch.
• Toilet Paper. At least one roll packed in a zip-lock baggie. Don't forget this, as I won't lend you any of mine. I might sell you some, though.
• Sunscreen. This is an oft-overlooked essential. It's easy for lowlanders to underestimate the intensity of the sun above 10,000 feet. Many's the trip that's been spoiled by having to hump a heavy pack on sunburned shoulders. Remember, you're going to be outdoors for days.
• Rain Gear. A cheap-o plastic poncho does great.
• Ground Cloth / Tarp. I use my cheap-o plastic poncho, but most folks carry a heavier-grade plastic ground cloth to have someplace clean to spread out their gear in camp, and as an additional shelter tool.
• Zip-lock Baggies. Pack your food, clothes and other gear in re-sealable baggies. Carry a couple of extras, because they don't weigh much and they do come in handy.
• Clothes. Along with food, the most consistently overpacked category of stuff. Whatever you're planning to bring, it's probably too much.
  • Summer. Here's a major-league tip: You don't need as much in the way of clothes in the summer!
    • Hiking shorts. Unless you're very fair-skinned, you'll want one pair of stout, pocket-festooned walking shorts. One pair will do: Having more is only redundant, since they'll only get dirty. If you do need a protective layer of fabric between you and the sun, make it light and breathable.
    • Hiking shirts. Most folks will do fine with a t-shirt, although the very fare-skinned should consider light nylon long-sleeves. If you're very fashion-conscious, you could carry one per day. Otherwise, less will do.
    • Hiking Socks. Don't skimp here! I highly recommend a two-layer approach: Thin, slick sock liners and thick, padded outer socks. Unless you're planning a lot of stream crossings, a set for each two trail days will do, with backwoods laundry in between.
    • Hats. At a minimum, pack a hat for walking with a good brim that will keep the sun off your face, ears and neck. I like to pack a cap for use in camp, as it obviates the need to comb my few remaining hairs as often as I might otherwise have to.
    • Underwear. Optional; pack according to your personal taste.
    • Camp clothes. Something relatively clean to change into after a day of walking is a good idea. A clean pair of shorts and a different t-shirt is my usual choice.
    • "Evening wear". Even in the summer, mountain nights get cool to downright cold. The key to staying warm is layering. Even in summer, I pack a set of long underwear, a down vest and a windbreaker for evenings.
  • Spring/Fall/Winter. The trick is to add low-weight, high-thermal-barrier layers. When I expect truly cold weather, I pack a pair of synthetic ski pants, a two-glove (inner and outer) system for my hands, fleece socks and a silly-looking fleece hat. Remember that odd-looking clothes don't necessarily weigh more than something normal-looking and add a lot of entertainment value for your friends!

Optional Personal Gear. In keeping with my endorsement of bringing only the basics, the following items are close to essential.

• Walking Sticks. I've found that only the very young, the very strong and the very graceful don't do better with some sort of walking stick. As described in Death March Notes, I've indulged in a pair of high-tech telescoping trekking poles, but a "found" stick from the trip site will do.
• Knife/Multitool. I used to carry a big military pig-sticker. Not any more: Too heavy. Now I carry a small lockblade and one of those cool multi-tools with which one could conceivably rebuild western civilization following a nuclear holocaust. The pliers function of those multitools is particularly useful.
• Rope/Twine/Repair Kit. Some cord seems to always come in handy. A good long length of heavy twine or equivalent makes a good clothesline, a medium length of medium-weight line is useful for hanging groceries away from critters and, when pooled from the group to make a longer line, can be useful for bigger, unpredictable needs. A small sewing kit comes in handy for unforseen gear repairs, although everyone on a trip doesn't need to pack one. I also carry a couple of caribiners and extra strap fasteners as general purpose attachment tools.
• Camp Stool. I have a small, extremely light folding stool that nests down into my main pack bag. Having a good place to sit in camp becomes more important as you get older and your aching joints cry out for . . . a better place to sit.
• Stuff Sacks. I've been obsessively collecting an assortment of draw-string stuff sacks over the years. They don't add much weight and help keep your gear organized, avoiding the "wilderness slum" look in camp. Stuff sacks get to be close to an essential with an internal frame pack.

Group Gear. The key here is knowing what's really group gear. Most experienced backpackers have at least one of each of the following items and, in a masochistic expression of egotism, want to bring their gizmo. This usually ends up with having too many of the following items on the trail. If no later than the final pack-up before leaving the trailhead, I recommend a group going over this list and weeding out unnecessary duplications and then redistributing weight.

• Navigation Tools. The only essential is a good area map. A group should have two maps, in case it needs to split up. A compass is only useful if you know how to use it and even then, is wasted weight 90% of the time (although it might really help once in a hundred trips ...) I look forward to using sat-nav technology when it gets cheap and light enough for my tastes (a comment inconsistent with my minimalist aesthetic, but quite in keeping with my gear-headedness).
• Water Systems. Modern, light, relatively inexpensive and small, filtration pumps are essentially a must for back country travel. One pump per four people is about the right ratio. Iodine tabs should be packed as a back-up only.
• Stoves. I have a bulky Peak 1 white gas stove which I'll be replacing before summer of 1997 with something in the Whisperlite category. At least two stoves are almost essential for a group of any size, so that meals are not long-drawn-out affairs.
• Cooking Gear. Since I tend toward the minimalist school of wilderness cookery, I don't have as extensive a set of recommendations on this subject as many folks would. I've found my small Peak1 basic set of nesting pots sufficient for my needs. The addition of one larger pot for making bulky items like pasta is a good idea for larger groups.
• Cleaning Gear. One or two small bottles of low-impact soap for a group does help, but isn't essential. Some sort of high-friction scrubber is a must for doing dishes after meals. Remember to observe good wilderness water-sense when cleaning!
• First Aid Kit. An off-the-shelf kit is a good idea for minor problems. Major problems can really only be addressed with knowledge (that doesn't weigh anything) and splitting the group for a dash out to help and helicopters. Because of my ankle and knee problems, I pack stout braces for these joints, in case they're needed. If you have specific orthopedic or other medical issues, do remember to pack something for them.