The following is a checklist to help when packing for a multi-day trek. Many, if not most, of the items on this list are in the "duuhhhh!" category, but you just never know what you might leave behind. Kinda sucks when you have to search for a large, soft, non-poisonous leaf because you forgot the TP. I've marked a number of items as optional, though some people--including myself--think some of those things are absolutely necessary, while other things I've not listed as optional they'd never take. At any rate, I hope you'll find this checklist useful. (Email me if you can think of anything important that I've omitted ... excluding cellphones, GPS, shotguns and microwave ovens.)

Ramkitten's Packing-for-Backpacking Checklist      Click here for printable version.

The Basics

Backpack (Tip: Before buying a pack, try it with 30 to 40 pounds in it. Have it adjusted with the weight in it.)

Optional: Hip-pouch attachment, such as a Dana "Wet Rib" (for easy access to a water bottle, munchies, camera, map/guidebook, etc.)

Pack cover

Tent (Tip: Be sure to seam-seal!)

Optional: Tent "footprint" (Tip: Tyvek is an inexpensive alternative. If you're cutting your own "footprint", be sure it's an inch or so smaller than the bottom of your tent all the way around. Otherwise, it will collect rainwater and help to soak the bottom of your tent.)

Sleeping bag with stuff sack (Tip: Stuff clothing in the stuff sack to make a pillow. I've seen stuff sacks with a soft liner on half of the inside. Turned inside-out, this is used for the pillow surface.)

Optional: Sleeping bag liner

Sleeping pad

Optional: Trekking pole/s (Tip: Poles are cheaper without shock absorbers, which I consider unnecessary.)

Cooking

Pot and lid (Tip: Aluminum is about as light as titanium and much cheaper.)

Optional: Small piece of 'scrubby' (for cleaning the pot)

Utensil/s (Recommended: 1 Lexan spoon)

Stove

Windscreen

Fuel or fuel tablets

Lighter and/or matches

Water

Water bottle/s (Tip: 1-liter soda-type bottles are lighter and much cheaper than Nalgenes. Nalgenes, however, are good for hot liquids. If you do carry a Nalgene, I recommend the clear type. The white plastic retains odor and taste.)

Optional: Hydration system/water bag

Water purifier, iodine, or a filter-and-bottle-in-one (such as the Bottom's Up filter bottle)

Optional: Nylon water tote (Handy when a water source is a good distance from the campsite/shelter. The weight of this very useful item is negligible.)

Clothing/Footwear

Nylon (or Gor-tex) jacket

Fleece pullover

Non-cotton thermal top/s (Tip: Carry two, one for hiking in, one to keep dry for camp)

Non-cotton thermal bottom/s

Non-cotton tee/s

Nylon shorts

Nylon pants and/or non-cotton tights (Recommended, esp. for women: Fleece-lined tights such as Koulius Zaard brand, often found in bike shops)

Optional: Convertible (zip-off) nylon shorts/pants

Non-cotton socks

Optional: Sock liners

Non-cotton underwear (Some consider this unnecessary, but my husband says, "Boys, don't forget the jock strap!")

Boots or sneakers (Tip: Break in those boots!)

Camp shoes/sandals (Also for fording rivers)

Gloves or glove liners

Hat/cap

Gaiters (Tip: Short, non-Gortex gaiters are sufficient for keeping dirt/stones out of boots, helping to keep socks and interior of boots dry when it's raining, and discouraging ticks.)

Tools/Accessories

Pocket knife (Tip: Mini-scizzors and tweezers are handy, but a Leatherman-type tool with all of the bells and whistles isn't usually worth its weight.)

Duct tape (Tip: Wrap several feet of it around a water bottle. It can be used for blister prevention on a "hot spot", or temporarily patching up a tent, a torn jacket or pack cover)

Flashlight

Spare batteries

Nylon cord (Tip: 25-30 feet is sufficient for hanging food, clothesline, emergency boot laces, tying off a tent if very windy.)

Bandana/s (for bandana "baths", a head cover, sweat, a runny nose)

Safety pins, nylon thread, needle

Optional: Sunglasses (with strap)

Optional: 'Cat hole' trowel (although, a boot heel or a good stick usually works just fine for me.)

Optional: Compass

Optional: Watch

Toilettries

Moleskin and Second Skin (for blister treatment)

Bandaids

Vaseline, small tube (a chafed hiker's best friend)

Toothbrush and dental floss

Toothpaste, travel size

Mini-brush or comb

Aspirin and/or an anti-inflamatory (Ibuprofin, Alleve)

Baby wipes, travel pack or handi-wipes

Toilet paper (Tip: take it off the cardboard tube, pack in a Zip-Loc)

Girl "supplies" (if you're a girl, that is)

Glasses/contacts (if you wear either)

Sunscreen

Optional: Bug repellant

Optional: Hand sanitizer and/or a small bottle of peppermint soap

Optional: Small mirror

Miscellaneous

Food bag/sack

Zip-Loc baggies (Tip: These are handy for separating food and keeping it dry, for separating dry clothing from wet, and clean clothes from dirty. I also put most toilettries, accessories, and these miscellaneous items in Zip-Locs)

Optional: Trash bag for clothing

Guidebook/s, map/s

ID, credit card, phone card, ATM card, travelers checks, cash, important addresses/phone numbers

Optional: Paper (for journal, notes), pen/pencil

Optional: Pre-stamped envelopes (Tip: If you're going on an extended hike, it can be convenient to have a few of these. They may not be readily available.)

Optional: Camera, film

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