Ramkitten's Packing-for-Backpacking Checklist

The Basics

Backpack

Optional: Hip-pouch

Pack cover

Tent

Optional: Tent "footprint"

Sleeping bag with stuff sack

Optional: Sleeping bag liner

Sleeping pad

Optional: Trekking pole/s

Cooking

Pot and lid

Optional: Small piece of 'scrubby'

Utensil/s

Stove

Windscreen

Fuel or fuel tablets

Lighter and/or matches

Water

Water bottle/s

Optional: Hydration system/water bag

Water purifier, iodine, or a filter-and-bottle-in-one

Optional: Nylon water tote

Clothing/Footwear

Nylon or Gor-tex shell/rain jacket

Fleece pullover

Non-cotton thermal top/s

Non-cotton thermal bottom/s

Non-cotton tee/s

Nylon shorts

Nylon pants and/or non-cotton tights

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

Non-cotton socks

Optional: Sock liners

Non-cotton underwear

Boots or sneakers

Camp shoes/sandals

Gloves or glove liners

Hat/cap

Gaiters

Tools/Accessories

Pocket knife or multi-tool

Duct tape

Flashlight and/or headlamp

Spare batteries

Map/s

Compass

Nylon cord

Bandana/s

Safety pins, nylon thread, needle

Optional: Sunglasses (with strap)

Optional: Cat hole trowel

Optional: GPS

Optional: Watch

Toilettries

Moleskin and Second Skin

Bandaids

Vaseline, small tube

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

Girl "supplies" (if you're a girl)

Glasses/contact lenses

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

Optional: Heavy-duty trash bag

Guidebook/s

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

Optional: Paper, pen/pencil

Optional: Pre-stamped envelopes

Optional: Camera