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) 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
Duct tape
Flashlight
Spare batteries
Nylon cord
Bandana/s
Safety pins, nylon thread, needle
Optional
: Sunglasses (with strap)
Optional
: 'Cat hole' trowel
Optional
: Compass
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, that is)
Glasses/contacts
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
: Trash bag for clothing
Guidebook/s, map/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, film