Packing your backpack- a guide from Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works

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Photo Courtesy of Arcteryx

Packing Your Back Pack
Start with your sleeping bag in the bottom for a solid foundation.

Put the heaviest items like your clothing, food, and cooking gear in the main compartment, keeping the weight close to your back, nearest your center of gravity.

Please Note for men, this is higher, and for women it tends to be lower, towards the small of the back.

Backpacker's Checklist

Pack & Sleeping
• Backpack
• Tent & Stakes
• Sleeping Bag
• Sleeping Pad
• Day Pack

Ten+Essentials
• Full 1 Qt. Water Bottle
• Matches or Lighter
• Compass and Map
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Whistle with neck cord
• 50 Ft. Nylon Cord
• Pocket Knife
• Emergency Blanket
• Energy Bar
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Flashlight and Extra Batteries

Clothing
• Boots, well sealed
• Camp shoes and sandals
• Liner Socks
• Hiking Socks
• T-Shirt
• Shorts
• Warm Shirt
• Long Pants
• Extra Underwear
• Thermal Underwear
• Warm Jacket/Fleece
• Rain Gear
• Gloves Fleece/Wool
• Hat with brim
• Warm Hat
• Clothes for drive home

Group Equipment
• Stove
• Wind Screen
• Small Lantern
• Fuel and Funnel
• Matches/Lighter
• Water Filter/Chemical
• Insect Repellent
• Toilet Paper and Towel
• Trash Bag
• Repair Kit
• Large First Aid Kit
• Water Storage Container
• Bear Canisters
• Biodegradable Dish Soap
• Scrub Pad
• Dish Towel
• Large Utensils
• Pots and Fry Pan
• Small Cutting Board
• Pot Grip
• Drink Mixes
• Food
• Spices
• Snacks
• GPS
• 2-Way Radios

Miscellaneous
• Camera and Film
• Binoculars
• Bowl and Plate
• Insulated Cup
• Spoon and Folk
• Personal Toiletries
• Medication
• Lip Balm and Lotion
• lightweight towel
• Reading Material
• Note Pad and Pencil
• Lightweight Camp Chair
• Hiking Poles
• Bandanna
• Fishing Gear and License
• Stash Bags
• Extra Water Bottle or Hydration System

Winter Camp Equipment

Snow Camping
• Avalanche probes, beacons
• Boot protection/sealant
• Snow shovel
• Extra dark sunglasses/keeper
• Small piece of sleeping pad (ensolite) for stove
• Extra pot for melting snow
• Snow stakes
• Snow shoes
• Crampons
• Ice axe

Ski Accessories
• Waxes/skins
• Scraper
• Cork
• Skis
• Poles
• Boots
• Spare parts
• Tool

Gear | Packing Your Backpack | Day Hikes | Backpacking