Backpacking List

Thank you for meeting me here from Beginner's Guide!

LIST OF ITEMS YOU WANT TO PACK

⚪ Hiking Backpack. It's important to have it rest at your hips. If you aren't too sure how yours fits, outdoor stores, like REI, are able to take your pack in have someone help you adjust it with all items inside

Clothing

⚪ Rain gear (jacket and pants) like these. Not this! Chances are if it rained once, it will rain again. Do not make my mistake. These flimsy ponchos are a one-time use, they will tear as you hike, and will not shield you from the inevitable cold.

⚪ One puffy jacket. Do not put yourself in danger by not having a warm jacket. Parts of the trail lead into snow.

⚪ One long sleeve

⚪ One short sleeve

⚪ One comfy sports bra

⚪ Plenty of socks, the woollier the better.

⚪ Undies

⚪ A swimsuit should you desire to plunge into bodies of water that you’ll undoubtedly encounter.

⚪ One sleep-only dedicated t-shirt. After the day’s hike, nothing beats changing into a somewhat fresh shirt. Same goes with pants.

Hygiene

⚪ Toothbrush. Every ounce counts! Pick travel sized options.

⚪ Toothpaste

⚪ Tweezers… for the occasional splinter. Your eyebrows will grow out.

⚪ Deodorant stick

⚪ Small First-Aid kit

That’s it. Don’t bother with shampoo strips, multipurpose wash, etc. You’re not going to be concerned with this.

Protection Against the Elements

⚪ Sunscreen. Be sure to opt for biodegradable if you plan to swim.

⚪ Chapstick with sunscreen

⚪ Bug spray or lotion. I recommend a non-alcoholic based lotion like this one. It’s a little extra but very effective.

⚪ Sunglasses

⚪ Hat

⚪ Beanie

⚪ Gloves

⚪ Mosquito head net. You'll be glad for this little life saver.

Electric

⚪ Phone. You won't be able to make calls but you'll want to take loads of pictures

⚪ Phone Portable Charger. Store it high if you have a river crossing or you too, like me, will say goodbye to it.

⚪ Element proof phone case

Organization

⚪ Stuff Sacks. They keep your overall pack organized and they can double up as pillows at night! You might want to opt for water proof options if you know you will be traversing water.

Eat/ Drink

⚪ Water bottles. I used two Smart Water 1 Liter bottles on either side of my pack. In addition to one reusable 16 oz bottle. I had read and heard on more than one occasion that a reservoir or bladder can prove difficult to refill, and you’ll find that you go through your water more rapidly if you sip while you hike. There are sections of the hike, where you have to ration your water supply.

⚪ Purification tablets. Drop two of these bad boys in and wait 30 minutes before drinking your water.

⚪ Electrolyte tablets. The purification tablets leave an odd taste in the water, in addition to keeping your electrolytes up, these tablets can help mask the odd flavor.

⚪ Jerky

⚪ Dried snacks

⚪ Protein bars

⚪ Dried meal packs

⚪ Bear canister-the JMT requires it!

Cookware

⚪ Spork

⚪ Mess kit. Optional as you could simply eat out of the bag.

⚪ Fuel Can

⚪ Stove

⚪ Lighter/matches

Tools

⚪ Headlamp

⚪ Knife

⚪ Map. You are also better investing in a gps based hiking map like Gaia that works offline and lets you know where you are on the trail.

⚪ Trekking sticks. Are these necessary? Yes. Your knees will thank you and they can be the one thing between you and a tumble.

⚪ Whistle. Did I use this? No, but I’m glad I had it. They can be used when up against a large animal. Establish your dominance with your loudest roar.

⚪ Duct tape. Wrap some around your water bottles so that you don’t have to bring an entire roll of duct tape.

When Nature Calls

⚪ Toilet paper. You CAN deposit this in your latrine hole as it is biodegradable due to its composition of natural materials.

⚪ Hand-sanitizer

⚪ Ziploc lined with dryer sheets. The dryer sheets both mask the potential smell as well as the site if you choose to take wet naps. Or in my case, to disguise my used feminine napkins.

⚪ Menstrual cup. If you have never used these before, I recommend going through a trial run before going all in! It can be absolutely terrifying if you’re not used to this device and you have to go “fishing”.

⚪ Freshette/ GoGirl/ or other female urination device. If you normally have to squat when you pee, do not skip this! You lose time having to take off your pack, find a bush, and do the deed. You also expose yourself to mosquitoes, potentially harmful plants, the cold, and unkempt restrooms. You can find tips on how to keep yours clean in the wild here.

Sleep

⚪ Tent. You could carry your own 1-person or split a large one among your mates.

⚪ Foam pad. This goes beneath your sleeping bag.

⚪ Sleeping bag

---

#backpackinglist #beginnersguide #JMT #JohnMuirTrail