Backpacking essentials

georgia_outdoors · 12-21-2011, 01:57 PM

For all the seasoned backpackers out there, what are your backpacking essentials? What did you think you would need that you didn't, and what wouldn't you leave home without?

Pathfinder1 · 12-21-2011, 02:44 PM

Hi...

I can give you a briefing of what I consider essential.

1. The backpack, of course. I probably won't be of much help there, as I go almost strictly Military surplus...none of that fancy stuff.

2. Same with my cooking gear. I currently use a set of German (new) Military surplus. A small pot and two smaller "cups", which nest together. My BOB has only one of the cups.

3. Cooking fire, for me, I prefer a small campfire, or sometimes a Military surplus Esbit-type stove (rarely used). I have a single burner Coleman stove, but that stays at home.

4. Water. In my kit I use 1 and 2 liter plastic bottles. For warmer weather, I fill them 3/4 full and freeze them. Then I top them off and have cold water all day/night long. I also carry a piece of rubber tubing for sucking up water from a depression near a water supply, sucking water out of a rock crevise. etc. It can also be used as a tournequet and a sling shot.

5. Water treatment. I have a small charcoal filter system and disinfectant tablets. Otherwise I boil it. CAUTION: most water treatment systems treat for bacteria and such only. A reverse osmosis unit can get rid of almost anything.

6. Fire. I carry four types of fire making equipment: waterproof/windproof matches; Bic lighter; ferrocerium rod and steel; and one other (my little secret).

7. Shelter is usually one or two shelter halves/ponchos, or a small pup-style tent. Ocassionally a 8' X 10" tarp.

8. Mil type 550 paracord.

9. Storm (brand name) 110 Db whistle, one CD (shiney as a mirror), cell phone. Also have two sets of two-way radios, but rarely use them.

10. Freeze dried/dehydrated meals, a 3600 cal energy bar which can be broken up into nine 400 cal bars.

11. First aid kit with my own items, plus a commercially made trauma kit for larger wounds...which also contains bloodstopping Quik Clot.

12. Misc. - multi-tool, machette, large garbage bags, space blanket, Mil folding shovel, lg. neckerchief, Mil-type goose-neck flashlight, instant-heat pads, compass, sheath and pocket knives, three factory-made small snares, sturdy eating utensils, tinder, duct tape.

These items actually take up very little room, and most of them actually fit in/on my BOB.

I also have a Mil down-filled sleeping bag, which is the inner bag of an Extreme Cold Weather System and a Mil 3/8" sleeping pad.

Other posters are sure to include some other interesting items.

Grandpa · 12-21-2011, 04:56 PM

The topic of this thread comes up about every month. If you do a search on backpacking essentials in the "search forums" box, you will get all the responses from forum members present, past, and way past.

catspa · 12-21-2011, 05:36 PM

...including the ones who didn't make it back, and the prudent backpacker would take their recommendations with a grain of salt.

Parker

Grandpa · 12-21-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catspa

...including the ones who didn't make it back, and the prudent backpacker would take their recommendations with a grain of salt.

Parker

roflma.....

Lamebeaver · 12-21-2011, 06:40 PM

backpack
sleeping bag
sleeping pad
tent, tarp or bivy bag
map and compass
food
something to cook food in (if needed)
something to cook food on, or start fire (if needed)
water filter or purification tablets
clothes (layering works)
rain gear
pocket knife
flashlight or headlamp
toilet paper
small first aid kit
rope or paracord (for hanging food, etc,)
misc (toothbrush, mosquito repellant, hat, etc.) this will depend on the puropse of the trip, duration, weather, etc.

Things you DON'T need:

firearms, big knives, hatchet, cast iron skillet.

Lorax · 12-22-2011, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

backpack
sleeping bag
sleeping pad
tent, tarp or bivy bag
map and compass
food
something to cook food in (if needed)
something to cook food on, or start fire (if needed)
water filter or purification tablets
clothes (layering works)
rain gear
pocket knife
flashlight or headlamp
toilet paper
small first aid kit
rope or paracord (for hanging food, etc,)
misc (toothbrush, mosquito repellant, hat, etc.) this will depend on the puropse of the trip, duration, weather, etc.

Things you DON'T need:

firearms, big knives, hatchet, cast iron skillet.

Pretty much sums up my list.

oldsarge · 12-22-2011, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pathfinder1

Hi...

I can give you a briefing of what I consider essential.

1. The backpack, of course. I probably won't be of much help there, as I go almost strictly Military surplus...none of that fancy stuff.

2. Same with my cooking gear. I currently use a set of German (new) Military surplus. A small pot and two smaller "cups", which nest together. My BOB has only one of the cups.

3. Cooking fire, for me, I prefer a small campfire, or sometimes a Military surplus Esbit-type stove (rarely used). I have a single burner Coleman stove, but that stays at home.

4. Water. In my kit I use 1 and 2 liter plastic bottles. For warmer weather, I fill them 3/4 full and freeze them. Then I top them off and have cold water all day/night long. I also carry a piece of rubber tubing for sucking up water from a depression near a water supply, sucking water out of a rock crevise. etc. It can also be used as a tournequet and a sling shot.

5. Water treatment. I have a small charcoal filter system and disinfectant tablets. Otherwise I boil it. CAUTION: most water treatment systems treat for bacteria and such only. A reverse osmosis unit can get rid of almost anything.

6. Fire. I carry four types of fire making equipment: waterproof/windproof matches; Bic lighter; ferrocerium rod and steel; and one other (my little secret).

7. Shelter is usually one or two shelter halves/ponchos, or a small pup-style tent. Ocassionally a 8' X 10" tarp.

8. Mil type 550 paracord.

9. Storm (brand name) 110 Db whistle, one CD (shiney as a mirror), cell phone. Also have two sets of two-way radios, but rarely use them.

10. Freeze dried/dehydrated meals, a 3600 cal energy bar which can be broken up into nine 400 cal bars.

11. First aid kit with my own items, plus a commercially made trauma kit for larger wounds...which also contains bloodstopping Quik Clot.

12. Misc. - multi-tool, machette, large garbage bags, space blanket, Mil folding shovel, lg. neckerchief, Mil-type goose-neck flashlight, instant-heat pads, compass, sheath and pocket knives, three factory-made small snares, sturdy eating utensils, tinder, duct tape.

These items actually take up very little room, and most of them actually fit in/on my BOB.

I also have a Mil down-filled sleeping bag, which is the inner bag of an Extreme Cold Weather System and a Mil 3/8" sleeping pad.

Other posters are sure to include some other interesting items.

This is a lot similar to mine, with a few exceptions. I'm trying to purge most of my old heavy military equipment with new lighter weight gear.

outwest · 12-22-2011, 07:54 AM

We once managed to completely forget to pack any sleeping bags on a trip and we did not realize it until it was nightfall and we were planning to crash. The one thing we never tried to unpack that day and it made for a bad nights sleep.

Pathfinder1 · 12-22-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpa

The topic of this thread comes up about every month. If you do a search on backpacking essentials in the "search forums" box, you will get all the responses from forum members present, past, and way past.

Hi...

Why didn't I think of that...!! I did leave a few things out, though, wondering who could think of them first.