Backpacker Essentials

Phil Cibicki out in the mountains.

From my very first backpack trip to Colchuck Lake over 20 years ago, I quickly realized I needed a way to organize the gear I planned to take with me each time I went on a trip. Throughout the years, I developed and frequently updated this comprehensive list that I could use during the packing process. This allowed me to not only consistently bring the same reliable items with me each time I embarked on a trip, but also to keep me from forgetting some of the essential items that I often did (like a beanie for cold fall nights or bug spray for mosquito-ridden areas). It also helped me determine those items that were most useful and that could be doubled-up for efficiency’s sake, while helping me find those items I realized I didn’t really need to bring and could eliminate.

I hope this list is something you may be able to use during these winter months in preparation for the summer. May this list bring you some sense of security that you did indeed pack everything you meant to and that you didn’t actually forget anything. I believe this can be crucial when you might be hiking and camping 20 miles out from the trailhead for multiple days on end. Happy backpacking!