How To use this Checklist:
Please comment and tell us what you have in your backpack as well as what you would leave behind next time!
Choose items below that match your trip plans and the expected weather conditions and then print the list to double check the night before you leave.
The camping list #3 at the bottome pretty much has everything but the kitchen sink so just copy the items that you want onto another program like Word and print so you can check off the items prior to leaving on your adventure.
Once you are on the trail, don’t worry about what you don’t have – if you have fire, water and shelter you will survive! (As long as you told someone where you are going and expected time of return so they can call 911 and have Searchers come find you when you don’t return at said time)
Camping Gear Checklists
First the list of 10+ Essentials
- Extra clothing layer(s)
- Drinking water
- Food (does not require cooking or heating)
- First-aid kit – with Tylenol, Chapstick, sunscreen
& bandaids for blisters - Hunting / Combination knife
- Fire lighting system (in waterproof container) and firestarter
- Map of area (in waterproof case)
- Compass
- Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries/ bulbs)
- Your luxury items which might be stuff like Sunglasses
BC Camping Checklist Number #1
* Can Opener
* GPS
* Camping Games (~See here for all of them~)
* Cooler
* Swimming Mask (The water is so clear!)
* Camping Stove — Don’t forget to pick out some great campfire recipes
* Condiments
* Coffee Pot/Coffee
* Charcoal
* Alarm Clock
* Beverages (Chill before trip so ice don’t melt as fast)
* Drinking Cups
* Campfire Grill
* Toothbrush/Toothpaste
* Brush/Comb
* Jacket
* Fuel For Stove & Lantern
* Lantern/Extra Mantles
* Lighter Fluid or Newspaper To Start Campfire
* Mess Kits & Utensils (Including Tongs)
* Scouring Pad
* Skillet and Pots
* Foil (To cook them yummy trout in the campfire)
* Small Collapsable Table
* Thermos
* Towels
Camping Checklist #2 – Daypack or fanny pack
Rainproof coat with hood
Sunhat (or toque)
Sunglasses
Gloves
Fleece or warm layer
Wicking layer (or T-shirt)
Waterproof or quickdry pants (zip-offs preferable since you’ll the option of both shorts and full pants)
Hiking boots or shoes
Heavy socks (if you’re into layering thin/thick pairs)
Bear Spray (if in bear country)
Walking pole
Headlamp
Guidebook/Map
Compass (or GPS)
First Aid Kit
Lighter
Pocket knife
Lunch/snack (plus a little extra… just in case)
Water bottle (full)
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Toilet paper
Camping Checklist #3
Depending on your level of comfort, experience, personal preferences, you can top up the daypack with any number of goodies. A few optional items might include:
Water filter or water purification tablets
Binoculars
Bird/Flower field guide
Power gels and/or bars
Notebook/pen
Camera with flexible mini-tripod
Lightweight tarp (for shade or for hunkering down when the sky lets loose)
* Trash Bags (A MUST!)
* Dish Soap
* First Aid Kit (Including Aspring/Tylenol, Calamine lotion for Poison Ivy)
* Shampoo/Glycerin Bar Soap (Environmentally friendly kind)
* Personal Hygeine Items (Including tampons and aloe vera for sunburns)
* Snake bite kit
* Sting-Eze
* Water Toy (Ex. Frisbee, for you or the dog)
* Sharp Knife
* Hatchet
* Fishing Gear
* Fishing License W/ Trout Stamp (Another must!)
* Can Of Whole Kernal Corn (Trout love this, below Cedar Grove only)
* Rope/String
* Long Sleeve Shirt/Pants (For those chilly nights, and going into the woods)
* Shorts/T-shirts
* Sunscreen/Bug Repellant (Min. SPF30 waterproof, Skintastic or Deep Woods recommended)
* Lip Balm (SPF15 recommended)
* Water Shoes/Sandals
* Waterproof Watch
* Towel
* River Map (If new to the area)
* Change Of Clothes For The End Of The Trip
* Fire Starter and Fire Starter Paper/Cardboard
* Tent
* Flashlights
* Personal Floatation Devices
* Rain Gear (Poncho)
* Sunglasses (2 pair)
* Toilet Paper
* Chair
* Headlamp (For those unexplored caves)
* Sleeping Bags
* Pillow
* Tarp
* Batteries
* Binoculars
* Boots For Hiking
* Crab Boil & Cocktail Sauce (For Eating Those Crawdad Tails, mmmmmmmm)
* Camera/Film
* Bungee Cord Tie Downs
* Swimming Outfit
* Food (Keep in tent at night)
* Marshmellows & Hot Dogs
* Hat (To minimize the sun)
* Extra Car Keys (Wouldn’t hurt to have)
* Socks (Thin/Heavy) and Underwear
* Sling Shot (Nice item when just sitting around)
* Collapsable Shovel
* Small Radio/Harmonica (optional)
* Cellphone (optional, not guaranteed to work in remote location)
* Eyeglasses/Contacts
* Day pack or back pack (For exploring)
* Waterproof bag (to keep “can’t get wet” items in)
* Valuables Bag (Wallet/keys/money)
* Ice
* Two Way Radios (Optional)
* Life Jacket (Provided by outfitters if renting canoe)
* Pet Food/Dish
* Pjs
* Can Opener ( P-38 is compact)
* Fish/Crawdad Holder
* Canteen/Water Jugs
* Matches/Lighter
* Deck Of Cards
* Floatable Cool Cup (Keeps the cans from sinking if you tip)
* Dutch Oven W/ Tripod For Over Campfire (optional, but great for stew and chilli)
* Air Matress/Pump (Optional)
I received this as a gift for an upcoming backpacking trip in the high Sierras. I used this a few weeks ago to try out. It worked great and was the envy of my husband.
The pot holds four cups of liquid, the cup two cups. Although there are measurements inside each, both are hard to read as the print is very small. I etched markings on the outside of the pot for easier reading.
The pot handle is at times difficult to open: one must pinch down on both sides of the hinge to loosen the handle and fold it up for transport. The handle does not get too hot, either while cooking.
The cup, although made out of plastic material, did not get too hot despite the hot liquid inside. The thin insolating material on the outside, which also provides good grip, helps seal the heat from my hands. A wonderful tool!
Cup and spork all fit inside the pot, with room for my Brunton stove and gas canister. I can even fit my lighter and matches inside the pot, all which fit inside the small black carrying bag.
My only complaint: the spork. I bought an extra set of fork, knife and spoon made of strong metal alloy as the spork with this set is rather flimsy. The retractable spork’s hinge also seems to attract food remnants, making it difficult to clean after eating.
This is a lightweight and functional cooking set ideal for the solo backpacker.
HI Clayton,
As per request, I am more than happy to share my top ten items. These were derived from Dave Canterbury’s (co-host of Dual Survival and creator of the Pathfinder School and Pathfinder System) 10 C’s. I also have a copy of Les Stroud’s book, “Survive!: Essential Skills and Tactics to Get You Out of Anywhere – Alive” and took into consideration his top items as well. Pretty much the same. I will post a link to Dave’s YouTube channel of these Top 10.
1.) Cutting Tool – Make sure you have a good quality cutting tool. It could be used for a plethora of things if you don’t have any of the other items.
2.) Combustion Device – This is a tool that can give you fire, not make fire. A special alloy flint bar and hardened steel striker can generate a spark as hot as 1,300 degrees. Use in combination with a wet fire gel for the ultimate sure fire.
3.) Covering Device – A material to regulate your body’s core temp and keep you out of the elements. A 100% wool blanket works wonders. It is the only material that will retain 80% of its thermals even if soaking wet. Wool can also be used for many other things.
4.) Container – A metal container is a multi-function device. you can carry items, store items, create char cloth, but most importantly use it for safe drinkable water. Boiling water is the only sure way of removing water born pathogens. Make sure you have a 32oz or 1 US qt bottle if you are using chemicals to disinfect water since everything is measured by 32oz.
5.) Cordage – Cordage is important because it is the tool you will need to lash and build many things in a emergency survival situation.
With these 5 C’s you can take care of the immediate things for 72hrs until search and rescue finds you.
6.) Cotton Bandanna: A 3’x3′ cotton bandanna can server a multiple of uses. From char cloth to a splint, bandages, carrying item, signal device (if orange or a bright color) and so on. It is a very worth while item to have.
7.) Compass: Get a good compass. Put the money towards one that has an adjustable bevel ring and a sighting mirror. The Bevel ring will help you with your bearings, the mirror not only is used for sighting your compass, but also for signalling and using it as a first aid device.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPjGIheVi4w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw1gCDuBb9c
8.) Candling: Rather than a flashlight, invest into a good quality head lamp. This frees up both hands so that you can maneuver safer at night, use both hands to search your bag and so forth. Preferably choose one that is waterproof and one that has three brightness settings and flash.
9.) Cloth Sail Needle/ Canvas Needle: Such a small, inexpensive tool can save your life. These needles are designed for repairing tent, fabric or sail cloth with. It has a wedge in the front of it that can be used as an awl. It can be used as a first aid item and if magnetized ahead of time, it can be used as a compass.
10.) Cargo/ Duct Tape: Again, another inexpensive, but genius tool and invention to have. This tool will serve you for a multitude of uses. This can do, make and repair just about anything. Not to say that it is the common mans first aid tool.
The Best Survival List that I have ever seen yet Bruce! Thank you so much for providing a well thought out and proven list on the 10 essentials! I took longer to reply because I wanted comment on each item based on my personal experiences but have decided to make a new post out of you comment and will do that ASAP.
You mentioned the Pathfinder School above and I just want to point folks to that material as much as possible as well. He is the real deal! Just look him up on Youtube!
Dave Canterbury is my go to guy. He is also the co host of Dual Survival, but since the show he has really made his name known from the school he teaches, the Self Reliance magazine he works on with Blindhorse Knives, and his YouTube channel. He has two: Wildernessoutfitters and SurvivalAdventureNet. The latter will feature full 60min length videos on self reliance and survival.
Outside of the base 10 piece kit, I’ve added a few luxury items that don’t take up much room or weight.
Glad you liked the links and info Clayton.
-Bruce