Backpacking Equipment
The following is a suggested list of important items you may want on any backpacking trip taking place during the Spring, Summer, or Fall months in the Northeast.
Those items marked with an * = can be borrowed from the Outing Club as a member
Highly Recommended Items:- Expedition Backpack* (external or internal frame)
- Sleeping Bag* (synthetic fiber or down filled bag -- NO COTTON bags!)
- Sleeping Pad*
- Rain Jacket* and Rain Pants*
- Wool or Fleece WARM Hat
- Fleece or Wool Sweater (WARM)
- Long underwear mid-weight Top AND Bottom (Polypropylene, Thermax, Capilene, etc.)
- Underwear
- Spare T-Shirt (s)
- Loose-fitting pants (avoid 100% cotton, i.e. jeans) -- synthetic warm ups, nylon wind pants...
- Fleece or Wool Pants (WARM, avoid 100% cotton, i.e. jeans)
- Shorts
- wool socks with polypropylene liners, or equivalent NON-COTTON hiking socks
- Pair of Broken In - Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Gloves or Mittens -- wool or fleece (Warm, not cotton)
- Swimsuit
- 1 Towel
- Hat with brim for sun
- Sun Block and Chapstick (with sunscreen)
- Small Flashlight or Headlamp* with NEW batteries, and spare bulb and batteries
- Cup, bowl, spoon (NO glass!)
- 2 x 1 qt. water bottles*
- Lots of Enthusiasm and Smiles!
Recommended Items:
- Personal Toiletry Items (toothbrush, tooth paste, tampons, contact lense solution, medications (with prescription), avoid soap, but if absolutely necessary bring biodegradable soap like Camp Suds or Dr. Bonners)
- Waterproof Pack Cover, or Extra Large Trash Bags to line or cover your pack
- 1 Bandanna
- Small Pocket Knife
- Compass*
- Sunglasses
- Whistle
- Security strap (like Croakies) for sunglasses and glasses
- Duct Tape (can wrap some around a water bottle or pencil to bring with you for repairs)
- Pair of Camp Shoes - Tevas or Sneakers (optional)
- Camera with film
- Day Pack
- Small Roll-on or Squeeze tube of Insect Repellent
- Paperback Book or other good Reading Material, Games, Deck of Cards, Stories
- A Journal or Notebook with Pen
- Binoculars
- Field Guides
- Crazy Creek Chair (preferably with the WOC logo on the back!)
