CHAPEL HILL BOY SCOUT TROOP 835 BACKPACKING CHECKLIST

By Ruth Heaton

Note about this list. It is always the same. Once you have packed properly for one backpack trip, you will pack exactly the same for every trip.NO COTTON clothing. Take nothing cotton on a backpack trip.

1. A backpacking poncho. Pack on top or in an outer pocket.

2. Ziploc 1: In a gallon zip-lock bag, put the following items:

  • Light weight stocking cap
  • Wool or polyester socks
  • Polypro long underwear
  • Light fleece gloves

3. Ziploc 2:

  • Pair of lightweight wicking pants--nylon or similar
  • Hiking shirt or t-shirt, long sleeve. Not cotton. Polyester, synthetic, or wool.

4. Ziploc 3:

  • (x) pairs of wicking socks matching the number of days you will be out.
  • Underwear. Wicking if possible.

5. Ziploc 4:

  • lightweight fleece or down vest

6.Optional: Crocs for camp shoes.
7. Sleeping bag
8. Pillowcase -you can stuff things in it to make a pillow
9. Sleeping pad

10. Tent or hammock, hammock ropes, ground pad, etc.

11. Miscellaneous:

  • Small and light backup water purification method, such as iodine pills.
  • Water bottle (very important!)
  • Matches
  • Headlamp or very light flashlight--pack this in a pocket where you can get at it
  • Extra batteries--just enough
  • Eyeglasses / contacts-case-solution
  • Hiking first aid kit
  • Compass
  • Map, in a plastic zip-lock.
  • Small mirror
  • Whistle
  • Mess kit for yourself, containing a bowl and an eating utensil--optionally a cup.
  • Sunglasses
  • Baseball Hat—wool or synthetic, as always, not cotton
  • Sunscreen
  • Deet (as required)
  • Lip balm
  • Bandana
  • Small Swiss army type knife--make sure it has a can opener if you are bringing any canned food
  • Small toothbrush
  • Tiny or mostly used up toothpaste
  • Garbage bag
  • Plastic grocery bags for packing out trash

12. Cooking -Each tenting/cooking pair or trio should bring one of each:

  • Light-weight cooking stove
  • Fuel for the cook stove—1 ounce per person per day
  • Stove windscreen
  • Pot with a lid ~1qt to heat water
  • Pot-gripper
  • Lexan spoon
  • Pot glove or cozy (like a fleece hat or scarf or (not as effective) a bandana)
  • Garbage bags

13. Per Hiking Group:

  • Water-purification pump, stick or pills
  • Trowel for digging cat-holes.
  • Small toilet paper roll
  • Bear bag = a nylon bag to hold food, an attached carabiner, a 100ft rope, a small ditty bag to hold a rock.

Wear:

  • Scout pants. nylon, zip off, quick drying.
  • Class B wicking t-shirt. Do not wear a cotton t-shirt.
  • Fleece Jacket
  • Wicking poly or smartwool hiking socks.
  • Hiking boots.