Paddling Outing

BASICS

  • backpack

  • sleeping bag and stuffsack

  • sleeping pad

  • headlamp and batteries, plus spare batteries

  • waterproof matches

  • knife or multi-purpose tool

  • compass

  • map of area being traveled

  • whistle

  • 2 1-quart water bottles, or 2+ liter water bladder

  • first aid kit

  • 2 large garbage bags

  • several zip-lock bags, 1 quart

  • tent, tent poles, stakes - share with tent buddy (usually supplied by troop)

  • ground cloth - share with tent buddy

  • pillow - small backpacker type (optional)

  • rope, nylon, 25+ ft (used for bear-bagging, usually supplied by troop)


EATING

  • plastic or metal drinking cup

  • plastic or metal eating bowl

  • durable plastic or metal spoon

  • personal food (trail mix, dried fruit, jerky, etc)

  • bear bag - big enough for all your "smellables"


CLOTHING (besides what you wear at any time)

  • fleece jacket, sweater or sweatshirt (polypropylene)

  • 2 pair socks (wool or equivalent - NO COTTON)

  • 2 pair sock liners (polypropylene - NO COTTON)

  • 2 pair underwear

  • 1 pair pants

  • 2 undershirts (capilene/polypropylene shirt)

  • knit cap for warmth

  • mitten liners

  • mittens

  • mitten shells

  • thermal underwear, tops and bottoms (polypropylene)

  • gaitors

  • bandana


PERSONAL GEAR

  • camper’s soap (biodegradable, very small plastic bottle)

  • toothpaste (small tube)

  • toothbrush

  • toilet paper (with duct tape around and core removed, pack in zip-lock bag)

  • sanitary wipes

  • light-weight towel

  • wash cloth

  • plastic trowel to dig 6" to 8" cat-hole (pack in zip-lock bag)

  • suntan lotion

  • hand lotion (skin dries out fast in mountains and snow)

  • chapstick

  • insect repellant

  • sewing kit

  • notebook and pencil

  • "Polar Pure" water treatment (usually supplied by troop)

  • boot laces - 1 spare set

  • goggles and/or sunglasses

  • shovel

  • ice ax (depends on activity)

  • crampons (depends on activity)

  • cross country ski with skins (depends on activity)

  • snow shoes (depends on activity)

  • camera, disposable (optional)


WHAT YOU WEAR - Varies with weather

  • hiking boots - well fitted, good support, broken in, waterproof

  • socks - wool or equivalent (NO COTTON)

  • sock liners - Polypropylene (NO COTTON)

  • underpants

  • long pants

  • undershirt (polypropylene or polyester or equivalent)

  • long johns, tops and bottoms (polypropylene)

  • pile pants

  • waterproof pants/ski bibs

  • warm shirt/fleece

  • waterproof jacket/shell

  • knit hat

  • class "A" scout shirt for drive to and from - leave in car during hike

NOTES:

  • Getting your footwear right is very important. Good, well-sized, broken-in boots with polypropylene sock liners and wool outer socks makes hiking very pleasant. Sore feet and blisters can ruin a trip and may require evacuation.

  • Keeping you and the contents of your pack dry is another key element in having a great time on a trip.

  • Use zip-lock plastic bags to pack clothes in (keeps them waterproof)

  • Use sandwich size zip-lock bags to pack loose items, matches, etc

  • The clothing listed is designed to be worn in layers. As it gets cold or damp, more layers to go. As it warms up, more layers come off.

  • No electronic devices are allowed on trips (No cell phones, No music pods, No tablets, No game players, etc)
    * OK for drive to and from. Must be left in car. Driver is not responsible for items.

  • "Light weight" and "non-breakable" are good words to describe all pack items.

  • Put name on personal items

  • Everything, and I mean everything, that gets packed in gets packed out. Leave no trace is more than a motto.