Backpacking Checklist.

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Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Titanium cookware and flask? What a waste.

It's lighter than Stainless Steel and is easier to clean.
Sorry, I meant silverware instead of flask. if he really wants to cut the weight from the fork and spoon, he can go ahead. What's wrong with aluminum cookware, though? As far as actual cooking goes, it's far superior to titanium.

But for durability, titanium goes a lot farther.
Describe a situation in which aluminum would be damaged significantly.
 

bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
0
Originally posted by: GPett
Handheld pump water purifier. You don't always need to break out the stove to boil your water.

Dried foods such as noodles, rice, nuts, dried potatos, soup mix, and pancake mix. A salami, pepperoni, or any other cured meat to throw in to make a stew with the above mentioned dried foods. Dried fruits and vegetables. Condensed bouillon paste, small bottle of olive oil, small bottle of lemon or lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, and any other of your favorate dried seasonings for flavor.

Bring a collapsable fishing rod with some gear and fishing liscence.

Don't forget to bring at least 3 lightweight forms of light and extra batteries for all of them. I prefer a headband light, small flashlight, and some sort of small area light.


Have fun!

Have each person bring a good paperback book. Trade when you are done. =)


Good advice, thanks.

I have a flashlight (3W LED mag-light), and a 5W LED light for my pistol. Ill look into an area light though.

I dont have a fishing rod, but I have fishing string, hooks, and a lure or two. I dont have a license... is someone really gonna card me out in the middle of nowhere?
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
8,964
0
0
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Titanium cookware and flask? What a waste.

It's lighter than Stainless Steel and is easier to clean.
Sorry, I meant silverware instead of flask. if he really wants to cut the weight from the fork and spoon, he can go ahead. What's wrong with aluminum cookware, though? As far as actual cooking goes, it's far superior to titanium.

But for durability, titanium goes a lot farther.
Describe a situation in which aluminum would be damaged significantly.

Well I'll use a fork for all the examples. You step on it with your boot. You leave it near a fire on a rock and it reforms. That's all I've got for now, but if you had the giant indestructible aluminium silverware, titanium would win.
 

bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
0
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Titanium cookware and flask? What a waste.

It's lighter than Stainless Steel and is easier to clean.
Sorry, I meant silverware instead of flask. if he really wants to cut the weight from the fork and spoon, he can go ahead. What's wrong with aluminum cookware, though? As far as actual cooking goes, it's far superior to titanium.

But for durability, titanium goes a lot farther.
Describe a situation in which aluminum would be damaged significantly.

Well I'll use a fork for all the examples. You step on it with your boot. You leave it near a fire on a rock and it reforms. That's all I've got for now, but if you had the giant indestructible aluminium silverware, titanium would win.


Not to mention the utensils came with the other stuff, so theres no point in not using them. It wasnt that expensive anyway.. only like $20 or so more than regular stuff.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: potato28
Originally posted by: Howard
Titanium cookware and flask? What a waste.

It's lighter than Stainless Steel and is easier to clean.
Sorry, I meant silverware instead of flask. if he really wants to cut the weight from the fork and spoon, he can go ahead. What's wrong with aluminum cookware, though? As far as actual cooking goes, it's far superior to titanium.

But for durability, titanium goes a lot farther.
Describe a situation in which aluminum would be damaged significantly.

Well I'll use a fork for all the examples. You step on it with your boot. You leave it near a fire on a rock and it reforms. That's all I've got for now, but if you had the giant indestructible aluminium silverware, titanium would win.
I asked about cookware, not silverware. I can see that titanium would make a stronger utensil, but you could always bend the aluminum back.
 

Superrock

Senior member
Oct 28, 2000
467
1
0
Almost all wild water has giardia in it so never drink water straight from the river.

Where are you camping? It sounds like fun.

Equipment:

Assume you get bitten by a tick, get stuff that can remove them. Forceps? Possible infection of Lyme Disease if you get bitten.

Another, smaller flashlight, like a keychain one will come in handy. Some kinda of lantern source of light will be helpful also.

I always carry baby wipes when I go camping but that's kinda big if youre traveling light and can't afford too much trash. Maybe a small tissue pack instead. Maybe that hand disinfectant gel from a body shop. I like carrying a small bottle of listerine to clean stuff, disinfect stuff, and gargle.

I would ditch the fishing equipment altogether because it's cumbersome and, unless you're going somewhere you know has lots of fish, you won't have time to catch anything.

I don't think you need a flaregun if you're confident in your GPS.

Towel, soap.


Food I like:

Beef Jerky
Liquid Cheese( goes well with almost anything)
Trail Mix
Canned Chilli( this may be too heavy)
I love MREs but they may make too much trash. They're also a lot of food and kinda expensive.





 

NoShangriLa

Golden Member
Sep 3, 2006
1,652
0
0
How many days are you going to be out in the woods, and how far is the distant from camping sites to a nearby town?

Don't forget floss and shaver. You are packing way too much for a camping trip, leave the gun/knives/bear mace at home and only take what you need.

 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,911
34,040
136
If possible, plan it so all your electric stuff uses the same size batteries. That way you can loot some devices to power others if needed.

If you are going out by yourself consider buying or renting a rescue beacon.

The gun, wiskey, thermos, and KABAR are wastes of weight. Lose the rope, keep the para cord.

Bring more ziplocks. They are God's special gift to backpackers.

Safety pins are double plus good.

The mirror should be a signal mirror.

What are you wearing on your feet and head?

Edit:
As someone above suggested - baby wipes. Walgreens and others sell individually packaged towelettes. Very useful for first aid and also improve your whole world view when your face is covered in sweat and grime.
 

aceO07

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2000
4,491
0
76
A good headlamp and flashlight. You will want to be able to use both your hands to cook or set up tent. Batteries too.
 

GPett

Member
Apr 14, 2007
121
0
0
Originally posted by: DrPizza
I'm the only person who packs heavier meals??

Camping out of the back of the car = BBQ, steaks, shrimp, and all the good stuff.

Hiking out in the middle of nowhere for a few weeks = lightest stuff possible.

Edit: I forgot to add it in the above post. A small container of crisco in double ziplocks is fine. Just a few tablespoons. A little dab will do ya. You don't want your pancakes or other stuff sticking to your titanium cookware haha.

Edit: I also do not see a thermarest or some sort of sleeping cushion. I always splirged here and got a thicker version. There are some lightweight 3inch sleeping pads that can be compacted like a thermarest. I would gladly ditch some stuff for a good sleeping pad.
 

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
Originally posted by: ironwing
If possible, plan it so all your electric stuff uses the same size batteries. That way you can loot some devices to power others if needed.

If you are going out by yourself consider buying or renting a rescue beacon.

The gun, wiskey, thermos, and KABAR are wastes of weight. Lose the rope, keep the para cord.

Bring more ziplocks. They are God's special gift to backpackers.

Safety pins are double plus good.

The mirror should be a signal mirror.

What are you wearing on your feet and head?

Edit:
As someone above suggested - baby wipes. Walgreens and others sell individually packaged towelettes. Very useful for first aid and also improve your whole world view when your face is covered in sweat and grime.

A gun is never a waste of weight.
 
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
1
0
Originally posted by: KlitschBeiExitus
take a folding metal chair. That is what i used to do and people would give you the strangest looks. Of course i wasnt your average backpacker either so it might be a little on the heavy side?

Oh, btw you dont need that much crap, or to spend that much but if you want to then go ahead.

oh btw, dont use a water bottle. Camel backs are much more effective and can be stowed without water easily.

Instead of 18 knifes you might consider a gerber, and instead of all your eating utensils (not cooking) a large plastic mug works rather well and maybe an aluminum plate if you arent hardcore :p.

some sort of sitting aparatus is a very good idea.

don't forget your camera, nocs, and as far as food goes:
poptarts
crystal light lemonade packets
beef jerky
rice meals
noodle meals
lentils (soak in a water bottle during the day)
bullion cubes
cheese (eat first)

 

CrystalBay

Platinum Member
Apr 2, 2002
2,175
1
0
Originally posted by: GPett
Handheld pump water purifier. You don't always need to break out the stove to boil your water.

Dried foods such as noodles, rice, nuts, dried potatos, soup mix, and pancake mix. A salami, pepperoni, or any other cured meat to throw in to make a stew with the above mentioned dried foods. Dried fruits and vegetables. Condensed bouillon paste, small bottle of olive oil, small bottle of lemon or lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, and any other of your favorate dried seasonings for flavor.

Bring a collapsable fishing rod with some gear and fishing liscence.

Don't forget to bring at least 3 lightweight forms of light and extra batteries for all of them. I prefer a headband light, small flashlight, and some sort of small area light.


Have fun!

Have each person bring a good paperback book. Trade when you are done. =)


Good Post...
I agree, packed the Sierras a few times for 10 days at a time.. I have a Eagle Claw collapsible combo fly/conventional fishing rod. It goes into a lightweight aluminum tube. Whole Salami/ Pepperoni rounds is good , Ramen is bulky but feather weight...
 

LordMorpheus

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2002
6,871
1
0
MRE's are too heavy for backpacking food. Great camping food, but only if you don't have to carry a bunch of them on your back. perfect for float trips and the like.
 

Feldenak

Lifer
Jan 31, 2003
14,090
2
81
Originally posted by: DrPizza
I'm the only person who packs heavier meals??

That would depend on where I'm backpacking and for how long. An overnight trip where I'll be hiking back to the vehicle the following day? Sure, I'll bring some heavy stuff. If I'm going to be out for a week+ then I pack light.
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
I'd also include a Flare or Flare Gun just in case. Some sort of satellite phone if you really want to depending on how far from civilization you'll be. Extra batteries or maybe some sort of solar powered battery charger if they make such a thing.
 

uallas5

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2005
1,648
1,911
136
I didn't see any mention of a ground pad. I would NEVER go camping w/o one, best way to get a descent night sleep. I would aslo recommend something like this chair. Being able to sit up with your back supported is a god send after hiking with a pack all day. And since it's using your ground pad, you're only talking 10 xtra ounces for mucho back pleasure.

As far as food, one trick I learned to make dehydrated stews better, Parmesan cheese rinds. You know the stuff on the outside of the cheese wheel that mostly gets thrown away. Scrape off the very outside, that's mostly wax and insect crap. Chop up into small pieces before you leave and then add some to the water 1st thing after turning on the stove to give it time to soften. Great source of protein, fat and flavor. Depending on the temp, it can last quite a while in a ziploc bag.