Pack With Me: Camping, Hiking, Backpacking

Camping, hiking, and backpacking can be so much fun, but it’s even better when you have luxury gear and don’t forget the important stuff. Here’s everything I bring with me when I’m camping for more than a couple nights, hiking for more than 5 miles, or backpacking any amount.

Sleeping

• Tent: We have an ultralight two-person we like for backpacking, and a larger 4-person tent for car camping. Good tents usually come with a footprint, but you can use a tarp underneath your tent if necessary. Ideally your tent also has a rain fly just in case it rains in the middle of the night or you expect there to be a lot of dew. (REI)

• Pillow: If we are backpacking we have small inflatable pillows, but if we are car camping, we usually just bring the pillows from our bed at home.

• Sleeping bag: If you are car camping feel free to bring bedding from home. But you’ll have a much better experience with a high quality sleeping bag. We have bags that can keep us warm in 15 degree temperatures. Some people even use a liner inside their bag to stay warm when they need it. When we get too warm during the night we just unzip and stick a leg out. You want one that is somewhat form fitting to your body because any extra space is room for cold air. I got one especially made for women’s shapes and my partner got one made for his height. We love our down sleeping bags so much! (Marmot)

• Sleeping pad: For extra comfort and warmth, you can also use a pad between your sleeping bag and the tent floor. You can get one that folds or rolls up or an inflatable one. (REI)

• Sleeping cot: We recently added cots to our car camping setup. Way better than an air mattress! We don’t bring them for backpacking because they are about as heavy as folding camp chairs. Not ideal when we’re trying to keep our weight to 30 pounds total including water. (REI)

Eating and Drinking

• Bladder: We use both bottles and bladders for our camping trips. We have a water filter if we know there is going to be somewhat potable water nearby like a flowing stream, but we also may just bring in all the water we intend to consume during the trip. Always overestimate what you’ll need. Always.

• Water filter: There are many ways to ensure you are drinking clean water throughout your camping trip. We personally like an easy filter but are exploring other options as well. 

• Paper towels: it’s a little wasteful, but they are an easy option for cleaning up messes on gear to prevent attracting bugs and animals.

• Trash bags: Something you can hang from a clothesline to keep animals away. Remember to Leave No Trace.

• Cookware: Planning out your meals will help you determine what you need to bring as far as cooking utensils, pots and pans, etc. There are specialty camp versions of everything, or you may decide not to bring anything but a mountain pie maker and a cast iron skillet to cook over a fire. Don’t forget marshmallow sticks!

• Serveware: I like reusables but cardboard or bamboo disposables are fine in a pinch. Be sure they don’t have any sort of coating on them if you intend to throw them in the campfire though. 

• Cleaning supplies: I usually use biodegradable soap and paper towels.

• Animal protection: This can be a bear canister, a bag with rope to hang from a tree branch or other option. You don’t want to leave food in a cooler or out in any way.

• Cooler: To keep food and drinks cold. I prefer large ice packs so when they melt my items aren’t floating in water, but ice is always an easy option. I try to keep cheese and other small items in a separate cooler with ice packs and leave the cooler for things like milk and beer since they won’t get soggy.

Wearing

For as much of my clothing as possible, I try to bring natural fibers like wool and cotton. I do also have some more technical clothing as well that helps wick sweat and dew from me.

• Bottoms: I almost never wear jeans because they don’t dry quickly so hiking pants and leggings for me, but some people prefer shorts. I usually bring one per day. I’ve been burned before (falling into the river while kayaking) and have needed more than one outfit in a day, but you can also wear the same thing more than one day. No one cares what you look like while camping. (Prana, Patagonia, Girlfriend Collective)

• Tops: Regardless of the temperature, I always bring tank tops, short sleeves and long sleeves so I can layer as necessary as the temperatures change throughout the day and night. I wear these items over and over unless I sweat excessively. (REI, Patagonia)

• Pajamas: changing into clean pajamas before you slip into your sleeping bag can help keep it clean since it’s so hard to launder.

• Underthings: sports bras, underwear, socks, etc. I bring just a few sports bras and wear them inside out the second time. I always pack more underwear than I need. Fresh underwear is the best feeling when the rest of you feels a little dirty out in the woods somewhere. I usually only bring enough socks for the days I’m hiking. I wear dirty socks inside out with my sandals around the fire in the evenings. (SmartWool)

• Swim suit: I almost always bring it even if there is no pool. You may find a lake, pond or river you just can’t resist.

• Rain gear: It’s important to bring a waterPROOF jacket, not a water RESISTANT one. One with a hood is best. You can also get waterproof pants as well, but it’s not necessary unless you anticipate being wet and cold for a long time like in Iceland or during a winter hike. (Patagonia, Columbia)

• Gloves: Speaking of winter, you may decide to bring warm gloves with you as well. If you’re seeing below 40 degrees, you may also consider a winter coat, scarves, and other accoutrement like crampons.

• Hat: this could be something warm for winter or a baseball cap for warmer weather. I hear bucket hats are in lately, but I just can’t with some 90s trends.

• Hiking shoes or boots: Depending on your needs, you may decide to go with a more lightweight hiking shoe or a more sturdy boot, but both should be waterproof when possible. (Merrell, Ariat)

• Sandals: I like thick velcro ones I can adjust as my feet swell throughout the day. I can use them as water shoes and campfire shoes, and even short, flat hikes in them if I need to. (Teva, Toms are good alternatives if you don’t plan on using them for water)

• Sunglasses: But don’t bring your fancy ones in case they get dirty, broken or lost.

Relaxing

• Hammock: Laying in a hammock is one of the best ways to chill out. Be sure to pack your straps and stand if you don’t anticipate finding good trees for it. (ENO, Kammok)

• Camp chairs: Any folding camp chairs will do, but there are awesome anti-gravity ones that will really enhance your experience.

• Games: I always bring a deck of cards for the size and flexibility, but board games that can be played on a picnic table or that don’t have small pieces that could get lost in the grass or cards that can blow away in the wind are great as well. If you have room in your car, you can also bring yard games like corn hole, bocce, can jam and others.

• Binoculars: If you want to peep some birds or animals from afar, binoculars are a fun addition to your list

• Firewood: Make sure it’s seasoned and dry. You’ll want large logs and small kindling as well as a lighter and paper and cardboard scraps.

Safety

• Sunscreen: Sun protection is no joke. I’m a bit of a crazy person about making sure I apply it thoroughly and reapply regularly. We were just at a cabin with friends and I was the only one who didn’t get burned. I prefer 50 SPF mineral sunscreen in lotion form, but anything is better than nothing. Aerosols and chemical sunscreens aren’t great for the environment (if it doesn’t say mineral on the label, it’s chemical). Many places like Hawaii and Australia are even banning chemical sunscreens because of the damage they can do to reefs and ocean life.

• Bug spray: Even if you don’t think you need it, bring it anyway. You can also bring citronella candles and other bug deterrents but spray is often the easiest and most reliable.

• Whistle: If you get lost or need help, a whistle may be louder and use less energy than your own voice. 

• Emergency blankets: These small foil blankets you often see marathoners wearing after a race can help keep you warm. Hand warmers are also a nice thing to pack if you expect any chilly weather.

• Band aids: My partner loves to prevent blisters with bandages like Moleskin, but band aids are still helpful for small cuts. You should also have an Ace bandage and a healthy first aid kit with a variety of common items like allergy pills, ibuprofen, Tums, and antiseptic.

• Hand sanitizer and soap: We have biodegradable soap we use for everything and washing your hands with soap and water is always the better option, but in a pinch hand sanitizer will do.

• Hand crank radio: I have this hand crank-powered radio and flashlight device that I would use in an emergency, it’s the size of a can of soda and if my phone and headlamp died, I could use it to listen to music and get some light.

• Toilet paper: Just in case your campground runs out in the middle of the night, or if you are primitive camping. You should also consider a portable loo or double doodie bags if you need to pack out your personal waste.

• Jumper cables: And generally a car safety kit. You may need to turn the headlights on for a bit or charge phones so it’s best to not get stranded with a dead battery and no cell service.

• Knife: Many people bring a knife or ax as well for odds and ends set up and firewood management.

Miscellaneous

• Backpack, day pack: Obviously if you’re backpacking you’ll need something to carry everything. You can mostly get away with a 30-40 liter pack for most short trips. But it’s also nice to have a smaller day pack that’s only 10-15 liters for hiking and exploring. (Osprey, Mountain Hardwear)

• Hair ties: no one wants you to accidentally light your hair on fire; pull it back. Rock a braid or top knot.

• Headlamps: It’s nice to have a lantern or flashlight as well, but to keep the number of items we need to bring low, we just bring headlamps. The brightness and angle can be adjusted on the ones we have. (Black Diamond)

• Towel or sarong: We have a small hand town made of microfiber as well as a thin sarong-style blanket we can use as a towel as well. Again, if we are car camping, we just bring beach towels from home.

• Deodorant and other toiletries: I like to keep a fragrance-free set of toiletries for camping and outdoor trips. I’m not bringing perfume to attract bees my way, or anything of the sort. My camping toiletries are bare bones and I may not even bring a hair brush. My fingers work just fine for my hair for the most part. Toothbrush and paste, deodorant, facial cleansing wipes. I like using these wipes just before bed once I’m already in my tent to get all the bug spray and sunscreen off. You may need to bring additional sanitary items if for example you need to stick your dirty fingers in your eyes to remove your contacts. You do you.

• Solar charger: I have a small hand held solar charger for my devices. It’s not a battery so it only charges when it’s in direct bright sunlight, but I can usually make sure all my devices are charged by sunset and make it through the night just fine. Airplane mode helps too if you need it. I also have been bringing a power bank lately for car camping trips. Definitely leaving that heavy item at home for backpacking though.

• Clothesline or rope: to hang food, trash, wet clothes, etc.

• Bags: I bring dry bags to keep wet things separate from dry things, ziplock bags for period products or toilet paper I can’t dispose of immediately, and beeswax and reusable baggies for leftover food and other items I want to keep covered.

• Corkscrew: I will not be caught with a bottle of wine I can’t open. Usually I try to bring only screw tops or other options, but a good one to have just in case. 

• Trekking poles: Great for elevation gain and icy spots along the trails. They can also be used as poles in some tent/tarp combos in a pinch. (Black Diamond)

• Downloaded offline maps: Download offline Google Maps to your phone so even if you don’t have cell service you can still navigate home.

• If you know you’re staying somewhere that is known for having a bunch of bugs, I recommend a mosquito head net. It’s basically a drawstring bag that you can wear over a wide brimmed hat to keep the bugs at least out of your face.

• Duct tape: Because it can fix everything including holes in your tent.

• Cash: Some parks and campgrounds only accept cash. Plus it’s nice to have for emergency vending machines or tipping anyone who assists you during your trip.

I know that’s a lot. I’m happy to help you pack or plan your next camping trip. I promise it’s a blast, even if it’s a little extra work!

How to Plan a Hiking or Backpacking Trip

One way we can enjoy our time off from work this year is to spend time outside. That may mean a simple picnic in your local park, or it may mean a backpacking trek to a national park across the country. If your trip lands somewhere on the second part of that spectrum, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your trip to make it the most fun and stress-free.

Plan Ahead

Some of my friends love spontaneity so much that they usually just wing it. That’s a little harder to do with backpacking and hiking trips because you may need different gear, more water, or even a lottery permit depending on what trails you choose.

There are some incredible hikes around the world and if you have any FOMO at all, you should consider taking on one of them. While popularity might be a positive thing in most circumstances, coronavirus may impact which trails you choose. However, you can often still find a way to experience the best views while avoiding crowds.

Did you know that 90 percent of visitors to the Grand Canyon visit from the south rim? The north rim is just as majestic and you can find trails that are completely deserted, especially off-season or early mornings. Even some of the most popular trails may be pretty quiet at 6 a.m. in the middle of the summer. And bonus, you’ll miss the midday heat.

After asking friends and locals, I usually start my research on AllTrails where I can narrow in on a specific geographic area that I plan to visit. You can filter by length, difficulty and more.

Choose a hike

Based on my own fitness level, I try to schedule a big hike no more than every other day. For example for my Southern Utah National Parks trip, we did an eight-mile hike in Bryce Canyon on a Sunday, then waited to do a six-mile river hike in The Narrows in Zion until Tuesday, then waited until Thursday to do another six-miler in Arches. The days in between we hiked only two or three miles each day to rest.

But I’ve also done the backpacking trips where we only did one 22-miler in a weekend and just rested when we returned home.

When you’re thinking about how long you want to hike, you should also think about elevation. Not only the elevation gain throughout the hike, but the starting elevation compared to where you live. For example, you will likely travel much more slowly in Colorado if you live in Los Angeles because your body isn’t used to the altitude in the Rockies. To minimize this effect, you can plan to stay a few days in your destination before beginning your hike. 

Fun side note: Ever wonder why so many Olympic training centers are in the mountains? They train at the higher altitude (less oxygen) so their bodies can perform at peak levels in any environment.

A good rule of thumb for the average hiker is no more than 1,000 feet of elevation gain per mile. Any more than that, you’ll want to do a bit of training before your hike.

There may also be different weather to consider on your hike. Checking the forecast for the nearest town often isn’t indicative of the weather on the trail so apps like AllTrails can give you a better sense of what the temperature and precipitation might be at the trail’s elevation.

The location you choose to explore may not have cell service so it’s always a good idea to download an offline map or have a physical one with you to ensure you don’t get lost and can find your way back to civilization. I’ve hiked in a place legitimately called Desolation Wilderness and you better believe it was absolutely off-grid.

Finalize your hike

Always research the hike you are considering on the official webpage, be it the national park or state park website because it will provide details on closures, animals, and more.

You should research not only what animals you may meet on your hike, but also appropriate behaviors in case of an encounter. Some of the smallest, cutest animals can be dangerous, and how you react seeing a grizzly is much different than how you should behave if you run into a black bear.

Many popular hikes have a permit system where you may have to pay a fee to enter a lottery up to a year in advance of your trip. Mount Whitney is one example where almost 17,000 people submitted entries to the lottery and only 5,000 were permitted all summer. Some people enter annually and wait years to get the opportunity to explore that trail.

Certain parks may not allow private vehicle traffic to help with traffic and parking issues. They often offer shuttle services that may need reservations well in advance of your trip as well.

In addition to the trail’s official webpage, reviews on All Trails may also provide insights to any obstacles you may encounter like creek crossings, icy patches, rock scrambling, etc. This can help you pack the appropriate gear.

Pack the right gear

You don’t have to have all the fanciest gear to enjoy nature, however, depending on your dream hike, it may make your experience significantly more enjoyable and less stressful.

For all hikes, you’ll want a pack big enough to carry everything you need. Obviously overnight backpacking trips will need a bigger pack than a short day hike. I’m happy to help with a packing list appropriate for your trip, but here are some basics you may not have thought of:

• I always love bringing a fresh change of clothes for when I return to my car. Fresh under things and warm, dry clothes are a luxury that don’t take up any valuable space in my backpack.

• A water bladder instead of a bottle. It comes with a giant bendy straw that is much more accessible than your bottle, and it can hold way more. I usually share a three liter bladder with my husband and we rarely run out.

• Add dry soap sheets to your first aid kit. You usually have plenty of water in your bladder and it’s a tiny addition in case you need it. Obviously we’re all carrying hand sanitizer for coronavirus, but friendly reminder to use that before you break for a snack.

• It’s almost always a good idea to opt for hiking boots over hiking shoes. Invest in the comfiest ones you can find and you’ll only need to bring this one pair. I also bring a plastic shower cap that I can put around my dirty boots when I pack my bag so they don’t muck up the rest of my things. A plastic grocery bag works just as well. 

• No cotton clothing. Look at the tags on your clothing and choose synthetic materials or wool. This is particularly important for your base layers like socks, sports bras, underwear, gloves and a hat because you’ll want these to stay dry or at least dry quickly if they do get wet (with sweat). Smart Wool is my favorite brand for hiking socks.

• Avoid anything with a particular smell. Leave the perfume, fragranced deodorant, and hair products at home. You’ll already be piquing the interest of local fauna with your snacks and natural scent. No need to attract bugs any closer with your floral lotion. Another way to deter animals is to make noise along your hike. A simple conversation is enough, but some choose to wear a bell or play music quietly. Most animal encounters happen when you accidentally sneak up on each other.

• Build yourself small emergency kit for any weather that includes an emergency blanket, band aids (moleskin works well preventatively), a whistle, a headlamp, and depending on your location bear spray. Keep that last item in an outside pocket of your pack, or even on your belt for easy access. Bear spray can be helpful for animals beyond bears so it’s a must have for me. 

• Speaking of animals, if you are doing any overnight backpacking, you may need a bear canister to prevent them from getting to your food stash. If you do bring this along, prepare your meals and eat at least 100 feet from where you plan to sleep. Then change your clothes and place them with your bear canister before sliding into your sleeping bag for the night. No one wants to be a human candy bar in your tent when the critters come crawling around.

• I usually go on airplane mode to conserve my phone battery while I’m taking a million photos. But I also bring an external battery that will completely charge my phone three more times just to be safe.

• Dry sacks are so useful for the obvious use, but sometimes I use them to keep my wet stuff from touching everything else, or even as a cooler with a couple ice packs in them. Take a tip from my friend Shane and bring a hike beer.

• For cold weather hiking you may want crampons or snowshoes.

Begin your hike

If you haven’t done much major hiking, there are a few tips that will keep you out of trouble. Most trails are well marked, however you need to know what to look for. You may only find formal signage at major crossroads, so being able to navigate the trail system can be tricky. And sometimes telling the difference between the trail and a wash (where the water flows after rain) can be hard. Firstly, you can watch for natural items that aren’t where they look like they belong. If you get to a point where you see a trail going in two different directions, look for big logs or rocks that block off one of those. It’s usually a cue from the ranger that that’s not the right way. Rangers also use cairns or small stacks of flat rocks to indicate direction of the trail in places without easy natural blockers like in snow or mostly smooth rock trails.

Nature calls

Sure, the great outdoors may tug on your heart strings, but any hike longer than a couple hours may also mean you have to relieve yourself along the trail. First of all, hikers are generally pretty chill about the situation so don’t be shy; we’ve all done it. Try to find a spot with a little privacy and ask your hiking partner to stand guard and ask oncoming hikers to pause a moment while you finish. 

It’s usually a better idea to urinate in flowing water or on rocks or dirt, not on vegetation.

You usually have two options for number two unless dictated by the park you’re in. You can bring a small trowel to dig yourself a six-inch hole and bury your waste. Or you can bring a Double Doodie bag that has special chemicals in it to solidify the waste that you carry out with you. In either circumstance you should bring your own toilet paper in two ziploc bags (one for clean TP and one for dirty).

You should always pack out any trash you create while hiking, but you can duct tape that silver poop bag to the outside of your pack and wear it as a badge of honor. You’re officially a hiker after pooping in a bag on a trail!

I’ve hiked hundreds of miles and done a few serious backpacking and camping trips. If you’re looking to stay socially distanced outdoors this year, I’m happy to help you prepare for your trip.