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Personal > Camping > Basic Checklist

Basic Camping Checklist

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This checklist is overly complete. It would be unusual to take everything listed on a trip. On the other hand, one should make a conscious decision to not take anything on it—it's easy to forget something you want without a checklist.

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Hauling

  • Backpack, straps

  • Waterproof pack cover

  • Daypack

  • Fanny Pack

  • Water carriers, water bottles, etc.

  • Duffel bags

Light Hiking

  • Topographic maps

  • Compass

  • Canteen/Water bottle/Camelbak

  • Gadget knife (swiss army, leatherman, etc.)

  • Water Purification filter

  • Water purification tablets

  • First aid kit: moleskin, band aids, butterfly bandages, surgical tape, ace bandage, gauze, wire splint, air splint, triangular bandages, hot pack, cold pack, sun cream, scissors, razor/X-Acto blade, safety pins, matches, needles, space blanket, dark glasses, chapstick, bug repellent, first aid books, antacid, eyewash, anti-nausea agent, Kaopectate or other anti-diarrhea medicine, Caladryl or other topical antipruritic (reduces itching) medicine, Thermotabs or other salt supplement, smelling salts, aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, codeine, aloe vera, thermometer, tweezers, soap, pen, tampons, menstrual pads, oil of clove, zinc oxide powder, anaphylactic shock kit, tincture of benzoin, eye cup, antibacterial cream [oil of clove + zinc oxide powder = temporary tooth filling]

  • Survival Kit: bullion cube/salt tablets, waterproof matches, candle, whistle, space blanket, cord, wire, flare, survival book, metal signal mirror, fishline, fishhooks, small sinker, safety pins, solar still kit

  • Snakebite Kit: ?; read up on modern poisoning care first

  • Signal flare

  • Trail food

  • Ice axe

  • Avalanche probe, avalanche transceiver

  • Walking stick

Optics

  • Binoculars

  • Tripod & phone/camera adapter

  • Phone with camera

  • Film camera

    • scissors

    • Extra Lenses

    • Film

    • More Film

    • Lens Brush

    • Lens cleaner, lens paper

    • Light meter

    • Spare battery

    • Flash equipment

Civilization

  • Phone

  • Watch

  • Wallet, ID card

  • Keys

  • Cash

  • Phone Cash (dimes, quarters, nickels)

Bedroom

  • Bivouac sack

  • Tent w/ poles, rain fly

  • Tent stakes, snow stakes, sand stakes

  • Ground cloth

  • Pole repair sleeve

  • Tent repair kit, ripstop tape

  • Cord for guy lines

  • Sleeping bags, blankets

  • Pillows, pillowcases

  • Air mattresses/ensolite pads/cots & pads

  • Stuff sacks

  • Whisk broom & dust pan

Bathroom

  • Potty can, lime/chlorine/, scoop, seat

  • Chemical toilet

  • Cleaning kit

  • Folding toilet, toilet bags with gel, extra gel

  • Privacy tent

  • Toilet paper

  • Hand towels

  • Mirror

Tools

  • Shovel

  • Saw

  • Snow shovel

  • Snow saw

  • Trowel

  • Geologists hammer

  • Axe

  • Wedge

  • Splitting maul

  • Pick

  • Clothespins

  • Flashlight

  • Spare batteries, spare bulbs

  • Candle lantern

  • Whetstone, oil

  • Auto Tool Kit: Duct tape, wire, masking tape, pliers, wire cutters, file, clothespin, tire pump, heavy rope, hammer, etc.

  • Sewing Kit: needles, thread, scissors, safety pins, cloth patches

  • Extra rope of all sizes

Kitchen

  • Stove

  • Foam pad for stove

  • Windscreen for stove

  • Stove cleaning kit (cleaning wire, etc).

  • Stove repair kit

  • Pots and pans

  • Dutch oven

  • Griddle

  • Pot for melting snow

  • Pot gripper

  • Pot holder

  • Coffee pot

  • Strainer

  • Fire grill

  • Tripod

  • Utensils: Knives, forks, spoons, spatula, ladle, chopsticks, slicer, long spoon, paring knife, large knife

  • Paper plates

  • Dishes, cups, etc.

  • Bowls

  • Soap (Campsuds)

  • Pot scrubber/cleaning pads

  • Dishtowels

  • Paper towels

  • Washing bowl (dishpan)

  • Can opener/bottle opener

  • Sharpening stone

  • Fuel Bottles, filled

  • Extra Gasoline (stove fuel)

  • Stove primer

  • Funnel

  • Matches

  • Extra matches, waterproofed, in waterproof case

  • Fire starter

  • Water containers

  • Plastic bags (ziploc, sandwich)

  • Garbage bags (fire-blackened pots, emergency shelter, etc.)

  • Rubber bands/twist ties

  • Ice chest

  • Ice pick

  • Lunchboards

  • Cutting board

Food

  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, onion powder, seasoned salt, herbs and spices, etc.

  • Trail food/snacks: (trail mix, jerky, soup, oatmeal, Fig Newtons, dried fruit, bullion/soup, nuts, granola, etc.)

  • Main courses (burgers, hot dogs, chicken, spaghetti, etc.)

  • Side dishes

  • Desserts

  • Breakfasts (oatmeal, cereal, ramen, etc.)

  • Lunches (bread, cheese, salami, fruit, etc.)

  • Beverages: Hot chocolate, tea, Tang, dry lemonade, erg, Gatorade, etc.

  • Cereal

  • Bread

  • Crackers

  • Cheese

  • Margarine/oil

  • Powdered soups

  • Other stuff

Automotive

  • Ice scraper/window wiper

  • Spare key, hidden

  • Air cleaner starting spray

  • Hose clamps

  • Gasket material

  • Spare tires (non-temporary)

  • Spare fuses

  • Spare fan belt

  • Spare water pump belt

  • Extra water hose

  • Extra battery

  • Rag

  • Road Maps

  • Guide books

  • Tire gauge

  • Tire iron

  • Tire (air) pump

  • Spare gas

  • Spare oil

  • Spare brake fluid

  • Oil spout

  • Jumper cables

  • Gas siphon

  • Large container drinking water

  • Fire extinguisher

  • Flares/reflector

  • Tire chains

  • Tow rope/tow chain

  • Jack (Axle, bumper)

  • Plywood jack pads

  • Old carpet strips, 1' x 4'

  • Tarp

  • Work gloves

  • Shovel

  • Axe

  • Large light source

  • Luggage rack/cartop carrier

  • Trailer

  • Tools: Electric repair tape, nuts and bolts, wire, marine repair tape, rubber washers

Personal

  • Toilet paper

  • Face towel

  • Bath towel

  • Shampoo

  • Soap

  • Sunglasses

  • Suntan lotion/zinc oxide

  • Mosquito repellent

  • Chapstick

  • Hairbrush/comb

  • Floss

  • Toothbrush & toothpaste

  • Shaving gear

  • Tampons/pads

  • Mirror

  • Ensolite/thermarest sitting pad

  • Moist towelettes

  • Nail clipper/scissors

  • Travel alarm clock

  • Camp shower

  • Personal medication, as appropriate

Library

  • Pencil/pen & paper

  • Sketchbook

  • First aid/mountain medicine books

  • Survival books

  • Field guides

  • Star guide

  • Histories

  • Other books

  • Games

Clothing

  • Warm jacket/parka

  • Vest

  • Sweaters/long-sleeve shirts/turtlenecks

  • Light jacket/windbreaker

  • Short-sleeved shirts

  • Long pants

  • Short pants

  • Underwear

  • Long underwear

  • Knit cap, balaclava, or other warm cap

  • Gloves or mittens, with liner

  • Sun visor/cap

  • Belt

  • Suspenders

  • Bathing suit

  • Rain poncho, rain chaps/rain suit

  • Handkerchief/Bandana

  • Headband

  • Washcloth

  • Large towel

  • Spare glasses

  • Sunglasses

  • Goggles

  • Glasses retainer strap

  • Bags for dirty clothes

  • Cold-weather facemask

Footwear

  • Socks (under, over, standard)

  • Hiking boots

  • Camp shoes

  • Driving shoes

  • Wading shoes/booties

  • Gaiters

  • Boot wax/waterproofing

  • Crampons

  • Snowshoes

Before Leaving Check...

  • Car (oil, water, gas, brakes, tires, belts, lights)

  • Newspaper stopped

  • Mail stopped

  • Windows closed

  • Lights off

  • Heater off

  • Stove off

  • Water off

  • Appliances unplugged

  • Doors locked

  • Landlord/neighbors notified

Baby Care

  • Diapers

  • Moist towelettes

  • Baby powder

  • Formula

  • Baby bottle

  • Sippy cup

  • Crib/playpen

  • Portable enclosure

  • Back carrier

  • Stroller

  • Sleeping suits

  • Sunhat

  • Ipecac, infant Tylenol

  • Tweezers, nail clippers, nose bulb, Q-tips

Rafting

  • Raft

  • Frame, oars, pins, oarlocks

  • Paddles

  • Spare paddle

  • Deck

  • Pump

  • Bailer

  • Bucket

  • Outboard motor

  • Gas tank, gas

  • Spare sheer pin

  • Motor oil

  • Fuel line

  • Motor mount

  • Safety line (prevent loss of motor)

Kayaking

  • Kayak

  • Paddle

  • Spare paddle

  • Spray Skirt

  • Extra foot pegs

  • Seat padding

  • Wet suit/dry suit

  • Spray jacket

  • Bailing pumps

Canoeing

  • Canoe

  • Knee Pads

  • Paddles

  • Spare paddle

  • Bailer

  • Sponge

General Boating

  • Personal Flotation Device

  • Toss bag, rope

  • Booties

  • River shoes

  • Watertight bags

  • Repair Kit: Bostik glue + catalyst, Avon cement, waterproof sandpaper, paint brush, mixing cup, wide roller, patching fabric, scissors, ballpoint pen, toluene, spare paint brush, needle nose pliers, needle and thread, liquid rubber, spare oarlock and rings, hose clamps, duct tape, adjustable wrench, vise grip pliers, screwdriver

  • Watertight containers

  • Roof rack

Snow

  • Skis

  • Snowshoes

  • Poles

  • Boots

  • Gloves

  • Ski pants

  • Facemask

  • Goggles/sunglasses

  • Cap

  • Pulk, poles, belt

  • Ski rack

  • Boot carrier

  • Ski cover

  • Knee support

  • Defogger, cloth

  • Zinc oxide

  • Waxes, cork, wax scraper, wax remover

  • Small towel

  • Spare ski tip

  • Spare bale

  • Toe straps

  • Hand cleaner

  • Screwdrivers

  • Ski brakes, or runaway strap

  • Extra dark glasses, for first aid

Fishing

  • License

  • Rods

  • Reels

  • Flies

  • Dry fly floater/silicone

  • Lures

  • Leader

  • Extra line

  • Swivels

  • Hooks

  • Sinkers

  • Floats

  • Bait

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