Day Hiking and Overnight Hiking Checklist

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  Navigating a log-bridge. Photo by Jeff Pelletier.

One of the things I really enjoy about overnight trips is actually packing for the trip itself. Laying out all your gear, deciding what you need depending on weather/ time of year/ nature of the trip etc, and deciding what to take and what to leave behind. Trying to find that delicate balance of what will be useful and what will just be unnecessary weight. But nothing is worse than forgetting a piece of crucial gear behind.

One handy tool I have to help myself prepare for hiking trips is a simple checklist. I’ve shared my own personal list below, which may be helpful for anyone who wants to make their own. You can download an editable Word Document version if you want to use it for yourself at the bottom of this post.

This hiking checklist is a good starting point of gear you should consider bringing on trips – split into two sections, whether you are just out for a day hike or overnight backpacking. But really it depends on the details of each trip and personal preferences for what you pack along with you. The most important thing is having a little survival kit that contains The Essentials, then building out from there. It’s also good to consider what things you want to carry on your person instead of in your bag. Should you somehow get separated from your pack (fall in water or otherwise lose it), you’ll want to have a bare minimum of essentials in your pockets such as matches, a knife, whistle, and so on.

Day Hiking Checklist

Must Haves Items

• Appropriate clothes
  • (jacket, layers, hat, proper boots, gloves)
• Nutrition
  • Extra day’s supply of high-energy food
• Hydration
  • Minimum 1L of water
  • Water filter and/or purification drops
• Navigation and Communication
  • Map (in waterproof case)
  • Compass
  • GPS (inReach)
  • Cell phone
• Sun Protection
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Sun screen
• Illumination
  • Headlamp
  • Spare batteries or backup light source
• First aid kit
• Fire
  • Lighter
  • Flint & steel or waterproof matches
• Knife / multi-tool
• Whistle and signaling mirror
• Emergency shelter
  • Emergency blanket, bivy sack or tarp
• Avalanche beacon, probes and shovel (snow hikes)
• Trip Plan (left with someone trusted)

Good to Have Items

• Guidebook or printed description of trail
• Camera
• Quick dry towel
• Post-hike clothes, sandals & towel waiting in the car
• Napkins or toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Candle
• Binoculars
• Thermos / hot drink
• Waterproof pencil & paper
• Trekking poles
• Chapstick
• Insect repellent
• Bear spray/ bangers
• Duct tape

Overnight Hiking Trip Gear Checklist

Must Have Items

All of the Day Hiking Must-Haves plus:

• Backpack
• Tent and/ or Tarp(s)
• Garbage bag(s)
• Contact solution and case
• Weatherproof bag for hanging food cache
• Rope for tarps and food cache
• Sleeping Pad
• Sleeping Bag
• Meals and drink mixes
• Stove
• Fuel
• Pots/ Cutlery
• Toilet paper
• Extra batteries for headlamp

Nice to Have

All of the Day Hiking Nice-To-Haves plus:

• Tiger Balm
• Change of clothes and/ or swim shorts
• Sandals
• Cups
• Repair kit
  • Extra buckle for bag,
  • Sleeping pad patch kit
  • Duct tape
  • Etc
• Bug repellent
• Hygienics
  • Toothbrush
  • Deodorant
  • Biodegradable soap
• Hand shovel (for digging catholes)
• Lantern
• Portable speakers/ music
• Playing cards
• Book
• Mosquito net
• Gaiters
• Two-way radios

Other Things to Consider

• Does someone know where I am going and when to expect me back?
• What is the weather forecast?
• Do I need to be aware of the tides, sunset time, or other factors?
• If I get stranded over night am I prepared?
• Is my cell phone, headlamp, etc, fully charged – Do I have extra batteries these?