Weight - As a general rule of thumb, your fully packed backpack should not weigh more than 20% of your body weight 

If you don’t have a pack cover, a hefty garbage sack works well to keep the rain off during transport or in the woods. 

Bring a pair of shoes that are comfortable along with your hiking boots. Closed toe sandals work well, like Merrel's or Tiva's. Crocks work well also, but can be a bit slippery if they get wet. These can be clipped to the outside of your pack with carabiners. These work good for crossing streams too, if needed. 

Bring an extra shirt and leave it in the truck. It will feel amazing to change into a clean shirt after you get back to the truck. 

Bring a small lightweight backpack for day hiking.

1. Roll your sleeping pad around your sleeping bag, and place it in the bottom for your pack. Most modern packs have a spot for your sleeping back on the bottom of your pack, sometimes separated by an internal flap secured by a zipper.  

2. Pack your heaviest gear low in your pack (on top of the sleeping bag compartment) and closest to where your back is.  

3. Pack long items next like tent poles or your fishing pole 

4. Pack bulkier items like a camp stove and fuel next 

5. Pack “squishy” things next (Clothes, Tent and/or tent rain fly), filling in the spaces around the long and bulky items.  

6. Since backpacking food (mountain house, etc.) can be light, pack these in a bag and place near the top of your pack.  

7. Pack these things toward the top of your pack, or in a zipper pocket on the outside of your pack so they are easy to get to when you are hiking – Rain Jacket, Garbage Bag, Snacks, Water filter, first aid kit, bug spray. 

Must Haves 

Backpack 

Backpacking Tent 

Sleeping Bag 

Sleeping Pad 

Headlamp 

Map of area and compass 

Clothes (don’t forget hiking socks!) 

Rain Jacket 

Warm Jacket, Hat, Gloves 

Food – and a bag to put it all in. 

Bit of rope or paracord for repairs and to hang food  

Water Bottle 

Mess kit (just bring a spork, if eating mountain house only) 

Hygiene items 

Bug Spray 

Something to deal with blisters like moleskin (I use duct tape)  

Ten essentials 

Possibly Shared with someone (to keep weight down) 

Water filter 

Stove and Fuel 

Tent 

Nice to have 

Fishing Pole and Tackle 

Sandals/Crocks to change into 

Frisbee for mountain frolf 

Daypack (something small and light for day hiking)