Hiking Gear Check List

Sometimes it happens that when starting a trek, we notice that we have forgotten to pack a particular item which was very important and without that the whole trek turns out to be a mess.

These days, hiking and trekking is done throughout the year. It starts from mid of June and lasts till April. Many people plan for overnight treks, camping and trekking throughout the year. So many times, enthusiasts just stuff their backpack and leave for trek. But sometimes it happens that when starting a trek, they notice that they have forgotten to pack a particular thing which was an important item and without that item the whole trek turns out to be a mess. So here you can find a check list that will help you to crosscheck the items that should be packed in before leaving for a trek; so that you enjoy your trek and nature well! 

In the checklist, items are given a group name. So even if they are shown separate in the list, you have to pack it in together with the other items in that group. For e.g. all the items with group name 'First Aid Kit' must be kept together in a pouch or kit bag. People think that it is the responsibility of leader to have 'First Aid Kit' and 'Survival Kit' with him. But every participant should keep personal ‘First Aid Kit’ and ‘Survival Kit’ with him/her. One can add or subtract items mentioned in the list according to his/her need but the given list is of minimum items so it is advised to carry maximum items from the list to avoid unnecessary headache. 

The list is further divided into types of outing. E.g. One day trekking, overnight Trekking and Camping. All the items are ticked as per their need in that particular type of outing. It is advisable to keep all the items required according to type of outing. Do carry almost all the items during camping. The items shown in ‘Group Items’ must be scattered in the group (as per leader’s directions) during trekking and should be gathered at one place when required. It is the duty of the leader to carry all the items (including few from ‘Group items’). Because he has the responsibility of other participants with him. Remember that a calamity occurs without warning. 

The checklist seems quite long; but the items mentioned in it are small. They won’t take much place in a backpack but their usefulness is great. For example, what you can do if the outsole of your trekking shoe is broken at a very start of the trek? You just can’t imagine the whole trekking with the broken sole. It will be terrible trek. I myself have experienced it. This is a statement of self-experience. In this situation, an instant glue / solution can fix that broken sole at-least for that particular trek. A roll of utility cord can be useful in fetching water from a deep water tank. Tissue papers can be used for loo when there is unavailability of water nearby. A crepe bandage will be useful to lower pain in the knees and other joints that occurred because of trekking. Use of antiseptic cream will cure abrasion, pricks and cuts. So these items saves us in some or other emergencies for sure. Friends, please don’t keep waiting for an incident that will prove the importance of these items. Carry all or optimum items with you during your outing. Remember one rule that will make all your outings enjoyable - PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

Download the Hiking Check List : CLICK HERE

S.N.	PARTICULARS	TYPE	ONE DAY	OVER-NIGHT	CAMPING
1	Backpack + Rain Cover	Must	Y	Y	Y
2	Water Bottle (2x1L) / Hydration Bag (2L) + 500ml Bottle	Must	Y	Y	Y
3	Trekking Boots / Shoes (Suited to Terrain, With Ankle)	Must	Y	Y	Y
4	Socks (Cotton / Fast Drying) (Maximum 3 pairs)	Must	Y	Y	Y
5	Full Sleeves Quick-dry T-Shirt (Maximum 3)	Must	Y	Y	Y
6	Full Track Quick-dry  Pant (Best if Convertible) (Maximum 2)	Must	Y	Y	Y
7	Hat / Cap (with neck cover, UV Protected)	Must	Y	Y	Y
8	Food / Snacks (with Extra Day Supplies)	Must	Y	Y	Y
9	Cell phone with Charger (Better if Solar)	Must	Y	Y	Y
10	Trekking Poles (Good if used in pair)	Must	Y	Y	Y
11	Headlamp / Hand Torch (+Extra Batteries)	Must	Y	Y	Y
12	Cash + ATM/Debit/Credit card(s) (No other valuable)	Must	Y	Y	Y
13	Identity Card (Stating All Possible Details & Photo)	Must	Y	Y	Y
14	Inner Cloths Extra (Maximum 3)	Clothing		Y	Y
15	Multi Utility Bandana / Buff / Scarf	Clothing	Y	Y	Y
16	Sunglasses (UV Protected + Polarized)	Clothing	Y	Y	Y
17	Balaclava (Winter-wear)	Clothing		Y	Y
18	Woolen Cap (Snow-wear)	Clothing	Y	Y	Y
19	Base Layer / Thermal Wear (Snow-wear)	Clothing	Y	Y	Y
20	Fleece Jacket, Wind-cheater (Winter-wear)	Clothing	Y	Y	Y
21	Snow-Jacket (Snow-wear)	Clothing	Y	Y	Y
22	Fleece Hand Gloves (Winter-wear)	Clothing	Y	Y	Y
23	Waterproof Hand Gloves (Snow-wear)	Clothing	Y	Y	Y
24	Rain Poncho, Rain Pant (Rainwear)	Clothing	Y	Y	Y
25	Floaters	Footwear	Y	Y	Y
26	Socks (Woolen) (Maximum 2 pairs) (Snow-wear)	Footwear	Y	Y	Y
27	Gaiters (Junglewear) (Snow-wear)	Footwear	Y	Y	Y
28	Elastic Ice Grip (Snow-wear)	Footwear	Y	Y	Y
29	Snow Shoes (Snow-wear)	Footwear	Y	Y	Y
30	Sleeping bag (with Waterproof Cover)	Bedding		Y	Y
31	Sleeping Mat (Rolled to Compress)	Bedding		Y	Y
32	Air Pillow	Bedding		Y	Y
33	Shelter (Tent / Tarp / Plastic)	Shelter		Y	Y
34	Lanterns (Extra Batteries / Solar)	Shelter		Y	Y
35	Chocolate Bars + Dryfruits + Drink Powder Mix	Mess Kit	Y	Y	Y
36	Tea Bags, Sugar Cubes, Milk Powder, Soup Powder	Mess Kit		Y	Y
37	Camping Mess Kit (Dish+Mug+Spoon+Fork)	Mess Kit	Y	Y	Y
38	Daypack (Small Foldable)	Important		Y	Y
39	Notebook + Pen	Important	Y	Y	Y
40	Permits (if any, with copies in Waterproof Bag)	Important	Y	Y	Y
41	Camera + Memory Cards + Extra Batteries (Optional)	Important	O	O	O
42	Polythene / Dustbin Bags (for Waste / Emergency)	Important	Y	Y	Y
43	Dry Packs / Waterproof Pouches (For Imp Things)	Important	O	Y	Y
44	Camping Foldable Shovel (for Cat-hole & other work)	Toiletry Kit	Y	Y	Y
45	Quick-dry Towel + Handkerchiefs	Toiletry Kit	Y	Y	Y
46	Deodorant (Mild)	Toiletry Kit		Y	Y
47	Tissue paper + Raw Newspapers	Toiletry Kit	Y	Y	Y
48	Toothbrush + Toothpaste + Soap + Other Toiletry Items	Toiletry Kit		Y	Y
49	Earplugs / Ear Covers	Toiletry Kit		Y	Y
50	Cotton Cloth (5 x 5 Feet)	Toiletry Kit		Y	Y
51	Personal Medicines, Allergy Relief Medicines	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
52	Waterproof & Adhesive Bandages (Assorted Sizes)	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
53	Antiseptic Cream + Powder (Boroline, Neosprin)	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
54	Antiseptic Lotion (Savlon, Dettol)	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
55	Aspirin, Paracetamol Pain Relievers, Crocin Tablets	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
56	Medical Cotton + Folding Scissor + Blade	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
57	Mosquito / Insect Repellant / Net	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
58	Needle + Safety Pins + Hooks + Tweezers	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
59	Petroleum Jelly	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
60	Antacids (Lemons, Eno, Gelusil)	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
61	Rehydration (Electral, Glucon-D)	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
62	Sterile Dressing Bandages (Assorted Sizes)	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
63	Sunscreen Cream / Talcum Powder	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
64	Water Purification Tablets / Drops	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
65	Cotton Crepe Bandage (2)	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
66	Plastic/ Wooden Splints (12), Elastic	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
67	Thermometer	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
68	Triangular Cloths (4)	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
69	Pain Balm (Viks-Vaporub, Iodex, Omni Gel)	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
70	Compass	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
71	Map / Guide + Route + Description Book	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
72	Trip Itinerary (one left with Home)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
73	Survival & First Aid Guide	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
74	Swiss Army Multi-tool with Knife	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
75	Flashlight/Torch (+Extra Batteries)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
76	Match Box / Lighter (in Waterproof Bag)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
77	Safety Pins, Toothpicks	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
78	Salt & Sugar Airtight Small Packets	First Aid Kit	Y	Y	Y
79	Whistle with Hook/Strap	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
80	Needle + Thread (Sewing Kit)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
81	Nylon / Parachute Cord (50 feet)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
82	Emergency (Space) Blanket	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
83	Instant Glue / Solution	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
84	Signal Mirror	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
85	Candles (2)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
86	Magnesium Fire starter (for emergency survival fire)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
87	Fishing Hooks & Fishing Thread (20 Feet)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
88	Hunter Knife (7+ Inch Blade)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
89	Magnet	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
90	Small Magnifying Glass	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
91	Snare Wire Roll (10 Feet)	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
92	Pocket Wood Saw	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
93	Waste Cotton Wool / Tinder	Survival Kit	Y	Y	Y
94	Binoculars (Better if Compact)	Survival Kit	O	O	Y
95	Climbing Rope (10mm-30 Meter)	Group Item	Y	Y	Y
96	Carabiners (2)	Group Item	Y	Y	Y
97	Climbing Tape Sling (10 Feet) (2)	Group Item	Y	Y	Y
98	Collapsible Bucket / Container / Big Strong Plastic Bag	Group Item		Y	Y
99	Cook Utensils Set (with pot grabber)	Group Item		Y	Y
100	Iron Pegs / Pitons with Small Hammer	Group Item		Y	Y
101	Life Jacket / Air Pillows (3) (For trek near River)	Group Item	Y	Y	Y
102	Multi Fuel Stove + Sufficient Fuel + Stove Kit	Group Item		Y	Y
103	Walkie-talkie Sets	Group Item	O	O	O

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