By Kate Ming-Sun.
When I pack for trips, I like to have a checklist handy so that I don’t forget anything crucial when I head out into the backcountry. This is particularly true for my winter trips when a missing item could be the key to a safe adventure in cold temperatures. Here is my winter camping checklist:
| Sleep System: | Shelter: | ||
| Sleeping bag (mine’s rated to -20°C) | Tent, fly, and pegs | ||
| Fleece liner | Ground sheet | ||
| Over-bag | Repair kit | ||
| Stuff sack and waterproofing system (garbage bag) | Snow shovel | ||
| Yellow foam | Duct tape (just in case) | ||
| Thermarest | |||
| Thermal blanket/tarp | |||
| Hat to sleep in | Active Clothing: | ||
| Emergency long johns – top and bottom | Sock liners | ||
| Emergency socks | Vapor liner socks | ||
| Wool socks | |||
| Cooking: | Winter boots / hikers | ||
| Stove and repair kit | Gaiters | ||
| Fuel pump | Mid-weight long johns – top and bottoms | ||
| Fuel bottle | Soft-shell pants | ||
| Extra fuel and bottle | Snow pants | ||
| Wind screen | Sports bra | ||
| Bottom heat deflector | Synthetic or merino underwear | ||
| Stove base | Running sweater | ||
| Multi-tool (for pot gripper among other things) | Fleece vest | ||
| Dish cloth | Fleece jacket | ||
| Lighters | North Face jacket | ||
| 1L pot | Hat | ||
| Plastic fork/spoon | Mitts | ||
| Bowl, coffee mug | Glove liners | ||
| 2-1L water bottles (not metal) | Quick dry or merino tee | ||
| Food and snacks | |||
| Spices | Dry Clothing: | ||
| Oil | Fleece leggings and top | ||
| Camp soap | Dry mitts / gloves | ||
| Glove liners | |||
| Safety: | Wool socks | ||
| Personal first aid kit | Hat | ||
| Whistle | Down booties | ||
| Compass | Balaclava | ||
| Headlamp and spare batteries | Down jacket | ||
| Map | |||
| Trip plan / Emergency Response Plan | |||
| Repair kit (zip ties, matches, needle & thread, etc.) | |||
| Miscellaneous: | Hygiene: | ||
| Sunscreen | Toothbrush | ||
| Lip balm | Toothpaste | ||
| Bandana | Sunscreen | ||
| Sunglasses | Hand sanitizer | ||
| Watch | Toilet paper | ||
| Glasses | Matches | ||
| Extra plastic bags and garbage bags | |||
What a list… But very handy. I couldn’t even think of one thing to add. When I started reading the list the first thing that came to mind that is most important to me is my multi-tool (for all things miscellaneous) but then I read that on your list too, and I was instantly impressed.