Basic Gear
The Ten Essentials
(for safety, survival and basic comfort)
1. Navigation
- Trail or topo map (plus any route description)
- Compass matches
- GPS (optional survival fire)
2. Sun protection
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Sunglasses or goggles (w/ antifog cloth/spray)
3. Insulation
- Jacket, vest, pants, gloves, hat (see Clothing)
4. Illumination
- Headlamp or flashlight system (insulated)
- Extra batteries (kept near body when cold)
5. First-aid supplies
- First-aid kit (see our First-aid checklist)
6. Fire
- Matches or lighter
- Waterproof container for matches
- Fire starter (for emergency survival fire)
7. Repair kit and tools
8. Nutrition
9. Hydration
- Water bottles or hydration system (insulated)
- Water filter or other treatment system
10. Emergency shelter
Clothing options
(again, this list is intentionally extensive; base choices on possible weather extremes)
- Wicking base layers (wool or synthetic)
- Insulating mid layer: Fleece jacket or vest
- Waterproof/breathable jacket (or soft shell)
- Insulating jacket (down or poly-fill; worn at stops)
- Waterproof/breathable pants or bibs (or soft shell)
- Fleece pants (for cold days)
- Insulating hat, cap, balaclava or headband
- Neck or face gaiter (bandana or similar)
- Socks (synthetic or wool) plus spares
- Liner socks
- Gaiters
- Gloves, mittens and/or overmittens
- Light gloves (for vigorous activity or mild days)
- Sun-shielding cap or hat (for sunny days)
- Lightweight nylon pants (for sunny days)
- Lightweight long-sleeve shirt (for sunny days)
Personal items
- Tissue/toilet paper
- Sanitation trowel and/or WAGbags
- Hand sanitizer
- Quick-dry towel
Other options
- Lunch
- Energy food (bars, gels, chews, trail mix)
- Energy beverages or drink mixes
- Vacuum bottle (for hot drinks)
- Insulated sitting pad
- Handwarmer/footwarmer packets
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Credit card/cash/photo ID
- Cell phone or satellite communicator
- Two-way radios
- Personal locator beacon
- Notebook and pen or pencil
- Music player with headphones
- Climbing skins, if needed
- Post-trip snacks, change of clothing, towel
- Trip itinerary left w/friend + under car seat
- ___________________
If touring off maintained or patrolled routes
(also see our Mountaineering checklist for other gear options)
- Avalanche transceiver
- Probe
- Snow shovel
- Slope meter and snowpit analysis kit
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