The Spring Backpacking Gear List

The spring backpacking season is here! Use or adapt this gear list to prepare for a spring backpacking adventure in the east and have a great time!

Backpacking Gear List

Compiled By “Blissful”  

Hiking

Backpack, pack cover, trash liner bag, hiking poles

Sleep

Sleeping bag (15-20 degree rating but depends on season), compression sack or good waterproof sack for sleeping bag, silk liner (optional, good for cold sleeper), sleeping pad, Tyvek ground sheet to protect tent floor from mud; snow, tent poles and stakes (or complete hammock set-up), air pillow (optional - I use Klymit or Exped)

Cooking and Drinking

Stove, fuel and fuel container, lighter, windscreen (optional), titanium pot, pot cozy (all this is incl if you get a Jetboil system), lexan spoon or spork, cup (useful for stream dipping), container for getting water, personal water drinking containers (such as liter plastic bottles - Smartwater or Lifewater bottles are good, etc), water purification (Sawyer Squeeze system or Aquamira work in many instances), 50 feet of paracord for bear bagging, waterproof food bag with food (8-13 liter)

Clothing (can vary depending on your likes and the season)

Hiking clothes (merino wool long sleeve top, one t-shirt top, convertible pants, fleece top) Insulated jacket (down is good for spring, late fall), windshirt, hat, gloves, midweight merino wool or fleece top and bottom for camp and sleep (depends on season), rain jacket (pants optional, but needed in spring and fall, rain skirt is another option), rain hat is good for glasses, wicking underwear, sports bra (women), good socks (at least three pair for long hikes), crocs for camp, trail shoes, good waterproof bag for clothes

Personal

Late March in the Smokies can still mean old man winter.

Headlamp, First Aid Kit, medicines, toothbrush and paste, dental floss, earplugs, prescriptions (esp. for vision), hiker wallet with ID, cash, a few personal checks, credit card, debit card, toilet paper, a few baby wipes, hand sanitizer (at least 70% alcohol), chapstick, whistle, picaridin bug spray, facenet (optional, depends on the trail)  sunscreen (no leaves means burns can happen), body glide (if prone to chafing, can take it out of its container), small jackknife with scissors, bandana, pack towel, assorted sil nylon stuff sacks and ziplocs for organization

Other 

Maps (or map app like Guthook) and guidebook pages, small journal and pen (can dictate on cell phone), cell phone, charger (I user the Anker 10k) cords, Yaktrax or microspikes (winter or early spring seasonal)


How about reading and immersing yourself into some great hiking adventures! The Hiking Adventure Series on our National Scenic Trails!  More Information and to Order

That All Important Gear List for a Spring Backpacking Trip

Ah, it's that time of year. Time when we are considering our hiking plans and what we need in the realm of gear to have a safe and enjoyable trip. Here is a typical gear list for a spring start of a long distance hike on the Appalachian Trail. Use it to help construct or modify your gear list. At the end are links to small business outfitters and other retailers.

Sample Gear List for Long Distance Appalachian Trail Hike

 (early spring in the South)

Compiled By “Blissful”  

Hiking

Backpack (be sure its the right size for you! Do NOT go by your height but by torso length), pack cover, pack liner (I swear by Zpacks liner, bombproof), hiking poles, cuben fiber stuff sacks are light and waterproof (Z packs has a nice variety to double bag your sleeping bag and clothes as they MUST stay dry)

Sleep

Sleeping bag (15-20 degree rating), silk liner (good for the cold sleeper like me, adds around 9 degrees), sleeping pad (watch the R value which determines how well it functions in cold weather), Tyvek ground sheet to protect the tent floor from mud, snow (necessary imo), tent – poles and stakes (or complete hammock set-up), air pillow (optional)

Cooking and Drinking

Stove, fuel and fuel container, lighter,  -windscreen (optional), titanium pot, pot cozy (all this is incl if you get a Jetboil system), spork (I use a titanium one after breaking three Light My Fire ones), cup (useful for stream dipping), container for getting water from springs and streams, personal water drinking containers (such as liter plastic bottles - Smartwater bottle is good, etc), water purification (Aqua mira, Sawyer Mini, etc), bear bag hanging system (50 feet of nylon cord), food, waterproof food bag (I actually take two bags to split up my lunch and snack for the day so the  heavier, main food bag goes deeper inside my backpack)

Clothing (can vary depending on your likes and the season)

Hiking clothes ( merino wool long sleeve top, one t-shirt top, convertible pants, fleece top) Insulated jacket (down is good to start), windshirt, hat, gloves, midweight merino wool or fleece top and bottom for camp and sleep (a must if your hiking clothes get wet), rain jacket (pants optional, but I believe needed for early start to help against hypothermia), rain hat (good if you wear glasses), underwear, sports bra (women), good socks (at least three pair), crocs for camp, trail shoes or hiking boots

Personal

Headlamp, First aid kit, medicines (Vit I, doxycycline for ticks, Tylenol, etc), tooth brush and paste, dental floss, earplugs, prescription (esp. if you wear glasses or contacts), hiker wallet with ID, cash, a few personal checks, credit card, debit card (have an extra on the homefront), toilet paper, a few baby wipes, hand sanitizer, whistle, DEET (later on), sunscreen, body glide (if prone to chafing, can take it out of its container), small jackknife with scissors, bandana, pack towel

Other

Maps and guidebook pages, small journal and pen, cell phone and charger, Yaktrax (optional), stuff sacks and Ziploc bags, compass (optional)

Places to Buy Gear or Change out Gear En Route

Some Outfitters near the Trail 

Mountain Crossings (GA)
Three Eagle Outfitters, Franklin NC
Bluff Mtn Outfitters, NC

Mt Rogers Outfitters (VA, TN)
Rockfish Gap Outfitters  (VA)  
Appalachian Outdoor Adventures, Luray VA

The Outfitter at Harper's Ferry (VA, MD, lower PA)

The Mountain Goat (VT)

Other Retail and Online Outfitters (ones I have also personally dealt with)

Great Outdoor Provisions, Inc

REI

Backcountry.com

Campmor

Sierra Trading Post

Altrec
Z packs
ULA

Related Blog:

Gear List of a 2015 Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker