easily PRINTABLE 2-page gear CHECK-LIST

Mike, Keep it coming…this is great stuff. I really like the term "suggested weight" over the term max weight. Makes me much more comfortable with items an once or two over. I dont see anything missing.

I would like to know if anyone has done a trip prep check list. I've found I'm good with gear, but sometimes I am still up late at night before a trip doing all the things I forgot. Here are some examples.

* Plan route (identify distance, likely camp locations, and water strategy)
* Determine trail logistics (map drive to trail head, where can I park, what permits do I need)
* Review wilderness regulations (where can I camp, can I build a fire, etc)
* Purchase food
* Prepare daily food bags (weighs out daily snacks, repackage breakfast & snacks, prepare freezer bag dinners)
* Get hiking poles
* Charge cell phone
* Recharge camera battery
* Change batteries in GPS
* Load topo maps onto GPS
* Fill up car
* Photo copy trail map (2 copies) – leave one map copy with wife, itinerary marked. Put 2nd copy in ziplock and put in hiking pants pocket.
* Determine fuel needs and refill bottle
* Fill up 1 liter of water
* Checks meds and refill (usually just add used iboprofin)
* Check personal items and replenish (toothpaste dots & floss)
* Check liquids and replenish (deet, dr bonners)
* Set out trail clothes
* Pack backpack, except quilt (leave unpacked till trail head)

When you solo hike you have less opportunity for a missed item so I'm pretty complete. I rarely miss a thing, but often up late make sure.

Anyone else?

Jamie

I usually use my previous gear list as a guide but that's bitten me the last two trips because I forgot to pack something that wasn't on the previous trip. Oops.

Great followup list, Jamie. One addition (revitalize/wash your down sleeping bag).

Jamie offered a great trip prep checklist, and asked if folks see any other things to consider adding to it.

I would add:

* trim toenails
* check weather forecast for area of travel
* Determine Phase of moon and moonrise/set times, ditto sunrise/set times
* parking permit/pass required? (often is where I hike)
* determine possible bail-out options, i.e., places I can leave the trail mid-trip and hitchhike out if in trouble
* might check to see that memory card(s) for camera have been cleared (space is available), and heck, that date/time is properly set on camera

Few of these are "must do" items, but worth at least considering during trip prep.

At present, the printable check-list has a flow.

THe RAIN JACKET is listed as MAX WEIGHT: 5 oz

It should read 14 oz.

The easies t solution would just to take a pen, and add a "1" in front of the 5 for 15 oz.

Sorry, our hard woking staff let this get past 'em…

about trimming the nails before the trip, very good idea and most people don't think of it.

I discovered last summer that it's a good idea to have a "Plan B" itinerary in case of forest fire or similar calamity. I had to change my Wind Rivers trip suddenly last year when a forest fire broke out the day before I left home. By the time I got there (I spent a week in Colorado first), the fire was under control, but I was so psyched up for the alternate plan that I did it anyway.

Another thing I found out (through experience, of course) is that if you're not driving directly to the trailhead (overnighting on the way, or staying with friends/family before starting), make sure you pack your trail clothes and footwear!

As Chris reminds us, it's really important to do a followup on the list immediately post-trip. Add what you've forgotten and make a note of what you didn't use to see if you can safely eliminate it next time. I make notes during the trip and transfer them to my list during the post-trip cleanup. Well, I try to, anyway. :-)

thanks mike!