Printable Hiking Checklist.

Hiking Checklist

Since we all have different expectations of what hiking and backpacking should be this hiking checklist will either seem like over-kill or very light (What, no satellite TV!?) at least until you load your pack. ;-) Please use it only as a starting point. If you're new to hiking ask your guide for recommendations.

Plan ahead. If you have to spend an extra night in the backcountry because of an emergency are you prepared.

Be honest with yourself. Are you ready for what you're attempting to do. If someone is planning to hike the Appalachian Trail straight-through and they've only been walking 5 miles a day in walking shoes, they're going to be exhausted when they add 30-80 pounds of hiking equipment to their pack. Throw in new boots that have yet to be broken-in and they'll be down for the count. Play it safe and talk to others who have done what you plan to do and plan out a training schedule ahead of time.

Consider what you might encounter on your hike (i.e. animals, insects, plants, etc.) and plan accordingly. If you're looking for a camping list please look here.

1. Extremely Important

___Give someone a copy of your written daily schedule and where you expect to be in case of emergency. Hopefully you'll never need it, but if you do rescue teams will know where to look, as opposed to nobody even knowing you're missing.

2. Shelter, etc.

___Backpack/day pack/hip pack
___Camping tent
___Sleeping bag
___Sleeping pad

3. Water

___Water
___Water bottle
___Water filter and/or purification tablets

4. Food

___Camp stove and fuel
___Cooking/eating utensils/cup
___Food (bring extra)
___Folding knife or multi-tool
___Mess kit
___Small GI can opener

5. Clothing

___Fleece jacket or two (zipper is nice for ventilation)
___Gloves
___Hat
___Hiking boots (over the ankle)
___Hiking socks/extra hiking socks
___Long underwear (wicking)
___Pants/convertible pants with zip-off legs/shorts
___Rain gear (a trash bag with holes for your head and arms might do in a pinch)
___T-shirt (wicking, avoid cotton)
___Underwear

6. Survival/Protection/Emergency

___Bug repellant
___Candle
___Cell/Satellite phone/emergency beacon (consider where you'll be)
___Compass or GPS (Global Positioning System)
___Duct tape (wrap it around a pen)
___Extra prescription glasses
___First aid kit (tweezers, moleskin etc. for blisters)
___Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
___Identification
___Lighter/fire starter/waterproof matches
___Maps
___Money
___Mono-filament fishing line and 'big-eyed' needle (for quick sewing repairs)
___Permits/licenses
___Prescription Medications
___Radio/batteries
___Rope/twine (i.e. suspend pack 10 feet overhead away from animals)
___Signal mirror
___Small hand shovel (i.e. fires, toilet pit, etc.)
___Soap/hand sanitizer
___Space blanket
___Sunscreen/chapstick
___Sunglasses
___Tent patch kit
___Toiletries
___Toilet paper (please make sure it's biodegradable)
___Towel
___Watch
___Whistle

7. Recommended

___Guide books
___Pen/pencil/small notepad
___Pre-moistened towelettes
___Ziploc bags (to help keep gear dry)

8. Optional

___Bear Repellant (check if needed)
___Binoculars
___Camera
___Games/cards
___Hiking poles
___Pack cover
___Reading material
___Tarp

If you would like information on mountain hiking please follow this link.

I hope this hiking checklist helps to make your trip more fun and less stressful. Please feel free to print it off and give it to any friends you may think would appreciate a hiking checklist. Here's the URL for future reference.