🎒Equipment for Beginner Backpacking Trip

Got gear questions? Reach out anytime—I’m happy to help you decide what you need before you buy. This list may vary depending on the season, route, conditions, and your personal needs. If it’s not listed here, chances are you don’t need it.

For a deeper dive, here’s a full blog post I wrote on what to pack for your first backpacking trip, with details on each item.

Essentials

Backpack & waterproofing
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Tent

Clothing

Wool or synthetic recommended. Consider season/weather when selecting layers.

Underwear
Hiking pants
2 sun hoodies
3 pairs of socks
Sleep/camp outfit
Long underwear
Mid-layer insulating top
Warm down jacket
Waterproof jacket and pant
Gloves
Warm hat/headband
Sunhat
Swimsuit
Bandana
Sandals/Crocs
Hiking shoes

Miscellaneous

Sunglasses
Water containers
Bowl, cup, and spork
Headlamp
Personal toiletries
Toilet paper or wet wipes
Ziplock for trash
Hand sanitizer
Sunscreen and lip screen
Basic first aide: Pack any personal essentials you rely on, like pain relievers or blister care. If you know your feet are prone to hotspots or blisters, bring your own moleskin or tape so you're prepared.
Bug repellent
Reading material and games

Shared Equipment Provided

The below will be provided and we’ll need to distribute the carrying of the tents, meals, stove, and cookware so make sure there is enough room in your bag for that!

Stove, cookware and meals
Water purification
Extensive first aide kit

Food

We provide meals from lunch on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day. Please bring your own snacks—bars, nuts, or anything else you like to munch on. A good daily amount might be 2 bars, 3 ounces of nuts, and a candy bar. Bring your favorite drinks too—tea, coffee, hot chocolate, electrolytes, etc. Just don’t overdo it: extra food might get left behind, and since we’re in bear country, you’ll need to store it somewhere other than your car.