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The Backpacking List

Beginners Guide from a Beginner

Deirdre Leighton

Mar 21, 2017

University of Maine

Deirdre Leighton's Photos

I have recently started to think about the idea of backpacking. Now when a person hears the word backpacking, two concepts come to mine. Either backpacking through Europe or backpacking through the mountains. I am writing a list of the latter. However, I am not expereinced in the later as much as I am experienced in the former, but I have done lengthy research and I hope to be experienced some day because hiking really is an enjoyable hobby. Here is a beginner's list or guide to what a backpacker should have on a trip through the mountains.

Water Purification Tablets or Sawyer mini water filter
Backpack

Map (protective case/lamenated)
Compass

Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Extra batteries
Runner's belt (to carry phone and lipbalm etc)
First Aid Kit (blisters, adhesive bandages of various sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, pen and paper. Nitrile gloves also deserve consideration.)
Lighter
FireStarter (Candidates include dry tinder tucked away in a plastic bag; candles; priming paste; heat “nuggets” (chipped-wood clusters soaked in resin). Even lint trappings from a household clothes dryer can work.) Or one of these cool expensive fire starters from REI

CampStove (Not necessary if you know how to build up a fire).
Knife
Waterproof Container
Backpacking Tents with footprint

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Pad
Whistle
Trekking Poles (Ski Poles)
Hand Sanitizer
Bug Spray
Toothbrush
Tissues
Biodegradable soap

Quick-dry towel
Trip initierary
Small Amount of Cash

Food

Food Compressible and rehydrateable
WATER WATER WATER (make sure you can carry it though)
Extra Day's Supply of Food
Energy Foods
Energy Beverages
Meals
Bear Canister

Clothing

Wicking T shirt
Wicking Underwear
Quick drying pants or shorts

Rainwear
Long sleeve shirt (Sun or bugs)
Fleece jacket
Hat
Hiking Boots

Socks (Wool)
Gaiters

Others/ optionals

Reading Material
Binoculars (light weight)

Phone
Camera
Sanitary Products
Pre-moistened wipes
Solar Charger

Duct tape

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Backpacking List

Beginners Guide from a Beginner

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No matter how old you are.

1. Build a snowman

2. Start a snowball fight

3. Build a fort

4. Binge-watch Netflix

4. Look out the window

5. Grab coffee with a friend

6. Complete school or office work

7. Sleep

8. Read a book

9. Bake cookies

10. Drink hot cocoa

11. Go ice skating

12. Take a Walk

"I don't want to do things. I want to not do things."

1. When you look at the syllabus and realize there are only three weeks of the semester left; even though the first day was LITERALLY yesterday.

2. You look at your grades and realize they probably aren't as high as they should be, which is a terrifying realization.

3. When you think to yourself at night, "tomorrow, I will wake up early and go to the library ALL day, and, hell, maybe after I'll go to the gym for a little bit, just to push myself that extra mile."

4. Tomorrow actually comes. The inevitable and overpowering sense of procrastination is too strong to overcome.

5. But you DO end up going to the library. Not all day though, but still, a while. But no, you do not go to the gym. Still, you made an effort, so you decide to treat yo' self.

6. When you realize you need to schedule a meeting with your adviser because you need to sign up for classes next semester. But you also realize that since you waited until the last minute, you're going to get stuck with all of the crappy classes.

7. When you low-key try to slip into conversation with your professors that you need extra credit because you're that desperate.

8. When it's already the third time you've seen your adviser in two days because you have no damn clue what you're doing and need all the help you can get.

9. When you apply for a job associated with your major even though you have no experience, but you just want to dive headfirst into the deep end of adulthood and get it over with.

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It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

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6. Going through clothes to find what you need

7. Finding out your siblings took something from you

8. Fighting with your parents.

9. Trying to plan things with your roommate

10. The fear of forgetting something

11. Move in day

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12. When you check your bank account.

13. When they're serving good food in the dining hall.

14. When someone tries to tell you what to do.

15. Or just your thoughts about life in general.

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