A Lightweight Camping Packing List

The following is a backpacking or camping packing list (with weights) based on what I actually brought on a recent two-night trip into the Sangre De Christo mountains in Colorado. You can see how light I like to go. You may not want to travel quite that light, but in any case, this will give those who want to lighten the load some ideas. A description of the conditions encountered follows the list.

Backpacking / Camping Packing List

Ounces... Item

12............Backpack - A ten-year-old Go-Lite frameless pack - they don't get much lighter than this.

19............Sleeping bag - A Western Mountaineering down bag (17 ounces + 2-ounce stuff sack).

14............Tarp - Ultralight nylon 10' x 8' with strings.

6.............Groundsheet - Plastic, 5' x 7' (two of us - otherwise I have a 2-ounce one).

5.............Sleeping pad - Closed-cell foam, trimmed to cover hips to shoulders.

3.............Sun hat - Fast-drying brushed nylon.

9.............Thermal shirt - Poly-something.

2.............Socks - Two pair of nylon dress socks (my feet won't tolerate warmer ones).

3.............Underwear - Briefs.

1.............Hat - Made from a cut-off sleeve of a thermal shirt.

1.............Gloves - Polypropylene, thin.

1.............Sunglasses - Lightweight plastic.

1.............Mosquito head net - The lightest available at Wal-Mart.

1.............Light - Tiny LED light.

11............Camera - Digital, with spare batteries.

4.............Phone - For emergencies only.

2.............Map - Plastic waterproof topographical.

4.............First aid kit - With survival items and water purification tablets as well.

3.............Chess set - Lightweight pieces and board made from a white handkerchief.

2.............Vodka - Small plastic bottle.

32............Water - This includes the two plastic soda bottles, which weigh an ounce each.

53............Food - Lots of nuts, seeds, plus carrots and cheese (about 6400 calories total).

8.............Miscellaneous - Plastic bag to hang food in tree, string, duct tape, sun block, etc.

Total weight 13 pounds 14 ounces - certainly not one of my lightest trips, but an easy carry.

This was a trip a friend and I took on June 17 to 19, 2008, near the Twin Sisters Peaks in the northern Sangre De Christo mountains. We went through mosquitoes and 85-degree weather on the way up, followed by long stretches of deep snow above 10,000 feet. The pond we were camping next too was half frozen. We walked across frozen lakes further up and went to the top of the higher of the Twin Sisters peaks (13,012 feet). There was fresh ice on the pond in the mornings, and it was very windy at times, but we stayed warm and dry (no rain fortunately). In addition to what's on the list, I was using a walking stick and had a jacket on.

For another lightweight camping packing list, see;
A Backpacking List: 3 Days Under 10 Pounds

The Ultralight Backpacking Site | Camping Packing List