How to Pack for Hiking in the Mountains

Mountain hiking

Ever since the days of Lewis and Clarke, hiking in the mountains has been a favorite national pasttime. But the woods can be a downer if you've forgotten to pack key items. Learning what to bring along in your backpack can make your trailblazing memorable and problem-free.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Backpack
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Tent
• Tarp
• Clothing
• Food
• Fuel
• Eating/cooking utensils
• Personal items

Packing for Mountain Hiking

1. Backpack

   Find a backpack. For mountain hiking where you will spend at least a night in the woods, an external- or internal-frame backpack with exterior pockets will do just fine. Many new packs come with rain covers; if yours doesn't, a tarp will suffice.

2. Mummy sleeping bag

   Pack a sleeping bag and mattress. Sleeping bags come in all varieties, from light, warmer-weather bags to arctic-temperature bags. Depending on where you plan to hike, find a sleeping bag that will keep you warm at night. Many backpacks contain a lower sleeping bag compartment--put yours there if it does. Your mattress can be rolled up and tied onto the outside of your backpack.

3. Hiking boots

   Pack clothes. Bringing the right clothing can make or break any mountain hiking experience. Depending on the forecast and number of nights you plan to spend, pack enough clothing to get you through the trip. For instance, if you plan to spend two nights in a mild mountain climate, the following clothes should suffice: hiking boots, 1 pair of jeans or hiking pants, 1 pair of shorts, 2 pairs of thick hiking socks, 2 pairs of underwear, 1 sweater or thermal undershirt, 1 knit cap, 1 pair of light gloves, and 1 rain parka (keep the parka in an outer pocket for quick and easy access). Pack the clothes on top of your sleeping bag.

4. Tent

   Pack a tent and tarp. Again, tents come in many incarnations. Find the one that's right for you and pack it either on top of your clothes or under your sleeping bag for easy access. A tarp should be laid out beneath your tent to keep it dry during the night.

5. Pack your food, fuel, and eating/cooking utensils. There is no one right way to packing food for mountain hiking--just bring enough. Delicious dried food can be purchased at any outfitter and is nice and light for packing in a backpack. Food should be sealed in Ziploc bags to keep fresh and safe from critters. If you plan to use a cookstove, bring along at least one bottle of fuel for each day you plan to use it. Finally, don't forget your fork, knife, spoon and cooking utensils.

6. Pack your personal items. Toothbrush, toothpaste, first-aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray, flashlight, matches/lighter, and water filter and bottles are the most important of these. Stuff them in your backpack whereever you can, including the exterior pockets.

Tips & Warnings

• Pack the heaviest items near the top of your backpack for better weight distribution along debris-free trails. If you plan to hike through snow or across rough terrain, packing the heavier items lower in the backpack will help lower your center of gravity.

• Strap a camera nearby--you never know what you'll see in the woods!

• Don't overpack. Bring only what you will need--the lighter your pack, the easier your hike.

Resources

• GORP--Comprehensive National Park information and recommendations