Packing Lists

1. Food — Enough for a snack every couple of hours, plus meals. And 25-50% extra in case of an emergency.

2. Fire — A method to make an emergency fire if necessary. We like lighters, plus dry tinder.

3. Water — We find two liters is typically enough, plus a way to purify more if needed, such as a filter or melting snow.

4. Shelter — A way to protect yourself from inclement weather. If going overnight, this means a tent or hammock shelter. For day hikes, it could be an emergency sit tent, tarp, or weatherproof bivy sack.

5. Navigation — Primary (digital maps) and backup (paper map and compass).

6. Insulation — This means appropriate clothing (non-cotton baselayer, midlayer, outer shell) for the expected weather, plus extra in case of an emergency. We recommend always have at least an extra light puffy jacket in your bag.

7. Illumination — A headlamp (or two) plus extra batteries are a must, even when you don’t expect to be out in the dark.

8. Sun Protection — Sunscreen and/or clothing with an SPF value that will cover your skin, plus a hat and sunglasses, even (especially) in the winter.

9. Repair Kit — A small kit with items that can repair your gear in a pinch, such as duct or repair tape, Voile straps, paracord, replacement stove parts, etc.

10. First-Aid — A kit sized appropriately for the length of adventure and group size. Focus on items to address most likely injuries (joint injuries and scrapes when hiking, trauma injuries when climbing) and then supplement with the nice-to-haves.

To wear (no cotton):

• Clothing tops

  • Thin, wicking baselayer for active hiking

  • Light thermal midlayer for active hiking (like a thin fleece or similar)

  • Midweight insulation layer for stops or emergencies (like thicker fleece or light puffy jacket)

  • Outer weatherproof shell (should fit over all the other layers combined)

  • Headband and/or hat

  • Thin gloves for active hiking

• Clothing bottoms

  • Thin baselayer or tights (optional)

  • Hiking pants

  • Wool socks (plus an extra pair in your pack)

Other gear:

• Hiking backpack (~30-liter with supportive hip belt)

• Supportive hiking boots

• Trekking poles (we can provide them)

• Enough snacks that you can eat a granola bar-sized snack every 2 hours or so (energy bars, trail mix, dried fruit, and other high-protein/calorie foods are lightweight and great)

• Substantial lunch (like a sandwich or similar)

• 2 liters of water

• Sunscreen and/or clothing with an SPF value that will cover your skin, plus a hat and sunglasses

• Bug spray

• Bug head net (optional)

• Headlamp (or two) with extra batteries

• Handkerchief (optional)

• Personal medications (including inhaler or epi-pen if you’re prescribed one)

Your guide will bring:

• Navigation gear (digital and paper maps)

• Water filter

• Repair kit

• Bathroom kit

• Emergency shelter, stove, and satellite communicator

Backpacking Gear
A backpacking pack that holds 30-50 liters is about right for overnight trips; go with packs in the upper end of that range if you'll be out for two or three nights. For more details, read How to Choose a Backpack.

• Backpack with raincover or internal bag liner

• Backpacking tent (with stakes, guylines)

• Sleeping bag (with stuff sack)

• Sleeping pad

• Headlamp (with extra batteries)

• Trekking poles

Optional:

• Packable lantern

• Tent footprint (for extra floor protection)

• Pillow

• Bear spray

• Lightweight camp stool or sit pad

Backcountry Kitchen

• Backpacking stove**

• Fuel**

• Cookset** (with pot grabber)

• Dishes/bowls (we recommend a simple bowl)

• Eating Utensils (we recommend a long-handled spork)

• Mug/cup

• Biodegradable soap (very small amount)

• Small quick-dry towel

• Collapsible water container**

• Bear canister**

Food & Water
For the trail, pack snacks like energy bars, jerky, hard cheeses and nuts that you can eat easily on the move. For lunch, plan on a more robust snack break. For other meal ideas, read Menu Planning for Backpackers.

Planning your water carrying needs requires you to look closely at available water sources where you're going. A general recommendation is to drink about a half liter of water per hour of moderate activity in moderate temperatures. Learn more about how much to drink.

• Water bottles and/or reservoir (2 liters minimum)

• Water filter**

• Meals

• Energy food and drinks (bars, gels, chews, trail mix, drink mix)

• Extra day's supply of food

Clothing & Footwear
Check the forecast and make sure to dress for the conditions. To be prepared for changing weather or an unplanned night out, pack extra clothes beyond those required for the trip. It's also important to consider how much protection your clothing provides against the sun's ultraviolet rays. For footwear, determine what to wear based on the terrain. On gentle hikes on smooth trails, hiking shoes or trail runners are sufficient. For treks on rocky, rugged trails, boots will provide more support. Learn more about choosing hiking clothing and footwear.

• Moisture-wicking underwear

• Moisture-wicking T-shirt

• Quick-drying pants/shorts

• Long-sleeve shirt (for sun, bugs)

• Lightweight fleece or jacket

• Boots or shoes suited to terrain

• Socks (synthetic or wool)

• Extra clothes (beyond the minimum expectation)

Additional items for rainy and/or cold weather:

• Rainwear (jacket and pants)

• Long underwear

• Warm, insulated jacket or vest

• Fleece pants

• Gloves or mittens

• Warm hat

Optional:

• Sandals (for fording streams and/or camp shoes)

• Bandana or Buff

• Gaiters (for rainy, snowy or muddy conditions)

Navigation
Navigation is one of the Ten Essentials systems. The type of trip you're taking and your personal preferences will determine exactly which items you'll bring. If you like to use a GPS, note that it's not a substitute for a map and compass.

• Map** (preferably inside a waterproof sleeve)

• Compass**

Optional:

• Route description or guidebook

• Watch

• GPS**

• Satellite messenger/personal locator beacon**

Emergency & First Aid
One of the Ten Essentials is an emergency shelter. Even if you're carrying a tent with you, you should also have an emergency shelter if you plan to take day hikes away from your base camp.

• First-aid kit** or first-aid supplies (see First-Aid Checklist)

• Whistle

• Lighter/matches** (in waterproof container)

• Fire starter** (for emergency survival fire)

• Emergency shelter**

• Two itineraries: 1 left with friend + 1 under car seat

Health & Hygiene

• Hand sanitizer

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Sanitation trowel

• Toilet paper/wipes and sealable bag (to pack it out)

• Menstrual products

• Prescription medications (including inhaler and epipen if prescribed)

• Prescription glasses

Sun protection:

• Sunglasses (+ sunglass straps)

• Sunscreen

• SPF-rated lip balm

• Sun hat

Optional:

• Insect repellent

• Bug head net (highly recommended for May/June)

• Urinary products

• Additional blister treatment supplies

• Backcountry bidet

Tools & Repair Items

• Knife or Multi-tool

• Repair kit** (include mattress/stove supplies)

• Duct tape strips

Backpacking Extras
All of the following items are optional, and you'll need to decide how much you're willing to carry if you decide to bring one or more of them along.

• Daypack (for day trips away from camp)

• Camera or action cam (with extra memory cards)

• Interpretive field guide(s)

• Star chart/night-sky identifier

• Outdoor journal with pen/pencil

• Book/reading material

• Cards or games

• Compact binoculars

Personal Items

• Credit card and/or cash

• ID

• Car keys

• Cellphone

**These items are provided by your guide

Items that can be rented from OMG if needed

• Trekking poles

• Sleeping pad

• Headlamp

• Backpacking Tent

• Backpack

• Cookset, dishes, mug, utensil

Adapted from REI.

To wear:

• Clothing tops

  • Thin wicking baselayer for activewear

    • Light thermal layer for activewear (like a thin fleece or similar)

    • Midweight insulation layer for stops or if you’re chilly (like thicker fleece or light puffy jacket)

    • Heavy insulation layer that fits over other layers (like a winter puffy coat)

    • Waterproof shell jacket that fits over other layers

    • Headband or hat to cover ears

    • Balaclava or neck gaiter for protecting nose/cheeks

    • 1 pair of thin liner gloves

    • 2 pairs of midweight weatherproof gloves

    • Thick mittens

  • Clothing bottoms

    • Thin baselayer or tights

    • Thicker hiking pants

    • 2 pairs of wool socks

    • 1 pair of underwear

Other gear:

• Supportive hiking boots

• Snowshoes (if snow is 8+ inches deep)*

• Microspikes*

• Trekking poles with winter snow baskets*

• Enough snacks that you can eat a granola bar-sized snack every 1.5 hours or so (energy bars, trail mix, dried fruit, and other high protein/calory foods are lightweight and great)

• Substantial lunch (like a sandwich or similar)

• 2 liters of water

• Headlamp with batteries

• Hand and toe warmers

Your guide will bring:

• Navigation gear (digital and paper maps)

• Repair kit

• Bathroom kit

• Rope

• Emergency shelter, fire starter, stove, and satellite communicator

*OMG can provide these items if needed

Equipment:

• 3-4 season tent (the less mesh, the better)

• 0-degree sleeping bag

• Well-insulated sleeping pad (minimum r-value of 5)

• Headlamp + extra batteries

• Backpacking stove and fuel

• Snowshoes

• Microspikes

• Crampons (if on exposed, icy summits)

• Snacks/meals

• Camping bowl and spork

• Insulated beverage thermos

• Insulated soup thermos (optional)

• 2x 1-liter hard plastic water bottles

• 2x insulating water bottle pouches (optional)

• Hand/foot warmers

• Small collapsible snow shovel

• Eye protection (sunglasses or goggles)

• Insulated sit pad

• Large backpack to carry gear in (40-60L)

• Lip balm

To wear:

• Clothing tops

  • Thin wicking baselayer for activewear

  • Light thermal layer for activewear (like a thin fleece or similar)

  • Midweight insulation layer for stops or if you’re chilly (like thicker fleece or light puffy jacket)

  • Heavy insulation layer that fits over other layers (like a winter puffy coat)

  • Waterproof shell jacket that fits over other layers

  • Headband or hat to cover ears

  • Balaclava or neck gaiter for protecting nose/cheeks

  • 1 pair of thin liner gloves

  • 2 pairs of midweight weatherproof gloves

  • Thick mittens

• Clothing bottoms

  • Thin baselayer or tights

  • Thicker hiking pants

  • 2-3 pairs of wool socks

  • 1 pair of underwear

• Insulated booties for in camp

To wear:

• Non-cotton baselayer top and bottom (something that wicks sweat to keep your skin dry and warm)

• Non-cotton insulating midlayer top (like a fleece jacket or pullover)

• Weatherproof shell jacket (like a rain coat that will keep out wind/water while you climb)

• Heavy insulating winter coat (to wear when you’re on the ground waiting to climb)

• Snow pants or similar bottoms (ideally not too bulky as it’s common for beginners to catch their crampons on pant legs and rip holes in them)

• At least one pair of warm gloves (to wear while climbing) and a pair of warm mittens (to wear while you wait on the ground)

• Wool or similar non-cotton tall hiking socks

• Beanie hat to wear under a helmet

• Sunglasses or similar eye protection

• Neck gaiter that can be pulled up over chin and nose

Other stuff to bring:

• Snacks and lunch (a thermos of warm soup is a delight)

• A liter or two of water (in a thermos will keep it from freezing)

• Phone and/or camera

• Backpack to carry your kit and climbing equipment

• Hand/toe warmers if you tend to run cold

We’ll provide the climbing boots, crampons, ice tools, helmet, harness, and climbing gear. As well as snowshoes or microspikes if they’re necessary to reach the climbing area.