Equipment List for Mountain Day-Hiking

by Russ Laher (russ@cherrywebsites.com)
April 17, 2004

Here's my equipment list for day-hiking in the mountains of southern and central California. I find it useful to review after I've packed my stuff into the Jeep, just before I hit the road.

The list is geared toward that time of the year when it's sunny and hot at lower elevations and there's snow and cold at higher elevations.

Clothing

As a general rule, do not take any clothing made of cotton (with the exception of a bandana).

  • To Wear While Hiking
    • Nylon hiking pants
    • Polyester briefs
    • Thin polyester shirt
    • Fleece vest
    • Dark sunglasses
    • Sun hat
    • Good hiking boots
    • Heavy wool socks (wear two pairs to prevent blisters)
    • Gaiters
  • To Carry Just In Case
    • Gortex shell pants or nylon insulated pants
    • Fleece pants (if bringing shell instead of insulated pants)
    • Detachable, general-purpose suspenders
    • Down jacket for warmth at rest stops and at the summit
    • Rain/wind jacket
    • Thin, insulated, microfleece gloves
    • Balaclava
    • Ski googles make windy conditions tolerable at the summit

Personal Equipment

  • Medium-sized backpack with frame (around 3000 cu in.)
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons
  • Snow-shoe poles (use as treking poles)
  • Gallon-size ziploc bag for garbage
  • Swiss army knife with scissors (Super champ preferred)
  • Camera, film and fresh battery
  • Small notebook and pencil for note-taking
  • Needle compass
  • Topographic map
  • Zipper thermometer
  • Suunto altimeter/barometer/thermometer/compass watch
  • Waterproof matches
  • Survival blanket
  • Bandana

Toiletries

  • First-aid kit (bandaids, Neosporin salve, Aleve, ibuprofin, antacid tablets, super glue for closing lacerations)
  • Individually-wrapped wet wipes for hands
  • Toilet paper
  • Sun block (SPF 50 or greater)
  • Lip balm

Group Equipment

  • Plastic latrine shovel

Water

  • Carry 1-liter bottle of water on belt
  • Put 1.5-liter bottle of water in backpack
  • Packets of dry Gatorade (1-liter size)
  • Water filter
  • Iodine tablets (in case water filter malfunctions or clogs)

Food

  • Mixed nuts and peanuts
  • Raisins, dried fruit, etc.
  • Bread, rolls, pita bread, tortillas, etc.
  • Cheese
  • Luncheon meats (make sandwiches on the trail)
  • Apples, oranges, etc.
  • Chocolate and hard candy
  • Pretzels, corn chips, crakers, etc.
  • Jerky

Cheese is an excellent high-calorie, nutritious, compact food source.

Remember to load up on carbohydrates and sugars for breakfast and lunch. That'll keep you energized throughout the day when you're most active.


 

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