CAMPER'S COMPANION EXHIBIT

LISTS: A SCHLEPPER'S GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE

Lists

Out there somewhere may be a monster of total recall who can keep in mind everything necessary for a camping trip. But that's not us. We keep lists. Lots of lists. Lists for food and equipment. Replacement items within the equipment list (such as the first-aid kit and repair kit). We even make a list of the lists we need to make. That sounds like a lot of trouble, but since our requirements don't vary much from trip to trip or year to year, once one is made it can be used almost forever. Just keep a master list in reasonably good shape in your map drawer. Lists will grow and shrink occasionally, according to group size, needs, new discoveries or tastes and discarded or obsolete items. It's a good idea to keep a spare list handy to jot down details as you think of them before, during and after your trips.

The lists in this chapter should make it possible for you to create a set of master lists--combinations which work best for the particular kind of trip you have in mind. Tear the copies out of the Appendix, apply scissors and tape, mix and match. Then, when you've got the right package, xerox it in multiple copies. That way you won't have to start from scratch two years from now when you set out on a similar camping trip. Never mind that you no longer need the baby wipes or tire patch kit or that you no longer "do" sugar and polished rice. Cross out what's obsolete--the ear spoon and foghorn, the training wheels and fire axe. Pen in the sketch pad, bird book and mosquito net, copy again and you're ready for the last half of the last decade of the twentieth century. Use three copies of the list for each trip, the first while assembling gear, the second when loading the car, the third at the trailhead. After that, it's best to forget what you forgot.

We begin with the car and proceed through canoes and bicycles, ending with the kinds of planning lists which multi-day hikers and backpackers need to get them well-provisioned on the trail. The Food Planning List for Two Six-Day Trips (Chapter 4) is not reproduced here; however, all lists are reproduced in the Appendix for your clip-out convenience. Note that some items are duplicated as we try to make each list comprehensive in itself. Remember, too, to select from the lists only those appropriate for your trip.

List of Lists

The Before-Leaving-Home-Did-I-Turn-Off-the-Gas Check List

Bicycle Touring/Mountain Bike List

Canoeing List

Group Accessories, Individual Needs, Optionals

Backpacking List: Equipment

Backpacking List: Clothing, Boots

Snow Camping Checklist

First Aid and Medicines

Repair Kit

Maps and Permits

Traveling with a Dog

For Babies and the Very Young

Fun and Games

Fishing List

Food Shopping List

Food Planning for Two Six-Day Trips (see chapter 4)

The Before-Leaving-Home-Did-I-Turn-Off-the-Gas Checklist

AT HOME

  1. Leave a schedule/map/itinerary with someone to call out the Mounties if you don't return on time. Include name and phone number of nearest ranger station.
  2. Get neighbor to watch the house and take in newspapers, take out garbage, feed the pets.
  3. Leave written instructions on plant care.
  4. Leave adequate pet food, and name and phone number of the vet. Alternatively, take pets to the boarding kennel.
  5. Make sure the gas isn't on and the toilet's not running.

CAMPING EQUIPMENT

  1. Lubricate all zippers--on tents, sleeping bags, packs--with silicone lube or a light oil (WD-40).
  2. Waterproof boots. Use only recommended agent for your particular footwear.
  3. Repair/replace damaged or missing parts. (A leaking inflatable raft can ruin a fishing trip. So can a missing tent pole.)

CHECK CAR

  1. Tires, belts, hoses and battery cables
  2. Wiper blades. Fill windshield washer reservoir with a mixture of Windex and water.
  3. Vital fluids: gas, oil, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant
  4. Tire-changing equipment: jack, lug wrench, spare tire
  5. Roof rack: All parts present?

IN CAR

  1. License and car registration
  2. Credit cards and cash on board
  3. Fire/wilderness permits, fishing licenses
  4. Road maps and directions to trailhead or campground
  5. Ranger station address and telephone number
  6. Sunglasses
  7. Accessible rain gear
  8. Cooler/ice chest with perishable foods
  9. Car meals and snacks
  10. Drinking water
  11. Dog food and water bowl
  12. Litter bag
  13. Games, toys, stuffed animals, books, distractions
  14. Personal needs: music/story tapes, Walkman, pencil, paper
  15. Clean clothes for return drive home
  16. Cell phone
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Bicycle Touring/Mountain Bike List

  1. Bicycle in top running order
  2. Cycling shorts
  3. Helmet (with built-in visor for intense sun)
  4. Cycling shoes
  5. Shoe covers
  6. Cycling gloves
  7. Rain gear
  8. Sunglasses (shield type)
  9. Safety glasses (for mountain biking)
  10. Shoulder strap (for carrying a mountain bike up or over rough terrain)
  11. Rear-view mirror
  12. Horn/bell
  13. Panniers
  14. Pannier rain covers (or plastic garbage bag in which all gear is stowed)
  15. Lock
  16. Headlamp plus extra batteries
  17. Fold-up reflective triangle
  18. Water bottle(s)
  19. Litter bag
  20. Talcum powder (for saddle sores and flat tires)

Tool and Repair Kit

  1. 6" crescent wrench
  2. Folding Allen wrench set (metric/standard)
  3. 2 four-way cone wrenches (metric/standard)
  4. Small vise-grips with wire-cutter built in
  5. Swiss Army knife (Tinker model includes Phillips and standard screwdrivers)
  6. Paper towels and hand cleaner
  7. Pump (does it fit your tire valve?)
  8. Spare tube (right size?)
  9. Talcum powder (to dust spare tube before wrapping in a plastic bag)
  10. Plastic bag
  11. Patch kit: fresh, unopened tube of glue plus several patches in a plastic bag
  12. 2-3 tire irons (plastic, aluminum or steel)
  13. Duct tape
  14. Pocket vise
  15. Spoke wrench (does it fit your spokes?)
  16. 3-4 extra spokes taped to frame
  17. Chain tool
  18. 4 spare chain links
  19. Chain lube
  20. Extra rear brake cable (cut off one end)
  21. Extra derailleur cable (cut off one end)
  22. Extra nuts and bolts (for all-purpose emergencies)
  23. Safety wire
  24. 2-3 CO2 cartridges (will save lots of tire-pumping)

HIGH-TECH CYCLING

  1. Small radio (for weather reports)
  2. Cyclometer (indicates speed, distance traveled, etc.)
  3. Two-way radio that fits in helmet (lets you chat with a partner while biking)

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Canoeing List

  1. Canoe (a very hard item to forget, but we know people who've had to go back for it)
  2. Roof rack and tie-down line
  3. Paddles and one spare
  4. Personal Flotation Device: one per person; one per dog
  5. Dry sacks (or duffels lined with plastic garbage bags)
  6. Waterproof map case (or a large Ziploc bag)
  7. Portage harnesses, tumpline (to convert duffels, sacks into carrying packs)
  8. Knee pads plus cushions for children
  9. 50-foot length of 3/8" line: one per multi-canoe party (for rescue. Note: Plastic lines float.)
  10. Two 15-foot end lines (bow and stern), 3/8" diameter
  11. Foul-weather gear
  12. Sneakers with drainage holes cut in them
  13. Watertight food containers
  14. Large sponge (your hand "bilge pump")
  15. Bailer
  16. Portaging yoke (if required)

REPAIR KIT

  1. Duct tape
  2. Patch material (appropriate to canoe-type, e.g., epoxy plus glass cloth scraps)
  3. Swiss Army knife (with scissors, sharp blades)
  4. Small putty knife
  5. Sandpaper
  6. Paper towels
  7. Lacquer thinner
  8. Small paint brush

OPTIONAL

  1. Extra flotation (styrofoam inserts)
  2. Booster seat (for children)
  3. Legless, folding backpacking chair
  4. Rowing seat
  5. Golf umbrella (or tarp for paddling in rain)
  6. Thigh straps
  7. Extra tie-down straps
  8. Spray skirt
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Group Accessories, Individual Needs, Optionals

GROUP ACCESSORIES
So many things on a camping trip can be shared that they become group accessories rather than private necessities. Some things everyone should have while other things individual members of the party may want. Here's a list of items which we take as shared goods on backpacking trips:
  1. Maps and permits
  2. Compass
  3. GPS (global positioning system)
  4. Star chart
  5. Tree guide/bird book/wildflower guide
  6. 2 boxes kitchen matches with sulphur heads (strike-anywhere). Everyone carries some in a Ziploc bag.
  7. First-aid kit
  8. Drugs and medicines
  9. Repair kit (see itemized list)
  10. Toothpaste, dental floss
  11. Small towel
  12. Liquid (biodegradable) dish soap and pot scrubber (or just the scrubber; soap of any kind mars the environment)
  13. Lantern (car/canoe/horse camping only)
  14. Mosquito repellent (two bottles; remember it's toxic)
  15. Plastic spade (to bury human waste)
  16. Paper and pencil
  17. Camera, film, extra battery
  18. Extra pack straps
  19. Garbage bags (one for each member of the party)
  20. Extra Ziploc bags (10-12)
  21. Extra tent pegs
  22. Extra ground cloths/ponchos (one for each tent)
  23. Backpacking (Sven)saw
  24. Book for reading aloud
  25. 2-person inflatable backpacking raft plus paddles (when other weight considerations permit)

INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
Everyone should have the following:

  1. Pocket knife
  2. Sunglasses (in hard case)
  3. Matches (from Group Accessories list)
  4. Flashlight (such as Mallory AA compact flashlight or another weighing about three ounces) with batteries, and which can be held in the mouth when both hands are needed) (Caution: Remove batteries before storing for winter. This will avoid a corroded, ruined flashlight six months later.)

OPTIONALS
Other things are optional in the eyes of some, but essential in the eyes of others:

  1. Ring clip to carry the car keys
  2. Fishing license
  3. Camera and tripod
  4. Binoculars
  5. Paperback book
  6. Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, barrettes, ponytail bands
  7. Towel and bar of (biodegradable) soap
  8. Sanitary napkins, tampons, etc.
  9. Birth control devices
  10. Glasses case and extra glasses
  11. Contact lens solution
  12. Personal medications or prescriptions
  13. Nail clippers
  14. Playing cards, chess set, etc.
  15. Security blanket, stuffed animal, etc. (When she was very young, Rick's daughter Sherri never traveled without her miniature pink plastic ponies and a generous selection of bath toys. They were always necessary.)
  16. Walking stick or trekking poles
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Backpacking List: Equipment

TENT AND SLEEPING GEAR
  1. Sleeping bags
  2. Ensolite, Ridge Rest, or Therm-A-Rest pads
  3. Tent, rainfly, stakes, poles (Note: a two-person tent will not sleep three. Add another tent, rainfly, etc.)
  4. Spare tent stakes
  5. Ground tarps/ponchos: one per tent

PACKS AND PROTECTION

  1. Backpacks
  2. 4 straps per pack
  3. 4 extra pack straps
  4. Bear-proof storage canister (for bear-infested parks)
  5. Large green garbage bags (or pack covers)
  6. Ponchos/tarps (as rain gear in addition to ground tarp for tent)
  7. Stuff sacks for clothes and personals
  8. Day-pack (or a strap-rigged stuff-sack to double as day-pack)
  9. Flashlights plus new batteries and bulbs
  10. Dog packs, as necessary
  11. Child carrier, as necessary

COOKING, FIRE, AND WATER GEAR

  1. 3 nested pots and lids
  2. Sierra cups
  3. Tin plates
  4. Spatula
  5. Forks and spoons (or chopsticks)
  6. Frypan
  7. Backpack grill
  8. Camp stove plus fuel and funnel
  9. Matches (2-plus boxes; strike-anywhere type)
  10. Lighter fluid/fire starter paste in tube or cubes
  11. Candle
  12. Scouring pad/sponge
  13. Aluminum foil (2 folded sheets for baking)
  14. Light mesh bag (as dish drainer, suspended from tree)
  15. Pair of garden gloves (for cooking, wood gathering)
  16. Sven saw (for gathering dead wood)
  17. Canteens/water bottles
  18. Collapsible water container
  19. Water-purifier system

FOOD STORAGE

  1. Plastic egg carton (half-dozen or one dozen size)
  2. Plastic pill box (as "spice rack")
  3. Plastic bottles, jars (as condiment, syrup, oil, margarine containers)
  4. Spare Ziploc bags (10 each, small and large)
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Backpacking List: Clothing, Boots

For high-altitude temperatures: 20°F-90°F
  1. 1 pair pants (jeans or cotton/canvas)
  2. 1 pair shorts (lightweight; doubles as swimsuit)
  3. 3 pair socks (inner and outer)
  4. 3 underwear
  5. 2 cotton shirts (one long-sleeved, one short)
  6. Long johns (cotton/polypropylene/wool)
  7. 1 sweater or sweatshirt
  8. Down parka (or Gore-Tex shell and layered sweaters)
  9. Baseball cap or sun visor
  10. Wool (ski) hat
  11. Sunglasses (with UV protection)
  12. Boots
  13. Moccasins/tennies/reef slippers (for stream crossings, fishing, in camp)
  14. Mosquito-netting "hat" (slips over visor; indispensable for "that" time of year)
  15. Pocket knife

MANDATORY PERSONAL TOILETRIES

  1. toothbrush
  2. toothpaste, dental floss (Group Accessories)
  3. toilet paper (Group Accessories)

OPTIONAL PERSONAL TOILETRIES

  1. comb/brush
  2. barrettes/ponytail bands
  3. razor
  4. glasses case
  5. small towel (share)
  6. birth control devices
  7. contact lens solution
  8. nail clippers (Group Accessories)
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Snow Camping Checklist
Things you'll need in addition to the regular "three-season" gear:

HIKING/TRAVELING EQUIPMENT

  1. Insulated and waterproof winter boots (test them in your bathtub!)
  2. Snowshoes and/or Cross-Country skis--be sure everyone's bindings match their boots
  3. Ski poles with straps and at least 3-inch baskets
  4. Avalanche beacons (1 per person, if traveling in avalanche area)
  5. Probing pole(s) for checking under snow or for avalanche rescue; alternatively, convertible ski poles
  6. Snow shovel(s) and/or snow saw
  7. Extra garbage bags for keeping things dry (and melting snow in the sun)
  8. Light-weight sled with towing harness for carrying stuff (optional)
  9. Ice axe and crampons (optional)

CLOTHING (NO COTTON ALLOWED!)

  1. 2 pair long underwear (silk or polypropylene)
  2. Several long-sleeve synthetic pile or wool shirts and sweaters
  3. Waterproof or insulated cold-weather pants or ski bibs
  4. Several pair extra socks (wool outer, synthetic inner)
  5. Warm parka (down or synthetic)
  6. 2 wool stocking caps or "balaclava" caps (the spare is for sleeping) + wide-brimmed hat (against intense sunlight)
  7. 2 pair glove liners and 2 pair waterproof mittens (backups for around camp)
  8. Spare pair of insulated snow booties for camp and sleeping
  9. Rain gear (water-proof outer shell)
  10. Sun screen, lip protection
  11. Sun glasses or ski goggles

SHELTER

  1. Tent (a heavy "four-season" model is best) unless you'll build a snow shelter
  2. Ground cloth
  3. Full-length foam pad(s) (two will add extra insulation)
  4. Therm-a-Rest pad (optional)
  5. Sleeping Bag (synthetic fill preferred, rated to 0&Mac251;F)
  6. Liner or a light inner sleeping bag for added warmth (optional)
  7. Assorted pieces of ensolite pad (for sitting/standing/tent flooring)
  8. Lanterns and/or candles

FOOD AND FOOD PREPARATION

  1. Stove (liquid gas type) + wind-screen
  2. 2nd stove (if planning to melt snow for drinking water)
  3. Fuel (as much as .5 liter/day/person)
  4. Old license plate or wood square to support stove on snow
  5. Large pot with lid for melting snow
  6. Wide-mouth water bottle(s)
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First Aid and Medicines

Quantities for a four-person trip:

FIRST AID

  1. Moleskin (1 or 2 packets)
  2. Adhesive tape (1 small half-inch roll)
  3. Band-Aids (12 assorted sizes)
  4. Gauze pads (6 assorted sizes)
  5. Ace bandage (1)
  6. Butterfly bandages (4) (Attention: mountain bikers)
  7. Hydrogen peroxide (Attention: mountain bikers)
  8. Instant cold pack (Attention: mountain bikers)
  9. Tweezers/surgical locking hemostat (1)
  10. Small mirror (for shaving, inspecting eyes, signaling)
  11. Baby-wipes or similar "dry washes" (4, unless there's a baby aborad, in which case thousands!)

DRUGS AND MEDICINES

  1. Aspirin or its equivalent
  2. Mosquito repellent (2 Bottles for four people; look for "reduced DEET" on the label)
  3. Sunscreen
  4. Lip balm
  5. Hand lotion

OPTIONAL

  1. Vitamins
  2. Neosporin/Bacitracin (first-aid ointment)
  3. Caladryl itching lotion
  4. Antacid pills
  5. Snakebite kit
  6. Aspirin with codeine
  7. Lomotil diarrhea medicine
  8. Electrolyte replacement tablets
  9. Athlete's-foot treatment
  10. Desitin/Zinc ointment
  11. Talcum powder (Attention: cyclists)
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Repair Kit


  1. Swiss Army knife
  2. 50-foot length of nylon rope
  3. Small vise-grips
  4. Heavy duty ("carpet") thread plus two large needles
  5. Light nylon thread plus two small needles
  6. Nylon patch material (called "ripstop" tape)
  7. Patch kit for rubber raft
  8. Extra flashlight bulb(s) plus batteries (two per flashlight)
  9. Safety pins
  10. Spare clevis pins and key wires for backpacks
  11. Roll of half-inch adhesive tape (see First Aid and Medicine list)
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Maps and Permits


  1. Spare change for phone call
  2. Campsite reservation
  3. Fire permit
  4. Wilderness permit
  5. Fishing license
  6. Driver's license
  7. Automobile registration
  8. Road map
  9. Trail map
  10. Topo map
  11. Sea chart (Attention: canoeists)
  12. Waterproof map pouch or Ziploc bag
  13. Compass
  14. Star chart

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Traveling with a Dog

  1. Check that dogs are permitted at your hiking venue
  2. Dog pack
  3. Dog food (minimum two packets moist food per day)
  4. Leash
  5. Flea collar
  6. Name tag with address, phone number
  7. Water bowl for car
  8. Extra food for car
  9. Tweezers/hemostat (to extract porcupine quills, etc.)
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For Babies and the Very Young


  1. 1. Whistle (hang a loud one around child's neck)
  2. Extra clothes (depending on ages and affinity for dirt) 4 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, 4 pairs of socks for one-week trip
  3. Diapers (mix of cloth and disposable) one dozen each for one-week trip, cloth for sunny weather and disposables for inclement weather
  4. Diaper-washing gear: 2 plastic buckets, biodegradable soap, clothesline
  5. Baby wipes
  6. Tie-on hat
  7. Rain suit (for use at meals as well)
  8. Plastic bags as "outer" socks (quart/gallon size depending on size of foot)
  9. Life jacket (for swimming, boating, canoeing)
  10. Syrup of ipecac (induces vomiting)
  11. Fever-scan forehead-type thermometer
  12. Baby Tylenol and chewable amoxicillan
  13. Zinc oxide/Desitin
  14. Games
  15. Books
  16. Favorite toys
  17. Comforters: stuffed animal, favorite blanket, etc.
  18. Edible hiking incentives!
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Fun and Games

  1. Paper and pencil
  2. Playing cards
  3. Star chart
  4. Tree guide
  5. Wildflower guide
  6. Bird book
  7. Binoculars
  8. Books
  9. Camera, including extra battery and film
  10. Musical instruments
  11. Pocket chess/checkers
  12. Lightweight games
  13. Frisbee

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Fishing List

Quantities for two Anglers, 5-day trip: Spinning Tackle Only

  1. Fishing license
  2. Telescoping rod
  3. Rod case (to prevent snapping in backpack)
  4. Spinning reel, lubricated and in good working order
  5. Fresh 4-pound test monofilament line on reel
  6. Spare 4-pound test line (one small spool)
  7. Spare 2-pound test line (one small spool)
  8. 6 bubbles
  9. 8 flies
  10. 10 lures (vary by weight, size, color)
  11. 2 bottle corks (to carry lures, five per cork)
  12. 8 snap swivels
  13. 2 packets No. 12 hooks (six per packet), for 8"-15" fish
  14. 1 packet No. 14 hooks (six per packet), for 8"-12" fish
  15. 8 weights: split shot, egg sinkers (vary in size, weight)
  16. Bait (bottled salmon eggs; power bait; cheese; worms)
  17. Worm threader (optional)
  18. Net
  19. Large Ziploc bags (the "tackle box")
  20. Swiss Army knife
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Food Shopping List


No quantities given here. See Food Planning list in Chapter 4 for that information. If drying food at home, purchase fresh fruit and vegetables up to a month in advance of trip; purchase meat and poultry no more than a week before trip.

Flour

Cornmeal

  1. Sugar
  2. Yeast
  3. Baking powder
  4. Baking soda
  5. Powdered milk
  6. Semi-sweet baking chocolate
  7. German sweet baking chocolate
  8. Instant hot chocolate
  9. Tea
  10. Coffee
  11. Rice
  12. Beans
  13. Mung beans
  14. Pasta: spaghetti
  15. Soba
  16. Instant ramen
  17. Chinese noodles
  18. Nori (Japanese seaweed)
  19. Raisin cookies
  20. Ginger snaps
  21. Ak-Mak crackers
  22. Saltines
  23. Instant soups
  24. Instant oatmeal
  25. Cooking oil
  26. Sesame oil
  27. Rice vinegar
  28. Soy sauce
  29. Maple syrup
  30. Brandy
  31. Hot sauce
  32. Lemon/lime juice
  33. Salami
  34. Cheese
  35. Margarine
  36. Dried fruit/fresh fruit for drying
  37. Vegetables for drying
  38. Dried meat (jerky) or turkey/chicken for drying
  39. Nuts: almonds, cashews, filberts
  40. Eggs/powdered eggs
  41. Raisins
  42. Powdered ginger
  43. Garlic
  44. Cinnamon
  45. Cayenne
  46. Paprika
  47. Tarragon
  48. Basil
  49. Thyme
  50. Curry powder/garam masala (pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, cloves, mace, nutmeg)
  51. Salt
  52. Pepper
  53. Car food
  54. Chicken
  55. Salad stuff
  56. French bread
  57. Cheese
  58. Juices
  59. Fresh fruit
  60. Dog food
  61. Baby food

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