RECOMMENDED HIKING EQUIPMENT LIST

I believe this will be a good list as I took it directly from the Tim Erst’s “Arkansas Hiking Trails” book

(I highly recommend you get a copy).

If there is ever anything that you simply cannot get that you simply must have please let me know and everything will be taken care of.

For short hikes (1 or 2 hours) Mr. Erst recommends:

1. Comfortable Shoes

2. Map or guidebook

3. Fanny pack (yeah, that’s right) or daypack

4. Small First Aid Kit

5. Water

6. Pocket Knife

7. Small trash bag

8. weather appropriate clothes

9. sunscreen

10. insect repellant

11. a snack

12. optional stuff like a camera, hiking stick, binoculars, note or sketch pad

For an Extended day hike that will last most of the day ADD the following items to the above list:

1. Lunch plus another snack

2. MORE WATER

3. Lightweight boots

4. Small Flashlight

5. Whistle

6. Extra film

7. Rain gear (even if it doesn’t look like rain)

8. Hat

9. Light jacket if chilly, warm jacket if cold

10. Plastic trowel or shovel for toilet duties

11. Toilet paper

12. ID books of flowers, birds, tracks, etc.

For an overnight stay, remember, if you bring it you have to carry it. Lighter is better.

Mr. Erst suggests that you save weight by sharing group items like a stove or a tent.

If you have worked something out with another youth to share items just remember

Check one another’s bags for shared items, DON’T ASSUME!

For overnight you should have all the items listed on the first two lists plus you need to ADD:

1. Backpack instead of daypack

2. Sturdy boots, broken in (lightweight boots are ok if you have worn them before)

3. Sleeping bag

4. Sleeping pad

5. Stocking Cap

6. Tent, w/ ground cloth

7. Small cook stove

8. Cook pot

9. Cooking / eating utensils

10. Cup

11. Two small trash bags

12. Rain cover for backpack

13. Rope, 25 feet

14. Water filter / tablets / iodine crystals

15. Warm insulated underwear

16. More food, including snacks & drink mixes

17. Personal items such as toothbrush, towel, etc.

18. Spare batteries for your flashlight

19. Zip lock bags, assorted sizes

20. Aspirin or equivalent

21. Spare Socks

22. Change of clothes

23. Tennis shoes or the like for around the campground

24. Sewing kit

25. Stuff sack

26. Large stuff sack or “bear bag” for food if needed plus extra rope

For an extended trip of several nights you need to get as much “extra” weight out of your pack as possible and add the following:

1. Extra stove fuel

2. More food (include an extra meal or two)

3. clothing changes for all types of weather

4. Gloves

5. Emergency money

6. Gaiters

7. More aspirin

8. An itinerary left with someone responsible