More than perhaps any other outdoor activity, backpacking rewards the efficient packer and punishes the overpacker. After all, you will have to live with — and carry — every decision you make.

In assembling a personal packing list, experience is the best guide. And in that, very few people have prepared for and walked as many wilderness miles as GORP Hiking Expert Karen Berger. For your hiking pleasure, she modified her personal packing list to suit a three-season (spring through fall), weekend-length trip.

The Basics
backpack (3,500 - 5,000 cubic inches) sleeping bag, rated to 20-300F		tent sleeping pad

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Eating and Drinking
water bottles (at least two 1-liter bottle) water purification (filter or iodine) stove and fuel cook kit		matches and lighter insulated mug lightweight bowl and spoon utility knife (e.g. Swiss Army-type)

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Clothing
boots (broken in and waterproofed) camp shoes (old tennis sneaks, sports sandals, or moccasins) 3 pair socks (no cotton! wool or synthetic, liners or not — your preference) 1 pair long underwear bottoms (synthetic) 1 long underwear top (synthetic; zip-T style is best)		1 pair shorts underwear (optional) 1 T-shirt (cotton or synthetic) rain jacket and pants wool or fleece sweater or jacket wool or fleece hat liner gloves wool/fleece gloves or mittens bandanna

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Accessories
compass (if you know how to use it) maps and guidebook small flashlight or headlamp toilet paper in zipper-lock bag plastic potty trowel extra zipper-lock/trash bags		lip balm toothbrush/toothpaste (travel size) first aid kit pack rain cover or garbage bag bear-bagging cord

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Optional Items
trekking poles baseball cap sunglasses extra long underwear top, wool shirt, or fleece vest if you tend to be cold (pick only one) small hair brush/comb		journal & pen book camera, film ground cloth small strainer (for filtering food particles while cleaning dishes)

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Special Considerations
Women: bring a few tampons even if you aren't expecting to need them; backpacking can do weird things to your cycle.		Contact lens wearers: bring solution and back-up glasses

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