OK FRIENDS, since it's getting close to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I made a packing list for our High Hut trip. Since the cabin is pretty well stocked, we won’t need much tbh.

-          Sleeping bag.  It shouldn’t be cold up there when we’re there, so you won’t need a thick one (that’s what she said).  This site has a good list: https://www.cleverhiker.com/camping/best-camping-sleeping-bags/

-          Sleeping pad if you want.  I know the cabin will have pads/mattress there, buuuut I don’t know if I trust them.  For regular tent camping you need one anyways.  DON’T GET A LOUD ONE!!  Klymit is a popular brand, but the material is loud as you toss and turn.  Ascend is a better brand.  Or I guess any that feel soft to the touch.

-          Pillow.  Again, packing with space in mind, go with a small memory foam or blow-up pillow.  Ascend makes a good one. Soft, too.  Or, you can roll up shirts/hoodies and use as a pillow if you need to…

-          Water.  Always good practice to carry water for the hike, and then extra.  The cabin will have water, although reading reviews, sometimes it doesn’t work very well.  I always carry my CamelBak and two 16/32 oz water bottles.  If each of you do that, we will be good.

-          Toiletries.  Don’t think there’s a shower up there, so things like body wipes (I use a brand called Crocodile Cloth), dry shampoo, deodorant, feminine products – they’re essential. Travel size toothbrush and toothpaste too. I always bring travel kleenix and paper towel strips as well.  You can find camping travel bags or a lightweight toiletry bag to keep that stuff in.

-          Headlamp.  Since the outhouse is … outside, and you need to see in the dark!  Make sure you have new batteries in it.  I also recommend one with white and red light.

-          Clothes.  Layers are the key!  Light, comfy layers will always do better than just two heavy layers or whatever.  The basics are a Base layer (like thin “thermals”), Mid layer (insulation/warmth), and Outer layer (shell) to protect from rain, sun, wind.  https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html
Thick socks, even in summer, will do your feet good!  Bring extra of something you know you’ll need more of; like me, my feet sweat, I always pack a lot of socks.

-          FOOD!  Obvi, we will discuss when the time comes. Good to make meals you can just throw into a Ziploc or sealed container and eat out of like egg skillet, some sort of stew, creole mac, or ‘non-perishables’ like Spam, block cheese, beef jerky, apples, etc.  there’s freeze dried “MRE” style food too, that usually saves space.  Some are good. Some aren’t.

I will have the other essentials I always hike and camp with (compass, signal mirror, Firestarter, notepad and all-weather pen, my radio, first-aid kit, 550 cord, gloves, rainfly for my pack, carabiners, survival knife, probably my hatchet.) so you won’t need that stuff unless you want to bring your own.  But it’s all very good to have just in case!

 

EXTRAS for general camping (in case you are in the spending mood!!)

-          An actual Tent.  Where do I begin….there are too many options, brands and reviews out there!  It depends on how you want to camp i.e. easy setup, lightweight, one person or two (or more?), what time of the year you want to camp (they have ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ tents), and even different ways to camp (like I have a one person, low-profile ground tent to blend in, and one that’s a hammock made for camping).  Just do your research.

-          Survival blanket (winter blanket).  This is more for autumn and winter camping, but having a lightweight, goose feather blanket will make a world of difference!  Not only for the sleeping bag (unless you get like a legit arctic-rated bag), but great to have when you’re sitting outside at night, or around the campfire, or going to and from the outhouse/pit.

-          Survival knife.  There are a TON of options out there and even more reviews.  I have that Buck knife I had at Mt Rainier and I love it.  You get whatever you feel comfortable with … but probably not like a dinky Chinese made one…. I got the Buck one because its solid (doesn’t fold) and its a straight back, which makes it easier to cut food (cheese, spam, a rabbit….)

-          Lanterns, “fairy lights” , flashlights, solar-powered camping lights – I have all of these and depending on where I am camping/what I am camping in, I bring accordingly.  But I always have my lantern, headlamp and a solar-powered light of some sort.

-          First Aid Kit with Tourniquet.  Think common mishaps on the trail, like sprains, cuts, blisters, and allergic reactions (plants, stings, etc).  Find a kit that tailors more to that.

-          “Camping kitchen set”.  Metal cup, plastic or silicon silverware, coffee grinder, metal pots & frying pan made for camping (the handles fold and they fit into each other for space saving), a camping kettle (for coffee and tea!), ‘kitchen sink’, small travel dish soap, small sponge (or a reg one cut in half), a microfiber cloth or two, lip protector (they fit over the edge of your pots and metal cups to help prevent burning your lips).

-          Camp stove set.  Jet Boil is popular and a good brand.  Compacts nicely.  Remember the fuel!

-          Bug spray.

-          Bear Bell and Bear spray.

-          Head net.  For the bugs.

-          Ziplock bags and some grocery bags for trash and pack-out.

-          Emergency things like 550 cord, anchor clip set, Gorilla tape.

 

Couple sites with good camping info:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

https://www.skilledsurvival.com/camping-essentials/