How to Make Packing Lists

Most of us plan carefully for our travels. We use checklists to keep track of what need to be done.

Packing lists become essential when it comes to bushwalking.

In one bush walk, I forgot to bring a drinking mug and tea bags, two items that I can't do without. It taught me a vital lesson: always use packing lists.

I now have lists for day trips and multi-day trips, for winter and summer. They work for me but you need to create yours. I also show equipment I own.

Day Trip

• Daypack (Caribee 40l Starlight Rucksack)
• Money
• Microfibre towel
• Packed lunch
• First aid kit
• Rain jacket, depending on weather (Mac in a Sac)
• 2 1/2 liter drinking water
• Compass, whistle

Multi-day Trip

• Rucksack, with pack cover (85 liter One Planet McMillan)
• Head torch with spare AAA batteries
• Spot Tracker and compass, whistle
• Money
• String with pegs
• Walking poles (Leki)
• Sleeping bag (One Planet down bag, comfort rating 0 deg.)
• Sleeping bag liner (Sea to Summit silk liner)
• Track Map, or 'A Guide to the Bibbulmun Track' 
• Notebook, pen, reading material or kindle
• Self-inflating mat (Thermarest)
• Light / large self-inflating pillow (Thermarest)
• Tent (High Sierra two-man)
• Cooking stove, with pot, pan, freshbox of matches, spoon/fork, knife, chux (cleaning cloth) (Mini Trangia set)
• Drinking mug
• Plastic box for lunches
• Methylated spirits, at least 100ml per day
• Camp sandals (Crocs, or something light)
• Rain jacket (Mac in a Sac)
• Clothes in dry sack: fleece jacket, socks, underwear, overnight shit & trousers
• MicrofibreTowel
• Toiletries (toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, biodegradable soap, vaseline, interdental brush, comb and disposable shaver/cream for last day)
• First aid kit, with scissors, fixamol for blisters, antiseptic cream, crepe bandages
• Toilet paper, mini trowel
• Food, consisting of

1. tea bags
2. snacks of chocolate (Kit Kat, Ritter), candy, trail mix. (Dried fruit, nuts)
3. meals: Breakfast to consist of quick oats with nuts & dried fruit; lunch of instant  noodle with cheese, crackers with soup, or sandwiches; dinner of chickpea, ready-cooked rice, or gourmet meals
4. Sugar, salt, butter (if cooking)

In addition ..

In Winter

• Warm jacket, preferably a 700+ loft down jacket
• Thermal and longjohn
• Gloves
• 1 1/2 liter water, including 0.5 liter hot water in thermos

In Summer

• Mosquito net
• Face fly net
• 2-3 liter water

Suggestions for hiking apparel:

- mid ankle boots, one to 1 1/2 size larger to allow two pairs of socks
- gaiters (to keep out the sand, rain and even snake bites)
- broad rim hat
- wicking shirt
- long pants

- rain jacket

On the way to become an E2E Walker

I've completed another section of the Bib Track, this time, the section from Dwellingup to Collie. I'm well on the way to complete the entire track, a distance of 973km.

 

(Photo by M Binks)

 This time, I hiked 120km, took seven days, and became determined to cover the whole length this winter. The remaining sections to walk are as follows:

1. Kalamunda to Hill Forest Discovery Centre, 18.2 km  (11/6/13, 17/6/13)
2. Brookton Highway to Mt Cooke Campsite, 36.9 km  (23/6/13)
3. Albany Highway to Hume Tank Road, 23.4 km    (6/8/13)
4. Inglehope Rail Crossing to Dwellingup, 11 km  (18/6/13)
5. Pemberton to Northcliff, 55.3 km 
6. Walpole to Albany, 211.6 km (Completed Walpole-Denmark on 25/8/13)

 All in, a distance of 356.4 km.

 [work in progress]