An entire book, such as Colin Fletcher's The Complete Walker, is needed to describe the range of gear and clothing needed for wilderness hiking and camping. Below are a few general guidelines. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
- Boots first. Dress in rags but wear good boots.
- Socks second; always bring a spare pair.
- Watershoes next. You may have to ford streams in Eagle Cap Wilderness.
- Cotton or a synthetic fiber for shorts/shirt to dry quickly.
- A good rain/wind shell next for both upper and lower body. It also protects against bugs.
- Warm sweater to wear under the shell.
- Hat to keep the sun out of your eyes or the heat in your head
- Gloves that keep your hands warm wet or dry.
- Zero-degree mummy bag
- Survival blanket or bivy sac
- Sturdy hiking stick (hoe handle or fancy aluminum)
- Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool or equivalent
- Liquid-filled compass adjusted for declination
- Water pump with filter
- Spoon and cup
- Two plastic water bottles one liter each
- First aid kit (see ten essentials page).
- Day pack large enough to carry survival gear (see ten essentials page)
- Specialized energy bars good for day hikes
- Toilet paper
- Two bandanas
- Soap
- Camera
Of course, you'll need to build your own list for any specialize activity such as photography, etc.
