Packing lists for one week: (summer travel)

CLOTHING

Items to wear

• shorts or long pants (pack the other).
• T-shirt or item
• hat (water repellent treated)
• heavy polypropylene blend or wool socks
• trail boots of choice
• bandanna (optional).
• Items to pack
• "chamois skin" or a light-weight long sleeve shirt
• three pair heavy polypropylene blend or wool socks
• hooded rain jacket and pants
• lightweight sneakers to wear in camp
• lightweight nylon/spandex swim suit
• two T-shirts and three underwear changes
• lightweight (nylon) shell wind-breaker
• medium-weight wool or synthetic fleece Jac-shirt
• long johns for spring or fall trips (in the summer this is optional)
• Sport bras

EQUIPMENT AND PERSONAL ITEMS
Equipment for each party (all amounts in proportion to party size)

Kitchen equipment

• camp stove(s), fuel - check operation of stove
• plate, cup, fork and spoon for each camper
• spatula
• two large cooking spoons
• two-quart pot plus two smaller nesting pots inside
• 10 inch non-stick fry pan
• coffee pot/ tea kettle (optional). Use instant coffee, wet coffee grounds must be packed out.
• pot lifter
• dish wash items (steel wool, biodegradable soap, dish cloth, "chamois" towel for drying)
• quart-size shaker bottle
• fillet knife
• condiments
• hot pads
• soap bar to coat pots and pans or place soot-covered pots and pans in their own bags. Stove use will avoid this problem.
• paper towels
• measuring cup
• strainer for straining dishwater (a section of rolled-up "butter-fly” netting)
• butane lighter
• wire whisk

General equipment

• tent (extra stakes) - check for leaks
• ground cloth
• nylon tarp (used as a sail and for rain protection in camp) with set-up ropes attached. Use at least an 8x10 foot size.
• sleeping bag
• self-inflating (or foam) sleeping pad
• repair kit (duct tape, nylon strapping tape, liquid aluminum if using aluminum canoes, clothes mending kit & spare buttons, super glue, eye glass repair items, multi-purpose tool such as a Leatherman, and a pad patch kit)
• 50 to100 feet nylon 3/8 inch bear rope, light-weight cording and string
• folding saw
• first aid kit (mole skin, antibiotic, anti-diarrhea, small scissors, elastic bandage, pain relievers included)
• trowel (Quetico only, for digging latrine)
• toilet paper (double bagged)
• fire grate stored in a bag (only for Quetico cooking, BWCAW campsites have fireplaces with grates)
• large sponge or plastic milk jug with the bottom cut away for canoe bailing (strapped under a seat)
• water sack or collapsible water bucket
• spare paddle
• life vests
• clothes pins and line
• spare zip-lock plastic bags of various sizes
• water filter and a halide treatment method to purify large amounts of water
• map sets
• day pack for each canoe party (optional)
• bungee cords or straps to fasten fishing rods to gunwale
• "chamois" towel to wipe off wet tents and canoe seats
• alarm clock (optional)
• playing cards, travel cribbage board (optional)
• spare 11 and 30 gal. plastic bags
• rescue/signal items (mirror, whistle, small flare)
• fire starter
• 2 bottles of biodegradable soap, one for dish washing and one for hand/clothes washing
• bow and stern painters (about 25 feet each)
• camp chair such as a Crazy Creek brand (optional)
• wind-proof matches & butane lighter
• sharp hatchet
• camp pillow

Personal items (in pocket, canoe, day pack or personal stuff sack)

Pocket items

• butane lighter
• compass
• one two-ounce bottle bug dope (at least 30% DEET content)
• map of the day
• chap stick
• pocket knife (multi-purpose type is best)
• handkerchief (optional)

Day pack items

• water container
• camera, film & extra batteries (optional) Expensive cameras should be stored in a waterproof bag. However, this is a dilemma, since wildlife appearances are usually sudden and brief - keep the camera as handy as possible.
• fishing gear (optional)
• head net for bad insect times (optional)
• (polarized) sunglasses (security strap highly recommended if you wear corrective glasses)
• sunscreen
• binoculars (optional)
• another two-ounce bottle of insect lotion
• insect after bite
• Stuff sack items (packed inside the large personal pack)
• mini-flashlight/head lamp with spare batteries
• toiletries are kept in a small bag [toothbrush/paste, comb, hand lotion, nail clipper, dental floss, safety pins, hand towel (a "thirsty" cloth, i.e., chamois is best), and biodegradable soap].
• small paperback book (optional but nice for camp-bound days)
• small notebook and pencil for a journal (optional)
• playing cards
• feminine hygiene products

Fishing Items

• Fresh line on reels, lube reels
• Sharpen hooks
• Tackle box
• Filet knife and glove
• Knife sharpener
• Stringer
• Hook extractor/pliers
• Fish batter & cooking oil
• Fish locator & spare batteries
• Superglue and spare rod tips
• Spool of line
• Short handle or folding handle landing net
• Live bait

Other Items and considerations

• Canadian RABC permits
• Ontario and/or Minnesota fishing licenses
• Health and vehicle insurance info
• Itinerary and phone numbers left with someone at home.
• Personal medications
• Personal identification (birth certificates for minors crossing into Canada)
• Spare contact lenses
• Boat license on canoe if supplying own canoe
• Hide key on or near vehicle to avoid carrying a key on the trip
• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle as trailhead break-ins are not uncommon.
• USFS Permit and reservations confirmations
• Get fresh and frozen foods
• Cooler and ice for traveling
• Bag of toiletries, clean clothes, and shoes for return trip
• Travel alarm
• Cable and lock for canoe to secure it when traveling over night

Entry > Discover Wilderness > Canoeing Information > Packing List - Gear list