It’s a great idea to create a checklist of items to pack in your backpack. And before each trip, run through that checklist to help ensure nothing important is left behind.
But for those of us who have been on many backpacking trips, we’ve memorized this list and over time may have stopped using a physical checklist. It’s in our heads now. This isn’t the best practice, but this is what happens and it usually works fine. That is, until something important is forgotten. So, no matter our experience level, a checklist is never a bad idea.
However, there’s a step between using a checklist to take our gear off the shelf and putting it in our backpack. In fact, it may be as important as the checklist itself.
It’s the step that checks to make sure the gear is functional. Having gear that doesn’t work is as bad as not having it at all. Imagine being 50 miles from home, setting up camp, and then realizing there’s a hole in your air mattress or your water filter isn’t working. This is why we should check our gear before we put it in our backpack.
Let’s run through some of those functional checks:
Water filter. Use the instructions provided with your water filter to check to ensure it’s working before leaving. Many filters can be damaged by using tap water; using bottled, distilled water may be a better option. So, be sure to follow the instructions that came with your filter.
Air Mattress. Fully inflate your air mattress overnight to make sure there are no leaks, even small ones.
Tent or Tarp. Set up your tent and carefully inspect for holes, leaks, or ware, to include guy lines and stakes. You may want to use your outside water hose to give your tent a good soaking to check for leaks. It is common for the seal on seams to breakdown over years of use. Your tent stakes may be bent, replace those.
Resupply items that may have been used. Think about your first aid kit (bandages, ibuprofen, tape), your repair kit (patches, tape, needs, thread), and toiletry kit (toothpaste, toilet paper, soap).
Power. Put a fresh charge on power banks, GPS device, headlamps, and any other electronic device.
GPS device is charged, updated, and has maps and route loaded.
Kitchen kit. Be sure you have enough fuel, that your stove is working, your pot and utensils are clean, and that you have a working lighter/dry matches. Also, be sure your knife is sharpened.
Rain Jacket. Inspect your rain jacket. You may want to test it by wearing it while you are hosing down your tent.
Shoes and Clothing. Be sure your cloths don’t have any holes and are in good condition. Buttons snap. Zippers zip. Ties are not worn out. And do the same with your shoes; be sure to check the tread and shoe laces.
Backpack should not show signs of wear, including straps and buckles.
These are just a few items worth checking, to avoid trouble out on the trail, before packing them in the backpack. Remember, if it’s worth taking, it’s worth checking.
Have a great time on trail!