It looks like everything has been covered… except a hat and sunglasses. Find a good hat that can be folded up and packed away on days you don’t need it. Something that will provide some cover for your eyes and keep the direct sunlight off of your head. Sunglasses with UV protection is highly recommended.
I recommend the Tilley TM10.
We’re doing a 60-or-so mile zig-zag through parts of the Olympic National Forest - starting and ending in different places. We’ll camp in a different place each night.
It’s an REI 2-person tent that I’m borrowing, so I don’t know exactly what model it is. I’ll be sharing it, so we’ll be able to divvy it up between us. Given that we’re both tall men, though, it’s going to be tight in there. That much I know.
Then light is the ticket. Pay attention to the suggestions offered so far. They are right on the money.
A treat for Day 5 is a great idea. A little brownie, some pound cake…anything to make dessert that day special. It will put a spring in your step the next morning. Some of my friends pack a flask of Bacardi 151. You can dilute it down as much as you want, and it adds some zing to certain dishes. I myself prefer a decent armagnac, shared among the group about Day 4.
Don’t forget a decent supply of GORP. Snacking on the trail keeps your energy up, and makes the day go a little easier. Buy it ready-made or make your own. My personal mix starts with Quaker Granola, raisins, M&M’s, butterscotch chips, and slivered almonds.
great tip on Tilley. I think I’ll buy some synth underwear from them - best I’ve seen so far, and not too expensive.
Before you get that Tilley, check out www.sundayafternoons.com and take a look at the adventure hat. It may look a little dorky, but it works great - especially for that back of the neck.
It is a little pricey, but does well in rain, washes well and is very light and COOL. I’ve had mine for about 6+ years, and it’s doing fine. I love it for backpacking.
If you have an REI nearby, our local store carried it, so you can check it out.
That’s why I prefer the Tilley. It looks good, as opposed to dorky. The protection can’t be beat, lifetime guarantee…I loves my Tilley.
Since we’re talking alcohol…
There are few things better after a long day on the trail than a Dirty Girlscout (and occasionaly the morning after the night that followed the long day on the trail).
Buy a flask of the highest proof mint-flavored alcohol that you can find, and pour a healthy dollup into a cup of hot chocolate. Repeat as needed.
Mmmmmmmmm
I always start a list like this with the Boy Scout Outdoor Essentials. They’re basically the same as the Ten Essentials Ex Chemist linked to, except that the Boy Scout list also includes rain protection (I suppose that there’s some slight risk of rain, where you’re going). And the first aid kit should definitely include moleskin or other blister protection. I’ve never heard of using duct tape for that; if that works, then it’d be a good multi-use item. How do you use that? Just a strip over the whole area, or several layers for a donut bandage like with moleskin?
The only other items I’d recommend that haven’t already been mentioned would be:
Safety pins and rubber bands: Good for improvised repairs of various sorts (at least to get you back to civilization).
Wet Wipes or no-water hand cleanser: You’re going to stink, and so is everyone else, and that’s OK. But you’ll want to wash your hands to eat.
And one person in the group should have some means of emergency communication… There might even be cell coverage in your hiking area; if not, then a 2-way radio.
Certainly you should bring some sort of luxury item (after all, you’re doing this for fun, right?), but you know better than any of us what that would be for you. The last time I went outdoorsing, mine was a spice kit (mentioned by some folks above). Mine included garlic, chile powder, boullion, cheese powder, and horseradish.
As for what not to bring, don’t bring a hair dryer. I’m not joking, here… A few years ago, my mom went on a camping trip (admittedly in cabins, not on a trail), and one of the other women in her group actually brought TWO hairdryers, in case one broke. I’d also recommend against the alcohol, at least for drinking (there’ll be some in the first-aid kit as a disinfectant), since it’ll dehydrate you. But then, I don’t drink, so that might be coloring my priorities.
People have mentioned first-aid kits. Do you already have one? I find that the pre-packaged ones aren’t that great. Generally too many kinds of bandages and not enough essentials. I like to build my own–it’s lighter and better than the commercial ones. Here is what I put in my light kit (if I know the people I’m with and we’re not doing anything high risk like rock climbing):
- Immodium (nothing worse than diarrhea on a long hike)
- Ibuprofen (wonderdrug, reduces swelling, pain, fever, etc.)
- Antihistamines (unless you know for sure none in your party have allergies)
- Tums (only slightly less worse than diarrhea-hiking is crampy-hiking)
- Safety pins (for slings, etc., one item that is difficult to improvise)
- Athletic tape (slings, ankle wraps, blisters, broken tent, etc.)
- Moleskin/Duct Tape (blisters)
- Tincture of benzoin (this sticky stuff keeps wound closures, blister covers, etc. on even when you’re hiking in a monsoon)
- Wound closures (butterfly bandages are ok, steri-strips are better)
- Compact first aid guide
If I had an 11) it would be tampons. It’s nice to have back-up in case a pack gets wet or lost, and if someone gets a serious wound you can use them to pack it. They are also great for starting fire in a pinch.
This whole kit weighs next to nothing, fits in your pocket, and it covers about 90% of first aid issues.
You need the bungee cords to make a shelter with your two ponchos when/if it starts raining or snowing. 550 sucks for that job. Two ponchos and 6 bungee cords is much less weight than an entire tent. And if it’s not raining, you dont even need the tent. That’s wasted weight.
I’m going to second what China Guy said about HiTek’s, I hiked the Inca trail in a pair and they were great, get them and start wearing them now however.
(I really, really did not want to buy them. I always refered to them as my Frankinstein boots. They were not cheap and I came away from the store thinking it was singularly the most unrewarding shoe shopping I’d ever done! They were not attractive, or flattering or even a colour I liked! I was pressured into it, by my partner and the salesperson the day before we flew to Lima. However they proved to be exactly what was required and many times I was glad of them.)
I’ll also suggest a packet of neo citran, very small, should you develop a cold you’ll be glad of it.
As for food, I cannot recommend highly enough, potato and onion noodle soup, made with Ramen noodles. Potatoes, onions travel really well, quick and easy to make, yum. Get some of those packets of soya sauce and chillie sauce from your local chinese food restaurant.
And never forget rule number one: Be smart, be safe!
Have a great time and bring us back some pictures!
I’m going to lobby to have “great for starting fires in a pinch” added to tampon packaging! 
Seriously, thanks for the great list - I’m going to use it, as well as others already posted, to assemble a good kit for myself.
I’m now imagining you as this kind of McGyver/Unabomber hybrid, Bear! 
Seriously, you sound pretty hardcore. At my stage of the game, I think I’ll be glad for an actual tent, and I’ll be happy to carry the weight.
Just curious, though…how do you actually erect a shelter with two ponchos and some bungies. What holds it up?
Holey crap! Very very important- a survival kit. Something small, that fits in your pocket, and you *never, ever * go anywhere (no, not even just to the bathroom) without.
I suggest the “survival kit in a sardine tin” type, (ebay search survival kit tin)
http://tinyurl.com/nks3w
or
http://tinyurl.com/ob3dn
along with one of those survival blankets that is also about the size or a sardine tin, such as (ebay search survival blanket):
http://tinyurl.com/rhss6
http://tinyurl.com/zl8sv
these are usually sold in lots, buy a lot and give one to each member of the party.
I’d also have one of those magnesium/flint fire starters always with me. You can find them on ebay too.
REI has all of this stuff also.
Get your boots- wear them 8-12 hours a day- wear them to work, etc. Get them a size too large (get the size the expert at the camping store sells you, if you wear a 10 1/2, you’ll want an 11 1/2 or a 12. Big socks, looser fit, and room for feet to swell). After work, go walking- up a hill if you can- with your pack and your boots- maybe even your pants and your underwear (checking for chafing). Wear with your new socks (see below).
Pack one more pair of socks than your think you need. As to socks- thick, Smartwool. If prone to blisters, slightly thinner wool, with liner socks. If you can get socks with X-static, you’re golden. Wool with Coolmax is a nice combo. *Get the best damn socks you can buy. * Bring a good foot powder, one you can use in your shorts also. Chafing & blisters will ruin your fun.
Medical supplies- someone will likely be in charge here. Ask. For you, personally, bring a band-aid or two, and whatever pills you normally take at home. If you can find those little single-dose packets, I’d add Aleve, Aspirin, and Benadryl, one each.
P-nut M&M’s are one of the ideal trail foods. Also lemon drops.
buy and read the greatest book ever written in human history:
“The Complete Walker” by Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins
It’s the only hiking book that just plain makes you feel good, while you’re reading technical info on, say, different types of water filters. This book is not only the best source of information for a newbie hiker–it’s a source of inspiration that makes you want to be a hiker. And tells you how to do it, too.
(caveat–I havent read edition IV yet–but my copy of edition III is my best friend.)
Aaahhh…memories of Outward Bound…
I, too, am of the simplistic camping sort. My tent is a blue-nylon tarp, some rope and 8 tent stakes (which you can whittle out of wood if ya really want. Actually works better than a tent in may ways - your bag isn’t soaking wet in the morning from trapped moisture. But go with the tent if you must.
Food I like are:
Natural peanut-butter put into a plastic jar (normally they come in glass jars). Or go to the local organic store and grind your own.
Cous-cous soup. I put a cup of cous-cous in a ziplock with a boullion cube and dehydrated veggies. Cous-cous doesn’t need to be boiled, so if you don’t have a stove, you just add water and wait for 30 minutes and then crunch through the veggies. 5 packets of this will be light, pack tight, and good for a quick lunch or dinner. Can also add tomato paste into the bags, the cous-cous will cover the paste, but when cooked it all turns out fine.
Hard salami. Protein and fat to balance that cous-cous.
Heavy bread, that dark stuff they sell in those plastic bricks. Sometimes sold as healthy bread or german bread. Mainly just crushed whole grains. Lots of calories, low space, will last a week if kept in a ziplock.
Powdered egg (can you still get that over there?) and powdered milk mixed in with graham wheat or oatmeal makes a quick pancake mix with some water.
Blocks of cheese. high calories, low space, lasts a week in a ziplock.
Mashed potato mix. Good with chunks of cheese mixed in.
I also generally take a ziplock or three full of hearty beef stew, frozen at first, and eat it the first day or two.
Nothing says lovin like smores! Graham crackers, marshmellows and chocolate. MMMMmmm!
I have camped on the Olympic pennisula, on the coast. You can take mussels off of the rocks on the shore, put them in fresh water and boil them. Take some cocktail sauce packets from a fast-food seafood place. Heavenly.
If on the coast there, do not touch the cute little baby seals that are on the shore seemingly lost. Mother nature knows best and if that little guy needs to die, let him. Also, more importantly for you, they carry a type of Herpes virus that you can catch just by touching them. Leave them alone!!!
The raccoons there will steal food from your backpacks. They can open your pack and even use the zippers. Cute rascals, but they are aggressive.
In a group, make sure everyone has a whistle. Go as fast as the slowest person, or split into two groups with clearly defined meet-up points.
A quick and easy firestarter are cotton balls with wax dripped on them from a candle. Or dryer lint.
Extra large heavy duty plastic bags are light and useful (rain gear, trash, sit on them, etc).
Sheesh, more, but I gotta run. Enjoy!
-Tcat
How many in your group? This is critical, as many of these things are useful- bt only one person needs to carry one. For example: GPS- one per group, and one compass per group (one per 4 if the group is large). Camera- one per group. 1st Aid- one per group, plus a few “essentials” and personal items each. Repair kit- one per group.
Besides synthetics, wool is good. No cotton, except maybe your hat. For the Pac NW, I’d have:
two pairs zip off with one pair legs- synthetic. Here, you can get along with one pair, if you have an extra pair of boxers for sleeping/swimming
two undershirts- one long sleeve, synthetic; maybe the short sleeve can be cotton. The long sleeve can be slept in.
one Smartwool shirt, slightly oversized. Polarfleece is OK.
one super-light poncho or parka. 1#! Spend the extra $ to save weight here, or get one of those cheap "dsiposable emergency plastic ponchos if no rain is expected. One of those and a wool shirt and you’re Ok for a day or two.
one pair gore-tex gaiters. I think that short ankle-high boots with gaiters work better than tall boots.
two pairs underpants- one boxers, one briefs- synthetic- Coolmax.
3 or 4 pairs socks, All Smartwool or Smartwool/Coolmax or a similar brand of good wool. Maybe one pair polarfleece for sleeping. A good pair of dry socks will help a lot to keep you warm for sleeping. I have seen dudes who get those wool socks with the leather soles for sleeping and quick nite-time trips to the outhouse. I am serious here, get the best socks money can buy, wash them in cold water with a mild detergent, dry low, wear once, wash as above.
2 pair liner socks- synthetic or silk, X-static. Some prefer superheavy socks and no liner. Whatever floats your boat, but of you don’t know, get liners and medium/heavy weight socks. Less blisters.
Good hat. Seatle Sombrero, Tilley, wool crusher “fedora”. Needs to be both rain AND sun protection. Maybe a wool/synthetic beanie for sleeping.
Ask about bugs, you may want some bug-proof stuff like a head covering.
Holy local knowledge, Batman! Wow. Ok, so I won’t be petting cute little seals, and I’ll be putting raccoon traps on my pack! 