Minimalism in the Backcountry (lessons learned & a revised packing list)

When I first built this website, I started a blog and wrote about my packing list for backcountry camping.

First and foremost - I want to apologize to those of you who read (and followed) my packing list. At the time, I thought that it really was a very good list. And it was, but not for carrying on your back for 30km.

We followed that list pretty closely when we hiked into Mt. Assiniboine in the summer of 2020 - and we suffered for it! For the mere fact that our bags were too heavy; our food was heavy, our extra clothes were heavy, our ‘big’ tent was heavy. Will received some horrible blisters on his hip bones where the straps do up early on in the hike - like 3km in - 27 km to go! Our packs weighed between 50-70 pounds respectively. To be honest, we suffered. Meanwhile, our friends Heather and Cyril who accompanied us on that trip (and who honestly should have written the packing list) were cruising along with packs that weighed less than 30 pounds. They were experts in minimalism. They only brought one bowl between the two of them, thinking the other could use the pot. The meals they brought were light and dried. They didn’t have camp chairs, or wine (well except that we shared) - but they certainly didn’t suffer like we did on the hike!

Me grimacing with my giant backpack on the way into Assiniboine.

So needless to say, this was a turning point for us. On our next big trip (the West Coast Trail) we paired down A LOT! We decided, we don’t need to sit ‘comfortably’, we don’t need a change of hiking clothes, we don’t need fresh veggies or wine. I’m not saying there isn’t a place to bring some of these things (it really depends how long the hike is) but we paired down a lot.

So here it is, the revised summer backpacking list because lighter packs mean less pain:

General Items: *Gear ranges in price depending on the quality and weight (i.e. lighter = more $$)

• Tent (the smallest and lightest one you have) - we have a Mountain Hardware 2 person

• Sleeping Bags

• Waterproof compression sacks for sleeping bags (a big garbage bag will do in a pinch)

• Sleeping Mats

• Tarp (trust me if it’s raining it’s worth it) - super light one from RAB

• Lightweight line for tarp hanging

• Camping Stove

• Fuel

• Camping Pot

• Cutlery - single long spoons

• Water filter - these water bottles from Katadyn BeFree are great!

• TP

• Hand sanitizer

• Camp soap & cleaning pad

• Solar lamp - Empowered

• Water bottle - Hydropak Bottles are lighter than Nalgene’s and collapsable!

• Camp mug (or mugs)

• Backpack - make sure it is comfortable and fits you well. Pro Tip - the smaller the pack, the less you bring! I have a 52L pack from Fall Raven and Will has a 52L from Arc’teryx

• Small first aid kit

• Leatherman knife - Will loves his Signal which in his words "‘has everything you need to stay alive’

• Lighter/matches (waterproof)

Clothes

• Down/synthetic down coat (really depends on your location - i.e. synthetic is better for coastal camping)

• Rainshell

• Rain Poncho - we have a story about these and why we think they are great! A good reusable lightweight one is on our ‘list to get’ like these ones from RAB.

• Hiking shorts (I love my Patagonia Baggies, Will uses these Lululemon LTT ones) - we almost exclusively hike in shorts during the summer, but up to you if you prefer pants

• Wool Hiking T-Shirt - icebreaker

• Wool camp/sleeping shirt

• Wool Hiking socks x 2 - icebreaker

• Wool Camp Socks x 1 - icebreaker/smartwool

• Fleece/wool/synthetic mid layer - I usually bring my Atom LT from Arcteryx or a technical fleece

• Fleece/wool pants - for being at camp and sleeping in

• Toque

• Sun hat

• Sunglasses

• Underwear

• Camp shoes - rubber Birkenstocks are my go to

• Hiking boots

• ** optional gaiters for hiking boots if they are not waterproof

• Headlamp

Personal & other optional items

• Sunscreen

• Toothbrush & toothpaste (you can get toothpaste tablets and cut your toothbrush in half if your super motivated to cut weight)

• Rechargeable Battery Power Bank (heavy, but when you are bringing a camera like we are it is kind of an essential!)

• Camera

• Bug spray (if needed)

• Bear spray - anytime you are potentially in bear country

• Bathing suit

• Hiking poles - we used to think we didn’t need these but they are very helpful when carrying a pack and you can walk much faster with them.

• Hammock - if your pack is light, a hammock is the most amazing thing to sit in at the end of the day. We have a two person EMO from MEC.

• A book - a kindle is perfect for this. I don’t have one so I often loan books from the Libby app on my phone and read them there.

• InReach satellite phone

• Long rope and hangable food bag (we use these) if there are no bear caches provided

Food

• Dinner

  • Dehydrated meal packs that you just need to add water to. Some of our favourites are the Pad Thai by Happy Yak, Nomad Nutrition Kathmandu Curry and Caribbean Curry

  • We also have started dehydrating our own meals a lentil Dahl, a Sweet Potato Mexican Fiesta and a Chana Masala - interested in our recipes? Let me know in the comments below.

• Lunch - ** we found that boiling a bit of water at lunch wasn’t a big deal

  • Dehydrated meal packs

  • Ramen noodles

• Breakfast

  • Pre-made (by us) oatmeal that you just add water too!

• Snacks

  • Granola Bars - I like Go Macro

  • Nuts - I love to bring salted pistachios

  • Dried fruit - dried mango and apples

  • Trail Mix

  • Chocolate - I bar

  • Gummies of your choice for a quick recharge

Much happier on the West Coast Trail with my smaller bag!

And that’s it! Any questions? Happy to answer below. This is specifically for a 2-5 day backpacking hiking trip. For other types of trips, like canoe camping, we will bring a few more things because you don’t need to worry so much about weight.

Let me know if there are any other topics you are interested in hearing about!