This section of the book provides forms and information for trip planning. You can download PDF versions of these files and other resources at www.backpackersfieldmanual.com.
The Teaching Plan serves as an overview of all the skills needed to successfully manage your trip. If you are teaching others, use this as your “cheat sheet” to make sure you cover everything. If you are doing other wilderness activities, in different seasons or ecosystems, you may need to create your own Teaching Plan.
• Clothing
• Layering for temperature control
• Boots
• Backpacks
• How to pack a pack
• Putting on a pack
• How to wear a pack
• Group equipment
• Pacing and rhythmic breathing
• Rest step
• Contouring
• Traversing an incline
• River crossings
• Rest stops
• Map reading
• Compass use
• Location—Leave No Trace
• Tarp/tent setup
• Stove use and cooking area setup
• Food and nutrition
• Cooking
• Water purification
• Hygiene
• Backcountry travel
• Garbage and food waste disposal
• Human waste disposal
• Cleaning dishes and personal bathing
• Fires
• First-aid kit
• Foot and blister care
• Hypothermia and hyperthermia
• Adequate hydration and nutrition
• Fatigue prevention
• Risk Assessment & Safety Management
• Environmental hazards, based on location, activity, and season
• Equipment hazards
• People hazards
• Situational awareness
This general equipment list is designed for basic multiday backpacking trips in temperate forest conditions (three-season). Typical temperature ranges would be 70’s to 90’s F (20° to 32° C) during the day with nighttime temperatures from 50’s to 70’s F (-1° to 10° C). For your own particular needs or for warmer weather or colder weather, you will need to modify this basic list.
• Wool/fleece hat (optional)
• Brimmed hat (for sun protection)
• T-shirts as needed
• Lightweight synthetic short-sleeve shirt—polypropylene, or other hydrophobic, wicking fabric
• Lightweight synthetic long-sleeve shirt—polypropylene, or other hydrophobic, wicking fabric
• Lightweight fleece jacket/wool sweater—(e.g., Polartec 100)
• Wind jacket—nylon (can be same as rain jacket if waterproof/breathable—must fit over insulating layers)
• Underwear as needed
• 1 to 2 pairs of loose-fitting shorts
• Lightweight synthetic/wool long underwear bottoms—polypropylene or other hydrophobic, wicking fabric
• 1 pair long pants, loose-fitting, synthetic long pants
• Swimsuit
• 1 pair of lightweight to midweight hiking boots.
• 1 pair of running shoes, sneakers, or sandals, for around-campsite wear and/or water activities
• 2 to 3 pairs of light synthetic/polypropylene liner sock
• 2 to 3 pairs of medium-weight wool or synthetic hiking socks
• Gaiters (recommended)
• Waterproof rain jacket—coated nylon or waterproof/breathable fabric
• Waterproof rain pants or rain chaps—coated nylon or waterproof/breathable fabric (optional)
• External/Internal frame backpack with padded hip belt
• Pack rain cover (optional, can use a garbage bag)
• Trekking poles or hiking gear (optional)
• Sleeping bag—synthetic/down fill, rated to 40°F (4°C)
• 1 closed cell foam sleeping pad (⅜ in. or 9 mm) or inflatable mattress
• 2 1-quart water bottles or water bladder
• 1 unbreakable cup with handle
• 1 unbreakable bowl
• 1 spoon
• 1 bandanna, multipurpose
• 1 flashlight/headlamp with fresh batteries; rechargable batteries are fine for short trips and are more environmentally friendly
• 1 small towel
• 1 toilet kit: just the essentials, biodegradable soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent
• 1 pocket knife or multi-purpose tool
• Heavy plastic garbage bags—one for sleeping bag, one for inside backpack
• 1 pair of sunglasses or clip-ons
• Glasses or contact lenses (if needed)
• Any medications you will need to take during the trip (allergy medications, etc.)
• Small notebook and pencil or ballpoint pen
• Altimeter
• Camera and film
• Books and field guides
• Folding camp chair, such as Crazy Creek
• Musical instrument
• Drawing or painting supplies
This is a general equipment list designed for basic multiday backpacking trips in temperate forest conditions (three-season). Typical temperature ranges are 50° to 70° F (10° to 21° C) during the day, with nighttime temperatures from 30° to 50° F (-1° to 10° C).
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
• Lightweight synthetic long-sleeve shirt—polypropylene or other hydrophobic wicking fabric
• Medium-weight polypropylene top or wool shirt, long sleeve
• Medium-weight fleece jacket or wool sweater (e.g., Polartec 200)
• Wind jacket, nylon (can be same as rain jacket if waterproof and breathable; must fit over insulating layers)
• Synthetic or wool glove liners
• Underwear as needed
• Medium-weight synthetic or wool long underwear bottoms, polypropylene or other hydrophobic wicking fabric
• Lightweight wool or fleece pants (e.g., Polartec 100)
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
• Sleeping bag—synthetic/down fill, rated to 30° F (-1° C)
• 1 closed-cell foam sleeping pad (⅛ inch thick or 9 millimeters) or inflatable mattress
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
This is a general equipment list designed for basic multiday backpacking trips in temperate forest conditions (three-season). Typical temperature ranges would be approximately 30° to 50° F (0° to 10° C) during the day with nighttime temperatures approximately 0° to 30° F (-17° to 0° C).
• Wool/fleece hat (must cover ears)
• Brimmed hat (for sun protection)
• Lightweight synthetic long-sleeve shirt—polypropylene or other hydrophobic wicking fabric
• Midweight synthetic long-sleeve shirt—polypropylene or other hydrophobic wicking fabric
• Expedition-weight synthetic long-sleeve shirt—polypropylene or other hydrophobic wicking fabric or wool
• Heavy-weight fleece jacket/wool sweater (e.g., Polartec 300)
• Wind jacket—nylon (can be same as rain jacket if waterproof-breathable—must fit over insulating layers)
• Winter parka—synthetic/down filled
• Synthetic/wool glove liners
• Synthetic/wool mittens
• Underwear as needed
• Midweight synthetic long underwear bottoms—polypropylene or other hydrophobic wicking fabric
• Expedition-weight synthetic long underwear bottoms—polypropylene or other hydrophobic wicking fabric
• Midweight fleece/wool pants (e.g., Polartec 200)
• 1 pair of midweight to heavy hiking boots. In colder weather you may need insulated boots such as Sorels or Army surplus “Mickey Mouse” boots or plastic shell mountaineering boots with insulated liners.
• 2 to 3 pairs of light synthetic/polypropylene liner socks.
• 2 to 3 pairs of medium-weight wool or synthetic hiking socks
• Gaiters (recommended)
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
• See “Warm-Weather Equipment List,”
This is a basic group equipment list for a three-season backpacking trip for 10 to 12 people. You may need to modify it based on the size of your group, the length and remoteness of the trip, and specific trip activities.
• Tents or tarps and ground sheets with 75-foot tarp lines of ¼-inch braided nylon (22 meters of 6 millimeter)
• Small tarp to set up for cooking (optional)
• Stove—one for 4 to 5 people. Carrying multiple stoves gives you more cooking options and are needed for larger groups
• Fuel bottles and fuel
• Funnel
• Strike-anywhere matches, waterproof matches, or lighter
• Nesting pots with lids—a 2-liter and 4-liter work well for groups up to 12
• Frying pan—8 to 12 inches depending on size of group
• Spatula
• Mixing spoon
• Pot gripper
• Biodegradable soap
• Strainer
• Plastic pot brush
• Ziploc/plastic bags for repacking food
• Water purification (have at least one backup method)
• Toilet paper (optional)
• Trowel
• Waterless hand cleanser
• Whistle
• 2 square feet aluminum foil (for tampons)
• Aspirin tablets (for tampons)
• Medical waste bag
• Chlorine bleach (for medical waste and dishwashing)
• Blue personal plastic bags for toilet paper/tampons
• Yellow plastic bags for recycling
• Heavyweight plastic trash bags (plenty—double as emergency rain gear and for hypothermia wrap)
• Compass
• Maps and guidebooks as needed
• Global Positioning Systems (GPS) receiver (optional)
• Waterproof map case (optional)
• Cellphone or satellite phone (optional)
• Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) (optional)
• Weather radio (optional)
• 75 feet of bear bag line of ¼-inch braided nylon (22 meters of 6 millimeter)
• 2 carabiners for bear-bagging
• 100 feet of parachute cord (11 meters)
• 1- or 1½-gallon collapsible water container (4–6 liter)
• Heavy-duty needles
• Stove repair parts and tools
• 30 feet of fishing line (9 meters)
• 5 safety pins
• 5 buttons
• 15 feet of duct tape on a golf pencil (5 meters)
• 3 clevis pins & split rings (repair external frame packs)
• 15 feet of #20 wire (5 meters)
• 25 feet of braided nylon cord (7 meters)
• 2-inch Fastex pack hip-belt buckle
What to bring in your first aid kit depends on a lot of factors:
• Size of the group
• Length of the trip
• Remoteness of location
• Trip activities
• Your level of first-aid training
• Specific environmental hazards in the area
Here is a basic first-aid kit designed for a group of 10 out for 6 days. Remember, this equipment won’t do you any good unless you have been properly trained in how to use it. Take a wilderness first-aid course before going out into the backcountry. Modify the list as needed.
When I am leading a trip I tend to be a “first-aid junkie.” When I’m responsible for other people, I’d rather overpack on first-aid equipment than not have things that other people might need.
For group trips I like to pack two separate first-aid kits: a basic kit for items that are used regularly, and an emergency kit for items that are used infrequently. The emergency kit, which might include specialty items and drugs with expiration dates, is packed in a fanny pack, sealed, and dated.
There are a number of prepackaged first-aid kits on the market that allow you to select what you need for your trip.
• Adventure Medical Kits—www.adventuremedicalkits.com
• Atwater Carey—800-359-1646
1 box mixed Band-Aids
10 2 × 2-inch gauze sponges
6 exam gloves
20 triple antibiotic ointment packets
1 8 oz. tincture of benzoin
10 alcohol prep pads
1 trauma scissors
1 1-inch adhesive tape
1 Cold Pack
1 tweezers
1 50 sq. in. moleskin
1 tube petroleum jelly
1 sunscreen
1 insect repellant
1 activated charcoal
1 New Skin liquid bandage
1 zinc oxide ointment
2 combine dressing
1 2-inch adhesive tape
10 4 × 4-inch gauze sponges
1 8-oz. chlorine bleach
2 Cold Packs
5 Maxi-pads
1 box waterproof matches
2 2-inch roller gauze
2 triangular bandages
5 2 × 3-inch Telfa pads
4 exam gloves
10 alcohol prep pads
2 3-inch Ace bandage
1 Betadine (povidone-iodine)
1 Inflate-a-Shield CPR mask
1 bottle Polar Pure
1 SAM splint
1 Extractor kit
6 blanket pins
2 ammonia inhalants
1 oral thermometer
1 Space Blanket
3 electrolyte rehydration solution
20 Tylenol/cetaphen (pain/fever)
20 ibuprofen/propinal (pain)
20 Pepto-Bismol (GI distress/diarrhea)
10 Ducolax (laxative)
10 Diarrhest (anti-diarrheal)
20 pseudophedrine/SudoTab (allergies)
1 tube hydrocortisone cream (skin rashes)
10 Sting-eze (bee sting topical analgesic)
20 Benadryl (antihistamine)
4 Epinephrine syringes (anaphylaxis)—This is a prescription drug item. Any individuals on the trip with severe allergies to such things as bee stings should bring her own. Contact your physician for more information
2 Information Report forms
2 SOAP Note forms
2 Emergency Information Reports
Gathering accurate information about the people going on your trip is important in planning a trip appropriate to the level of all participants. You need to be aware of everyone’s physical condition and medical history. Here is a sample form that covers a range of such information. Add to this form if you need more information.
FIRST NAME ____________ LAST NAME ____________
HEIGHT: ____________ inches WEIGHT: ____________ pounds
CURRENT PHYSICAL CONDITION: Please check only one box to rate your current physical fitness level. (See “Assessing Physical Condition” at www.backpackersfieldmanual.com for information on how to calculate a physical fitness score from this information.)
I. I don’t participate regularly in programmed recreation sport or physical activity: |
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III. I Participate regularly in heavy physical exercise (such as running or jogging, swimming, cycling, rowing, skipping rope, running in place) or engage in vigorous aerobic-type activities (such as tennis, basketball, or handball). |
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CURRENT EXERCISE ACTIVITY: Do you exercise regularly? 
No Yes If yes, list any physical activities or sports you engage in, times per week, duration, and level of intensity.
| Activity | Times/Week | Approximate Time/Distance | Level of Intensity |
| Leisurely Moderately Intensely |
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| Leisurely Moderately Intensely |
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| Leisurely Moderately Intensely |
| SWIMMING ABILITY: | Nonswimmer Poor Fair Good Very Good |
CURRENT HEALTH STATUS: Please indicate if you have any medical conditions or physical disabilities that could interfere with or limit your participation in the trip. If you are unsure, explain the trip to your physician and ask for his/her advice. If you answer yes to any of the questions below, please specify in detail section below, indicating the item number.
| Item # Detailed description (include restrictions, if any). Add a separate sheet if necessary. |
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ALLERGIES: Please indicate any allergies you have (medications, foods, etc.), your allergic reactions, and any medication required.
| Allergies (check if applicable, write in others) | Reaction | Medication Required (if any) |
| Insect stings (bees, wasps, etc.) Yes |
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| Iodine or Shellfish Allergy Yes |
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DIETARY RESTRICTIONS OR FOOD ALLERGIES: (Please indicate specific dietary restrictions: vegetarian, kosher, lactose intolerant, etc.)
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MEDICATIONS: Please indicate any medications you are currently taking (other than allergy medications), for what condition, and whether you will need to take them during the trip. If you need to take medications during the trip, be sure you have an ample supply.
| Medication | Condition | Do you need this during the trip? | |
| Yes |
No |
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| Yes |
No |
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Whenever you go on a trip, make sure that you let someone who is not going (your on-call person) know the details. Give that person a copy of your Trip Logistics Plan (above) and your Trip Safety Plan (below). Establish a time when you should be back, with a few hours leeway. Set a time after which the on-call person should contact the appropriate authorities. Make sure that he or she has the appropriate emergency phone numbers to call in case you are overdue. Call the person when you return. Whenever you are out on the trail, sign in and out on any trail registers. This helps rangers locate you in an emergency and also helps establish usage patterns for the area.
If I do not return by the latest date and time listed, and I have not notified the contact above regarding a change in plans, notify the police and park security at the phone numbers below.
Keeping a good record of all your trip expenses is essential whether you are running an outdoor program or camping with friends who split up the costs at the end of a trip. Good record-keeping will also show you where the bulk of the costs for the trip were and may help you reduce costs for future trips.
This form should be filled out if medical or evacuation assistance needs to be obtained. One copy goes with those hiking out to arrange for help; one copy stays with the patient.
Mark Injury Locations
