Adventure with Alex

I’ve spent so many days in the mountains I rarely use a formal gear list anymore. Overtime you internalize what you need based on the style of trip and expected weather. However, a gear list is a must for starting out. When I was new to backpacking I would photo-copy the detailed gear list from my copy of “Freedom of The Hills”. Then after checking off the 50+ items I would shoulder my 60lb pack and struggle into the Dry River Wilderness for a few days. Since those days I’ve joined the “less is more” crowd, and technical climbing gear excluded I can carry everything I need for a winter ascent of Mount Washington while staying under 20lbs.

Since Alex weighs 21 lbs at the moment, I quickly accepted the fact I would be carrying a bit more than my regular day load. That made choosing a great pack a priority and you’ll see my favorite in a review to be posted shortly. For now I want to get a rough draft out of what I’ve been carrying for short (under 2 hours) hikes around the Valley.

Child Carrier

100oz CamelBak Bladder

Diaper Changing Kit

Blanket

Change of clothes for baby

Windshirt for daddy

First Aid Kit

Sunblock & Insect Repellant

Headlamp

Pocket Knife

Food for Daddy and Baby, sippy cup

Map & Compass

Cell Phone (acts as camera, GPS, emergency contact*)

To get: Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

And that’s it! I’ll expand on each item with personal suggestions and comments soon. With a full CamelBak and baby on board this clocks in at about 43lbs. I’ve always suggested trying to keep pack weights for backpacking down to 25-30% of your body weight, and this is just under 25% for me. 30% should allow him to put on a few more pounds but longer hikes will certainly require more equipment than I’ve listed here. This minimalist list is for short easy hikes BELOW tree-line. It’s a starting point, and will be expanded on soon.