When getting ready for a multi-day hike—or any hike for that matter—it's important you only pack what you need. Here is the list Rachel Kristensen uses to make sure she's packing light for a long weekend on the trail.
| Item | Category |
| Hiking Shoes, Flip Flops | Clothing |
| Raincoat | Clothing |
| Long-Sleeve Shirt | Clothing |
| T-Shirts and Short-Sleeve Shirt | Clothing |
| Shorts (1 Pair) | Clothing |
| Thermal Underwear | Clothing |
| Pants (1 pair) | Clothing |
| Sweater | Clothing |
| Bathing Suit | Clothing |
| Sandals | Clothing |
| Wool Socks | Clothing |
| Underwear | Clothing |
| 2 backpacker meals per day | Food |
| Individual Instant Oatmeal (2-3 per morning per person) | Food |
| Booze (I do a plastic mickey of vodka, pick your own favorite) | Food |
| Tent | Gear |
| Sleeping Bag | Gear |
| Sleeping Pad | Gear |
| Headlamps | Gear |
| Knife for Cooking and Protection | Gear |
| Stove and Pot for Cooking | Gear |
| Bowl for Cereal in Morning | Gear |
| Cutlery – Something Like a Spork | Gear |
| Whistle for Emergencies | Gear |
| Waterproof Bags – Garbage Bags Also Work | Gear |
| Aqua Tabs to Purify Water Sources | Gear |
| Rope/Carabiner to Hang Laundry | Gear |
| Toilet Paper | Gear |
| Backpack | Gear |
| Cards | Gear |
| Insect Repellent | Gear |
| Sunscreen | Gear |
| Band Aids, Aspirin and First Aid Kit | Gear |
| Camel Packs or water bladders | Gear |
| Bear Vault to Protect Food from Animal Attraction | Gear |
| Fuel for Stove | Gear |
| Water Bottle - Something with Volume Measurements for Cooking | Gear |
| Garbage Bags – Trek Out What You Trek in With | Gear |
| Duct Tape | Gear |
| Gaiters if the Trail is Muddy | Gear |
| Quick Dry Towel | Gear |
| Lighter/Matches | Gear |
| Camera! | Gear |
| Map and Communication Device in Case of Emergency | Gear |