Go-bag Packing & Checklist

Category Weight
The Pack
4.5 lb
Packed Clothes
1.12 lb
In the Food Bag
4 lb
Front Mesh Pocket
0.9 lb
Shoulder Pockets
0.75 lb
Side Pockets
4.69 lb
First Aid & Repair
0.37 lb
In the fanny
0.86 lb
Worn Clothes
0 lb
Total
17.2
lb
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
Consumable 7.96 lb
Base Weight 9.24 lb

Objective

Reduce preparation time and lower the barrier to taking more quick, spur of the moment trips into the outdoors. Based on PMag's concepts of the "time bank", activity oriented "Go-bags" and jack-of-all-trades gear.

Approach

Include all items that cover the broadest range of conditions that I would encounter on a 2-4 day impromptu backpacking trip within a day's drive of Central Texas.
All items except insulation are pre-packed into a semi-dedicated pack (thank you, LiteAF), including worn clothing on top and and 2 days worth of food and stove fuel.
Organized as a packing checklist (rather than categories for weight/system analysis) to double check before running out the door. Once the exact location and conditions are determined, then I can quickly drop or swap items as needed.

Conditions:

Temps between 25F (4C) and 90F (32C)
Relatively brief heavy thunderstorms possible
Well marked trails in wooded areas or potential off-trail in desert areas

Swap Considerations:

Coldest conditions: swap poncho with rain jacket
Off-trail: swap shorts with running pants
Night temps below 35F: swap uberlite with xlite
Night temps between 50F and 65F: drop puffy, swap Palisade with APEX summer quilt
Night temps above 65F: swap APEX with silk liner, swap tent for bug bivy if no precipitation

Pre-flight checklist

Day before

Fuel up car, check fluids/tires
Charge InReach, headlamp, battery bank
Send test message on InReach
Check weather NOAA Forecast
Print and pack maps Caltopo
Print permits/reservations
Download offline maps onto phone (GAIA, CalTopo, etc)
Review itinerary with emergency contact
- Copy of map with local authority phone number and description of backpack/clothes
- Circle trailheads and planned campsites
Fill water bottles
Fill Whiskey
Check stove fuel
Check food
Check FAK consumables: pills/wipes/tapes
Check Hygene consumables: Soap/bug juice/hand sanitizer/lip balm/foot balm/sunscreen/toothpaste
Test water filter
Swap gear for expected conditions
Pack quilt/sleeping bag and puffy (if bringing)
Extra cash in wallet
Set out clothes to wear

Day of

Make sure InReach, headlamp and battery bank are packed after recharging
Bring change of clothes for after trip
Snacks/drinks for drive
Pack refrigerated items in food bag
Backpack in car
Poles in car
Fanny pack in car
Wallet/Key
Sun glasses

When flying to the trailhead

Pack Esbit stove/fuel
Or purchase canister/alcohol after landing
Check poles, lighter, knife
Liquids in single ziplock

Pack Checklist

- The Pack
  Weight qty
- Pack Frameless 30L LiteAF Curve 30 Ultra (Sm torso) for standard weekend warrior stuff
  14.75
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Pack Liner Nyloflume bag. Lightest full coverage option. Swap with GG liner for a little more robustness or less chip-bag noise.
  0.91
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 3 Season Quilt Katabatic Palisade, 900 fill power, 6’ Reg, 2oz overfill, cords. Comfortable down to 28F with puffy and booties. Good into high 50's. Pad cords reduce drafts better than straps.
  20.9
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Inflatable Pad (Lux Narrow) Nemo Tensor Insulated 20". Warm down to freezing. Narrow pad is comfortable for side sleeping.
  14.6
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- CCF Pad 1/8" Rolled GG Thinlight 1/8". Best multi-purpose piece of kit ever.
  2.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Inflatable Pillow (wide) Nemo Fillo Elite Luxury. No cover, use buff and stuff with clothes.
  1.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Tent Single Wall 1P DCF Durston X-Mid Pro 1 (with stuff sack)
  16.9
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 4.5 lb
  
  7
- Packed Clothes
  Weight qty
- UL Down Puffy Montbell Hooded EX Light Anorak (900f) (M). Static warmth down to 40F or to 30F paired with a mid-layer. Hood works well with quilt.
  6
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Active Fleece Hoodie Senchi Lark (L) Alpha 90 Direct. Pair with rain/wind shell for modular synthetic warmth. Breathable sleep layer in quilt.
  4.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Wind Pants Montbell UL Stretch Wind Pants (L). Great sleepwear and bug protection. No bushwacking!
  2.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Glove liners Zpacks Possum Down (L). Warm for weight and comfortable. A little too delicate for trail-use compared to fleece.
  1.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Hiking Socks (carried) Darn Tough 1/4 Hiking (L)
  2.3
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Vapor/Water Barrier Bread bags x2. Wear over dry socks in loose shoes for camp. Just-in-case rain mitts. Clothes bag. Vapor barrier in quilt. Emergency mittens and water collection.
  0.2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Head Net Sea to Summit w Permithrin (used as clothes bag)
  0.94
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 1.12 lb
  
  7
- In the Food Bag
  Weight qty
- Food Per Day
  1.7
  lb
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  2
- Lg Food Bag Lg OpSak - gorilla tape reinforced zipper
  0.8
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Pot Sack ZPacks DCF Pot Stuffsack 0.9L size
  5
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Wide Cook Pot Toaks titanium 0.3mm 700ml wide. Wide is more efficient and easier to cook in.
  2.98
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Alcohol Stove System Trail Designs Sidewinder, Kojin stove, foil sheet, lighter
  2.2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Bamboo Spoon Sm Amazon (gifted). Not long enough for large meal pouches, but great for everything else.
  12
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Cook Towel 4" strip of Lightload. Just enough to dry pot or use as pot holder.
  0.2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Bamboo Toothbrush Cut to fit bag, but long enough to keep fingers out of mouth
  0.35
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Toothpaste / Floss Half tablet in the evening. Just a wet toothbrush in the morning. Cut waxed floss into single-use strips and roll into bottom of container.
  0.2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Foot Balm Trail Toes small jar. Apply to feet in morning and evening to greatly reduce water absorption and rubbing. Also great for chafing or as just-in-case lip balm.
  0.75
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Bug Spray Picardin, Mini spray bottle 0.5oz
  1
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Chapstick GG Joshua Tree mini stick
  0.15
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sun stick Joshua Tree SPF 33. Quick access for face/fingers.
  0.4
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 4 lb
  
  14
- Front Mesh Pocket
  Weight qty
- EE Rain Shell Enlightened Equipment Visp (M). Long pit zips for wind shirt applications. Under puffy to increase insulation.
  5.54
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Ground cloth Polycryo "Heavy Duty" 1.5mil (doubles as rain skirt)
  1.9
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Stake Bag DCF Allmansright Hölster Stake Sack. Store's poop kit as well.
  4
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Carbon Needle Stake u/RockBoxATX carbon fiber w/ flat caps
  2.6
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  4
- Short Nail Stake 6" Easton nail 7075
  0.27
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  6
- Trowel BoglerCo with plastic hand protector
  0.48
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- UL Bidet Holey Hiker. Eliminates chafing by rinsing away sweat and residue.
  6
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Powder Soap Summit Suds (does not freeze)
  0.35
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Platy Water Filter Platypus QuickDraw. Caps on both ends for staying dry and warm in sleeping bag.
  2.25
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Water Bladder Evernew 2L
  1.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0.9 lb
  
  18
- Shoulder Pockets
  Weight qty
- Water Bottle Small Smartwater 700ml w/ sport cap. Smellable drinks.
  1.1
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- iPhone Pro with case
  7.64
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Tripod Pedco Ultrapod Lightweight. Straps to trekking pole for length/selfie or branches for creativity.
  1.85
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Phone Mount Studio Neat Glif
  1.47
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0.75 lb
  
  4
- Side Pockets
  Weight qty
- Water 1L
  2.2
  lb
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  2
- Water Bottle Large Smartwater 1.5L w/ sport cap
  1.6
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Trekking Poles Massdrop Fizan Compact 3 x2
  12.2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL Umbrella Montbell Travel Umbrella (for sun and rain)
  3.05
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 4.69 lb
  
  4
- First Aid & Repair
  Weight qty
- Lg Zip Pouch LiteAF DCF FAK Zip Pouch Medium (Possibles)
  0.47
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sm Zip Pouch LiteAF DCF FAK Zip Pouch Small (On Person)
  0.2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Repair Kit Tenacious tape, DCF tape, alcohol wipe, tear-aid, 2 safety pins, large hole needle, 2 pins, 2 buttons, floss & thread, super glue, spare bottle lid, spare LED
  1.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- First Aid Kit Motrin, Tylenol, anti-diarrheal, Benadryl, Zyrtec, burn & antibiotic cream, itch wipe, alcohol wipe, Leukotape, Tegaderm, Steri-strips, gauze, benzoin tincture, Micropur tabs, tweezers, signal mirror, gloves, facemask
  2.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Mini Scissors Westcott mini titanium
  0.25
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Pen/Paper For writing emergency notes
  0.4
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Lighter Bic mini with 2ft of duct tape
  0.6
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0.37 lb
  
  7
- In the fanny
  Weight qty
- Fanny Pack LiteAF LiteAF Feather Weight, Standard size, Ultra 200 fabric
  2.3
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- GPS Comms InReach Mini
  3.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Battery Bank Nitecore NB10000. Recharge Phone, InReach and Lights.
  5.28
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Charging Cables 1x regular USB-C, 1x Short micro USB
  0.85
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Headlamp Nitecore NU25 w/shock cord strap
  1.14
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sun Glasses Ombraz Dolomite. Light, eco friendly, comfortable
  0.86
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- ABC Watch Casio ProTrek PRG-330. Solar for unlimited battery. Must calibrate barometer when traveling. Attach to shoulder strap for accurate temp readings. Review elevation totals at end of day. Alarm is quiet enough to not disturb other hikers.
  2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Face mask Protect others from The Rona. Keeps the face warm on cold nights.
  4
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sleep Mask Cheap-y from Amazon. Sometimes all your multipurpose items are serving other purposes!
  0.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Ear Plugs Storms, snorers, ax murderers
  2.5
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Map Printed Paper Map
  0.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0.86 lb
  
  8
- Worn Clothes
  Weight qty
- Razor knife Derm-a-safe razor knife (on lanyard)
  0.27
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Whistle Acme Tornado (on lanyard)
  0.26
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Sun gloves OR ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Gloves
  0.7
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Trucker Hat REI On the Trail. Elastic drawstring, packable bill, breathable material. Love this thing.
  2.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Sun Hoodie (button-up) Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down Sun Hoodie (M)
  8.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Underwear (worn) Exofficio Give N Go (M)
  2.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Running Shorts Nike running shorts (liner removed) (M)
  4
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Gaiters Dirty Girl. Effective on sandy, muddy trails and stream crossings.
  1.32
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Hiking Socks (worn) Darn Tough 1/4 Hiking (L)
  2.3
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Shoes Topo Ultraventure Pro (M) (US12)
  23
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0

Go-bag Packing & Checklist

Objective

Approach

Conditions:

Pre-flight checklist

Pack Checklist

The Pack

Packed Clothes

In the Food Bag

Front Mesh Pocket

Shoulder Pockets

Side Pockets

First Aid & Repair

In the fanny

Worn Clothes