VExT Frontcountry Ten Essentials Systems Overnight Packing List
Anytime we go out on a trip—whether we are backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, rafting, kayaking, or any other outdoor pursuit—we bring tools with us that address 10 basic needs. It is most effective to organize what you bring into the outdoors according to its use or function. Using a “systems” approach allows us to easily adapt to different activities and situations and always bring the right gear to fill each of the 10 needs.
The exact items you take from each system will be tailored to the needs of your trip. When deciding what to bring, consider factors like weather, distance to travel, terrain, and potential equipment breaks or emergencies. Think of some of the different outdoors activities you have participated in. What differences between snow camping and rafting would cause you to bring different clothing layers? How about different amounts of water for kayaking versus mountaineering? Or a different repair kit and tools for rock climbing compared to rafting?
Below is a typical Ten Essentials Systems personal packing list for a frontcountry overnight camping trip, with several items added specifically for VExT, along with some “life essentials.” Note that technical and group gear is not included in this list.
1. Navigation 8. Nutrition ❑ Compass ❑ Sack lunch for Saturday ❑ Map for Saturday (provided by CLC) ❑ All other meals and snacks to be provided by CLC, unless you wish to bring specific personal 2. Sun Protection snacks ❑ Sunglasses ❑ Sunscreen (SPF 30+) and lip balm (SPF 15+) 9. Hydration ❑ Sun hat/baseball cap ❑ 1-liter Nalgene bottle or equivalent ❑ Bandana/buff (optional) 10. Shelter 3. Clothing ❑ Sleeping bag ❑ Shirt (short- or long-sleeved) ❑ Stuff sack ❑ Wool or polypropylene baselayer ❑ Sleeping pad(s) (Thermarest or similar) ❑ Long hiking pants ❑ Pillow (optional) ❑ Wool/fleece sweater ❑ Tent (optional, if you wish to bring your own) ❑ Warm jacket or puffy ❑ Camp chair (optional) ❑ Rain jacket and pants ❑ Underwear A. Personal and Hygiene ❑ Swimsuit ❑ Towel ❑ Wool hiking socks ❑ Moisturizing cream/lotion ❑ Toothbrush and toothpaste ❑ Warm hat ❑ Gloves/mittens ❑ Hairbrush, hair ties, etc. ❑ Comfortable walking shoes/boots ❑ Spare eyeglasses/contacts ❑ Women: feminine supplies 4. Emergency ❑ Personal medications (leaders must be told of ❑ Personal first-aid kit any required medication)
5. Illumination B. Other ❑ LED Headlamp ❑ Duffle bag or backpack ❑ Extra batteries and/or spare headlight ❑ Day pack for Saturday ❑ Watch 6. Fire ❑ Camera (optional) ❑ Waterproof matches or lighter ❑ Book (optional) ❑ Journal and pencil (optional) 7. Tools and Repair Kit ❑ Games/playing cards (optional) ❑ Knife/multitool ❑ Money ❑ Repair kit
All personal items should be packed in a backpack or duffel. If you do not have some of the camping gear, let us know. CLC can lend most gear and normally provides tents, kitchen equipment, and other group gear for frontcountry trips.