Please read this list thoroughly. You will need all of the items below to safely participate in your wilderness
adventure.  All Mandatory equipment is available to rent from Backcountry Found for $75 per participant per trip
in CONUS and $100 per participant for all Hawaii backpacking trips. Please ask your trip leaders about additional
affordable options for purchasing equipment if desired.

Mandatory Equipment
The following are the minimum gear requirements to participate in our backpacking trips

  • Backpack - Large capacity internal or external frame, with padded hip belt
  • Sleeping Bag - Synthetic fill, mummy style and comfortable (If unsure of temperature rating ask the guide
    prior to the trip – at least down to 20 degrees usually required)
  • Tent – 1 Person or arrange with your guide to share a 2 Person
  • Tarps – Lightweight and waterproof to set under a tent (Only one per tent required, not mandatory)
  • Sleeping pad - Closed cell foam, Ensolite, or Thermarest
  • Pillow (Not mandatory, but provided with gear rental)
  • Cup, Bowl, Utensils - 1 cup/mug, 1 bowl, 1 each: fork, knife, spoon (Preferably plastic and lightweight.
    Often you only need the fork)

Details and images of the above gear provided with full rental package provided below:
Item
 Weight
 Size
 Additional Information
 Picture
Gregory Shasta
Backpack (Medium,
Large)
 M: 6.125 lbs
L: 6.25 lbs
 M:  5000 in
L:  5550 in
 No-frills, lightweight workhorse with
big capacity, enough for two weeks,
and at an affordable price. Easy to
accessorize, featuring top and bottom
access. Recognized by Backpacker
Magazine Editor's Choice Award for
2003 as "Best All-Purpose Pack".
North Face Slickrock
2-Person, 3-Season
Tent
 4 lbs 9 oz
 87" x 55" x
43"
 The North Face Slickrock 2-man Ultra
Light Backpacking Tent is by far the
slickest tent in the North Face arsenal,
and an innovative approach to
reducing weight. The designer of the
Slickrock tent envisioned summer bike
touring and light hiking until Conrad
Anker took the Slickrock to 20,000 feet
and proved it could withstand an
assault of high alpine environment.
REI Roadster
1-Person, 3-Season
Tent
 3 lbs 3 oz
 82" x 32" x
36"
 The new Roadster is an
ultra-lightweight three-season, solo
tent that weighs under three
pounds--and it's packed full of
convenience and livability! Insider
floor seams are engineered to create
a nice, clean taut pitch and
maximize floor space; factory
seam-taping ensure a waterproof seal.
 Polyester rainfly ensures a taut pitch,
even when wet; clear window allows
view to the outside
North Face Trinity
20 Degree Sleeping
Bag (Long)
 3 lbs 3 oz
 Max Height
6'8"
 The North Face Mammoth 3D
Sleeping Bag is generously cut and
allergy-proof thanks to its Polarguard®
3D synthetic insulation. The
Mammoth 3D Sleeping Bag is rated
for conditions 20°F and above, and
perfect for spring, summer, and fall
camping.
Pacific Outdoor Insul
Mat Max-Lite 1.0 -
Full Length
 1 lb 10 oz
 72" x 20" x
1"
7" x 11"
Packed
 Max-Lite keeps you warm and
comfortable so you wake well-rested
and ready for another day of
adventure. This one is designed for
weight-conscious backpackers trying
to trim ounces from their pack's load.  
Rolls up compactly and inflates
quickly for a comfortable snooze.
Outer shell is made of tough
diamond-ripstop nylon for increased
protection against abrasion, punctures
and tears.  High-tech Matrix die-cut
foam provides outstanding insulation
yet minimum weight and bulk.
Durable water-repellent finish helps
protect mat.  Anti-fungal treatment
prevents fungus and bacteria from
growing inside your pad.
Pacific Outdoor Insul
Mat Max-Lite 1.0 -
Women's Petite
 1 lb 6 oz
 66" x 20" x
1"
7" x 11"
Packed
 This women-specific sleeping pad is
designed for weight-conscious women
trekkers, climbers and backpackers--
three-season version. Designed with
appropriately placed insulation and
support in sizes just for females--made
with Women's Edition Matrix™ Foam.  
Majority of the pad is made with
lightweight, low-bulk, die-cut Matrix
foam for minimum overall weight.  
High R-Value Basix™ foam is placed
in the foot area for warmth, and body-
supporting Dot-foam is placed under
the hips for extra cushioning.
Pacific Outdoor Insul
Mat Lightweight
Nylon Tarp
   6' x 8'
    
3-Piece Lexan
Utensil Set (Knife,
Spoon, Fork)
 2 oz
 8"
 Lexan® is a durable polycarbonate
plastic that's tough like steel, but only
a third of the weight. High-density,
rigid Lexan polycarbonate won't
absorb tastes or odors.  These
lightweight, virtually unbreakable
utensils won't stain, rust or melt in
boiling water.  Includes knife, fork,
and teaspoon.
GSI Baked
Enamelware Cup -
12 oz
 4 oz
 3.25" x
3.38"
 This baked enamelware cup is rugged
and easy to clean--great for cabin or
camp. Thick-gauge steel is
double-coated with high-gloss enamel
for a lasting finish.  Stainless steel rim.
GSI Bowl - 6"
      
Recommended Equipment
The following is highly recommended gear for an enjoyable trip

  • Flashlight or Headlamp - Small but durable, headlamp preferred.
  • Water System – The water system I recommend is a CamelBack bladder (at least 2 quarts) to be filled
    placed in the top pocket of your backpack plus 1-2 (1 Quart) Nalgene bottles.  The CamelBack
    Bladder is great for drinking while you are hiking and the Nalgene bottles (with large mouth openings)
    are necessary for the water filters we use in the backcountry.  Everyone should have the capability of
    holding 3-4 liters of water for each day of hiking.  For those attending warmer trips in the Grand
    Canyon, 4-5 liter capacity is necessary.
  • Toiletries - Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Deodorant, personal medications (Aspirin/Advil, prescription
    meds), Vitamins, Hand Sanitizer, Sunscreen, Toilet Paper, Bug Repellant, Lip Balm, etc.
  • Towel – Lightweight and quick drying
  • Pocket Knife

Details and images of some of the above gear provided below:
Item
 Weight
 Size
 Additional Information
 Picture
Petzel Tikkina LED
Headlamp
 2.75 oz
 2.3" x 2" x
1.6"
 So small yet so useful--the Tikkina
features two LEDs for hand-free
lighting. With only two LEDs to power,
the three included AAA batteries last
a very long time (120 hours based on
manufacturer's specifications).  
Ratcheting swivel head aims light
where you need it.  Adjustable elastic
headband holds the light securely in
place.  Water-resistant construction for
full-on reliability in inclement weather
MSR Cloudliner
Hydration Bag
 Variable
 1.9L, 2.0L
 Made from durable, puncture-
resistant, taste-free polyethylene film,
it is the ideal upgrade from
unreliable, plastic bladders.  The
CloudLiner’s abrasion resistant
material survived more than 10 six-
foot drops without damage.   1.9-liter
for lumbar and top-loading packs and
a rectangular 2-liter bag for hydration
packs.  Compatible with MSR
Waterworks and Miniworks Filters.
Nalgene Colored
Lexan Loop-Top
Bottle - 32 oz
 4.5 oz - 32 oz
 32 oz
 Lexan® is a durable polycarbonate
plastic that's tough like steel, but only
a third of the weight. High-density,
rigid Lexan polycarbonate won't
absorb tastes or odors.  These
lightweight, virtually unbreakable
utensils won't stain, rust or melt in
boiling water.
Group Equipment
The following gear will be supplied by the Backcountry Found staff, but may be distributed among
participants

  • Stove and Fuel
  • Pots & Pans
  • Matches/Lighter
  • Water Filters/Purifiers
  • Shovel/Trowel
  • Cooking Utensils
  • Garbage and Zip-lock Bags
  • Map and Compass
  • First Aid Kits (Includes Moleskin)
  • Nylon Cord or Rope
  • GPS Receiver
  • 2-Way Radios
  • Bear Bins

Details and images of some of the above gear provided below:
Item
 Weight
 Size
 Additional Information
 Picture
MSR MiniWorks Ex
Water Filter
 14.6 oz
 7.8" x 3.8"
 This compact filter features new EX
technology, which utilizes back
pressure to improve the water flow rate.
 New venturi/dampening device also
has the added benefit of reducing the
force required for each pump stroke.
Ceramic/carbon media can be
cleaned over and over for maximum
field life.  Effectively removes bacteria
and protozoa including giardia and
cryptosporidia and chemicals
including pesticides, industrial
pollutants, iodine and chlorine plus
taste and odor compounds.  Bottom
screws onto an MSR Dromedary® Bag
or Nalgene® water bottle for easy
operation.  
MSR Pocket Rocket
Backpacking Stove
 3.2 oz
   Hands-down winner in the race for
space! This tiny stove delivers full-size
performance yet fits into the smallest
corner of your pack.  Super-lightweight
and compact, weighing just over 3-oz.,
it boils a liter of water in less than 4
minutes!  Easy-to-operate: no priming,
preheating or pressurizing is
necessary--simply turn it on, light and
start cooking.
GSI Hard Anodized
Boiler with Lid
 11 oz
 5.75" x 5"
 Simmer sauce, melt snow or heat a
side dish while cooking the entree--this
double-boiler adds versatility to single-
burner cooking.  Three-piece kit
consists of a 1.25 qt. pot, a 16-oz.
cup/bowl and a lid; folding stainless-
steel handles for compact storage.
Cup/bowl fits on top of pot to work as a
double-boiler, keeping food hot above
as you cook or melt snow below.  Hard
Anodized Extreme™ hardens the
cooking surface for abrasion
resistance--twice as hard as stainless
steel.
MSR Blacklite
Classic Cookset
 1 lb 2 oz
 7.75" x
3.62"
 When weight reduction is priority one,
take this minimalist cookset along.  
Non-stick aluminum nesting pots are
ultra lightweight and easy to pack.  
Durable non-stick surface allows for
easy cooking and clean-up.  Black
exterior boosts heat absorption, which
improves cooking times and saves fuel.
Includes 1.5 and 2 liter pots, fitted lid,
PanHandler™: pot lifter, reusable stuff
sack and Packtowel® to separate pots.
JetBoil Personal
Cooking System
 15.25 oz
   This innovative, fuel-efficient design
integrates the pot and stove for instant
set-up and compact storage. The
awards and accolades just keep
coming! First it was a Backpacker
Magazine 2004 Editor's Choice Award
winner, as well as an Outside
Magazine 2004 Gear of the Year
Award winner. Now Jetboil has been
honored in the 2004 Popular Science
magazine's ''Best of What's New'' issue,
the Men's Journal ''Gear of the Year''
December 2004 issue, and in the
November 29, 2004 issue of TIME
magazine in its cover story on the
"Most Amazing Inventions of 2004."
Adventure
Backpacker Trowel
 2 oz
 11.25" x
2.75"
 Small plastic trowel is designed for
burying human waste in the
wilderness.  Lightweight, compact
trowel is easy to stow inside a pack
MSR IsoPro Canister
- 4 oz
 8 oz
   MSR's new 4 oz. canister is perfect for
quick, light weight adventures, for solo
trips, day use, or an overnight for two.
Superior blend of isobutane and
propane outperforms other blends from
start to end of the canister's life.
JetBoil JetPower Fuel
        
First Aid Kit(s)
 Approx 2.5 lbs
 Variable
 First Aid kits are custom made to suit
the specific trip and number of
participants.  Typically two First Aid
Kits are carried.
Garmin eTrex GPS
Personal Navigator
 5.3 oz  with
batteries
 4.4" x 2.0"
x 1.2"
 Compact size is perfect for hiking or
any activity where you need to pack
light.  12 parallel channel GPS
receiver.  Smallest, go-anywhere
GPS.  Rugged, waterproof
construction.  High resolution screen
with bright backlighting. Stores 500
waypoints with symbol. Up to 22
hours use with only two "AA" batteries.
Motorola Talkabout
T5950 AA Two-Way
Radio Double Pack
 .39 oz. (w/
batteries)
 2.36" x 6.4"
x 1.34"
 7 GMRS/FRS 1-Watt Channels.  7
FRS 1/2-Watt Channels.  8 GMRS
1-Watt Channels.  38 Interference
Eliminator Codes.  NOAA Weather
Channels.
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