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Backpacking with kids part 3: packing

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Today’s the big day!  We are so excited about this trip.  What I really mean is that packing is a pain and it’s too late to still be up.  Gear and food for 4 for 3 days (well actually only 48 hours-ish since it’s Thursday afternoon to Saturday afternoon) sure adds up.  With so many people’s things packed together, we try to segregate things as much as possible.  Everyone gets one grocery bag for their clothes and then we pack that into a compression sack.  We organize our food with Ziploc bags to keep meals together.

One question that a lot of people ask us a lot is what we take on trips.  Now I’m a firm believer that there is no set list of things that everyone MUST bring, but there are basics that help (TP anyone?).  Most of the time we try to make special accomadations for the kids, but not this time.  It’s all too heavy or bulky so we’re just going with the basics.  So, without further ado, here’s what we’re taking (hold on tight)

    • 4 sleeping bags
    • 1 DSLR camera
    • 2 sleeping pads (sorry kids, none for you!)
    • The beast (Andrew’s HUGE pack)
    • Baby Carrier pack
    • Mason’s daypack
    • Water purifier
    • Camp stove (MSR pocket rocket)
    • Stove fuel
    • GPS
    • Leatherman knife
    • First aid kids
    • Bug spray
    • Sunscreen
    • Hydrocortisone
    • Matches
    • 5 flashlights (yes 5)
    • TP
    • 2 balls
    • small length of rope (20ish feet)
    • 15 diapers
    • 40 wet wipes
    • 4 plates
    • Silverware
    • 4 cups
    • Small bottle of dishsoap
    • 2 rags
    • Tent
    • Ground tarp
    • Duct Tape
    • 4 water bottles
    • 1 pacifier (Chloe still loves them to death)
    • Kids clothes (1 set per kid)
    • 1 T shirt
    • 1 long sleeve shirt
    • 2 pairs socks
    • Crocs (wearing hiking shoes on the trail)
    • 1 pair shorts
    • 1 pair pants
    • Rain jacket
    • Thermal underwear
    • Underwear
    • Sun Hat
    • Winter hat
    • Sunglasses
    • Jessica
    • 1 t-shirt
    • 1 extra pair shorts
    • Underwear
    • Hat (1 warm one for sun)
    • Thermal bottoms
    • Long sleeve shirt
    • Rain jacket and pants
    • Socks
    • Andrew
    • Long sleeve shirt
    • Fleece pants
    • Underwear
    • Hat (1 warm, 1 sun)
    • 1 t shirt
    • Socks
    • Rain jacket and pants
    • 4 toothbrushes
    • 1 hair brush
    • 10 tiny elastics to control Chloe’s hair
    • Deodorant
    • The Food
      (
      way too much brown for me…unless gummy bears count.
    • I’m glad we have more variety in our everyday diet!)
 
    • Basics (to fill in all the other meals and for snacking)
    • Homemade Energy bars
    • Trail mix
    • Beef jerky
    • Gummy bears
    • Fruit leather
    • Hot chocolate
    • Drink mix (crystal light type)
    • Dinner 1
    • tortillas
    • Mexican rice-a-roni
    • Green peppers
    • Frozen taco meat
    • Marshmallows
    • Breakfast 1
    • Pancake mix
    • Butter
    • Sugar
    • Raspberries
    • Lunch 1
    • Tortillas
    • Tuna salad packets
    • PB and honey (premixed in a Ziploc)
    • Dinner 2
    • Orzo pasta
    • Alfredo sauce mix
    • Sundried tomatoes
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Pudding mix
    • Breakfast 2
    • Oatmeal
    • Lunch 2
    • Tortillas
    • Tuna salad packets
    • PB and honey (premixed in a Ziploc)
Each kid also gets to take 2 small toys.  Lots huh?  Don’t worry, I’m sure we’re forgetting plenty!  Mason is carrying his own daypack with snacks, a flashlight, water bottle, and some clothes.  Andrew’s trying to stuff this all in the pack as I type so hopefully it will all fit!  Be back in a few days to tell you all about the trip!
This just in…
Andrew’s pack weight 47.5 pounds
Jessica’s pack weights 25 pounds + Sydney around 25 pounds
Mason’s pack weights 2 pounds (+ whatever Lightning McQueen weights)
All of this is without water.   Oh buddy.  At least it all fit!
About Jessica Averett

Hi, I’m Jessica, a mom of 5 kids and married to my favorite adventure partner. I love to bike, ski, camp and hike. We've visited over 40 countries with our kids, but are equally happy on the road as we are exploring our home state of Utah.

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