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Winter backpacking is great if you are properly prepared. Most trips are just a weekend, or less. BLUE HOLE
is only a 24 hour trip. But because of cold weather, some Scouts take a lot of gear they don’t really need, and can get so overloaded that they struggle to carry their packs.
- small lightweight tent and groundcloth (pack a couple extra stakes)
- backpack w/ raincover or plastic bag
- very small (2 oz.) dishwash soap bottle and small scrubbersponge in a ziplock
- lightweight mess kit w/utensils, small pot with lid, drinking cup is key
- small backpack stove & 1 gas canister
- 3 pairs cushioned wool or synthetic hiking socks (wear 1, take 2 extra)
- 2 pairs underwear (wear 1, take 1)
- light towel and lightweight shorts if you are jumping in the Blue Hole
- UnderArmor base layer or silk long underwear (closefitting, breatheable)
- wool or synthetic second layer / shirt
- fleece neck gaitor
- insulated fleece pants (or lighter weight pants if not as cold)
- waterproofed, broken-in boots
- warm fleece jackettop layer(packed awayto put on at campsite)
- INSULATED gloves
- WARM UnderArmour / wool / fleece toboggan
- lightweight raingear, light tarp and string if rain likely
- small MAGLITE or headlamp flashlight w/ 1 set (not a whole package) extra batteries
- small water pump / purifier or pills(you will have to treat and/or boil your water)
- Nalgene bottle
- small bagtrail mix, dehydrated food for lunch
- New Scout Survival Kit
- Pocket Knife (sharpened before you leave)
- Sawvivor (1 per patrol -- you MUST have this for cutting wood -- forget the hatchet)
- Patrol Log Puller and 1 piece 10x10 lightweight plastic sheeting to cover your firewood (1 per patrol; worth their weight many times)
- lighter or waterproof matches, extra newspaper for firestarting
- stuff pillow shell or small empty pillowcase (good for pillow and putting used clothes in)
- properly rated sleeping bag, liner and lightweight pad
- medicines, toothbrush, Personal First Aid Kit
- about 3 feet of aluminum foil, folded up
- 1 large plastic garbage bag with tie string
- bare essential Patrol cooking utensils (divide them up to carry)
- hand or foot warmers if cold
- emergency whistle
- compass
STUFF YOU DON’T REALLY NEED:
- lantern
- heavy pots and pans
- cotton t-shirts
- extra bulky coats and hats (1 is enough unless frigidly cold)
- too many heavy foods
- extra shoes
- heavy flashlights
- anything in a can, except your small gas canister
- ELECTRONIC GAMES, IPODS, MP3's etc.(LEAVE them at home -- you can make it for 24 hours!!)
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