Note: The following suggestions are just to get you started.  Over time, you will develop your own packing list.  As your knowledge of wilderness skills, hazards and outdoor living increases, many of the following items may be unnecessary and your pack will begin to shrink and get lighter.

There is usually a smaller and much lighter version of the comforts of home that you can take with you.  Begin building a mini-sized home that can be carried on your back.  Consider the difference between musts, needs and wants for your "home in a pack" then weigh your decisions literally. 

1. Wardrobe closet.
2. Bedroom.
3. Kitchen.
4. Pantry.
5. Bathroom.
6. Workshop.
7. Office.
8. Den.

WARDROBE CLOSET

Choosing the right clothing and footwear will not only make you more comfortable, but could save your life.  But what, exactly, is "the right clothing"?  That question can have a biased and subjective answer to it. However the basics are simple.

• All materials should wick moister away from you and dry quickly. More loft adds more warmth. Use items made from synthetics, wools or silk. Avoid cotton most of all. Cotton Kills.
• Dress in layers (base, middle and shell) remove or add to maintain constant body temperature (including wind breaking materials).
• Have ample rain gear to keep you and your gear from getting wet and staying wet.  Always be ready for worse weather than was fore-casted.
• Footwear should do the same as clothing and also give you traction and support. Consider hiking boots with heavier loads for ankle support.
• Choose items that pull double-duty.  For example, nylon cargo pants that you can turn into shorts or swimming trunks by merely unzipping the legs off. Or, a waterproof jacket that serves as an insulated shell, raincoat, wind breaker or (turned inside out)... a nice pillow.

BEDROOM 

Your wilderness bedroom (sleeping system) includes: A Shelter, Mattress and Covers.

• Shelters can be anything from a shower curtain to a 4-season tent.  The two common factors for all shelters are that they must BE WATERPROOF and STAY UP.
• Note: Do not rely on (maybe even avoid) any permanent structures provided along trails for use by hikers. Shelters protect the environment in high-use areas. There may be many folks already there or more about to show up.  For me, personally, I am there to commune with nature and like privacy. LNT ethics give you this freedom. In my humble opinion, stealth or no-impact camping is better.
• Your mattress (sleeping pad) is an individual preference.  It has three jobs.  It must give you insulation from the ground (sleeping bags never do this). It has to be comfortable enough to enter a deep sleep.  It must be easy to carry.
• Covers can be anything from wool or fleece blankets to a minus 40° down-filled mummy bag.  It is useless without a sleeping pad.  Should be rated for colder weather than you expect to encounter and easy to carry.  Above all, keep it dry.  Down bags are the warmest and lightest, but useless when wet.
• There is no need to bring a pillow. A pillow can be anything from a fleece jacket stuffed in its own sleeve to an inflated hydration bladder.  Experiment with what you already have in your pack. If you must bring a pillow -- carry it in something waterproof.

 Kitchen 

Your kitchen consists of utensils, containers to cook in, containers to eat and drink from and a heat source.  First decide how you would like to eat and how much work you are willing to do to achieve your culinary goals.  You will be able to explore the different styles of cooking in another section.

• Pick items that can do double-duty. A small fry pan used as a dinner plate, pot lid, etc.  Big metal mugs can become a stew pot, steamer, coffee pot, coffee mug, mixing bowl, water purifier, etc.
• Items should be light, durable, easy to carry, heat resistant and be safe for food.
• Always carry the ability to start a fire in any circumstances.  Consider backpacking stoves.  Making your own stove is much easier than it sounds.
• Consider no-cook meals like PB&J or power bars and eliminate most of the need for a kitchen.
• Water storage can be anything from an expensive hydration bladder to used Gatorade bottles.  It only has to be a sanitized, leak-proof container.
• Have the items needed to purify any water from natural water sources.  You can boil it, use chemical purifiers or a good water filter designed to screen out microorganisms found in nature.  Water is HEAVY.  You don't want to be carrying a 3-day supply in your pack.

 PANTRY

Food is a matter of personal taste. Eating well on the trail will give you extra needed energy for warmth and movement.  It is also one of the joys of life that lift your spirits and helps you think clearly.  Always have pure water and create your pantry using the following ideas:

• Carry and store your food in a bear bag to be hung high when not in use.Pick foods and snacks you like; not just a stereotypical camping meal.  There are usually ways to recreate your favorite meals in the wilderness.
• Always have extra food.  Increase your normal intake of carbs, fats and calories. You may also burn a meal, or get "yogied" (being compelled to share with another hiker), or you get stuck out there an extra, unplanned night.
• Consider dehydrating your own meals at home. Lighter food means ease of movement (or more food). There are many other meal types and cooking styles that will be discussed in another section.
• Don't forget spices, oils, hot cocoa mixes, condiment packets, etc.

BATHROOM 

The bathroom consists of toilet, bathtub, medicine chest and laundry room.       

• Toilet: Always go at least 200 feet from the trail, camp and water sources.  Try this trick -- Get a small nylon bag that you can hang around your neck. It should not touch the ground while you're squatting (sorry, but I had to say it). Put a small plastic trowel, a small roll of TP in a zip-loc bag, a pack of sanitizer wipes, some empty Zip-loc bags and hand sanitizer. You now have a useful kit to take care of business.
• Side note: Crush a roll of TP flat and stick it in a quart ziploc bag.  Pull out the paper core. Dispense paper from the center of the roll. Now you have a waterproof TP dispenser.
• Bathtub:  Again, stay 200 feet away from water, camp and trails. Never wash in a natural water source. Use biodegradable soap or just water.  Try your handkerchief as a washcloth. Use a car drying towel or camp towel to dry off everything with.
• You can even bring along the kitchen & bathroom sink! Cut the bottom half off of a gallon jug to make a great sink. (milk for square; Sunny Delight for round)  You can protect some delicate items by packing them in your sink and this will also help hold its shape while in your pack.
• Try waterless methods.  Sanitary wipes can really freshen you up when water or privacy is scarce. Talcum powders (like Gold-Bond) can be a big help in riding your hair and skin from oils and dirt; good to have in freezing conditions.  
• Medicine cabinet:  Use a small pack (or first aid kit) for your toothbrush, comb, etc. (There is specific information on first-aid kits in another section). Avoid any fragranced products or bulky items.  Also, your workshop fits in this pack. It's not a bad idea to have a signal mirror anyway so you'll have it for primping too.  
• Laundry room: A 1-gallon (or 2-gallon) Zip-Loc bag makes a good front-loading washing machine. Add water and biodegradable soap, then shake or play toss. Use fresh water for the rinse cycle. Ring out and drip dry.

WORKSHOP

A workshop is for maintenance and upkeep.  Nobody in their right mind would want to lug a toolbox through the woods "just in case" something breaks.  Some folks do fine with nothing, others were thankful they had a certain item with them that saved the trek.  Decide your own preferences. I put most of my repair items in my first aid kit. A few items to consider are:

• Duct Tape.  We haven't even dreamed of all its uses yet.  Don't take a whole roll; just wrap about 10 or 20 feet around a trekking pole, a lighter, water bottle, etc.
• Heavy sewing needles and "real" Parachute chord (which has strong thread in the core). Small sewing kits are light... so why not? 
• Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife.  About knives: Sometimes, just a razor blade does the job.
• Any repair kit that comes with gear.  They already know that you'll need it.
• Super glue, seam sealer, safety pins, zip-ties, etc. (it is sometimes the little things that save the day).
• Spare batteries or extra candles.
• Extra Zip-Loc bags.
• Brightly colored mason line.  It is strong and easy to see and tie.

OFFICE

• Make sure I.D. & cash are in a waterproof pouch in a zippered pocket.
• Always have a compass and topographical map.
• Have 3 sources of light ranging from headlamps to candles.
• Maybe a log book or note book with pencil (Pencils write on damp paper).
• Maybe bring a camera with extra data cards and batteries.
• A cell phone or other optional devices include GPS, Weather radio, 2-way radio, Thermometer/Barometer/Altimeter, timepiece, etc.
• Maybe Copies of relevant pages from a trail guide book (waterproof paper).

DEN

Usually, by the time you pitch camp, cook, cleanup, do laundry, and make any needed repairs, you will be ready to just sit and visit with others or go straight to sleep.  Sometimes you get snowed in or rained out.  Sometimes certain activities are why you came to the wilderness in the first place. Decide what recreational items you are willing to carry.  Below are some popular ideas:

• Bring a binocular and some field guides on birds, trees, mushrooms, etc.
• Have a deck of cards.  Some decks come with "edible plant identification" or "wildlife identification" themes.
• Listen to bird calls on MP3 for reference.  Practice bird or animal calls and have your camera ready.
• Bring a small musical instrument (drum sticks, harmonica, etc.).
• Bring hooks and line to fish with (or just go swimming).
• Make something useful with available materials or sew new camping gear. Sometimes trash can be converted to useful gear (like an extra stove). Whittle some dead wood.