Aaronic Priesthood 4th Year Hike
July 22-25, Snoqualmie Lake

Practice Day Hikes:

• 10 Essentials

• Backpack (Size for a 1-day hike)

• Water

• Waterproof hiking shoes/boots

• Rain Gear

• Bring your own snacks for the trail and food for on the way home. NO peanuts.

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Practice Hike with overnight camping:

• 10 Essentials

• Backpack (Size for hike and camping)

• Water

• Waterproof hiking shoes/boots

• Rain Gear

• Tent (1 per pair of buddies)

• Sleeping Bag

• Sleeping Pad

• Food will be provided.

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Main Hike:

10 Essentials

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Individual gear. Avoid bringing unnecessary gear. Keep it as small and light as possible. On a big hike, "Ounces make pounds and pounds make pain". For a 4-day hike, 30 or 35 pounds is a good target.

 

• No phones or other electronics. The adults will have phones to take pictures.

• Hiking boots/shoes (waterproof). These should be well-broken into your feet before the hike. New, stiff boots/shoes are more likely to cause blisters.

• Large (internal or external frame) backpack

• Sleeping bag (20 degree or better rated)

• Sleeping pad. Must be insulated. Otherwise, the ground can quickly suck the heat from your body. Non-insulated air pads are especially bad this way. Insulated air pads are okay. Closed-cell foam pads are also good.

  • If bringing an air pad, it is good to also bring a patch kit. A punctured air pad isn't much good.

• Clothing. Wool and synthetics are good. Avoid cotton--it loses most of its insulating ability when wet.

  • Wicking layer 

    • 2+ pair light socks (I like to wear two pairs of light socks when hiking. It helps prevent blisters)

    • 1 change of underwear 

  • Insulating layer. Even in the summer, nights can be cold. 

    • 2 pair heavy socks 

    • Fleece/sweater/warm jacket 

    • 1 shirt long sleeved 

    • Shorts and/or pants (avoid denim). Quick-drying shorts can double as a swimsuit. 

  • Waterproof layer 

    • Light rain jacket/poncho

    • Pack cover or large garbage bag

  • (optional)

    • Sandals/flip-flops

    • Small camp towel

    • Emergency blanket (i.e. the foil-like "space blankets" work well in a pinch)

• Water bottle, camelback, or equivalent. Try to have about two liters capacity. We should be able to replenish each day, using water filters.

• Food

  • Meals will be provided. Reserve room in your pack to help carry them.

  • (optional) You may bring individual snacks, if desired. But they must not contain any nuts due to allergies within the group. All food will be put in bear bags and hung at night, even the snacks you bring.

• Flashlight/head lamp and extra batteries

• Insect repellant

• Toiletries

  • Hand Sanitizer or small bar of soap

  • Toothbrush

  • Toothpaste

  • Toilet paper

  • (optional) Comb

• Personal mess kit

  • Bowl

  • Cup

  • Utensils (a spork works well)

  • Something to clean them with

• Fire (small lighter or waterproof matches, etc). There is a good chance we may not be allowed to light campfires, but it is good to be prepared for emergencies.

• Sun protection

  • Sunscreen.

  • (optional) Sunglasses, hat, lip balm, etc.

• Small knife/multitool

• Trash bags. One large bag to cover your backpack at night. And a large Ziplock bag to use for use for trash. 

• Small first aid kit. I fit mine into a small Ziplock bag.

  • Personal medications, as needed. Some ideas (optional):

    • Pain reliever (Ibuprofen is good for inflammation)

    • Allergy tablets (i.e. Benadryl or equivalent) 

    • A couple of cough drops

    • Antacid/indigestion tablets (like Pepto Bismol)

    • etc

  • bandages

  • antiseptic

  • foot care (moleskin)

• 4-5 sheets of paper with double sided printed spiritual messages (scripture passages, General Conference talks, Patriarchal Blessing, etc.) Anything you choose. Put in a Ziplock bag to keep dry. Extra paper sheets to use as a journal.

• Optional

  • Map and compass

  • Whistle

  • Duct tape. Useful for repairs, first aid (cushioning hot spots), etc. Wrapping some around a hiking pole or knife handle works well.

  • Needle and thread

  • Camera

  • Hiking poles

 

Group Gear

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• Tent

• Water purification (gravity-fed filters are convenient)

• Stove w/water pot and fuel.

• Bear bags. Each night all scented items that might attract wildlife (food, food waste, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) will be hung out of reach in bear bags. Don't have food in your tent! Bears aren't the only danger. Smaller critters will chew holes in your tent and/or packs to get at food smells. We will use paracord and sturdy black garbage bags. Note: Bear canisters are also allowed, as per fseprd1100606.pdf (usda.gov). But bear bags are lighter and less bulky.

• Bear spray / horn

• Trowel. In some/most campsites we should have access to vault toilets, in which case a trowel will not be needed

• Walkie Talkies