What to buy. What to borrow. What to skip.

Hiking boots or trail runners

The most important item on this list. Boots offer ankle support; trail runners are lighter. Either works as long as they fit well and are broken in. Try them on with hiking socks, walk around the store, climb stairs. Heel slip or toe crunch on downhills are deal-breakers.

Wool or synthetic hiking socks

Cotton socks cause blisters. Get at least 3 pairs of merino wool or synthetic. Darn Tough and Smartwool last forever. Costco sometimes carries decent options. Pack one extra dry pair for sleeping.

Crocs or camp slides Optional

Nice for around camp, especially after a long day in boots. Light enough to be worth packing.

Backpacking pack (40-60L)

Needs to fit a tent or share, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes, food, and water for a 3 day trip. 40-60 liters is the right range for a boy. Fit matters more than brand. The hip belt should carry most of the weight, not the shoulders.

Borrow first. Many families in the ward have packs. Check with a YM leader before buying.

Pack rain cover Recommended

A trash compactor bag inside the pack works just as well for free. A purpose-built cover is faster to deploy when a storm rolls in.

Day pack Required for summit

For summit day, the boys leave the big pack at Dollar Lake and take a smaller pack with food, water, and a jacket. Any school backpack will do.

Sleeping bag (20-40°F rating)

Nights can drop to 35°F at Dollar Lake. A bag rated to 20-40°F is the sweet spot. Synthetic bags are cheaper and survive getting wet. Down bags are lighter and more compressible.

A summer-only bag rated to 50°F is not warm enough.

Sleeping pad

Insulates from the cold ground. A foam pad (Therm-a-Rest Z Lite) is bulletproof and cheap. An inflatable pad is more comfortable but can leak. Either is fine.

Tent or hammock Share

Coordinate with a buddy to share. 2-person backpacking tent for two boys, or solo hammock with a tarp. Make sure you have the rainfly, poles, and stakes. Hammocks need trees.

Small pillow Optional

A stuff sack with clothes works fine. Travel pillows are a nice luxury.

Layering system

Temperatures range 35-70°F. Layers beat one heavy jacket. Base layer (T-shirt or long sleeve), insulation (fleece or puffy), shell (rain jacket or poncho). Most boys already have these.

Hiking pants or zipper pants

Zipper pants that convert to shorts are great. Avoid jeans. Athletic pants work in a pinch.

Rain jacket or poncho

Required. A cheap emergency poncho is fine if a rain jacket is not in the budget.

Insulation layer (fleece or puffy)

Something warm for camp at night and the summit push. Old fleece pullover from the closet works.

Beanie and light gloves

For cold mornings, summit day, and sleeping. Light gloves are useful for snow patches.

Sun hat

Wide brim or ball cap. A buff or bandana is also useful.

Water filter (Sawyer Mini or similar) Share

A Sawyer Mini is around $25 and is the standard for backpacking. Coordinate to share with a buddy if needed.

Water bottles and/or hydration bladder

Carry 2.5 liters minimum. A 2L bladder plus a Nalgene or recycled Gatorade bottle works great.

Backpacking stove + fuel Share

A canister stove like the BRS-3000T or MSR Pocket Rocket plus an 8oz fuel canister boils water in 3-4 minutes. One stove can serve a buddy pair. The ward can sometimes loan a stove if needed.

Cooking pot or metal cup

Mountain House meals only need hot water poured into the pouch. A 600ml titanium cup or a 1L pot works. No frying pan needed.

Utensils

A single long-handled titanium spoon (called a spork) is all you need. Plastic from home works.

Lighter or matches

Mini Bic lighter. Pack two.

Snacks

Boys bring their own trail snacks. Granola bars, jerky, trail mix, sour candy, dried fruit. Avoid anything that melts or crushes.

Lunches (Kings Peak only)

Two no-cook lunches for the trail. Tortillas + peanut butter, jerky + cheese, tuna pouches + crackers. Each lunch should be 600-800 calories.

Headlamp Critical

Required. Summit day starts in the dark. Black Diamond and Petzl make solid budget headlamps. Pack spare batteries.

Sunscreen and chapstick

UV is brutal at 13,000 feet. Stick sunscreen is easier than lotion.

Bug spray (high DEET)

Mosquitoes in the Uintas can be intense. 30%+ DEET works. A mosquito head net ($5) is a luxury that pays off.

Toiletries

Travel toothbrush, small toothpaste, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toilet paper, small trowel. No bathrooms in the backcountry.

Personal first aid kit

Band-aids, blister bandages (moleskin or Leukotape is great), ibuprofen, any personal meds. Leaders carry the main group kit.

Sunglasses

Important on bright snow patches and at altitude.