Checklist for hikers (courtesy of Anvie Ventures)

I asked Anvie Ventures, a reservations provider for hiking and camping destinations, for some advice on what to pack for multiday trails.

General

Receipt/permit and route map 

Sleeping bag, waterproof cover & pillow

 Torch & new batteries

 Firelighter & matches

Water bottles (discard safely)

Pocket knives

Plate, mug & utensils (including pot/s)

Gas stove, firelighters

Tin opener (only if you have tinned food). 

 Dishcloth

 Plastic for rubbish 

Nylon string/wire

Pen & paper

Dishwashing liquid (bio–degradable)

Cell phone (but don't rely on getting a signal)

 

Food/Drinks

Salt, sugar, powdered milk, coffee, tea bags, coffee creamer

Breakfast cereal (Oats o easy is ideal), rusks

Cheese wedges, salami

Instant soup (Winter)

Dehydrated vegetables, instant potatoes (smash), toppers

Tinned fish, meat, sausages, dehydrated meat stew

Biltong, dried sausage, dried fruits

Nuts and raisins, glucose sweets, chocolates, energy bars

Powdered cool drinks

 Fresh fruit

Water purifying tablets (if necessary) 

  Bread and meat can be taken for the first day (toasted bread lasts longer)

Optional: sunglasses, camera, compass, whistle, binoculars, national tree list

 

Clothing

  Walking/hiking boots (extra laces)

  Thick wool and cotton socks

  Long and short trousers

  Tracksuit (optional)

  Underwear, sunhat

  Jersey or windbreaker

  Bathing suit (depending on weather and trail)

  Rain gear, gloves, tissues (a rainproof jacket & trousers or a poncho with a hood)

 

Toiletries & Medicines

  Soap, toothbrush

  Shampoo & shaving equipment

Toilet paper (1 toilet spade per group)

Small towel, face cloth

 Sunscreen, crepe bandages

 Basic first aid kit (include eye drops and pain tablets)

  Preparation for sore muscles (e.g., Fastum gel, Voltaren gel)

  Salt tablets (fruit salts)

  Antiseptic cream for blisters

  Methylated spirit or surgical spirit for blisters

  Needle, thread, safety-pins

  Insect repellent

 

Hints

 Keep all clothing and food in plastic bags to protect them from rain.

The weight of the backpack should not exceed 1/3 of the weight of the hiker.

 The best backpacks will have padded shoulder straps and a belt to distribute the weight evenly on your hips

  Vacuum packed meat lasts about 2 days

Take enough water bottles, especially in summer. Fill them before leaving a water point

Never forget humour and an open mind