Packing List: Backcountry Camping in the Grand Tetons

If I’m being fully honest, I was nervous before this adventure.  Sure, I backpacked Europe and yes, I’d gone hiking and camping before. However, I’d never gone backcountry hiking and camping. I’d never experienced hiking 9+ miles four days in a row while carrying everything I needed in on my back in the middle of the wilderness.

I spent this past Labor Day weekend backcountry camping in the Grand Tetons with a three of my friends (Will, Emma, and Lisha).  For those who don’t know the Grand Tetons is a national park in Northwestern Wyoming and honestly one of the most beautiful places on earth.  It’s a great place to reconnect with nature and a place I highly recommend spending some time at some point in your life.

When I backpacked Europe I was forced to carry most of my possessions in one single backpack, however I didn’t have to worry about food or water.  I didn’t have the stress of planning out my meals ahead of time or wondering where I was going to find water to drink.

The previous hikes I’d been on were all day hikes.  I’d set off with my cute little 20L day pack filled with snacks, a water bottle, GoPro, drone, Nebraska flag and be home before the sun went down.  I didn’t worry about what kind of shape I was in and if the weight of my pack would wear me down over the course of the trip.

My previous camping experience was car camping.  Which looking back seems like cheating. Fun fact, I can stuff a lot more shit in a car than I can a 65L backpack.   I didn’t worry about forgetting anything.  I was never conflicted about how much whiskey to bring because there was always more room in the trunk (I left the whiskey at home for this trip and yes that made me die a little on the inside).

Yes, backcountry camping was going to be a whole new type of challenge- which conveniently are my favorite kind.

If you want to go backcountry camping in the Grand Tetons (or any national park in the United States) there are a few things to consider.  The first thing is getting a park permit that allows you to overnight camp in the designated camping zones (thanks Nicole).

The second is what type of physical shape are you in?  It’s one thing to be able to walk around the block it’s quite another to walk 9 miles up and down peaks for multiple days in a row carrying 50 pounds of gear on your back.

The third thing that caused me a the most anxiety was what the hell to pack.  Try as I might not to be, I’ve always been an overthinker.  Questions and ‘what if’ scenarios kept running through my mind in the days leading up to the trip.  Will I have room for everything I need? What if it rains?  What if I get hurt? On and on the questions flooded my mind.

When you’re in the middle of the Grand Tetons there isn’t a Trader Joe’s you can run to if you’re out of food.   There isn’t a hospital to go to if you walk through a glass door.  You really have to plan ahead with what you wear, what you’re going to eat, how you’ll take care of your feet, what you’ll drink, and how to pack your bag not only so it fits but so you can comfortably carry everything.

Lucky for me I have friends who’ve done this before and helped me understand what to pack, how much, and why.  Even with their help I overpacked (mostly food and clothes).  Before we left the hostel to begin the hike I had Lisha help me sort through what I needed to bring and what should be left behind in the car.

To save you the worry I’ve compiled a list of what actually made it out on the trail with me in the hopes it can help you the next time you go backcountry camping.

Quick Disclaimer:

As a fairly in shape and big guy (6’ 4’ 200 pounds), I have the luxury of being able to carry more weight than other people.  This allows for me to bring a few extra items that may not be a necessity but more of a luxury (hammock, camping blanket, etc).  There were numerous times when Will, Emma, or Lisha would try to pick up my pack and comment that it was a lot heavier than theirs. Sometimes (not on public transport is SE Asia) it pays to be big. In the four days we were hiking I can honestly say I felt little discomfort from my bag being “too heavy.”