BackpackingLight

As its name suggests, BackpackingLight takes lightweight backpacking seriously.  Much of the site requires a paid subscription to view, but their gear list and tools section is free and awesomely thorough.  This winter backpacking checklist is specific, easy-to-read and print.

Section-Hiker

The blog’s author used this list when preparing for a winter trek up Mount Washington in NH. Many of the recommended gear links lead to his own reviews of said gear, making this list doubly useful.

Backpacker

The Backpacker editors put their hiker-heads together for this comprehensive list. Be sure to read the comments section for even more great winter gear advice.

What items would you add or subtract? Suggestions welcome!

Ted over at the Daily Dirt reports on the CarboPouch, which boast such features as, well, BEING ABLE TO TRANSPORT BEER INTO THE WOODS!  Yah, I know…sweet.  A company appropriately named Beverage Pouch Group manufactures this wonderful product at, among other places, Germany.  Vince the ShamWow guy isn’t kidding when he says, “the Germans always make good stuff.”  Cheers, hikers!

The latest offering from CamelBak (due out Fall ’09) looks and feels exactly like what you’d think a 72 ounce reservoir packed inside a tight mesh vest would look and feel like.  At least according to Stephen over at GearJunkie:

There are thousands of gear lists out there detailing what to bring when hiking or backpacking, but you have to really dig to find the stuff that may not seem obvious but nonetheless make a HUGE difference between a fun trip and an absolute drag.  Here are a few items I pack on every trip that fit that catergory.

What should I bring?

It’s pretty web 1.0-looking, but a powerful tool nonetheless.  Whether you’re a beginner or experienced world traveler, the Universal Packing list will tell you exactly what to take.   Input your travel dates, the expected temperature, your gender, your mode of transportation and a urine sample*, and you’ll receive a listing of pre-trip to-do items as well as your packing list and reasons why you should take what they tell you to take.

*Just kidding about the urine sample

Universal Packing List