Ten Essentials: 1. Sleeping bag 2. Pad 3. Tent/shelter 4. Cooking pot 5. Spoon 6. Food 7. Container(s) for water 8. Water 9. Shoes 10. Socks 11. Hat That's the minimum. I would add clothing, but that's usually already there. If I don't know where I'm going, I'd add some sort of navigational aids. Good to go! Diane