North Country Trail Gear Checklist

North Country Trail Gear Checklist

If you are a long-distance climber looking for challenges, you should consider facing the North Country Road. The North Country National Spectacular Trail is 4,600 miles long and stretches across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont. It also includes a 5-mile walk across the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan. This trail is so special that no matter which of those eight states you are in, it can be easily divided into day treks but it is a very challenging, yet long-distance climb that can be done. Such a challenging long journey and must be well prepared. Accordingly, compiling the North Country Trail Gear Checklist is a must-do.

Following is a list of such checks for your convenience.

Of course, if you are not adequately prepared for what lies ahead, this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare. So if you plan your journey correctly, it will be more beautiful. So having a North Country Trail Gear Checklist is a must. We will assist you in setting it up.

GPS Clock

GPS Clock

If you plan to spend your vacation in the North, the Northern Trail Gear Checklist is a must. Meanwhile, the GPS clock is very important. Because there are so many unmarked areas on the North Country Road, it may make you a little anxious. We, therefore, recommend that you always carry a paper map with you on a GPS watch with good battery life. If you’ve ever felt lost, the clock can give you an approximate area that fits into your trail map.

Waterproof climbing shoes

Waterproof climbing shoes

This could be a must-have item on the Northern Trail Gear Checklist. For any mountaineering-camping trip, you obviously need climbing shoes. Fortunately, the North Country route is not too tiring for a trail that requires special boots for a number of high achievements. That being said, you will need waterproof climbing shoes as there are plenty of rivers and streams. 

Also, as there are many water features along the country road, you need solid waterproof climbing shoes that are comfortable and keep your feet dry. However, this is one of the most important things you need to keep in mind. That is, if your feet do not get wet and dry properly, you run the risk of developing a trench foot, which is quite serious. A good pair of waterproof shoes will help prevent your feet from getting wet.

Lightweight tent

Lightweight tent

In addition to the Great Lakes winds in Wisconsin and Michigan, not only can you find winds that can be found in parts of North Dakota and Minnesota, but you will also need a two-person tent to carry you across the North Country Road. 

This should therefore be included in the North country Trail Gear Checklist. The tent is always the heaviest item to carry in your mountaineering suitcase, which is why you should be prepared to spend a little more on a light, high-quality tent that will keep you comfortable at night and make your journey a little easier. 

When shopping for this tent, you need something that has some space, which can become a balancing act, determining how much weight you need to carry and the amount of space you need in your tent. Also, if you are walking with someone else, consider buying a tent that is large enough to accommodate the two of you, assuming that another important piece of equipment you are sharing will be carried by another person, allowing you to essentially share the weight of the road.

Backpacking chairs

Backpacking chairs

The beauty of the North Country Trail is that you can tackle it as a long-distance climb, or you can hit one of the many single loop trails. If you plan to stay in one area for a few extra days, you will be happy to bring a backpack with you. 

So this should be included in your North CountryTrail Gear Checklist. Backpacking chairs are lightweight seats that are flexible and usually attached to the outside of your bag. Yes, it’s an extra burden, when you can find a rock or a rock to sit on, but you’re happy if you have something to sit on after tapping 20 miles a day. When you are riding the 20 mile Manistee River Trail Loop, you will definitely need a chair as the terrain tends to be rough. There are also tons of picnic tables built in various places along the way.

Winter climbing shoes

Winter climbing shoes

We discussed the need for waterproof climbing boots, but if you are traveling north in the winter, you will need a reliable and warm pair of winter climbing boots. In fact, the toughest winter climbers bring with them a pair of light snow boots to make the trip more manageable when the snow starts to accumulate. When you’ve been in northern Michigan, it’s snowing almost every day, which means the snow can be over 4 feet high. Winter climbing boots keep your feet dry and keep them warm.

Rain jacket

Rain jacket

At any time of the year, expect plenty of rain throughout the northern country lanes. You may experience the heaviest rainfall in late spring, but there will always be showers throughout the entire lane system, including heavy thunderstorms. 

Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York can be mild in summer, which means it usually rains heavily. In addition to a raincoat for yourself, you will need a raincoat for your climbing bag to ensure that all your gear is dry. Rain jackets also help to cut the wind on windy days.

Wipes the body

Wipes the body

There are public camps along the North Country Trail, most of which are remote locations. That means there is no rain for those long journeys. If you walk in a humid summer, you will sweat a lot and start to smell. 

One way to combat this is to wipe the body clean. They are light and compact, and they can change the world. Body wiping is your bath on the go. Most of them can be stretched to a fairly large wet wipe that has enough fluid to wash your whole body. 

It is important to use a cleanser regularly, not only to prevent odors but also to flush out unwanted bacteria from your body. You never know what might get in the way of a small wound. It is best to stay clean and fresh. Therefore, this too should be included in the North Country Trail Gear Checklist.

Get the Best Body Wipes for Camping Now!

Water filter

Water filter

Especially in the Wisconsin and northern Michigan areas where water sources are plentiful, it is important to stay hydrated along the North Country Corridor, where there is no guarantee of a clean source from a public campground. First, identify the source of clean water along the way.

Also, ask other climbers along the way. If you are not sure if a water source is clean, you should proceed with caution to avoid getting sick. 

The CDC recommends all water treatments to prevent waterborne diseases. The pump filter can do the job normally. IT is designed to remove dangerous pathogens from water by pumping them through a filter. They may be light but quite large. You must also be interested in cleaning them in order for them to function effectively. 

There are also chemotherapy solutions. Although expensive, you can easily fill a bottle with water a day, add the required amount of iodine tablets, and then wait 20 minutes for the germs to be destroyed by the chemical.        

Flashlight

Flashlight

Outside of a few areas, the North Country route is extremely remote, which means very little light pollution. You will need a reliable flashlight that will last you a long time without the need for tons of batteries. 

A flashlight is important not only to help you see at night and in the morning but also for security reasons if you find yourself in an emergency. There are some areas on the North Country Road where you can not see the markings for more than 100 miles. 

You must travel in exactly the same direction and expect to see signs of trees from other climbers along the way to ensure you are on the right track. When you are stranded or in need of rescue, you will need multiple modes of a flashlight, including Strobe or Flickr mode, which will make it easier for rescue crews to find you.

Warm sleeping bag and sleeping pads

Warm sleeping bag and sleeping pads

If you’re camping backpacked mainly in the summer, you won’t need the warmest sleeping bags, but in the spring, fall, and of course winter, the weather across the North can be completely unpredictable. 

As you can imagine, you will need an extremely high-grade warm sleeping bag, especially for winter camp excursions in the upper peninsula of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. How many hot bags do you need? You will need a temperature rating of -20 degrees to be safe for winter camping. 

Anything around the winter mark should be good in the spring and fall. A sleeping pad also plays with the warmth of your sleeping bag. The floor can be cold, so placing an insulating layer between your sleeping bag and the floor can make a big difference. Of course, sleeping pads add more weight to your package, but comfort will be appreciated.

Read More: 

Scroll to Top