This packing list is for people backpacking (and camping) the O Circuit during the summer months.
Clothes on top:
Rain coat/ wind breaker
Fleece/warm layer or lightweight (down) coat
2 sports bras
1 tank top
1-2 quick dry t-shirt
1 long sleeve pullover
Waterproof gloves
Winter hat & sun hat
Buff (something to cover mouth, ears & neck)
Clothes on bottom:
Long underwear
Hiking pants or leggings (depends on preference but I liked wearing shorts with hiking pants on top to shed layers easily as the day warms up)
Rain pants (or waterproof hiking pants)
3-4 quick dry breathable underwear
1 pair of shorts
Feet:
Hiking boots
Flip flops or crocs (for wearing in the evenings)
2-3 pairs of hiking socks
Sock liners and/or recovery socks
Gear:
Backpack & waterproof cover
Sleeping bag & sleeping bag liner
Sleeping pad
2 garbage bags
Used to line the inside of your backpack (literally put all your stuff inside a garbage bag)
Hiking poles
They may seem unnecessary but trust me, your knees will thank you.
Camping soap (that can be used on bodies, clothes, and dishes)
Lightweight backpacking tent
Miscellaneous:
Sunglasses
Journal
Headlamp & extra batteries
USB charger (AKA extra battery pack) & cell phone/camera chargers
Cell phone & camera
Waterproof packing bags or packing cubes
Travel towel
Ear plugs/ eye mask (the sun doesn’t set until after 10:30pm in the summer)
Deck of cards
Great way to stay entertained in the evening. Invite other campers to join & meet new people.
Travel packets of Kleenex for your nose and for toilet paper (most campsites have bathrooms but often no toilet paper)
Ziploc bags for keeping things dry and for trash bags (empty at campsites)
Documents:
Passport
Cash (Chilean Pesos)
Accommodation confirmations and booking numbers
Printed map of Torres del Paine (another will be given to you upon entrance into the park)
Food/Drink:
Water bottle & water bladder
Note: you do not need water purifiers
Jet boil & fuel for cooking
Breakfast: 6 oatmeal packets (you'll be hungry enough for 2 packets a day, consider bringing 12)
Lunch/Snacks: Nuts, dried fruit, bars (with protein), jerky, peanut butter
Dinner: 5 backpacking meals/freeze dried food (we ate at a restaurant for the 6th meal)
Treats: 4+ candy bars (Snickers are the most filling)
Trust me, you’ll want something sweet after hiking all day. They’re 3x more expensive to buy inside the park.
Drink: Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and some type of water flavoring packets.
First Aid:
First aid kid
Moleskin & duct tape for blisters
Emergen-C
Sun hat & sunscreen
There is a gap in the ozone layer over the park so the sun is extra strong. I recommend a mini bottle so you can keep it in a handy spot for quick application
Tip: Don’t forget your hands & wear it even when it’s cloudy!
Duct tape & rope for temporary tent fixes
Tip: Duct tape is great for wrapping feet and preventing blisters.
Bug spray (We used OFF & it didn’t seem to help. Try a different brand)
Get Ciprofloxacin HCL medicine prescribed by your doctor before leaving in case anyone gets aggressive diarrhea.