Andrew Skurka surely has one of the world’s best jobs: He’s essentially a professional backpacker. Or adventurer, maybe. When he’s not writing books on backpacking essentials, he leads guided trips, teaching newcomers and hardy veterans alike the intricacies of backcountry travel and off trail navigation. Skurka is well-known for bagging some truly incredible solo expeditions, like the nearly 7,000-mile-long Great Western Loop. National Geographic even named him their Explorer of the Year in 2007 for his adventuring exploits.

So who better to show you what to bring on a backpacking mission? Nobody, that’s who. Skurka is about as expert as it gets when it comes to fast, light, thoughtful packing for a backcountry trip. I asked him for a virtual peek into his bag for a typical late summer alpine trip in the Mountain West. Wanna pack like a pro? Wanna know what brands the world’s best backpacker trusts? Here you go.

Note: Skurka sent me seven separate lists, all spreadsheets, some of which were many pages long. Because of that, I’ve included only the “Critical” and “Suggested” entries in his gear list, though he also included “optional” and “unnecessary” as well. Also should be noted that he works closely with Sierra Designs, so their gear shows up a bunch.

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Backpack — Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60L

Stuffsacks — Granite Gear Tough Sacks

Tent — Sierra Designs High Route Tent (can use just the fly to save weight)

Guylines — 30 feet of 2mm cord

Stakes — 8 V-stakes

Sleeping Quilt — Sierra Designs Backcountry Quilt

Sleeping Pad — Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

Stove — Zelph Starlyte

Fuel — denatured alcohol in used plastic drink bottle

Pot — Evernew Titanium UL 900 ml

Spoon — GSI Outdoors Pouch Spoon

Trekking Poles — Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork

Water bottles — Platypus Softbottle

Water treatment — Aquamira drops

GPS – Smartphone with Gaia app

Satellite Messenger — SPOT Gen3

Firestarter — Bic lighter

Bug repellent — Sawyer Picaridin

Sunscreen — Sawyer Stay-put SPF 50

Toothpaste/soap — Dr. Bronner’s

Toilet paper

Watch – Suunto Ambit Peak GPS

Headlamp — Black Diamond Spot

Knife — Victorinox Classic

Sunglasses — Julbo Dirt

Long-sleeve shirt — Sierra Designs Pack Polo

Insulated jacket — Western Mountaineering Hooded Flash

Fleece top — Patagonia R1 Pullover

Pants — Railriders Eco-Mesh Pant

Rain shell — Outdoor Research Helium II

Gaiters — Simblissity Levagaiter

Insulated headwear — Buff wool Buff

Shoes — Salewa Ultra Train

Socks — DeFeet Wooleator

First Aid Kit

And here’s a bonus video of Skurka demonstrating the best, most efficient way to stuff a backpack:

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