The two approaches for gearing up for trekking the Israeli National Trail:
Backpacking Light
Backpacking without attention
to weight
By doing the second, of course, you are not ignoring the whole weight issue overall, you are just less conscious in choosing what gear you will be taking.
I.E. sandals are much heavier than regular flip-flops or crocs.
There is much debate over which method is better and what to take and we are not going to enter that here. Here we are only giving the guidelines to what equipment is necessary for the hike. You are free to take whatever you please and make up an equipment list that best suits your hiking style.
So without further a due, the gear list: Author: Tomer Ben Rachel
Mandatory Gear
Pack- Your most important piece of backpacking gear would be your pack. This will be your home for your Israel hike and will need to be comfortable to walk with. Packs of backpackers differ by the back system they have and by the volume of weight. When hiking the INT, it is best to take a pack that is about 65 liters. With less you cannot manage, and you certainly don't need any more.
Shoes- Hiking boots would be your best choice here and since there is very little to no stream crossing you don't need ones that are waterproof. Make sure to pick ones you are comfortable with and to walk in them before you start your hike to break out the shoe.
Sleeping Bag- Get a normal sleeping bag, one which will keep you warm at about 5 degrees Celsius.
Tent- Only take one if you are hiking during the winter and choose one which will be light and easy to assemble.
Mosquito Net- If you are not taking a tent, it provides a good combination with the sleeping bag.
Cooking Stove- Any ordinary one will due, just don't forget to bring replaceable gas tanks. You can purchase gas tanks in official gas vendors.
Sowing Equipment- Pretty much a needle and a thread. Just to make sure that if anything rips while you're in the desert, you can fix it.
First Aid Kit- Just the basic equipment will due.
Sunscreen & Sunglasses
DEET
Personal Hygiene- a soap bar, deodorant, tooth brush and tooth paste. You can also take a small bottle of shampoo and ear cleaners if you like.
Leatherman/Swiss Army Knife- No need to explain here. Just make sure to bring something extra that has a spoon/fork combination as well.
Water Bag- If you don't like carrying water bottles, a water bag can be an easy solution to carrying water. They come in different sizes from 2 liters to 3 to even 5. 5 will pretty much set you for most of the INT, except for the desert when you will need to carry extra water.
Towel- No need to bring one the size you shower with, but don't take one from the kitchen as well.
Toilet Paper- 2 rolls will last you for almost two weeks. Just make sure to take out the inside so you can squish it to take less space.
Lighter/Matches- Don't exaggerate and bring 10 boxes of matches and 5 lighters. 2 lighters and a box of matches will keep you going for a long time.
Spices- Salt, Pepper and anything else you like. The best way to carry them is in those old camera film cases.
Clothing- Best to take shirts which are made out of "breathing" materials and have long sleeves. The best pants to take are ones that pull apart to shorter ones. If you are traveling in the winter, you need to obviously bring warmer clothing. So a raincoat and a fleece jacket are a must.
Sleeping Mat
Flashlight- Any ordinary one will suffice, but you can opt for a head lamp.
Optional Gear
This list features gear you don't have to take with you, but might want to anyway:
Coffee/Tea Kit- There's nothing like waking up to the sunrise and enjoying a good cup of java.
Pocket Camera- Can either be operated by normal AA's or by a specific battery kind. Just don't forget the charger.
Journal
Mp3 Player
Books- 1 or 2 will do. No need to add more weight to the pack.
Walking Pole- Very useful and can give you that extra power whether you're climbing up a mountain or going down a hill. No need to go crazy here if you're just planning to only hike the INT so you can buy one for pennies.
Shoes- Hiking boots would be your best choice here and since there is very little to no stream crossing you don't need ones that are waterproof. Make sure to pick ones you are comfortable with and to walk in them before you start your hike to break out the shoe.
This list features gear you don't have to take with you, but might want to anyway:
