5-gallon buckets with lids (about 18–20 L capacity).

Every Trekker will need to bring a 5-gallon bucket with a padded lid:

Purpose on Trek:

1. Pack your personal gear: Each trekker’s belongings (clothing, toiletries, scriptures, socks, etc.) are packed inside the bucket to fit within weight limits for the handcart.
2. Seat: The bucket doubles as a seat while resting, eating, or at camp (often with a cushion placed on top).
3. Waterproofing: With a lid, the bucket helps keep gear dry if weather turns wet.
4. We will be decorating your buckets so they are easy to identify.  (they are your buckets!)
5. The bucket must stay within the trek’s weight guidelines (commonly ~17 lbs for just the bucket’s contents on many treks).
6. How to make a seat cushion for your 5 gallon bucket - Example 1
7. How to make a seat cushion for your 5 gallon bucket- Example 2

Things to Pack in your 5-gallon bucket

Your buckets will be transported with you during Trek on the handcarts.

1. Sunscreen (45+ SPF recommended, small container)
2. Bug Repellent (small container)
3. Lip Protectant (chap-stick with SPF)
4. Sunglasses (Optional)
5. Feminine Hygiene Items
6. Picture / Story of Ancestor (Optional)
   
7. Recommended clothing for youth and items found later in the detailed packing list
8. Glasses if you need them. Glasses are preferred over contact lens because of dust.
   
9. Personal toiletries (small travel-sized items)
   
10. Toothbrush and small travel size toothpaste
    
11. 1 small package of wet wipes
    
12. Chafing prevention (Anti Monkey Butt, Gold Bond, A&D, Zeasorb, baby powder, etc.)
    
13. Journal
    
14. Pen or pencils
    
15. Paperback Book of Mormon
    
16. Small flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries
    
17. Personal Medications
    

Everyone will wear pioneer-style clothing for the entire Trek for protection from the elements and to have the spirit of the pioneers. Wear one set of pioneer clothing on the morning of Trek and have an extra set of pioneer clothing packed in your Gear Bag.

Other Items To Bring

1. WARM sleeping bag (20 degree rated or two non-20 degree sleeping bags / liners) Pillow
2. Thin lightweight sleeping pad for potentially cold nights (thick foam pads will be too large to pack
3. Rain poncho or rain jacket (small, lightweight style). This will be collected by your Ma & Pa before gear drop-off and placed in the family bag on the hardcart.

These items will be packed into a separate in the family bag on the hardcart. The Family Bag will be loaded onto your handcart for easy access on the trail.

Clothing for Young Women / Women

1. 2 ankle-length dresses with long sleeves or 2 ankle-length skirts (full enough to comfortably walk).
   
2. If wearing skirts, you will need 2 long sleeved blouses. No logoed clothing, or sheer fabrics are allowed on Trek.
3. 2 Pantaloons (leggings, scrubs, or PJ pants are fine) ankle length to be worn under the skirt to help prevent bug bites and minimize dirt.
4. 1 sun bonnet or wide brimmed straw hats with tie on chin strap for securing to head
   
5. 1 or 2 aprons with recommended pockets
   

Clothing for Young Men / Men

1. 2 pair of long loose-fitting cotton pants. No jeans or shorts of any length are allowed on Trek.
   
2. 2 Long sleeved loose fitting button-up shirts. Light colors will be cooler. No logoed clothing are allowed on Trek.
3. Suspenders or belt
4. 1 wide-brimmed hat with tie on chin strap for securing to head. No baseball caps are allowed.

DO NOT BRING!

1. Electronic devices of any kind (mobile phones, Smartwatches, iPods, MP3 players, etc.)
   
2. Baseball caps, shorts, or jeans
3. Hair dryers, curling irons, or curlers
4. Canned or bottled drinks, candy, or sweets (these items will all be provided)
5. Footballs, frisbees, etc. (games for downtime will be provided)
6. Jewelry (one pair of small stud earrings for women only)
7. Lighters, matches, fireworks
8. Pocketknives or other knives

Additional Tips

There are a number of inexpensive places or ways to obtain or make clothing or equipment:

1. Borrow clothing or equipment others have used on previous Treks
   
2. Use the clothing patterns and tips on highlandwesttrek.com
3. Sew your own clothing or make it a Mutual project
4. Buy older clothes at Deseret Industries or Goodwill stores