In November 2018, I hiked the Jordan Trail (Dana to Petra, had to stop because of flash flods), and again in 2021 (Dana to Wadi Rum, had to stop because of a broken toe); 300 kilometers through pretty rough terrain. Here’s my Jordan Trail solo hike packing list:
Note: Also see my other packing lists from trails like Laugavegur (Iceland), GR20 (Corsica) and Kumano Kodo (Japan).
Close to 300km through the Jordan desert.
In November 2018, I hiked the Jordan Trail in -duh- Jordan – six to eight days and close to 300 kilometers through pretty rough terrain. Here’s my Jordan Trail solo hike packing list:Also see my other packing lists from trails like Laugavegur (Iceland), GR20 (Corsica) and Kumano Kodo (Japan).
Recent tweaks and changes in my Jordan Trail solo hike packing list
I learned a lot from my first attempt to hike the Jordan Trail. When it comes to packing, especially to keep my pack as light as possible. Since my 2018 thru hike attempt of the Jordan Trail and my most recent Kilimanjaro hike, these are the key tweaks/changes I made:
- Double Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork. As the Jordan Trail often has stony hills/rocks, I really wanted to have two super reliable hiking poles. These also give me the flexibility for my tarp (using the hiking poles as tent poles).
Additional considerations for my Jordan Trail solo hike packing list
There are still some things I am doubting about while packing for my Jordan Trail solo hike:
- Tarp or tent: A tarp is seriously lighter than a tent and would be perfect for weather conditions with not too much wind. So, especially after 2018, I am now opting for a tarp set-up.
Jordan Trail solo hike packing list 2020
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Essentials
- Backpack (Gregory Baltoro 65 (M))
- Backpack rain cover (Gregory Baltoro 65 (M))
- Walking sticks (Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork)
- Sea-to-summit eVent Waterproof bag 4x (for compressing my gear – also see my separate post)
- Sea-to-summit trash bag
- Phone numbers (home, local consulate, hotels, hospital)
- List of Arabic words for hiking
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Camping
- Sleeping bag (Thermarest Space Cowboy)
- Tent (MSR Elixir 2)
- Sleeping pad (Thermarest Xtherm)
- Cocoon Silk Sleeping Bag liner
- Paracord
- Duct tape (I started wrapping these around my trekking poles)
- Sharpie
- Sea-to-summit 10L kitchen sink (for washing clothes and myself)
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Clothing
- 3* Underwear (Icebreaker)
- 2* Hiking pants
- 3* Icebreaker Cool-lite shirts
- Buff UV neck protection
- Trek mates Gaiters (against sand in my shoes)
- Rain jacket and lightweight waterproof pants
- Cap (with removable neck protection)
- 1* Swimming trunks (for the small ponds)
- Sun glasses Julbo aero zebra light fire
- IKEA plastic bag as a liner for my pockets
- Footwear
- 4* Walking socks Icebreaker
- Hiking boots
- Vivobarefoot Primus Swimrun SG Mesh as camp shoes and for water crossings
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Electronics
- Mobile Phone (iPhone 8) for pictures, communications and backup GPS.
- Battery pack Xtorm Power bank
- GoPro Hero 6 with stick
- ResQLick Personal Locator Beacon
- Garmin InReach Mini
- Petzl Reactik Headlight
- Watch/route tracker (Garmin 935)
- GPS map Garmin 64s
- Analog compass (if the others dont work)
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Toiletries
- 1* Towel
- Toilet articles for personal use
- Plaster for blisters and medicine for personal use
- 2* Wet toilet paper towels
- Hygiene hand gel
- Sea to summit wilderness wash 40ml
- Sea to summit Wilderness wipes
- Sun screen, after sun, lipbalm
- Insect repellant
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Cooking (read more how I prepare my food on the trail).
- MSR Titan Titanium Cooking Pot
- MSR Pocket Rocket
- MSR fire spark starter
- Gas cannister (bought locally)
- 3l Camelbak pack (long)
- 3l Camelbak pack (wide)
- 2* Camelbak 500ml pouch
- 2* Camelbak Eddy 750ml bottle
- 750ml Thermos Bottle (to boil water in the morning and keep the leftovers)
- MSR Titanium Knife
- Spork
- Pocket knife
- Sawyer water filter
- Hairclip (yes, a hairclip)
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Food (for 6 days) (read more on my favorite food while hiking and my food plan for the Jordan Trail)
- 17* Adventure Food Dinner
- 6* Adventure food mixed vegetables
- 6* Adventure food dessert
- 6* Adventure food energy bar seeds
- 18* Powerbar gel
- 2* Powerbar Gelshots
- 12* Bifi
- Some fresh fruit (bought locally)
- Medicine
- Norrit O.R.S.
- Pain killers
- Extra vitamins
Jordan Trail solo hike packing list 2018
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Essentials
- Backpack (Gregory Baltoro 65 (M))
- Backpack rain cover (Gregory Baltoro 65 (M))
- Walking sticks (Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork)
- Sea-to-summit eVent Waterproof bag 4x (for compressing my gear – also see my separate post)
- Sea-to-summit trash bag
- Phone numbers (home, local consulate, hotels, hospital)
- List of Arabic words for hiking
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Camping
- Sleeping bag (Thermarest Space Cowboy)
- Tent (MSR Elixir 2)
- Sleeping pad (Thermarest Xtherm)
- Cocoon Silk Sleeping Bag liner
- Paracord
- Duct tape (I started wrapping these around my trekking poles)
- Sharpie
- Sea-to-summit 10L kitchen sink (for washing clothes and myself)
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Clothing
- 3* Underwear (Icebreaker)
- 2* Hiking pants
- 3* Icebreaker Cool-lite shirts
- Buff UV neck protection
- Trek mates Gaiters (against sand in my shoes)
- Rain jacket and lightweight waterproof pants
- Cap (with removable neck protection)
- 1* Swimming trunks (for the small ponds)
- Sun glasses Julbo aero zebra light fire
- IKEA plastic bag as a liner for my pockets
- Footwear
- 4* Walking socks Icebreaker
- Hiking boots
- Vivobarefoot Primus Swimrun SG Mesh as camp shoes and for water crossings
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Electronics
- Mobile Phone (iPhone 8) for pictures, communications and backup GPS.
- Battery pack Xtorm Power bank
- GoPro Hero 6 with stick
- ResQLick Personal Locator Beacon
- Garmin InReach Mini
- Petzl Reactik Headlight
- Watch/route tracker (Garmin 935)
- GPS map Garmin 64s
- Analog compass (if the others dont work)
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Toiletries
- 1* Towel
- Toilet articles for personal use
- Plaster for blisters and medicine for personal use
- 2* Wet toilet paper towels
- Hygiene hand gel
- Sea to summit wilderness wash 40ml
- Sea to summit Wilderness wipes
- Sun screen, after sun, lipbalm
- Insect repellant
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Cooking (read more how I prepare my food on the trail).
- MSR Titan Titanium Cooking Pot
- MSR Pocket Rocket
- MSR fire spark starter
- Gas cannister (bought locally)
- 3l Camelbak pack (long)
- 3l Camelbak pack (wide)
- 2* Camelbak 500ml pouch
- 2* Camelbak Eddy 750ml bottle
- 750ml Thermos Bottle (to boil water in the morning and keep the leftovers)
- MSR Titanium Knife
- Spork
- Pocket knife
- Sawyer water filter
- Hairclip (yes, a hairclip)
- Jordan Trail solo hike packing list – Food (for 6 days) (read more on my favorite food while hiking and my food plan for the Jordan Trail)
- 17* Adventure Food Dinner
- 6* Adventure food mixed vegetables
- 6* Adventure food dessert
- 6* Adventure food energy bar seeds
- 18* Powerbar gel
- 2* Powerbar Gelshots
- 12* Bifi
- Some fresh fruit (bought locally)
- Medicine
- Norrit O.R.S.
- Pain killers
- Extra vitamins
Recent tweaks and changes in my Jordan Trail solo hike packing list
Since my last Laugavegur trail hike (and because I could not test on the GR20 trail), these are the key tweaks/changes I made:
- I decided to exchange my Decathlon hiking pole for a double Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork. As the Jordan Trail often has stony hills/rocks, I really wanted to have two super reliable hiking poles. These also give me the flexibility to maybe in the future start exchanging my tent for a tarp (using the hiking poles as tent poles).
- Thermarest Space Cowboy for Thermarest Questar: although the Questar is a 3-season sleeping bag, the nights in Jordan can cool down a lot so it would make more sense to take a lighter, less warm sleeping bag.
- Gregory Baltoro 65 (M) for Gregory Z30 Iron Gray. The Baltoro is bigger than the Z30 and will make sure I can more easily pack my gear and keep my gear dry while hiking.
- Garmin InReach Mini as a way to update my family when there’s no cell phone reception and as an extra device when things go wrong. I need one for 2019’s Arctic Circle Trail solo hike, so decided to invest in it already as that would enable me to use it for the GR20, Jordan Trail and the Arctic Circle Trail.
- Sunglasses. I did not consider to bring decent glasses to my Laugavegur hike, which was stupid with so much snow. Now, high up in the Jordan deserts I will probably be super happy with them.
- Garmin 64s. I decided on having a dedicated GPS map to make sure I wouldn’t run out of iPhone battery too soon on the trail and to avoid getting lost (80% of the trail is without signage).
- I downloaded Gaia GPS on my iPhone to navigate on the trail as a backup .
Additional considerations for my Jordan Trail solo hike packing list
There are still some things I am doubting about while packing for my Jordan Trail solo hike:
- Tarp or tent: A tarp is seriously lighter than a tent and would be perfect for weather conditions with not too much wind.
- Hiking boots or trail runners: the Jordan Trail seems to be fit for either of two footwear directions: either go full stability hiking boots to protect your ankles and keep the sand out or try to be flexible and agile and go for trail runners. For now, I opted to keep the sand and stones out :).
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