Skip to content
Mount LeConte Shelter permit

Mt LeConte Shelter Gear Checklist

What to carry on Mt LeConte Shelter, and why. 9 more are worth the pack space.

9Total Items
9To bring

What to bring on Mt LeConte Shelter

Specific to this permit, not a generic camping list.

  • Bring

    A sleeping bag rated for a 6,500-foot ridge in the southern Appalachians

    it is much colder up there than in Gatlinburg

  • Bring

    Rain gear. Mount Le Conte is one of the wettest places in the eastern United States

  • Bring

    A stove

  • Bring

    Water treatment

  • Bring

    A stuff sack you can hang on a bear cable

  • Bring

    Traction devices from late autumn through spring; rime ice forms on the summit regularly

  • Bring

    Earplugs

    it is a shared shelter

  • Bring

    Trekking poles for the Alum Cave descent

  • Bring

    A dry bag for anything that must stay dry

8 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.

Build a shared list

General backcountry gear

Kit we recommend for backcountry trips in general. This is not a checklist specific to Mt LeConte Shelter — the Great Smoky Mountains National Park rules for this permit are above.

🎒
Recommended
Wild Ideas

Bearikade Weekender

Ultralight carbon fiber bear canister. IGBC certified.

1 lb 15 ozultralightcarbon-fiber
$325
🎒
Recommended
Katadyn

BeFree 1L

Ultralight collapsible filter system.

2 ozultralightfast-flow
$44.95
🎒
Recommended
BearVault

BV500 Bear Vault

The most popular bear canister for Sierra backpacking. Fits 7 days of food.

2 lbs 9 oz7-day capacityapproved
$89.95
🎒
Recommended
Black Diamond

Distance Carbon Z

Lightweight folding carbon poles.

1 lb 1 ozcarbonfolding
$169.95
🎒
Recommended
Sawyer

Sawyer Squeeze

The most popular water filter for backpacking.

3 ozpopularreliable
$37.95

Gear Tips for Mt LeConte Shelter

💡 Pro Tips

  • •Weigh your pack before you go. A lighter pack makes for a happier hike.
  • •Rent expensive gear if you are trying a new activity for the first time.
  • •Test all new gear at home before hitting the trail.
  • •Check current regulations as some items may be required seasonally.

Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase gear through these links, PermitSnag earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in. This helps us keep the lights on and continue building tools to help you get into the backcountry.