Years ago I was a happy UL (ultralight) hiker. I carried very little, I would do 4-day trips with a large daypack on. I was also on a high from the “there I was” tales. I once got into an argument on a trail about misery and hiking with a hiking partner, where I snarkily said that the pain and misery only made the tales that much better.
Needless to say…as I got older I decided comfort was worth a bit more weight. I also took it a bit more seriously that being in better shape was better than sucking it up. More muscle strength means I can carry more. And if that means I carry 3 ways to make fires, and 3 ways to drink water, more the better.
I got my daypack out and shook it out the other day – to see what needed to be replaced, updated and even seeing if I needed to add in. Now then…I don’t always carry all of it. If it is a close in local hike on the island I tend to part out a bit of it. But in the wilderness? Always all of it. And longer hikes usually get extra clothing added in as well, along with more food.
What I am carrying currently:
- Deuter Trail 28 SL (woman’s fit)
- LifeStraw (emergency use only)
- Ultra-Sil Outhouse Toilet paper holder (Kirk found it in Australia and brought it back to me) (I like my TP. End of story.)
- OR med kit bag (that is a whole post right there)
- Sam Splint
- Unscented baby wipes, travel pack (not shown) (Clean hands keep people from getting sick if you cook for them!)
- Headlamp (check batteries every 3 months, look inside to ensure no leaking)
- Pepper spray (kept in hip pocket)
- Knife (kept in hip pocket)
- Sit pad
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants (15 year old REI ones)
- Waterproof bag for mobile phone/wallet
- Pack towel (upper, light blue)
- Cooking pot
- Gas canister
- Gas canister support
- Snow Peak Stove
- Lighter (BIC brand)
- UL measuring cup
- Bamboo utensil set
- Tiny pack towel for kitchen
- UL cutting board/prep station
- Snack size bag with paper towels folded up
- Fire starters, 2 types
- Waterproof matches
- Hand sanitizer, mini bottle (for fire starting)
- Metal fire starter
- UL blanket to sit on (with children this became important – it allows a clean place to sit on and take shoes off to cool off feet.)
- Emergency blanket (not shown)
- Hand warmers (not shown)
- Hat, fleece
- Gloves (not shown)
- BeFree water filter bottle
- Snacks (changes by the trip)
- Food (for longer trips, depends on where are going/what I am reviewing or developing)
- Emergency snacks (often honey packets)
- Bag of plastic bags (for garbage or keeping things dry, not shown)
- Water bottles (2) (not shown)
- Prescription sunglasses (not shown)
- Sunhat (not shown)
Two things I do not carry:
Commercial bug spray as I react in hives to it. Commercial sunblock unless at high altitude or on snow. Most brands I get hives from. I only use it if I must, and then cover most of my body with clothing instead.
~Sarah