What is in your backpack???

Sorry pal, I was working all day yesterday so this is the quickest I could think about it and reply. I always carry bear spray, a knife, water sometimes, a phone, Kleenex/paper towel and I usually walk with a long stick that has a spear on the end. This last item is because there are a lot of dogs that run loose out here in the country and also we have cougar and I like late PM hikes. If I am all by myself, I pack a PBK 380 concealed which basically is James Bond's gun. Mostly I take this for my own safety and it is, unfortunately, not for bears. Jane In Montanan

I'm a member of the Mountaineers and they agree with the Boy Scouts in that we should always be prepared for a worst-case scenario. Even on a short day hike, you could slide into a ravine, break a leg, and need some emergency supplies (as just one extreme worst case scenario).

So I never go on even a short day hike without The 10 Essentials:
Navigation (map & compass)
Sun protection (sunglasses & sunscreen)
Insulation (extra clothing)
Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
First-aid supplies
Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candle)
Repair kit and tools
Nutrition (extra food)
Hydration (extra water)
Emergency shelter (tent/plastic tube tent/garbage bag)

How much of this I carry depends on general weather, weather trends during that time of year, where I'm hiking (busy trails with lots of people vs. going where I'm unlikely to see somebody else), etc.

The minimum I carry for a short day hike is:
* my combination whistle/compass/flint container that also stores waterproof/windproof matches. It also has a small signal mirror inside the cap to attract rescue teams. Pretty small so not sure how well it would actually work but it's there. And a small sandwich baggie with a few fire-starters. I only carry a map if really going into the back-country so it would be rare to need that on a day-hike. (navigation and fire)
* of course one should always carry a water bottle. Mine has a filtration system so, in a worst case scenario, I can refill it out of a gunky stream. I also carry a few iodine tablets in a teensy plastic bag and a few NUUNs. (hydration)
* a stick that is a combo sunscreen/lip balm. Not much bigger than a chap stick. I only carry sunglasses if I'm going up onto snowfields as, in my area, intense sun is usually not a problem and I'm usually hiking in areas that are dense forest. (sun protection)
* small first aid kit, fits in a sandwich baggie (1st aid)
* teensy flashlight with a couple extra AAA batteries (illumination)
* small Swiss-army style knife with a couple, super-small container of dental floss, a few feet of duct tape rolled up (repairs)
* small space blanket and plastic poncho (shelter)
* some combination of a few of these: protein bar, granola bar, NUUN, Gu, nuts, Snickers, packet of Emergen-Cee (nutrition). Amount depends on length of day hike and how isolated the area is.
* Insulation really varies. Is it a warm day in August and I'm not going high altitude and in an isolated area, then I typically don't carry anything extra and just hope that, in an emergency bivouac, that my space blanket and poncho will suffice. Depending on various factors, I might add some UnderArmour Coldgear, a water-resistant windbreaker, hat/gloves, a thin but warm Merino wool cardigan, wear my shorts with zip-on pant legs and pack the legs, whatever.

Everything fits in a small lumbar-pack and, except for the bottle of water, weighs just a couple of pounds. Of course, the insulation can vary and, if it's winter or I'm going into a more isolated area or whatever, might require that I move everything into a small daypack because of volume. However, the weight stays quite low because I've been careful to purchase light-weight items that pack fairly small to do the job. Never more than about 10-12# including weight of water of pack. But can be as low as 3-4# if just carrying the minimum.

Of course, if planning on something more technical, might need to pack some climbing rope, caribiners, etc., but I didn't think you were asking about that type of stuff, LOL.

ETA: fully-charged cellphone in a plastic baggie in case I get caught in a downpour. Typically turned off to preserve battery just in case I'm injured and need it to function for several days while searching for a signal.

Obviously, if you're talking multi-day backpacking trips, the weight and volume go up. If you're interested in keeping weight down, search out some of the ultra-light websites for tips. I am for as ultra-light as possible while still maintaining come creature comforts. I'm not an extremist like some but I've embraced the concept as much as I believe is practical.

On a casual day hike I have a 2Ls of water in my hydration back, then a jacket, whistle, protein bar and maybe some frozen grapes and chapstick and poop bags for the dog.

It really depends on how far I'm hiking though and who I am going with. If I am going solo I tend to take more just in case, if it is a casual trail with friends I pack a lot lighter.

The answer is: it depends. On where I am going, what the weather is, and what goal I am trying to accomplish. If I'm walking to Starbucks, I probably have my computer, the power supply and an assortment of electronics and/or cables packed in a ziplock bag. If not, the computer and teh peripherals stay home.

I have my head lamp and tail lamp for evening.nighttime walks, an MP3 player. I always pack my camera, an extra set of batteries, and a compact set of binoculars. I also carry a rainfly/packfly that stores in its own mini-stuff sack. My cell phone is usually on my hip, but I carry a small battery pack and a lightweight solar charger.

At least one carabiner and one stainless steel bottle of water (if I was backpacking I'd go to a lighter weight bottle). If I'm going to be gone for several hours, there will be two bottles of water. Usually a couple of granola bars as snacks. The pack may contain an extra layer of clothing that I have because I might need to put it on if things are too coll, or the ones I stripped off because I got too warm.

Without the computer, it is usually less than 10 pounds. With the computer it is closer to 20.

I often hike to the store to get groceries. The computer (usually) stays home, but it is not unusual for me to return with the pack weighing between 30-35 pounds. I have a very large pack that I've loaded with groceries before that returned home at closer to 55 pounds (pack empty weight about 6 pounds).

I often use trekking poles on these trips with the greater weight. It is easier on the legs and back and helps get other muscles involved in the movement.

I'm a member of the Mountaineers and they agree with the Boy Scouts in that we should always be prepared for a worst-case scenario. Even on a short day hike, you could slide into a ravine, break a leg, and need some emergency supplies (as just one extreme worst case scenario).

So I never go on even a short day hike without The 10 Essentials:
Navigation (map & compass)
Sun protection (sunglasses & sunscreen)
Insulation (extra clothing)
Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
First-aid supplies
Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candle)
Repair kit and tools
Nutrition (extra food)
Hydration (extra water)
Emergency shelter (tent/plastic tube tent/garbage bag)

How much of this I carry depends on general weather, weather trends during that time of year, where I'm hiking (busy trails with lots of people vs. going where I'm unlikely to see somebody else), etc.

The minimum I carry for a short day hike is:
* my combination whistle/compass/flint container that also stores waterproof/windproof matches. It also has a small signal mirror inside the cap to attract rescue teams. Pretty small so not sure how well it would actually work but it's there. And a small sandwich baggie with a few fire-starters. I only carry a map if really going into the back-country so it would be rare to need that on a day-hike. (navigation and fire)
* of course one should always carry a water bottle. Mine has a filtration system so, in a worst case scenario, I can refill it out of a gunky stream. I also carry a few iodine tablets in a teensy plastic bag and a few NUUNs. (hydration)
* a stick that is a combo sunscreen/lip balm. Not much bigger than a chap stick. I only carry sunglasses if I'm going up onto snowfields as, in my area, intense sun is usually not a problem and I'm usually hiking in areas that are dense forest. (sun protection)
* small first aid kit, fits in a sandwich baggie (1st aid)
* teensy flashlight with a couple extra AAA batteries (illumination)
* small Swiss-army style knife with a couple, super-small container of dental floss, a few feet of duct tape rolled up (repairs)
* small space blanket and plastic poncho (shelter)
* some combination of a few of these: protein bar, granola bar, NUUN, Gu, nuts, Snickers, packet of Emergen-Cee (nutrition). Amount depends on length of day hike and how isolated the area is.
* Insulation really varies. Is it a warm day in August and I'm not going high altitude and in an isolated area, then I typically don't carry anything extra and just hope that, in an emergency bivouac, that my space blanket and poncho will suffice. Depending on various factors, I might add some UnderArmour Coldgear, a water-resistant windbreaker, hat/gloves, a thin but warm Merino wool cardigan, wear my shorts with zip-on pant legs and pack the legs, whatever.

Everything fits in a small lumbar-pack and, except for the bottle of water, weighs just a couple of pounds. Of course, the insulation can vary and, if it's winter or I'm going into a more isolated area or whatever, might require that I move everything into a small daypack because of volume. However, the weight stays quite low because I've been careful to purchase light-weight items that pack fairly small to do the job. Never more than about 10-12# including weight of water of pack. But can be as low as 3-4# if just carrying the minimum.

Of course, if planning on something more technical, might need to pack some climbing rope, caribiners, etc., but I didn't think you were asking about that type of stuff, LOL.

ETA: fully-charged cellphone in a plastic baggie in case I get caught in a downpour. Typically turned off to preserve battery just in case I'm injured and need it to function for several days while searching for a signal.

Obviously, if you're talking multi-day backpacking trips, the weight and volume go up. If you're interested in keeping weight down, search out some of the ultra-light websites for tips. I am for as ultra-light as possible while still maintaining come creature comforts. I'm not an extremist like some but I've embraced the concept as much as I believe is practical.

^ Agree with this post.

I did a lot of backpacking in college, and this is pretty much what I did.

3 days food
water
flash light
spare batteries
FN FNP9mm + 3 mags
4 AR15 30 round mags
Level 4 armor plate
Knife
3 smoke grenades
and a gameboy advance

3 days food
water
flash light
spare batteries
FN FNP9mm + 3 mags
4 AR15 30 round mags
Level 4 armor plate
Knife
3 smoke grenades
and a gameboy advance

I have that pack, too. But I don't use it in the parks around here.

Backpacking for Winter Camping: Gregory Deva 70 Pack

In & Under the lid:
headlamp
handwarmers
nuun tablets
lighter
fire starter
accessory cord
Wet wipes towlettes
biodegradable toilet paper
trowel
tissues


In the front stash pocket:
down gloves to go over liners
snack items, like beef jerky, cheese, granola...
rain shell
CLIF shot bloks
extra beanie or balaclava
lint or newspaper for fire starting

In the main compartments:
0 degree sleeping bag
sleeping bag liner
air mat w/ repair kit
stuff sack pillow filled with extra insulating jackets, vests, socks & baselayers
(my fiancee carries the tent)
cookset with MSR Dragonfly & Mountain House foods
water filter
nalgene
HydroFlask with wine
bear bag w/ cord
MicroSpikes
medical kit
Lite Seat

We also always have:
phone
camera
knives
Joshua Tree lip balm
ax for chopping wood
Black Diamond trekking poles
hydration reservoirs

Yeah, lots of good stuff. I really suggest googling for the 10 essentials and as long as you have those covered, you should be fine. But it does sound like you should definitely take a good topography trail map with you (and know how to use it and your compass correctly) if there are, indeed, hundreds of hiking trails. Especially if they criss-cross a lot. That's the type of situation where folks can more easily get turned around, get lost, and end up having to overnight unexpectedly. Enjoy!

Just want to add, in case anybody pops back in here, is that this is why the 10 essentials are essential. Tragic.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/14/air-force-veteran-and-his-2-sons-die-while-hiking-missouri-trail/

Oh, my God. So tragic.