What's in the Bag?

Okay. So, let’s talk gear. I’m going to start by admitting, I probably bring too much stuff. The struggle to be prepared and not be weighed down by unnecessary stuff is a real one. I’m only doing day hikes, so I really don’t need to worry as much as someone doing some serious backpacking, but there have been many times where I have no reception and see no one else on the trail for several miles. I try to not go crazy, but bring the basics to hopefully keep me going in a scenario where I was lost.

Clothing.

As far as clothing goes, I typically wear layers of tops so I can adjust to the change in temperature, I try to bring a long-sleeves in case of ticks, though I will admit I am not always great at that in the summer. Sunscreen is also a must. I don’t do anything special for pants, I am aware of special pants made for hiking, but so far jeans are my go-to.

Hats are always a really good idea.

Sock and shoes are probably one of the most important articles of clothing to consider. Can hike if I can’t walk and blisters are no joke. That being said, I can’t exactly go blowing a ton of money on shoes.

Last year I found a mid quality boot at a sporting good store on sale, they had a decent tread, they were waterproof but had mesh on the sides. The only downside was they had almost no arch support or cushion, but I yanked out the insoles and bought a better pair and they served me well for an entire season.

This year I got a little impatient and bought a slightly pricier pair of boots in the local surplus store. They still weren’t nearly as expensive as the brands sold at camping stores, but I probably could’ve waited to find them on sale somewhere else. But they are comfortable, have a good aggressive tread, better arch support, and again, the waterproof mesh. The only downside is these guys have eyelet loops instead of rings or hooks. When I worked at a sporting goods store, I saw a lot of them returned because the loops tear. So far, they’ve been okay, but definitely something to keep in mind when shopping around.

Socks are another biggie. A good sock will save you a lot of hurt, and this is where I try not to cheap out too much. I like a light compression hiking sock in the summer, and a thick merino wool sock in the fall/winter. Again, shop sales. I typically grab a couple of pairs when they go on sale for the holidays. The features I like to look out for is a good cushion on the heel and toe, and moisture wicking materials. The few times I’ve gone out with regular crew socks I have noticed a difference in how sore my feet get and blisters.

The Pack

I have two different hydration packs I use. Both have 2L bladders, though I am considering getting a 3L. So far, there have only been two hikes I went on during the summer were 2L wasn’t quite enough. What I’ve been doing lately is leaving a bottle of water in the car so I have something when I get back, but that doesn’t help on the trail. The pack I’ve been favoring lately has an insulated pouch for the bladder, which does a decent job keeping the water cold. Now I’ve heard that its actually better to have “room” temperature water when it’s really hot out to avoid shocking the system. I have not done any research into that, but that cold water was amazing on particularly hot hikes I did like Cannell and Packsaddle.

Hiking sticks are something I have recently discovered, and while occasionally it is inconvenient to have to carry them when I don’t need them, they have more than paid for themselves on trips where the trail was steep, or even when I just wanted the extra stability. Mine are light weight and telescoping. Be careful not to pull them all the way out when adjusting the length, it is a nightmare to get them back together if they come apart. Luckily, most have a making that notes when to stop. It did take a while to figure out what length I wanted them, and that can change from hike to hike, or even sometimes in one hike. And I actually got some slight blisters the first time I used them. Mine actually have some padding around the wrist loops, and I did not expect it to make as much of a difference as it has. The main reason I bought them was actually because I think they would come in handy if I happened to run into a mountain lion (which I hope never happens). I am hoping that I could raise them above my head or swing them around and convince it I am not worth the effort.

I also carry bear spray-- which I also hope I never have to use. It’s kind of an awkward canister, it comes in a carrying case, but if I put it on my belt, I’d be fighting to keep my jeans up, so I clip it on the outside of my pack. I actually found a smaller canister for sale somewhere, but I already have the big one. I’m planning on getting a bear bell, but I’m wondering if any bell would do, and honestly a lot of the time I have my keys clipped on a belt loop and that probably does the job. I’ve only seen bear scat once on a trail. But they do exist and this is their habitat.

Along with the keys I keep a pepper spray for the human and/or dog variety of threat. Again, I hope never to be in a scenario in which I need it, but being a female in a remote area alone, I feel a little safer having it. Something to keep in mind is both the bear spray and the pepper spray have best used by dates. I don’t know that they wouldn’t work just as well after that date, but I’m not willing to gamble. It’s usually a few years out, so it’s not something that will need to be replaced every year.

Okay, so after that, I keep a small deet spray and a tiny packed mosquito net. I’m thinking about getting a pair of tick tweezers, but I think I would be a total wuss about an embedded tick, (they really freak me out) and since I am day hiking, I probably wouldn’t need them on the trail anyways.

In case of an injury I have a small first aid kit, a small bottle of Tylenol, and a venom removing kit.

I try to always carry a map, a compass, a flashlight, and a solar powered charger. The charger I have works best if it’s plugged into a wall to charge up and the instructions say it can take 30+hrs to charge using its solar feature. I haven’t tested that, but I’m not sure it is worth the weight it adds since in most of scenarios I would need it I likely wouldn’t have cell reception anyways.

In the off chance I got seriously lost somewhere, I bring one smaller sized MRE, an emergency blanket, a disposable handwarmer, paracord, water purifying tablets, a water filter, and weatherproof matches. I also have a push button noise making alarm that’s made to go on a keychain.

I always carry a pocket knife, and I bring jerky and some kind of dried fruit with me.

If I have my trail buddy with me, I also bring a collapsible bowel for his water, a bag of kibble, some treats, and a comb to check him well for ticks.

Again, I could probably for go some of the stuff I am carrying. At the moment my back is not uncomfortably heavy. I haven’t weighed it, but I never feel weighed down by it.

I would really like to get an emergency beacon. They are not cheap, but in an emergency, I am sure it would be worth every penny. Some charge a subscription fee, but not all of them do. For the time being I use a check in system. I tell two people where I am going before I go and check in when I get back. It’s not perfect, but at least I know if I don’t check in by nightfall, someone will miss me.

I’d also like to get a GPS locater. They are also pretty pricey, and have mixed reviews, but until I get better at reading maps it would be nice to have. I’m sure they make beacon/GPS locaters, but I don’t want something I’ll have to buy an annual subscription to, and that will probably limit my options quite a bit.

As I continue on this journey, I am hoping I will be able to fine tune my gear and eliminate any unnecessary weight, but for now, I feel a little safer knowing I am generally prepared.