One day hiking.

[Gareth]

This might sound like an odd question but, what do you take with you on a single days walking? 

As some of you know I like to go out a few times a year on multi-day hikes but it's been years since I had the chance to leave the tent, sleeping bag and stove behind and carry a lot less.

OK so given that it's Scotland in Autumn (or fall if you prefer) some waterproofs still seem like a good idea, as do a map and compass, but what else do you consider a must?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

A poncho or bivi bag.

Fire lighting equipment

Water and grub

A hatchet and a saw equipped sak

[Millhouse]

My usual load on a day walk is:

Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Fleece jacket
Hat
Gloves (2 pairs in winter)
First Aid Kit
Survival Bivvy bag
Map
Compass
GPS
Torch
Vic Huntsman
Vic Spirit
Signalling whistle
Lightsticks
Firesteel
Paracord

All of this is contained in a 35+8 litre Berghaus Freeflow rucksack, with a Source hydration bladder.

Most of the time, I will also have my MSR Pocket Rocket stove. I just prefer a fresh brew.

[Gareth]

A poncho or bivi bag.

Fire lighting equipment

Water and grub

A hatchet and a saw equipped sak

I thought about that but it seems a bit overkill as I have no intention of having a fire and there's hardly any trees anyway.  I am however planning on taking my Vic Forrester so I'll be well covered for a saw if I really need it.

Bivvi bag's a good one I hadn't looked out though, cheers mate.

[Gareth]

My usual load on a day walk is:

Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Fleece jacket
Hat
Gloves (2 pairs in winter)
First Aid Kit
Survival Bivvy bag
Map
Compass
GPS
Torch
Vic Huntsman
Vic Spirit
Signalling whistle
Lightsticks
Firesteel
Paracord

All of this is contained in a 35+8 litre Berghaus Freeflow rucksack, with a Source hydration bladder.

Most of the time, I will also have my MSR Pocket Rocket stove. I just prefer a fresh brew.

I'm going with a flask rather than a stove this time, but I do understand the desire to have a fresh cuppa. 

Good list though and pretty much what I've got looked out.  Good to know I'm not being paranoid and over packing.

[nuphoria]

I carry some of the above stuff and several poo bags for Madam Ruby 

I also have a fold up shopping bag so I have something to throw any good foraging goodies in

[Millhouse]

I'm going with a flask rather than a stove this time, but I do understand the desire to have a fresh cuppa. 

Good list though and pretty much what I've got looked out.  Good to know I'm not being paranoid and over packing.

Some folk do think that I pack too much, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

[Neil]

Mobile phone and pennies for a taxi ride home

[donvito]

On a day hike I tend to carry a similar load out as a multi day hike, but with a smaller pack, less food, and minus the sleeping gear and tent.

Medium pack with a watter bladder + watter filter (just in case)
Pot, stove, nalgine bottle for cooking
Map + Compass
Firestarter
Flashlight
One full meal/per person + snacks
Spare T shirt, undies and socks
Thermal and/or light jacket
Depending on the season rain gear and more layers
Trekking poles, easy on your knees and with a tarp can build a shelter
Camera to capture the moments
Possibilities pouch (some might call it a survival kit) duck tape, extra firestarter, tinder, spare batteries etc...
First Aid Kit
Knife, usually OHT, longer trips will include a scandi grind bushcraft knife + folding saw (still need to pick up a good ax)
hat, bandanna, boots etc... things you should be wearing
I don't like to wear shorts on my hikes even in hot weather, I tend to go off trail often hope this helps, my pack usually weights around 20lbs (sometimes more) which is very comfortable for me, I've done hikes with less gear, but like to have the peace of mind in having gear that might come in handy.

[Gareth]

Thanks for the feedback chaps, as I said earlier I suspected that I was over-packing and setting myself up to carry far to much.  Looks like I was wrong.

[Turnstone]

I carry a lot on day hikes... I have a deuter 35l backpack, and it is filled with the following:

- raingear
- water
- in cold weather a thermo bottle with hot tea
- food
- warm fleece sweater
- spare socks, T-shirt and underwear
- map, compass, GPS
- trekking poles
- camera (usually my Panasonic Lumix which gives me a lot of flexibility without too much weight)
- first aid kit
- light (usually a headlight)
- phone
- Maxped EDC organiser filled with multitool, ductape, firesteel, whistle, paracord etc.
- seat cushion
- knife
- a light fleece blanket and a survival blanket (I don't have a bivy bag, they should do the same if I need to stay outside for a night, and they weight about the same and are as compact as a bivy bag... Ductape has to keep it togehter...)

I might carry even more, my backpack is always too large and I can easily fill it with anything that fits inside.. 

[Gareth]

Luckily () I've only got a 25L bag, so taking any more than I've already put in it isn't an option.

[Turnstone]

I forgot to mention that I almost always carry small binoculars... 

[Gareth]

OK so my packing list is as follows:

Waterproof jacket/trousers/mitts
fleece
gloves
hat
survival bivvi bag
torch (iTP SA2) plus spare eneloops
first aid kit
map & compass
camera
20' of 3mm cord
monocular
sunglasses (ever the optimist  )
Fire starting kit
flat roll of duct tape
Vacuum flask
food
Vic Forrester
whistle

As I'll be setting off and arriving straight back at the hostel I'm unconvinced about taking changes of clothes with me. 

BTW for those interested here's where I'll be staying: http://www.syha.org.uk/hostels/highlands/corrour_station_house.aspx

[sergemaster]

Amici,
All great suggestions depending on the terrain and where each of you call home.. three items that I would add that weren't mentioned would be a towel, what's the use of extra articles of clothing if you can't dry yourself off, an extra pair of socks, and FOOT POWDER. You can never not have enough of that after humping 12 or so miles all over various terrain when in the field..

If I could kick this conversation up a little, what do you carry in your First Aid kit?

This is an area that is usually ignored or put on the low priorities list ILO of some other piece of gear that is bigger, heavier, and proves to be redundant when in a pinch.

Here's mine that I carry along with my Camelbak Pack with a 3 quart Omega reservoir and big bite valve.

Cheers,
Serge