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

[Gareth]

My hiking FAK consists of:

plasters (band-aids)
antiseptic cream
medium wound dressingx2
bandage
pain killers
tape
safety pins
....and some other bits I can't remember just now.

[Sparky415]

Mobile phone and pennies for a Beer then a taxi ride home

Fixed 

[Nathan]

Given that the Netherlands is a very crowded country, I don't carry very much items here on a day hike. But the items I have in my day hike rucksack:

- bottle of water
- food
- map and compass
- first aid kit
- flashlight
- multitool
- binoculars
- rain coat

[cerbera147]

As we are coming into hiking / camping season I'd be keen to hear new thoughts on your gear for one day hiking 

Pics always welcome 

I'm trying to streamline my stuff so I have what I actually need and not everything I own 

[Beerplumber]

For hiking or survival I was told to be equipped to be able to prepare a cup of tea, from start to finish you don't need much and everything has multi purposes such as starting a fire and boiling water

[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

IIRC this was pretty much what I ended up packing last year, sadly the waterproofs were very much needed. 

It did all go in a 20L bag (not 25L as I thought) though it was definitely a squeeze.  I've now got a 45L bag that'll hold all that, and a whole lot more.  I MUST resist the temptation to fill the thing up though.   Carrying far more than necessary is a good way to start looking at your over-heavy bag with hate IMO.

 

[AimlessWanderer]

I can't believe I missed this first time. My bag contents vary according to where I'm going, when and who with. Generally end up carrying more if going with other people as often end up fixing their problems as well as mine. A typical load (pockets and bag etc) would include:

Waterproofs (worn or carried)
Fleece (worn or carried)
Gloves (Sealskinz & merino liners) - gives different options without too much weight/space
Thinsulate hat and buff
Spare socks
Map and compass
Phone and whistle
Basic FAK
Food & Water
Jetboil (best piece of hiking/camping kit I ever bought) & brew kit
tobacco, papers & lighter
Pocket knife or SAK plus Mora Miki or either Jaavenpaa or Brusletto Puukko (Occasionally CS Bushman)

Miscellaneous items include:
Fenix PD20, lantern attachment and orange poly survival bag
Paracord
Ducktape
Superglue
Wire
Sewing kit
Exotac nanostriker
Pencil
Pencil sharpener (tinder maker)
Cotton wool
Vaseline
Multitool (pliers based or SAK - it varies)
Uncle Bills silver grippers
Photon II
Inka pen
Notepad

To be honest there's probably more, but that's the main stuff. It's probably more than most carry, but the extras have proved far too useful too often to leave them out

[rlocock]

I don't see a signalling mirror on anyones list?

[AimlessWanderer]

I don't see a signalling mirror on anyones list?

Toyed with it a few times, but TBH I'm a bit sceptical. Not so much about the range etc, but as to how many folk would actually get the message. Besides, the chances of direct sunlight in the UK .... 

Actually, scratch that - just remembered I've got one of those unbreakable jobbies in my FAK. Included more for looking at places my eyes won't point at rather than "hey, look I'm here", but yeah theres one there I could use.

[cerbera147]

What do you have in your fire starting kit?
I've got a firesteel, cotton wool, matches and a lighter.

@50ft-trad How do you find the Jetboil?
I've seen one in action and it looks awesome. I'll probably get one at some point but at the minute by gas stove works well 

After getting my bag soaked for the second Sunday in a row I invested in rucksack raincover for £5. Can't wait to test it 

[AimlessWanderer]

What do you have in your fire starting kit?
I've got a firesteel, cotton wool, matches and a lighter.

@50ft-trad How do you find the Jetboil?
I've seen one in action and it looks awesome. I'll probably get one at some point but at the minute by gas stove works well 

After getting my bag soaked for the second Sunday in a row I invested in rucksack raincover for £5. Can't wait to test it 

My fire kit is dedicated items (exotac nanostriker & spare lighter), plus other stuff which is multi purpose. Pencil & sharpener (tinder), fak items and vaseline (tinder), potassium permanganate, knife (occasionally a saw - wire or multitool), inka pen (blowing coals), ducktape (stops tinder blowing around), sometimes I have a magnifier knocking about too. Multipurpose is good . I smoke so fire is VERY impotant to me, but chances are my cheapo clipper lighter is going to do everything I need, but my feet will thank me for bringing vaseline, a soft pencil can help lubricate sticking zips, and the magnifier will help me find that little splinter I keep catching but cant quite locate

The Jetboil is superb mate!!! I have used it for just myself or for small groups - you can also just about boil a brew for 3 with it. Even if you need more the boil time is quick enough to not make it a half day event  . The mini 100g (?) cannisters have seen a couple of long day hikes (brews and simple food) and a weekends camping before running low. Once me and a couple of mates went walking through the Peak District on a very snowy day. The first time we stopped for a break they started handing out cheese sandwiches and crisps, the second time I cracked out the Jetboil, some foil trays a packet of couscous, dried peppers, dried herbs, sundried tomatoes, and chorizo. Two mins boiling and 5 mins in a cozy, and there were hot meals all round - they were very impressed. I'm planning on doing the coast to coast at some point over the next couple of years, and will use this as my primary stove for the two week trip. I've also got the pot adapter that turns it into a normal stove plus the stabiliser attachment too, and it still all fits in the mug. If you keep you're eyes peeled you can sometimes get one for a steal too.

Good luck with the rain cover - but I don't get on with them mate. I've had them do a houdini on me before and shoot off ahead of me across the moors, they also make getting in the pack a bit of a pain. Ok for rain - not so good for wind IMHO. I prefer to waterproof from within. The orange poly survival bags make good dry bags, plus being bright they make finding stuff inside much easier.

[Gareth]

What do you have in your fire starting kit?
I've got a firesteel, cotton wool, matches and a lighter.

@50ft-trad How do you find the Jetboil?
I've seen one in action and it looks awesome. I'll probably get one at some point but at the minute by gas stove works well 

After getting my bag soaked for the second Sunday in a row I invested in rucksack raincover for £5. Can't wait to test it 

A bag liner works well too.

My fire kit consists of matches, firesteel, lighter, cotton-wool, Vaseline and a strip of rubber cut form a bike inner-tube.

[starthere]

food and water
flashlight
standing drugs

[ryan1835]

what are some good not cost the earth water proof for hiking?

will any old fleece do?  you can tell i dont hike much...

[Gareth]

what are some good not cost the earth water proof for hiking?

will any old fleece do?  you can tell i dont hike much...

They're a couple of good questions, but with no really easy answers.  if you stick to some of the bigger names; Berghaus, North Face, Montane, Rab, Marmot etc then you wont likely buy a bad jacket.  You'll likely be spending a minimum of £80 and potentially a lot more.  However I would say that it's a bit of kit worth investing in and avoid anything cheaper.  One thing I'd strongly suggest is to make sure that it's well fitting, nothing worse than walking around in what feels like a oversized bin-bag.

Personally I'm a lot less fussy about fleeces, though the same 'well fitted' advice stands, it's likely to end up under your nice jacket and it should be comfortable. 

Well worth going to a good outdoor store and trying stuff on and asking advice.  I do normally avoid the big chain shops though places like Millets and Blacks.  Fine if you know exactly what you want to buy, but too concerned with pushing their own brands if you ask their advice (in my experience anyway).