Day hikes (12 hours or less) that might go longer

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
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I'm working on getting 2 day packs ready for upcoming campouts/hikes and wanted some help. Will get to that in a minute, first let me list what I have already. Everything will be carried on an LBE (H-harness, webbed belt and buttpack):

Knife: Fixed blade and folder (Saw if I don't have my SOG Revolver)
Toiletries: First Aid Kit, T/P, Soap + Hand sanitizer, Meds
Fire kit
Poncho
Tinder pouch: Matches, lighter, tinder, magnezium/steel stricker, candles
Flash light +spare batteries
2 Quarts Water minimum (2 - 1 quart Military canteens)
Food: trail mix, jerky, dried friut, crackers, fresh friut, drink mix, ext...
Clothing: Socks, leather Gloves, mittens, Cap, Jacket
50' 550 cord
Camera
2-way Radios +spare batteries
Compass

What kind of metal cup would be good to go with this for heating water and or food? Also how are those little folding stoves that take the tablets?

Also, is there any other gear I need to add to my Day pack? Considering emergencys? Thanks,

Heber
 
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I would add a space blanket...
I think the snow peak titanium cups are great I put mine right on the burner a ton of times.
 
for a cup, I'd use a military cup, it'll fit right around your canteen and then inside the canteen pouch. You'll never even know it's in there until you need it.

My survival kit is based on the same premise. I'm out on a dayhunt and can't make it back in time. For whatever reason. I bring the minimum equipment to spend a half decent night until I can hike out in the morning or figure out another way to get out.

Machete
Skinning Knife
2 Lighters (one in waterproof container)
Firestarter
Space Blanket
Trash Bag
paracord
headlamp

I should be able to erect some sort of shelter with the trash bag and tree limbs, chop enough wood for a fire, get it started and huddle up with my emergency blanket until the sun comes up. Most cases I'll just keep hiking by headlamp, I've had to hike until early morning before. Sometimes we get a pig right at dark and after 2 hours of butchering it ends up that we don't get out off the trailuntil midnight or later.
 
IMO, $1 ponchos and emergency space blanket
compass?

yes a firesteel and extra lighter (w/ tube of cotton/vaseline)
 
Hey wildmanh,

My choice would be a Guyot SS water bottle. Carries water and you can purify water in it - dual purpose and all that. When I canoe, I don't cook big meals anymore. Rather I pick things like Cup o' noodles, that kind of thing - easy to make, no clean up, so a Guyot is all the cooking gear I need (I only need to boil water).

It's not that I don't like more elaborate meals, it's just that I'd rather be hiking, bushcrafting, or whatever, rather than washing dishes, etc. I save the more elaborate meals for home, where I have running water, a sink, etc. and there are less fun things to be doing than when I'm outdoors. Just my take, of course, YMMV.

Doc
 
Thanks for the replies so far. Please keep them coming.

I'll look into the Military Canteen cup, sounds like it will fit the bill nicely.

Thanks for reminding me about the compass, it's in my gear I just forgot to mention it. Have edited my first post to reflect it.

A space blanket, good one. Used to camp with one all the time in High school, I'm supprised I forgot it. Thanks!

Fire starters are covered, got a bic, matches, and a fire steel.:thumbup:

Sounds like you guys are thinking along the same lines I am. Mostly I'll be taking trail mix, jerky and freeze dried meals. I figure the small stove and a metal cup for heating the water would be great.

Do you guys bring water filters along on trips? I'm thinking of adding one to my bigger pack. Thanks again and remember to keep it coming,

Heber
 
Just for comparison, lets see what my current day-pack contains (dumps it out on floor):

  • Communications - Cell phone, Emergency whistle
  • Fire - Match Safe w/matches, Lighter, Fire starter
  • Food - Energy bars/Jerky/trail mix
  • Hydration - 100 oz Water bladder, purification tablets
  • Insulation - Extra shirt, knit hat, gloves, socks
  • Medical - First Aid Kit, TP
  • Navigation - Compass, Map
  • Shelter - Nylon Poncho, Paracord, Space blanket
  • Sun Protection - Sun screen, ball cap, sun glasses
  • Tools - Victorinox Outrider, LED flashlight
I don't bother with stoves or food that needs to be cooked. I just don't think its necessary for an overnight emergency in my area. Now, this list is based on the SE US, where weather is seldom really cold, and you are never that far from a road. In colder climates, or more remote wilderness, I would probably carry a bit more. ;)
 
mdauben said:
Just for comparison, lets see what my current day-pack contains (dumps it out on floor):

  • Communications - Cell phone, Emergency whistle
  • Fire - Match Safe w/matches, Lighter, Fire starter
  • Food - Energy bars/Jerky/trail mix
  • Hydration - 100 oz Water bladder, purification tablets
  • Insulation - Extra shirt, knit hat, gloves, socks
  • Medical - First Aid Kit, TP
  • Navigation - Compass, Map
  • Shelter - Nylon Poncho, Paracord, Space blanket
  • Sun Protection - Sun screen, ball cap, sun glasses
  • Tools - Victorinox Outrider, LED flashlight
I don't bother with stoves or food that needs to be cooked. I just don't think its necessary for an overnight emergency in my area. Now, this list is based on the SE US, where weather is seldom really cold, and you are never that far from a road. In colder climates, or more remote wilderness, I would probably carry a bit more. ;)
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Looks pretty good to me. I'm a Hypoglysemic so I need to have extra food on me. Thanks for the reminder about sun screen, that made me think of bug repelent. 2 more things to add to my list. :thumbup:

KuRUpTD said:
Don't get the "cheap" space blanket ... drop a little more coin and get the heavier duty one which can double as a temporary shelter or tarp.

http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Detail?no=353
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Thats the Space blanket I used to carry with me. Thanks for the link, I definantly need to get some new ones (lost them in a move).

Feel free to post your stuff. It not only helps me but others that will come after. Thanks,

Heber
 
wildmanh said:
Thanks for the reminder about sun screen, that made me think of bug repelent. 2 more things to add to my list. :thumbup:
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I need the sunscreen myself, as my Irish ancestors gifted me with skin that can burn on a cloudy day. :p
 
mdauben said:
I need the sunscreen myself, as my Irish ancestors gifted me with skin that can burn on a cloudy day. :p
Click to expand...

I'm the same way! Have to wear a wide brimmed hat, glasses and long sleeves out side most of the time. BTW I'm part Irish also.

Can you get little pocket sized bottles of sun screen? I'm thinking that would be perfect if you can...

Heber
 
Wildmanh, how about some signaling stuff (mirror, maybe some of that colored flyer tape, etc.)? And +1 on the guyot or military canteen cups and a space blanket. :thumbup: I carry that same heavy-duty space blanket in my daypack.
 
iodine to purify water...I dont mind the taste when I'm thirsty and I'm never unsure that my water's clean enough to drink.

If you're hypoglycemic have you considered carrying those little carb/sugar shots in your kit? Seems like it'd be a quick way to get sugar in your blood if you're feeling bogged down. I know they're big in the marathon/bi/tri crowd.

PowerBar%20Gel.jpg
 
How about a whistle for signalling in case you get into trouble.

Whistle are great signalling devices as they work in the dark and you also don't have to be in the sight line of the person looking for you.
 
wildmanh said:
Can you get little pocket sized bottles of sun screen? I'm thinking that would be perfect if you can...
Click to expand...
I have seen them once in a while, although most of the stores I frequent seem to only carry the large size bottles. So, I picked up a small nalgene squeeze bottle at a local backpacking store, and just fill that up from the jumbo store containers. ;)
 
+1 on the canteen cup. I prefer the military canteen and cup over Nalgenes and cups. The steel is much heavier duty on the canteen cup. I don't bother with a stove, I just put the cup right in the fire (with the handles out of the fire, of course).

I go a bit bigger on the shelter for even a dayhike unless it's summer. I take an AMK heat sheet, a GI poncho and liner. You can wear the liners like a blanket, or tie it into the poncho, snap the one side of the poncho over and fold over the foot area and you have a quick and dirty sleeping bag. I use the heat sheet as a ground cloth under it.

ETA: On dayhikes I don't bother with a water filter. I put a coffee filter over the mouth of the bottle when filling to keep out the big stuff, and use Katadyn MicroPur tablets (chlorine dioxide -- tastes a lot better than iodine).
 
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I haven't used one of the tablet fuel stoves, but I can recommend a soda can stove. You won't need to carry much fuel and they are very light. Usually you can improvise a pot stand/windscreen. They're great for when you don't have time to put the effort into a fire or fire danger is high. I think there is an active thread about these right now.

Brandon
 
Useful post. Cpl Punishment has a good idea with the poncho. I find that the space blankets can be a bit small. I recommend taking an additional light plastic tarp. Plastic holds heat well and it can be used to sit on during breaks - especially on rough terrain. Also, take additional space blankets - they're light and as sure as nuts your companions will not be as well kitted out as you are. Rather give them your extra space blankets - they'll really appreciate it...then you can wrap up with all your extras without feeling guilty.
I'd also recommend additional lighting - flashlights have a nasty tendency to play up just when you really need them. The light weight head mounted flashligts are pretty good out in the bush as you can then have your hands free. A couple of glow sticks are also useful for saving your flashlight batteries and you can signal with them.
 
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