silenthunterstudios
Slipjoint Addict
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 20,039
Just wanted to share what I carry when hiking the back roads near me, and short local trails. Would like to see what I can carry comfortably in my pockets, and on my walking stick. These are short hikes, 1-5 miles, most of them of the 3 mile length, and I really don't need all of this stuff. It is fun to be a gear whore though. I would like to hear where I should cut down, and add. This is in central Maryland, south central Pennsylvania.
Victorinox small blue alox Farmer, Victorinox Soldier (new liner lock version, with the serrations ground off courtesy of Scott Gossman), and for a small fixed blade, Scott's PSK model in a kydex neck sheath.
Keychain, with my Victorinox SD blue alox Classic, Photon Freedom micro light, house and car keys of course.
Cellphone, although in this area, not the best coverage available.
Paracord wrapped on my walking stick, ironwood.
A small childs whistle in my pocket, not as good as some of those whistles out there, but adequate.
Nalgene watter bottle, with some paracord.
Other than my keys, water, cellphone and the SAK Farmer, why do I carry all of this stuff? What's the use? Well, for local hikes around the ol' homestead, I can get by with the above, don't even need the water for short hikes. I could substitute one of the folders for a small camera. I should probably add a few of my diabetes and pressure pills in a spy capsule, on my keychain. On the longer local hikes, in the 5 mile range, I should probably use a small pack, but only for a camera, lunch and a good supply of water and Gatorade. Most of the spots I hike in, are not that far away to be overnight in, and do not allow camp fires. I also gather a few walking sticks along the trail, for embellishment later on.
Most of my hiking is on local back roads, and paved or gravel trails, in rural areas. However, the lone car or fellow hiker usually ambles on by. My only goal is to see new landscapes. Lots of people have gone a lot farther on that goal alone, than I.
I'm not really doing anything other than breaking a sweat, increasing my need for liquids, and while taking a rest, whittling some wood for a walking staff. I think what I have is overkill, and I need to cut out one of the folders.
What do YOU need for YOUR short hikes. If a short hike is 5 miles, or 5 days, what do you carry.
I forgot, I carry my drivers license when hiking local trails, but not on the road near my house. Do you carry $, your wallets etc on local hikes?
Victorinox small blue alox Farmer, Victorinox Soldier (new liner lock version, with the serrations ground off courtesy of Scott Gossman), and for a small fixed blade, Scott's PSK model in a kydex neck sheath.
Keychain, with my Victorinox SD blue alox Classic, Photon Freedom micro light, house and car keys of course.
Cellphone, although in this area, not the best coverage available.
Paracord wrapped on my walking stick, ironwood.
A small childs whistle in my pocket, not as good as some of those whistles out there, but adequate.
Nalgene watter bottle, with some paracord.
Other than my keys, water, cellphone and the SAK Farmer, why do I carry all of this stuff? What's the use? Well, for local hikes around the ol' homestead, I can get by with the above, don't even need the water for short hikes. I could substitute one of the folders for a small camera. I should probably add a few of my diabetes and pressure pills in a spy capsule, on my keychain. On the longer local hikes, in the 5 mile range, I should probably use a small pack, but only for a camera, lunch and a good supply of water and Gatorade. Most of the spots I hike in, are not that far away to be overnight in, and do not allow camp fires. I also gather a few walking sticks along the trail, for embellishment later on.
Most of my hiking is on local back roads, and paved or gravel trails, in rural areas. However, the lone car or fellow hiker usually ambles on by. My only goal is to see new landscapes. Lots of people have gone a lot farther on that goal alone, than I.
I'm not really doing anything other than breaking a sweat, increasing my need for liquids, and while taking a rest, whittling some wood for a walking staff. I think what I have is overkill, and I need to cut out one of the folders.
What do YOU need for YOUR short hikes. If a short hike is 5 miles, or 5 days, what do you carry.
I forgot, I carry my drivers license when hiking local trails, but not on the road near my house. Do you carry $, your wallets etc on local hikes?
. Every day I have on my person a Fenix L2D, a Vic Spirit, a Buck Alpha Dorado, Spyderco Manix, 4 pieces of dowelling, 4 or 5 hanks of 5 foot 550, cell phone, mini Bic, spare keys, magnesium bar, Fox 40, notebook, pen/pencil, meds in a spy capsule. 
)