how big of a pack to stay safe in the backcountry?

M

mtwarden

Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
2,656
not very damn big :D

a recent thread where one of our members had an injury on a short day hike spurred some good discussion on what we should be carrying at a minimum, even on short hikes

I'm sure we've all seen folks headed up/down the trail w/ just the shirt on their backs- sadly I see it all the time even in rugged mountain terrain (w/ sketchy weather to boot!) :eek:

today I went out for a short hike and wanted to show that you don't need a 50+ liter pack to stay safe on a day hike :), quite the contrary, even with the very smallest of packs (this one is a mere 5.5 liters), you can pack relatively safely for a day out (or if it so happened- a night out)

this small pack holds a 100 oz bladder and still has plenty enough room for the basics- shelter, fire building, water procurement, navigation, signaling and first aid- also still room for lunch and snacks

my loadout (the buf and matchsafe are carried in my pockets, the knife kit resides around my neck-everything else resides in the pack)

loadout.jpg


pack from top

topviewloaded.jpg


fully loaded- small, light and unobtrusive

5.jpg
 
Looks good! I agree not that much is really needed to be leaps and bounds above the masses in terms of preparedness.

I must add that a blade is conspicuously absent from your list/pics. :)
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Looks good! I agree not that much is really needed to be leaps and bounds above the masses in terms of preparedness.

I must add that a blade is conspicuously absent from your list/pics. :)
Click to expand...

look again :)- lower right, little WM1 that I have setup as a "kit"
 
Yea... I pack just a tad more than you but pretty much on the same lines... I'm hoping to get out tomorrow and take some pics of the gear I have.

Thanks, Ski
 
thanks- it's a dandy little pack bought it for trail running, but more than adequate for short hikes

windshirt is the Patagonia Houdini- probably one of the most versatile pieces of clothing I own- the DWR finish is good enough that I use it in light rain and snow w/o any problems, works great for bugs too and has a hood too

down jacket is a Mont-bell ex light, a very no frill jacket- no hand pockets, no hem cord, no hood- just a zipper, but it is pretty warm for the weight/volume
 
I have been impressed with the Osprey brand and have been eyeing an Osprey Flapjack myself.:thumbup:
 
I routinely do overnight (3 season) camping trips with a 25 litre "day" pack. With that in mind, bringing enough gear to survive a dayhike should be even easier, right? Yet I see so many people in the mountains with nothing but a water bottle and a couple power bars...

The OP has a pretty good set up; the only thing I would add is one of those reusable space blankets with the plastic tarp material on one side. They make great "A-Frame" tarp shelters in emergencies, and are fantastic as a lean-to beside a fire, reflecting all that heat back down. I've used one before in a semi-emergency situation (late spring sudden snow storm, 6 hours up the side of a mountain), and can say without a doubt that the reflective coating REALLY works. I prefer it over a bivy. The weight and size difference is negligible.
 
You got something to keep a cold rain off ya when travelling?

Sea to Summit Poncho would work.
 
brians said:
You got something to keep a cold rain off ya when travelling?

Sea to Summit Poncho would work.
Click to expand...

for light rain/snow the windshirt works great, if there is rain in the forecast I've got light rain anorak or a ID poncho (the poncho is a tarp/poncho) that can be put in the front elastic pocket

if I do a horrofic job of forecasting the weather- if push came to shove, the heatsheet could be cut to make a poncho :)
 
Looks solid.

Mine is not very different, just different stuff.
What about sunglasses?

Heading off with a powerbar and cell phone; those folks must carry alot of knowledge with 'em yathink?
 
I have concerns about neddlessly wearing out the jacket; but all that stuff can be put in pockets and or rolled up in the jacket; sleeves tied together(with the velcro) and slung over the shoulder. size of backpack =0
 
ohski said:
Yea... I pack just a tad more than you but pretty much on the same lines... I'm hoping to get out tomorrow and take some pics of the gear I have.

Thanks, Ski
Click to expand...

Hit the woods today... here is my kit. I was testing some of the gear out so there is more than normal. Pack size is 8L.

Ski

IMG_0205.jpg
 
Last edited:
Briarbrow said:
Looks solid.

Mine is not very different, just different stuff.
What about sunglasses?

Heading off with a powerbar and cell phone; those folks must carry alot of knowledge with 'em yathink?
Click to expand...

sunglasses- yes good call, all seasons- but especially winter; sunscreen as well

ohski- looks like very complete :) 8 liters is definitely small enough that it shouldn't be a problem for folks to carry

what's in the blue and orange sacks (upper right)?
 
mtwarden said:
not very damn big :D

a recent thread where one of our members had an injury on a short day hike spurred some good discussion on what we should be carrying at a minimum, even on short hikes

I'm sure we've all seen folks headed up/down the trail w/ just the shirt on their backs- sadly I see it all the time even in rugged mountain terrain (w/ sketchy weather to boot!) :eek:

today I went out for a short hike and wanted to show that you don't need a 50+ liter pack to stay safe on a day hike :), quite the contrary, even with the very smallest of packs (this one is a mere 5.5 liters), you can pack relatively safely for a day out (or if it so happened- a night out)

this small pack holds a 100 oz bladder and still has plenty enough room for the basics- shelter, fire building, water procurement, navigation, signaling and first aid- also still room for lunch and snacks

my loadout (the buf and matchsafe are carried in my pockets, the knife kit resides around my neck-everything else resides in the pack)

loadout.jpg


pack from top

topviewloaded.jpg


fully loaded- small, light and unobtrusive

5.jpg
Click to expand...

Where did you get that down jacket that packs into such a small bag??
 
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