How much does your day hike kit/pack weigh?

[mtwarden]

sounds like your on the right path ^ those are the exact conditions that warrant a wee bit more kit

I have three shelter strategies in mind if I'm forced to sleep out at night- winter w/ a lot of snow most likely a snow trench, a lean-to w/ a long fire and a debris shelter- I probably lean a little more to the debris shelter in most cases- especially if it's windy

regardless- a AMK heat sheet (2 person) is going to be used as part of the actual shelter and the bivy to crawl into- it's certainly not going to be overly cozy, but hopefully warm enough to prevent turning into a popsicle

 

[ohski]

Here is a pic of my ~3 season kit... I have changed over to a Osprey 32 pack since then for my true winter bag but I will most likely move back to the butt pack for the warmer months. My pack is normally around 11lbs... I know I could cut a bunch of weight but I like using the heavier pack to help get me used to it so I can do a few 2-3 day trips this summer.

Ski

 

[redpoint]

Good stuff, Redpoint. It's always interesting to see what the essentials are in different environments. Have you ever had to use your avalanche probe and shovel? And, out of curiousity, how cold does it get up there on a summer night?

No - thankfully, I've never had to use the avalanche gear and I hope I never have to. Avalanches are scary [3 people were killed in BC this past weekend]. The shovel comes in handy with the snow [obviously] and I use the equipment for analysis and we practice often [burying a beacon in a pack a few feet into the snowpack].

The coast mountains in BC don't get too cold in winter or summer, but they are heavily glaciated so there's a lot of cold air up there. If I was spending a night at 5-6K, it could easily hit mid 30s [1-5 degs C]. On Mt. Baker [WA] it can be well below freezing at night in mid July @ 5K. At those moderate altitudes, I will pretty much always wear a Patagonia DAS parka or Arc'teryx Dually Parka [both the warmest pieces both companies make] when the sun goes down and I'm sitting around camp. A warm jacket will get you through a bad injury or unexpected overnight too ... often there's no fuel for fires etc. in these kind of places.

 

[HikingMano]

[...]I have three shelter strategies in mind if I'm forced to sleep out at night- winter w/ a lot of snow most likely a snow trench, a lean-to w/ a long fire and a debris shelter- I probably lean a little more to the debris shelter in most cases- especially if it's windy

regardless- a AMK heat sheet (2 person) is going to be used as part of the actual shelter and the bivy to crawl into- it's certainly not going to be overly cozy, but hopefully warm enough to prevent turning into a popsicle

Yes, I've always thought I'd go with a debris shelter (or at least, debris insulation) with the heatsheet and space blanket (now bivy) to help retain heat and the tarp for waterproofing overhead. I have yet to actually practice setting one up though. If enough wood happens to be available, and it's not pouring, then I'd try for a fire, either the lean-to/long fire combo or something smaller.


Oshki, nice light looking kit :thumbup: What's in the coolmax stuff sack and the orange one next to it? And what's the fuel canister thing above your trowel? Stove fuel, candle?

No - thankfully, I've never had to use the avalanche gear and I hope I never have to. Avalanches are scary [...]

It's crazy to think about. On top of everything else one might have to be aware of on a typical outing, you guys out in the backcountry in snow have to watch out for avalanches.

Thanks for the info on temps, chilly indeed when you're up that high. Good point on the bad injury thing. Building shelters and making fires would be hard to do with a injured arm or leg. And unless you're simply lost, chances are you're injured in some way if you're in a bad spot outdoors.

 

[adaman04]

I said 25 lbs.

I’m trying to do better, but the difference between my day kit and a 3 day camping trip is a couple food items. I take a lot of stuff I never use when I could really weed it down a lot. I’m not out there just to look around, I usually take a couple pieces of gear to test, knives, saw, axe maybe, lunch and cook kit, fire kit, FAK, emergency kits, shelter provisions, etc. Also, the exercise of it is one of the main reasons I’m out there so I don’t mind toting a little extra weight. Working to lighten my kit up though. I have so many redundancies, I could probably cut my pack by 5 lbs just losing some of those.

This weight includes water for me and the dog, few dog treats, etc.

I carry it in a Kelty Redwing 3100 that I cinch down. My preference over a small pack bulging at the seams.

 

[sicily02]

Hi all,

HikingMano, let us know what you decide for binos. Man I tell ya that last pic you posted I sure wish I could hike in that area lol.

Mtwarden and redpoint, I got a Houdini, wind shirt comming. I sure look forward to seeing what and how it does.

Bryan

 

[HikingMano]

Yeah, I sorta don't mind the weight for dayhikes since I'd like to get into backpacking shape. But I do want to cut down so I can cover more ground. The places around here that get you away from others on the trail are either off-trail or the longer established trails.

Bryan, will do :thumbup: Let us know how you like that windshirt as well, maybe I'll pick one up down the line too And, if you're ever in the area, just let me know and we'll do a hike while you're in town :thumbup:

 

[mtwarden]

Mtwarden and redpoint, I got a Houdini, wind shirt comming. I sure look forward to seeing what and how it does.

Bryan

Bryan- just remember it weighs 4 oz because it's 15 denier fabric (in other words don't be running through the thorny brambles w/ it! )

Mike

 

[redpoint]

Bryan- just remember it weighs 4 oz because it's 15 denier fabric (in other words don't be running through the thorny brambles w/ it! )

Mike

I second that. It's a well-made, well designed, high performance piece, but it's delicate so use common sense. Also remember that it can handle light precip/snow and that's about it. It's a softshell after all. Enjoy!

 

[sicily02]

HikingMano, will do. when I get the houdini I will let you know what I think.
Man that would be cool. If I ever get out that way I will let you know.

mtwarden and redpoint, thanks for the heads up. At what it cost I will do my best to take care of it.

Bryan

 

[sicily02]

mtwarden, what do you have for your FAK and repair kit. could you post a pic or tell
me Please
Also do you do you carry your matchsafe in your pocket or in your pack?
Do you just carry that single neck knife or do you carry another knife also?

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[mtwarden]

Bryan- my FAK and repair kit are pretty bare bones

fak includes two 4x4 tegaderm bandage, small roll of gauze, two triple antibiotic, three small celox, two packs of steri-strips, two alcohol pads, small irrigator, small tweezers, small scissors, small roll of luekotape and benzoin for blisters and a small thing of meds- tylenol, advil, immodium, benadryl

repair kit- folded duct tape, single use crazy glue, few safety pins, ss wire, couple small zip ties, heavy needle (in sealed coffee stirrer) wrapped w/ ~ 50' of 30# spiderwire, few ranger bands, (spare batteries depending on what lamp I'm using)

matchsafe is in pocket (on the slim chance I get separated from my pack)

that's the only knife I carry hiking, in the winter I add a small leatherman and repair bits for my snowshoes- I will also tend to carry my F-1 (belt carry) vs WM-1 in the winter

I'll snap a pic of the fak and repair kit this evening

 

[HikingMano]

Sweet, I'm looking forward to seeing that too. What size is the irrigator? I used to carry a 30ml syringe for that job...took it out because of the bulk. And why do you prefer leukotape?

I want to slim down my own FAK. I never used to carry bandaids and the like for small things, but they come in handy when hiking with the GF and others who have kids....


ETA: My goal is to get my kit closer to 5 than 10lbs total (dry), will update when I think I've pared down as far as I can go.

 

[statius]

My 3 day pack is, with water and food, 15lbs.

 

[mtwarden]

I switched to leukotape a couple of years ago over moleskin, sticks better and is thinner- quite a bit cheaper too- comes in a rather large roll, I just pull some off the roll and wrap around a small straw

the irrigator is a monject 412- sold in hobby stores and the like, I believe it's 15ml- it has pretty good force for irrigating

the FAK weighs 2.6 oz, the repair kit 1.6 oz

fak contents

repair kit

both packed

statius- that's a very respectable weight for 3 days care to outline how you got it down so low?

 

[sicily02]

Thanks mtwarden, that helps me out lol. seeing pics is way better for me lol.

I also ment to ask is your pack a camelback hawg?

Statius, 3 days with water and food, I drink nearly a gal. of water a day. how do you do that? could you post a pic of your gear or at least give a list of it and what pack you use? I am guessing that is a summer camping trip. any more info on your set would be very helpful.

Thanks again all,

Bryan

 

[mtwarden]

the pack in the pic is a Osprey Talon 5.5, I find it just right for a quick day trip

for winter day trips, I use a Talon 22 as my load-out increases quite a bit

 

[sicily02]

Thanks mtwarden,

Bryan

 

[statius]

Hey Bryan,

As for the 15lb pack, it's mostly my gear. (I know this is a day-pack thread, but I could pretty much justify this as a day pack depending on what I was hiking that day)

1) I have a very light down bag (western mountaineering summerlite): 500 grams. It's ridiculous how small this packs down.

2) I have a very light tent (google henry shires tarp tent; I have the Squall II): 940grams (lighter than many bivy sacks!). Held up by either hiking poles or tie to a tree.

3) After that, it's just some dehydrated food, granola bars, oatmeal, and a 2L water bottle (I use water purifying drops: Pristine Water drops). I camp and hike in the Rockies around and above tree level and use the rivers for water. Haven't had any issues with bugs from the water. Sometimes I don't even treat it.

4) I have light, natural fibers for clothing; mostly merino wool base layer and wool sweater, etc. Outdoor Research Trance Down Sweater (400grams and packs super small) and eVent Integral Designs Thruhiker are my mainstays. I've been rained/sleeted on for 24 hours straight and stayed dry and warm, even with my down bag, which can be a pain if wet (totally loses insulating properties).


5) I pack all that in a very light (not the lightest, but light) 30 liter Lowe Alpine Summit Attack bag. Not the best bag and I'll likely get another one eventually, but it does.

I carry my knife on my belt with bear spray, a few other things in the bag (MSR Pocket Rocket stove, matches, one small pot and cup), and generally I come in around 15lbs with food (water I get from rivers using the Pristine drops). My Nikon D80 adds the most weight almost!

Upside, too, is that with a light pack I can wear runners instead of my heavy hiking boots, which allows me to go farther longer. I generally hike 16K in to my favourite site, explore a bit, and hike out a couple of days later. Sore feet is something I like to avoid.

Oh yeah, this is obviously summer! For winter trips I just go nuts and bring almost everything I can think of and a ton of food! Probably 40-50 pounds for a winter 2-3day trip. But we sleep in a snow cave, so that saves on carrying a big 3-4 season tent.

Statius, 3 days with water and food, I drink nearly a gal. of water a day. how do you do that? could you post a pic of your gear or at least give a list of it and what pack you use? I am guessing that is a summer camping trip. any more info on your set would be very helpful.

Thanks again all,

Bryan

 

[sicily02]

Statius, Thanks for answering my quesstions. I read your PM to me before I read this post. I asked you some questions that you answered in this post lol sorry about that.

I think that is pretty cool that you get that low of wieght for your pack.

What knife do you carry? It is a fixed blade or folder?


Chat with you later,
Bryan