name some essential gear for hiking

Anyone entering the woods with a GPS and no compass and map is asking to get lost... maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually.
 
Don't know what your area is like, but where I go, insect repellent is a must after the mosquitos, black flies, and deer flies emerge in spring.
 
i hike alot, camp alot, backpack alot, and bike alot. so i think all you really need is a camelback(some light daypacks have then built in those are good) a fixed blade is not a nescesity in my mind if you wanna chop or cut stuff bring a small hachet or one of those saws that fold. you dont need hiking boots pending on were you are, on mountains and rocky areas i would consider them a must, if you are talkin just on like unpaved roads dont bother spending 60 bucks on a pair of boots just wear nice sneakers. if you are wearing a cotton shirt bring another one casue when you sweet is soaks your shirt, that is not good. a small first aid kit if you can spare room. i dont find a need for a gps in your sittuation you wont get lost on a day trip. some people like walking sticks i find one there and then end up thuckin it into the trees halfway throught i dont see the need, if you like them by all means take one. i always bring a poncho just incase they have some that fold up to like a 3 inch square


if there is an ems, eastern mountain sports, stop in there they have the best stuff i have seen. the only problem is that they are pricy, if that is nothing for you just go all out in there and you will well, well suited.

hope i could be of assistence
 
oh i forgot one think rope you need rope. i never go into the woods without rope. not that crapy rope, the good rock climbing rope, you never know when you gunna need it and you dont wanna get cought without it.
 
Howdy all on this maginificent Friday...

Well I always take the following on any day hike:

-My Casio Wademan digital Compass watch
-Leatherman Wave (New one)
-Fox40 whistle
-Couple of LED torches
-Windmill Delta Lighter plus another spare bic lighter
-Waterproof matches
-Water approx 4 litres
-Gortek Folder
-Aitor fixed blade survival knife
-Hiking boots
-Billabong 33L daypack
-Adventure First Aid kit
-Binoculars 8X30's
-pen and notebook
-liquid-filled compass
-Wet wipes
-snacks
-2x plastic bin liners for emergency shelter
-A basic fishing kit in a small plastic camera spool container
-trekking pole
-hat
-sunglasses
-lip balm
-sun protection cream
-Handerkerchief
-Red bandana
-Warm Jumper/jacket
-Some good cordage
-Llama .357 Magnum 6" barrel with 12 spare rounds.....just in case!!!

It sounds like a lot but it isn't really
 
Hi All-

Just did some dayhiking the other day from morning till sunset. Reasonable temperatures in the low-40's with partly-sunny, yet breezy skies. Covered quite a few miles over mixed terrain. This should cover most folks in similar circumstances who don't anticipate an overnight (even if accidentally...) stay:

Clothes:
  • Warm hat in case temperature drops
  • Mountain HardWare Monkey Phur jacket is lightweight and fantastic
  • Windproof shell stuffed in pack
  • Thin gloves to preserve dexterity
  • SmartWool socks are unbeatable for warm & dry comfort
  • Large, clean bandanna packed for lots of uses
  • DON'T SKIMP AND ABSOLUTELY INSIST ON QUALITY BOOTS!
Gear:
  • Hydration system like a 3.0 liter Camelbak M.U.L.E.
  • Easily digestible food like Clif Bars and simple dried fruits
  • Couple of bandages and tube of Neosporin
  • Whistle
  • Weightless LED flashlight plus SureFire M2 Centurion in SOEGEAR sheath
  • Benchmade AFCK or similar clipped to pocket
  • Featherweight and disposable BIC lighter with plenty of fuel
  • Cellular telephone with full battery in Maxpedition pouch
  • Sig-Sauer P229 pistol for animals or oddball human dirtbags with criminal intent
  • Small digital camera to document the fun with friends
Resist the urge to take a nap during a sunny lunch to prevent the problem of potentially oversleeping and returning to your car in darkness. Even with very bright flashlights, this can be a hassle if one needs to negotiate difficult ground. Drink before you're thirsty and keep a steady supply of calories to prevent dropping and surging blood sugar levels. All combined, this gear should only weigh a couple pounds and can be spread through the pack and onto your belt wherever needed. If you're fit, it's better to carry extra gear as cheap insurance...because it's better to "have and not need" than the other way around.

HAVE LOTS OF FUN DURING YOUR MINI-ADVENTURE!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Hi All-

ThorTso, we were just having a telepathic moment. Our posts are nearly identical and made at approximately the same time!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Blue Jays said:
Hi All-

ThorTso, we were just having a telepathic moment. Our posts are nearly identical and made at approximately the same time!

~ Blue Jays ~
Click to expand...

Howdy Blue Jays,

Yes it appears that you are indeed correct. :D

I forgot to mention that I always carry my Nokia 3650 fully charged wherever I go. I am a gear fanatic and I always take more than I should....LOL I always push the limits of what I can or should carry.

As they say, rather have too much and never need it, than not have enough when you do need it.
I also carry several spare lanyards and split rings in my daypack.

Enjoy the trip.....it's long weekend here for meeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
 
My hiking is limited to day trips, mostly in areas that I know well.

My gear list:

CamelBack MULE
SAK/woodsaw
Binoculars
*TOILET PAPER*
Trowel
First aid kit
Insect repellent (depends on the season)
Field guide for birds
Poncho
Butane lighter/Swedish Fire Steel/tinder
Small flashlight
Fox 40 whistle
Clothing and footwear according to the weather

Paul
 
Hi PWork-

My guess is that since you mentioned carrying a trowel right near toilet paper in your list it's for digging a latrine? Why not substitute a substantial fixed like a Busse Steel Heart that could handle a variety of doodies...err, I mean duties...including that of the woodsaw? ;)

Good suggestion about the insect repellent. That can prevent lots of misery!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Gary007 said:
Not talking deep woods survival stuff, just a few hours walking around.
Click to expand...
I think some of these folks thought you said a few days instead of hours:p
A Nalgene water bottle or 2 qt, canteen, some beef jerky, rolled up toilet paper, and a pair of binos has been my standard dayhike gear for as long as I remember. Other than that, I just carry my everyday stuff.
I sling the canteen and binos over a shoulder, and stick the beef jerky and tp in a cargo pocket.
Sometimes I'll carry a map if the terrain warrants one, and add a medium sized fixed blade if planning on straying from the trail, since I like to run amok in the woods, and get hung up in briars and stuff.
 
Blue Jays said:
Hi PWork-

My guess is that since you mentioned carrying a trowel right near toilet paper in your list it's for digging a latrine? Why not substitute a substantial fixed like a Busse Steel Heart that could handle a variety of doodies...err, I mean duties...including that of the woodsaw? ;)

Good suggestion about the insect repellent. That can prevent lots of misery!

~ Blue Jays ~
Click to expand...

The trowel weighs less, and takes up less space than a larger fixed blade. I also don't have to worry about rocks destroying my blade edge. If I were to carry a fixed blade, it would most likely be a Swedish Army knife (SWAK). I've never been a fixed blade kinda guy.

I live in a high risk Lyme Disease area. The bug dope is a must.

Paul
 
Hi All-

PWork, you're right that a small trowel likely weighs less than an INFI blade. I guess that I don't place as much importance on its functionality compared to what performance could be extracted from a top-of-the-line fixed blade. I wouldn't worry too much about the (very durable!) edge if one is only digging a quick 8" x 5" trench to take a dump. Assuming that one even has to take a dump in the course of a dayhike.

Getting back to Gary007's original post...I would reconsider the Fatboy and choose something else as a hiking companion. My feeling is that the Fatboy is better in urban situations...because it does focus the weight of whatever you're carrying onto ONE shoulder. Not a big deal when one is running to catch the subway or the crosstown bus, but the swinging weight could be problematic if you need both hands to pull yourself up steep slopes or scrambling up rocks.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
the most important thing is to be comfortable, because you never know how out of shape you are until you go hiking.

It also depends on the kind of hiking you do. I usually make it an all day thing, or an over night thing, so my gear is fairly extensive. Always prepare for the worst, but still pack light.

No matter if it's a short hike or a long one, I always have:

Bates Enforcer 8" side zip, size 10.5 (comfy and extremely light)
Camillus Pilot Survival Knife (used to use a Ka-Bar, but the 5 inch PSK is easier to use than a 7 inch Ka-Bar)
Cell phone (just incase something happens)
Duty belt with a canteen on one side and a 4D Mag on the other.
I pack my MOLLE with at least a pouch for two days rations, two tent halves and sterno cans or some way to boil water. And a pouch for maps and the like.
I always wear an Under Armor shirt... takes some getting used to, but is very comfortable and keeps you warm or cool.

If you're going on long hikes in hot weather, look into a Hydrastorm hydration system from Blackhawk.
 
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