pack contents

Water If there is no palatable source on the trail...A couple of mountain house meals...Couple of protien bars. a change of clothes in a sealed plastic bag Sleeping bag, Tarp, PSK water proof match container with some Vaseline impreg. cottonballs (keep seperate from matches) some para cord a medium size flixed blade knife and a multitool... a folding saw or an axe would be good This time of year a ground cloth or blanket to put under your sleepingbag might be useful... also an often overlooked item Toilet paper (it's great to have it if you need it and also makes good tinder, This should also be kept in a sealed plastic bag as even a little bit of water will ruin the charmin freshness) LOL Also very important a stainless steel pot to cook or boil water in My Psk resides in a sealed one so I often forget to mention it.
 
j I did an 11 mile dayhike this past Saturday. It was conditioning hike for this summer as well as a Rim 0f the Bay hike. The peak is at 4,343' and the trail gained 1,384'. The first part of the hike was on a trail and the second part on a fire/access road. My pack weighed in at almost 55lbs, most of which was water.

If your overnight will be in country you know I would advocate a light pack. If water is available on the trail then 1 liter should be fine. If the weather isn't too cold and you have a good sleeping bag then sleeping under the stars just adds flavor to your trip. A poncho or lightweight tarp will keep the dew off of you if needed. Regardless of sleeping conditions a good sleeping pad is essential for comfort and warmth. It is also good to sit on when you are preparing a meal.

A stove or a campfire will depend on your situation. A stove, mine is an MSR Pocket Rocket, removes the guess work in cooking. A Bic and a firesteel will be needed too. For a short hike almost any food will work. Backpacking food means you just add hot water to the bag and dig in. It also means you will spend 6 or 7 dollars or more for a meal you can buy in the supermarket for under a dollar. Pasta Sides by Lipton with a little meat added will still be under 2 dollars. Don't forget a hot drink and a midnight snack to keep you warm while asleep.

Throw in some cord to help support your tent/ poncho and to practice with, an LED headlamp, TP, water tabs, a first aid kit, a spoon, compass and map. Oh and don't forget a digital camera so you can share your adventure with us!
 
Like 2dogs said, hot beverages are great to have, espically this time of year.
a few tea bags, some suger and creamer, hot chocolate, instant coffee, all good. Very light and a good energy/morale boost.
 
Call me a sissy if you must, but I do like having my toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste. And a washcloth.
 
Nothin sissy about good hygiene. The mirror on my compass I use to check out my face before heading to civilization and I do carry a washcloth for various uses including cleaning myself. I don't always carry a toothbrush on overnights but I do carry Campsuds.
 
Overnighter in familar territory would barely justify even a sleeping bag unless the weather dictated... One of my favorite tricks is to make a medium sized fire with a good coal base, then spread out the coals and kick a bunch of dirt over top of it. Did this a few times, but becareful and make sure you put enough dirt on top. It'll keep you warm for hours.
 
Thats a neat trick with the coals! Never heard that one before. I live in missouri and its pretty cold here, stayin warm is a top priority!!
 
My dad was from Misery. He left because it was too dang cold. A good bag and a tent may be mandatory.
 
oh a tent is commin!!! loads of instant tea, coffee, and other hot food items too! Missouri is very pretty, just cold right now! i am originally from southern california. san bernardino to be exact. lived right at the base of the mountains. miss it.
 
Can't be that cold... I was born and raised in the Detriot area, and now I'm going back to school up in the Keweenaw (whichis the northern most part of Michigan's U.P.).
 
No not that cold. I have been some verry cold places while in the army. I just prefer to be as comfortable as i can be, but not too comfy!! that takes the fun out of it.
 
in the summer with a clear weather forcast....
i would bring maybe 2 liters of water max, or about 1 liter with some purification. a little bag of tea and spices, coacoa mix, etc...
a stainless steel cup that i got for a couple of bucks at wally world
little med kit
GI net hammock
light blanket
a couple of knives
a spare undershirt
some socks
some oatmeal maybe

you know...all the basic stuff. by the way, the above pack weighs in at about 10-15 pounds, depending on exactly what i decide to bring extra.
 
The older I've gotten, the less I find I need. In a good temperate climate, I can carry what I need in my hunting bag, and never miss the gadgets and frufraw left at home.


The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage
General Richard Stoddard Ewell CSA--
 
This is gonna seem like a lot of stuff, but it all fits into pockets, onto belt and into a 600ci rucksack. Depending on time of year, the off the beaten path trails can be hazardous and at my age, pretty much anything can happen while out, so I carry what I take hunting, which will hold me for several days, in case of injury or I decide to stay an extra day or so cause I'm having a lot of fun.

Shelter (USGI poncho, German issue shelter tarp, 550 shroud line, Jute twine, 2x HD industrial grade 55gal drum liners, watch cap, extra merino socks, thermal shirt, wool glove liners, leather gloves)

Firestarting (spark-lite w/tinder, BSA Hotspark, fatwood, pitchwitch, lighter)

kitchen/food (Esbit stove, fuel, German mil messkit, HD aluminum foil, 2x paperclips, coffee, tea, cocoa, assortment spices, parched corn, honey, seasonal jerky, fishkit, fish spear, frog gig, trap materials, hammock-net, bow/arrows)

Water (MP1 tablets, silk bandana, coffee filters, burlap sack, 2-1qt ziploc, 2-1gal ziploc, USGI canteen-cup-cover)

Navigation (lensatic compass, flashlight)

Rescue (jetscream whistle, starflash mirror, Inova keychain LED w/Strobe, cell phone)

FAK

Edged tools (SAK, fixed blade)

Hygene (soap, toothpaste/brush, washcloth, TP)

Misc (duct tape, sewing kit, fletch repair kit, .45acp w/xtra mag)
 
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