Ultralight Hiking Kit

B

bearthedog

Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
4,290
Today I was talking to Rockywolf about some light hiking gear. As I was walking to the trailhead this is what I told him I had in my pockets at the time we were speaking. For a day hike or backpacking trip I seem to carry the same stuff in my pocket and around my neck. I don't use a large kit like some of you but this seems to work for me. The simpler the better for me!

Around my neck I carry a small firesteel, whistle/compass/thermometer, LED light, and TOPS Dog Tag signaling mirror.
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Pocket is a small kit in a plastic bag.
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Inside- Lighter, mag solitare, roll of ductape around a straw with a candle inside, fishing kit, antiseptic wipes, scalpel, and a balloon.
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other stuff
Breeden C.U.B., Mini Tripod, SAK Hiker, LG Rumor (phone)
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Always carry a Bladeforums patch or else!
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Here is the Rattlesnake I told Rockywolf would be looking for me if I didn't get off the phone.
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Nice little kit there Bear. I like those coglan's survival whistles too. Does yours have the swing out fresnel lens and signal mirror also?
 
Speaking of ultralite, how long have you been carrying your Gossamer Gear pack, and how is it holding up?
 
looks like a cool little set up Reuben..:thumbup: i recently scored a Breeden CUB.... i love it...:)
 
Excellent no-nonsense set up!

Have you tried that signal mirror long distance yet? I'm curious to see how effective it is. If it's decent it would definitely be worth getting.

Have you considered replacing the Solitaire with a LED equivalent? I also use to use a Solitaire, but have replaced it with a Photon Freedom which gives much brighter light and much much longer burn times, while being smaller and lighter. If you want to stay in AAA format something like this may be a good option:
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_49&products_id=444

Everything seems to fit pefectly in your ziploc, but if you wanted to further reduce bulk you could wrap duct tape around the pencil or lighter instead. Gorilla Tape or gaffer's tape are superior, but blaze orange or other bright colors are more versatile.

Just my .02, and ymmv.
 
Nice little kit!

But .. I am frightened by rattle snakes :eek: (No other snake, just those.)
 
Cool Pics Reuben, Is that the same you had just seen when where were chatting on the phone yesterday? If so he really was a thick rounded snake LOL.
Love that orange handled knife LOL. That boy scout hot spark looks like it has been used a few times.
It looks like you have the basics, what about water? What canteen did you use?

Bryan
 
Grampa said:
Speaking of ultralite, how long have you been carrying your Gossamer Gear pack, and how is it holding up?
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The Gossamer Pack is used for backpacking trips and at 3.5 oz it has served me well for about 4 years. Sadly it only has a few trips left then I must replace it.
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The Fanatic Fringe Alpine is around 5.5-6 oz. and it carries much better and is way tougher on the bottom (200D Nylon Oxford).
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kage said:
Excellent no-nonsense set up!

Have you tried that signal mirror long distance yet? I'm curious to see how effective it is. If it's decent it would definitely be worth getting.

Have you considered replacing the Solitaire with a LED equivalent? I also use to use a Solitaire, but have replaced it with a Photon Freedom which gives much brighter light and much much longer burn times, while being smaller and lighter. If you want to stay in AAA format something like this may be a good option:
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_49&products_id=444

Everything seems to fit pefectly in your ziploc, but if you wanted to further reduce bulk you could wrap duct tape around the pencil or lighter instead. Gorilla Tape or gaffer's tape are superior, but blaze orange or other bright colors are more versatile.

Just my .02, and ymmv.
Click to expand...

I don't like to put too many things together in case I lose my lighter or pencil I don't want it mean that I lose my tape too. The straw weighs zero and it allows me a place to put the candle and keep it safe from breaking.

Mag Solitare. As I told Steve (Rockywolf), I know the Solitare is cheap and common and not anything close to "the best" but I can get little AAA batteries in villages in Peru and as I recently found out, in small stores in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Vanuatu that have no electricity. Convienence is a good thing here, the simple stuff.


sicily02 said:
Cool Pics Reuben, Is that the same you had just seen when where were chatting on the phone yesterday? If so he really was a thick rounded snake LOL.
Love that orange handled knife LOL. That boy scout hot spark looks like it has been used a few times.
It looks like you have the basics, what about water? What canteen did you use?

Bryan
Click to expand...

Hey Bryan, we must finish our conversation. Yes, this was the same snale before you called. Maybe around 4 feet long.
This was just the stuff in my pockets and on my neck. In my small pack I carry this. It is a canteen waterfilter that I have used everywhere even where the water is considered black.

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Like I said,you have used this stuff all over the world, so we know it works! Thanks for indulging me all my questions and for posting this.
 
The Fenix LD01 is an UNBELIEVABLE AAA flashlight. Anyone who hasn't picked one up should feel the benefit of it. I really couldn't believe all that power came from a tiny cylinder.

That snake must have either just eaten, or she is preggers like Suleman
 
Excellent! I am all about cutting pack weight. I'm curious about your bedding/shelter setup. What has been versatile and effective? How much does it weigh?

EDIT! Hhmmmm. A note of concern here. I've always wondered about water purity in lowland/populated areas. I've experienced the screaming meemies in Thailand, The flowsflows in the Philippines, Montezuma's revenge in Mexico, and OhGodwhydidIordertheprawnsmasala in Kenya. So I went to research the filter you mentioned and stumbled across what is purportedly an M.D.'s report of water purification method efficacy. Here's the link:

http://www.arthurdovermd.com/water.html

I hope I'm okay with posting it here and in this format. I've never posted a link to a forum before. My apologies if it is incorrect.
 
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Joezilla said:
The Fenix LD01 is an UNBELIEVABLE AAA flashlight. Anyone who hasn't picked one up should feel the benefit of it. I really couldn't believe all that power came from a tiny cylinder.

That snake must have either just eaten, or she is preggers like Suleman
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Joe,

How much it weigh? Very interested, Jeff had one on a trip but I was too good for it at the time with my mag light.

-RB
 
tenkara said:
Excellent! I am all about cutting pack weight. I'm curious about your bedding/shelter setup. What has been versatile and effective? How much does it weigh?
Click to expand...

Depends on where I am in this world.

Backpacking in the states, I use my quilts that I make and will soon sell when I get time (yes Bear sews) and a small super light 8 oz. poncho tarp. I will gladly email more info if you like as I know people around here don't agree with my style of gear and like real strong heavy bulletproof stuff, that is fine too.

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Quilt-9-10 0z for a 40 degree rating.
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The pink one is not mine!
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Hey Reuben,

I'm an ultralighter also and I'm interested in the specs on your quilts. Would you email me the info, or tell us more about them here?

I wouldn't mind hearing some of your other ideas on ultralight, too.
 
kage said:
Hey Reuben,

I'm an ultralighter also and I'm interested in the specs on your quilts. Would you email me the info, or tell us more about them here?

I wouldn't mind hearing some of your other ideas on ultralight, too.
Click to expand...

Email me or feel free to give me a call.
626 641 9946
 
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