What do you carry on hikes?

Pilsner said:
This reminds me of a Jack London story set in the Yukon gold rush. The greenhorns start off on the trail loaded with heavy gear, and as the miles go by they discard things bit by bit: Bowie knives, revolvers etc. :)

I can relate to what you wrote, and my gear is definitely minimal these days - but that wasn’t always the case!
Click to expand...

I got a laugh out of that! Put me on that list.

I had done some medium distance hiking for years that required a couple of nights out to finish. Loved it. I decided to go for it and my BIL and myself decided to go to Yosemite to hike the trails. (Believe it or not, 30 years ago it was only seasonally crowded, not locked down due to crowds as it is now.) My BIL designed the hike and it was about 80 miles and included some pretty rugged climbing terrain at high altitude.

We were to be out for 10 days with only two overnight stops in a tent camp to prove we were alive and not lost and let the park employees check us out to make sure we were OK physically. I was so amped up I couldn't believe it. Carried 8 days of food, tent, sleeping bag, emergency gear, maps, cameras, clothes, medium duty ponchos, half size compressible mattress pads, jackets, etc. We had to plan for light freezes most night, so that was a consideration. So including pack, the total gear load out was just a smidge over 80 pounds. This was actually light all things considered because of the fact that you don't have to carry more than a quart or so of water at a time as there was water everywhere and we took our water filter kits, and we were able to take one of certain items like first aid kits, cooking pots, cooking stoves (no open fires), etc.

I had a great pack, and to make sure I got it right, I packed, unpacked, moved the load around, and cut down anything that didn't add significant value to the trip. Strategy became important as it was difficult to cut down weight after the obvious stuff (emergency fishing kit... really?) was set aside. Even to the point of planning on washing my clothes in a stream and tying them off to my pack to wave in the breeze when we hit the trail so I could carry less socks, shirts and pants.

The trip worked out pretty much as planned, and the higher the altitude got during the trip, the less food we had so it helped a bit on the weight, and to ease things a bit we started to get used to the altitude. Others, not so much.

On the trail, once we hit around 8,000 ft above sea level, we started to see all kinds of gear literally tossed off the trail. Huge car camping type sleeping bags, sporting goods type nylon "small room tents", clothes, camp chairs (really?), heavy blankets, a lot of distilled water bottles, bags with misc. stuff like tent stakes, climbing rope, empty fuel bottles, and a ton of canned goods. We could have outfitted an expedition with the stuff we found! There were long stretches of the trail where you saw no one and you had to camp out in the wild, and I think people that didn't plan just plain panicked.

It was a blast X 10 for me, but the park rangers told me the have to rescue and escort down dozens of people every year from even the easy trails. They also told me that they routinely send out the mule skinners (the only way they can realistically resupply the top most camps) to clean up all the debris left on the trails by the inexperienced hikers.

I was out all 10 days and the only cutlery I had was a 4" CASE stockman and a German (Puma made) military style sheath knife. I used the stockman quite a bit, but the Puma never left the pack.

Robert
 
Carry at least a Para 2 clipped to right front pocket, and GEC Beerscout wrapped in a bandanna in a pocket. Likely also a Mora Companion in backpack. If camping, a Lon Humphrey Bushcrafter as well. Car keys also have a Vic Classic and P38.

IMG_1809.jpg
 
Opinel and a Squirt. LMAO Just kidding, I usually carry a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, and a SAK Alox Pioneer or Farmer. I'll generally carry any one of several fixed blades as well.
 
If I'm going for a short stroll or run I'll just keep with what I was carrying for the day (been favoring the Benchmade Bugout lately). When going for the better part of the day, I used to bring something larger like the CS Master Hunter but have worked down towards smaller fixed blades like the Bradford Guardian 3. I like that I can carry the Guardian horizontally on the front of my belt where it stays more out of the way.
 
midnight flyer said:
I used to carry enough crap to homestead by squatter's rights. 50+ years of never getting really lost but once, never getting into dire emergency circumstances, etc., I never carry more than I have to. Even when I was lost the one time, no knife would have helped me.

Day hikes, I usually only carry one larger folder like I do at work, such as a CS Ultimate Hunter, a RAT1, my old Kershaw Tremor, etc. In my pocket as usual is one of my small stockman knives or something similar to remove thorns, stickers, bug stingers, or open my protein bars. I am much more likely to spend more time figuring out which camera to take along with bringing enough water and snacks.

I realized one day when stopping along a trail to rest where a few younger guys had stopped that I looked ridiculous with all my crap. A large sheath knife, a large folder and a small folder and other stuff. It was a day hike, although with about 20+ miles of trails it was also available for overnights. They asked me how long I was planning to be "out"... they were serious. Perhaps they thought I was a forward search party of a rescue mission, maybe a mapping expedition leader, or I was training for disaster survival.

They were wearing cargo shorts with a couple of water bottles hanging out, had some kind of food bars in their pockets, and were just out knocking around in the 12 mile trail. They liked checking out the large folder I had and agreed it was "cool", but admitted that they usually carried one multiltool between them. They assured me that the multitool took care of everything they ran into. They hiked that park and others a couple of times every week, sometimes more when the weather turned cool as they also like to fish - catch and release in the river.

They asked me in an innocent and not at all sarcastic way if I had ever needed to use all the crap I was carrying and I had to admit I had not. I got to thinking, how many times had I hauled all that stuff around "just in case"? Waaaay too many. Sadly, I hadn't ever noticed just how "prepared" I was. I could have built a shelter, set traps, set up a first aid station, purified my own water, stayed in reasonable comfort overnight if trapped (for some damn dumb reason) in the park, and carried enough instant kindling to start a few fires. A lot of stuff for a 12 mile hike. A lot of stuff for a 15 or 20 mile hike. I felt a little bit like an idiot when thinking all the gear and how little of it I ever used.

So now I hike with the same gear I have when I go to work except I have signal whistle in case I slip in/on the rocks when exploring. A large folder and a small stockman. I take the knives that are the sharpest.

Robert
Click to expand...

You'll feel like an idiot right up until you need something that you used to carry, but don't anymore because some young guys on a trail have made it home ok because they haven't been caught out in inclement weather, or gotten lost.

That's uhhhh...that's not a great plan.
 
Saturday, I was hiking on a day use trail in a State Park along a small river and noticed a ranger being really jumpy. I asked what's going on? He pointed and said those little kids in the water are just above a 30 foot waterfalls and I don't want to take a swim to save them not to mention they could get hurt (or worse) in the process...

Have to admit I didn't have any flotation gear with me. Maybe I need to add that. ;) More stuff.... But I did have two knives on me.
 
Last edited:
I hike with my 2 young boys, and sometimes take one or two of their friends along. I bring along enough food and snacks to keep their blood sugar up for the trip, and usually I have 20 ounces of water per person since I live in a warm place with little natural water. Between that and emergency supplies and first aid, it's not uncommon for me to have 20-30 starting pounds on my back--water is damn heavy but that weight always goes down pretty quick. It seems like a lot, but if I turn an ankle the kids will not be hauling my 210 lb butt out, I would rather be prepared.

I used to carry a BK 15, but I picked up a 12" Himalayan Imports kukri off the exchange and that has been a lot of fun on the trail. I make walking sticks for the boys and we sometimes make little structures. I also picked up a TOPS Wolf Pax on the exchange (thanks bladeforums) and that is what I use when I travel. It's a small package, easy to pack away, yet still does everything I want when I get out and about.
 
BitingSarcasm said:
I hike with my 2 young boys, and sometimes take one or two of their friends along. I bring along enough food and snacks to keep their blood sugar up for the trip, and usually I have 20 ounces of water per person since I live in a warm place with little natural water. Between that and emergency supplies and first aid, it's not uncommon for me to have 20-30 starting pounds on my back--water is damn heavy but that weight always goes down pretty quick. It seems like a lot, but if I turn an ankle the kids will not be hauling my 210 lb butt out, I would rather be prepared.

I used to carry a BK 15, but I picked up a 12" Himalayan Imports kukri off the exchange and that has been a lot of fun on the trail. I make walking sticks for the boys and we sometimes make little structures. I also picked up a TOPS Wolf Pax on the exchange (thanks bladeforums) and that is what I use when I travel. It's a small package, easy to pack away, yet still does everything I want when I get out and about.
Click to expand...
That all rings a bell. :D

Call me “Dad, the water carrier/pack mule”. Haha. Mind you, it is far preferable to having a tired out family. And one by one the kids have learned to step up. They carry packs with some water and their waterproofs, of course, and their knives. My oldest is now 19. When he’s around he pulls his own weight without demure. Anyway, here’s to the dads who shoulder the burden. :thumbsup:
 
On day hikes, something small and light like my Delica. On multi-day hunting/camping treks that involve some hiking, something more substantial like a PM2. On “urban” hikes, something small and light but which deploys quickly and can be carried discreetly like my ZT 0450.
 
Quiet said:
You'll feel like an idiot right up until you need something that you used to carry, but don't anymore because some young guys on a trail have made it home ok because they haven't been caught out in inclement weather, or gotten lost.

That's uhhhh...that's not a great plan.
Click to expand...

Hmmm.... I guess that's a chance I will take. I was over prepared (hurricanes/floods/wildfires/poisoned water supply/animal attacks, etc.) for about 50 years of hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. The last 10 or 12 have been quite nice, and haven't found myself wanting yet.

I can get all I need in my camel pack for a long day trip, and more. If I find myself dying on a trail somewhere, lost and alone (even though about 10 - 12 miles or 6 to 7 hours is all I do these days) because I didn't prepare enough I will certainly remember your thoughtful words and no doubt feel like an idiot.

Robert
 
I took a 7 with me on my last hike.

prBZuMg.jpg


pbtyGxw.jpg
 
midnight flyer said:
Hmmm.... I guess that's a chance I will take. I was over prepared (hurricanes/floods/wildfires/poisoned water supply/animal attacks, etc.) for about 50 years of hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. The last 10 or 12 have been quite nice, and haven't found myself wanting yet.

I can get all I need in my camel pack for a long day trip, and more. If I find myself dying on a trail somewhere, lost and alone (even though about 10 - 12 miles or 6 to 7 hours is all I do these days) because I didn't prepare enough I will certainly remember your thoughtful words and no doubt feel like an idiot.

Robert
Click to expand...
I hear you.

I guess a lot depends on weather and temperature, combined with proximity to rescue. I like to go high, or at least as high as the UK allows, which is not much, but the wind blows, the rain/hail/sleet/snow falls. We have to go equipped for the weather, even on what looks like a perfect day to begin with. On well known paths I can’t say I give it much of a second thought, but that is probably my foolishness, thinking about it rationally. A broken bone in the lower limb combined with bad weather and you could be in very serious trouble without adequate emergency gear. Knives don’t really enter into it. I’d recommend a Raptor for first aid, unless you are going to perform surgery. My priorities are most likely to be warmth, fluids and painkillers:

But I trained as a paramedic, once upon a time, so I am probably overly preoccupied with first aid solutions.
 
I only day hike 5 miles or less. I have been carrying a Spyderco Sprig or Manix 2 lightweight mostly.
If I’m testing gear, who knows what I might be toting around. It’s only 5 miles.
qzZ9k6J.jpg

yTOfjIP.jpg
 
Last edited:
GB940Rookie said:
I only day hike 5 miles or less. I have been carrying a Spyderco Sprig or Manix 2 lightweight mostly.
If I’m testing gear, who knows what I might be toting around. It’s only 5 miles.
Click to expand...
This be true about testing or simply messing around with a new or different knife for the day. Most of my woods hikes are under 10 miles total length or about what I can comfortably do in a day and piddle around a bit.
 
Carry a tomahawk. :thumbsup: If you don't need it, it still can be a lot of fun. ;) If you ever do need it, it will do the job. :cool: I carry some variation of Cold Steel Hawk (from the trail hawk to the rifleman's hawk (fav.-pipe hawk) all the time for enjoyment or necessity. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top