Contents of hiking backpack.

[shadowmoss]

Here is an article from a retired Army ranger who has been hiking an running this website for years:

http://hikinghq.net/forum/showthread...-Carry-Article

[happystuff]

Wow - nice link, Paula. Lots of info. Thanks!

[Spartana]

Hi Spartana! Yes, I was actually looking for the backpack for day hikes. We already have grab 'n' go backpacks made and ready to go. And at this point in time, I'm not doing backpacking trips - although I'm not ready to get rid of my backpack w/frame!

I hate to admit it but I am a minimalist when it comes to bringing stuff with me on day hikes or trail runs. I just use a small fanny pack that has 2 insulated water bottles attached and carry a few basic things in that. Would survive a few days if it weren't freezing out though.

[simplelife4me]

Peruse the forums at www.equipped.org

[happystuff]

Thanks for the link, simplelife4me.

[bae]

Today's version of my winter S&R pack, intended for 1-2 day outings here in the Pacific NW, temperate rain forest climate, 0->2400 feet of elevation.

Pack is Eberlestock Halftrack, with some small molle add-ons: Condor water bottle carrier, sheath, medical pouch, radio holder.

Pack has 4 longitudinal side pouches, intended for 3L hydration packs. All are still empty, except for the axe I tuck into one. I have the pack cinched down a bit, and there's still room in the pack for lunch/misc gear if needed.





Gauze, tourniquet, needle decompression stabby, Leatherman Wave:



Axe, inserted in side pouch. A friend forged this for me, it has a heavy axe head on a shortish almost hatchet-length haft, it cuts like crazy on the local fir/pine/cedar:



Top exterior pocket of pack - Leather work gloves, GPS, binocs, compass, headlamp, sat phone:



Bottle carrier: Steel bottle, cup, AA, AAA, N batteries, spare battery for fire/police/ems transceiver:



Interior of pack, opened:



Top Interior half, #1 - Tilley hat, a warm skullcap that fits under my helmet, scarf, neck/face tube warm thingy, Kleenex, maps, notepad, book-o-forms:



Top interior half, #2:Flashlights, lightsticks, Bahco Laplander saw, Mora Classic, rollup J-pole antenna tuned for my fire transceiver, tinder, energy snacks, diamond hone:



Bottom interior half #1 - Kifaru Woobie Express (sort of an insulated poncho/shelter/blanket), Kifaru Sheep Tarp, MSR Bivy AC, MSR tent pegs, paracord. With these I can put together a very nice shelter in little time, or just use the poncho-thing when on-the-move or sitting observing to stay dry/warm:

[bae]

Bottom interior half #2 -Misc first aid stuff, nitrile gloves, neoprene gloves, signal mirror, water filter, trash bags:

[simplelife4me]

www.backpackinglight.com

[SiouzQ.]

I need to work on getting a better daypack system set-up for my desert trip next summer. Last summer I realized what I had just was all wrong and I am committed to having a better way to carry enough water and other such essentials for being out in the blazing, unrelenting sun for hours without getting heat sickness.

[happystuff]

Nice posts added since I last looked. Thanks for the pics and links! Snow bound, but thinking of hiking and packs. :-)