ARIES83
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When I first started hiking, I set out to assemble a backpack that would be perfect for me and how I did things, only to realize that how I did things was constantly evolving in relation to my experience level, this will be something like the fifth version of my hiking backpack and I’ve come to think of it as a perpetual work in progress.
If the photo shows up as planned you should be able to make out numbers over the items:
1. This is an Ultra light “Dry sack” which holds all my clothes, something important I’ve found is not only to keep your clothes dry, but to also keep your dirty clothes separate, especially dirty socks, a good idea is to have a large ziplok or two to separate biohazards.
2. I think this towel was from sea to summit, it’s microfiber, very absorbent and has a built in snap loop for hanging it out to dry, I keep it in it’s own bag as it’s usually a bit damp.
3. My cook set is only really used for boiling water, I try not to bring foods that need to be cooked heaps, one thing I’ve found is that your cook set will depend on how you plan on washing yourself and what you plan on eating/drinking, I use it to boil water for hot drinks and to add hot water to instant foods, I boil one pot of water to sponge myself clean, the pot itself doesn’t really get food in it, only water.
I use an Trangia alcohol stove but the rest of the set is from all over the place, combined into something that works for me, the pot itself is a snow peak billycan so it can be hung over a fire to save fuel.
4. For rope I use paracord, it’s pretty light, strong and compact.
5. I only really bought this first aid kit for the red pouch, I’ve fleshed it out a lot. But I wanted something instantly recognizable as a first aid kit, I think that’s important.
Something I also have in there is hay fever tablets, sometimes I get it when I’m travelling and smoke from campfires sometimes makes me get hay feverish.
6. My Katadyn Mini water filter, because of how it’s crammed into my pack I decided to but a hard case for it, as far as water filters go, I’ve only had this one but from reading a lot of reviews Katadyn seem to be the shit, I would have preferred a Katadyn Pocket but size and weight meant I had to get this one.
It hasn’t let me down yet.
7. The fuel bottle for my alcohol stove, it’s only 500ml but mentholated spirits weighs less than water so the 500ml fuel and the bottle only come to 500g, I got a proper safety bottle, better to be safe than sorry.
8. This is a USMC EBNS, your tent will depend on what your needs are, I only have a one man, but it will fit a couple at a squeeze, it won’t however fit two people who don’t like spooning haha.
The main reason I got this was the camo pattern, I don’t like broadcasting the location of my campsite, especially if I’m going to be away from it for long periods, I don’t worry as much then about whether or not my stuff is still going to be there when I come back.
I have known people who have had their tent ransacked… and even slashed…
9. I’m very picky about sleeping pads, I think it’s safe to say this will be my last pad because compared to everything else I’ve tried, it’s the best so far and finally, I think I’m happy with it.
I’m using a thermarest prolite plus, it’s by far the most comfortable thing I’ve found so far, but everyone has different sleeping requirements so if you can try one out at a camping store before you buy that would probably be a good idea.
While this is marketed as a “self inflating” pad’ take that with a grain of salt, the other thing in the picture is something called an instaflator, it’s basically a long tube made out of plastic bag material which lets you blow up inflatable things with no huffing and puffing, a must have!
10. The red bag is another ultra light dry sack holding my blanket, I’m a hot sleeper so sleeping bags
Are usually uncomfortable for me, so I use a blanket, some people call your sleeping gear a “sleep system” because it all works together, I use a Thermarest Alpine Blanket, and I use the big stuff sack to store it because your not suppose to store down tightly compressed, it loses it’s loft.
One thing with down is you absolutely should avoid getting it wet at all costs, this can even apply to condensation dripping down the walls of your tent, if moisture is a big concern synthetic materials may be a better choice as they retain their insulation even when wet.
11. Some people take larger shovels, I’ve got a shovel collection at home but I found all I really need is this, (it’s for digging poo holes).
Which reminds me there’s no toilet paper in the picture, remember toilet paper!
12 & 13. These are my wood processing tools, as a basic bit of advice I wouldn’t go hiking without some sort of knife… they are really a must have, the one in the picture is a great knife but it is a bit big and heavy for the things I use it for so he’s on his way to retirement soon, the other thing is a folding saw, I strongly recommend taking one of these! They make gathering dry wood so easy.
My preferred way of gathering wood is to use the saw to cut of pieces of standing dead trees and use the knife as a splitter.
14. My torch is a Fenix LD10, it takes 1AA battery, as a general rule it’s a good idea to make sure all your electronics take the same type of batteries, I have a little backup light somewhere in there it’s one of those tiny keyring lights that weigh nothing.
15 & 16. Two litres of water, I try to drink out of the blue bottle first that way when I’m onto the red bottle I’m reminded I’m getting low every time I have a drink.
How much water you carry depends on where you go hiking really.
17. My bathroom bag, it contains:
Listerine “Pocket packs” they are basically ultra light mouthwash, Sunscreen, Chapstick, Showergel, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Areogard, a razor, a tiny can of antiperspirant deodorant, Sponges for washing with, Floss.
18. Miscellaneous stuff, repair kit, navigation things, batteries, fire starting stuff, knife sharpener ect…
19. That is an old nokia, it’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof ect… it’s just for emergencies, provided I can even get reception.
20. My empty food bag, usually contains food, is currently… empty.
21. This is a collapsible 4 litre container, I use it for when I make camp, I’ll fill it up where ever the water is and bring it to the campsite. Just makes life a bit more convenient.
There’s other bits and pieces in there that I haven’t mentioned like… I usually take thongs too, sunglasses but they are in my car ect… but this should be some food for thought, maybe there’s some things in there that you hadn’t thought of.
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