What To Carry On A Hike Card
Posted on by Heath McConnell

What I Carry On A Day Hike

Hey Guys, today I want to share with you a video on what I carry on a day hike. I have included the content list below.

This is a question I have been asked over and over. “What should I carry on a day hike”? While the simple answer could be as easy as, the 10 Essentials, it can also be a lot more. What I would like to point out here is that even someone who has never hiked before believes they should at least carry something! I ALWAYS carry a backpack or day pack with me on every hike. That being said, I suggest investing in a comfortable backpack in the 18-20 liter range. These can be purchased anywhere on any budget. I used one for a couple years from a low budget store that lasted long enough that I passed it on and upgraded to my current favorite bag to this date – the Osprey Talon 22 (22 liter). This bag is not only very comfortable, but holds everything I could ever cram into it for a day hike.

The 10 Essentials:

What are the 10 essentials? These are 10 systems you should always have with you. Some items, such as the satellite messenger can be valuable. I have plans to purchase one soon for some of my longer adventures. You may never use some of these things for months of hiking, but at some point, you may be in a situation where you really wished you had them, or even worse yet, you could end up in a situation where your safety depends on one of these items. Lets take a look at these items and if you aren’t sure what some of these things are, a quick internet search will fix that.

  1. Navigation:
    1. Map and compass
    1. Altimeter
    2. GPS device
    3. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
    4. Satellite Messenger
  2. Light:
    1. Headlamp or flashlight.
  3. Shelter:
    1. Rain poncho that doubles as a shelter.
    2. Tarp
    3. Bivy
  4. First Aid:
    1. Bandages, gauze pads, wound dressing, foot care, etc.
  5. Fire:
    1. Tenderbox
    2. Ferro Rod (Ferrocerium)
    3. lighter
    4. Matches
  6. Water:
    1. Water bottle
    2. Water filtration system
  7. Food:
    1. Energy bar
    2. Ready-to-eat meals
    3. Meat sticks
    4. Jerky
    5. Trailmix
  8. Knife:
    1. Pocket knife
    2. Victorinox type multi-knife
    3. MultiTool
  9. Clothes:
    1. Wool sweater
    1. Rain gear
    2. Socks
    3. Warm hat
    4. Gloves
  10. Sun Protection:
    1. Sunglasses
    2. Lip protection
    3. Hat

So you might wonder if you need everything listed in a particular system. For example, under Navigation, I would normally have my phone for photos. I also have apps on my phone with maps loaded that I can view when I am even out of cell coverage. However, it is my professional opinion that putting all your safety of staying found in an electronic device is about as smart as texting and driving – at some point you are going to be screwed. I will also carry a map and compass with me because it is a valuable tool that does not rely on power.

Having a tool and not knowing how to use it can get you in serious trouble or even dead! To make a point, here are some “tools” that can be deadly if you do not have proper training. In land surveying a machete is used, sometimes for hours, chopping through blackberries, better known as “weeds” in Cascadia. Not knowing how to use one could get your shin chopped in half, or worse, chop into someones head that you let get to close. A firearm is another “tool” that can be deadly without proper training. Same with map and compass. Having it in your bag is not going to save you. Enough said.

For the Fire system, I think it is wise to typically always have a mini Bic lighter and a tinderbox. I always carry a Ferro rod, which will work even when wet…a Bic will not work when wet. Most times I have two different items from the Knife system. As the seasons change, so does the contents of my day pack. Rain gear and my wool sweater usually are left out in the summer months – the two months of the year when it doesn’t rain. There are times I may carry a stove and food to cook a meal or coffee once I arrive at a scenic location such as in the image below. The best advice is to start with the ten and as you gain experience, adjust items you may want to add.

What to carry on a day hike
Firebox stove cooking sausages next to a creek in Cascadia.

EQUIPMENT LIST:

Below is the list of the equipment I went over in my video.

image of EDC
This is what I carry everywhere I go even if I don’t have a backpack.

If this post has helped you, or should you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section. I also ask that you subscribe to my YouTube channel and blog to stay informed.

Adventure awaits!