Day Pack

-Pack it right!

 When going out on a day hike, you should always take the time to pack some extra items you may need in case you are caught out overnight.  The extra contents will easily fit into a small pack and won’t add much additional weight.  The benefits of carrying these extra items far outweigh the added weight and capacity.  They may make the difference between survival and a very unpleasant experience.

Busy schedules limit many of us to only the occasional short day hike, but keep in mind that “things happen” and you may end up staying out there overnight.  Being prepared to handle these situations is a good way to ensure your safety and keep your families worry free.  The list below contains some of the items that I always keep in my pack.

·       A small flashlight with extra batteries

·       Some sort of candy that will not melt

·       A good whistle (this sound can be heard from a               great distance)

·       A good compass or GPS

·       First aid kit

·       Extra medication

·       A pocket-knife

·       A pencil and paper

·       Lip balm or chap stick

·       Moleskin (will help with blisters)

·       Sunglasses (can be used in summer or winter)

·       Water purifying bottle or tablets

·       Maps

·       Extra food for a day (pre-packaged high energy bars are very compact and efficient)

·       Raingear (sudden storms can appear)

·       Camera and film

·       Weather-proof matches, a lighter, or flint

·       Compact shatterproof mirror (reflected sunlight is equivalent to several million candlepower and can be seen for miles)

No matter how brief your day pack will be, always be sure to let your family or friends (at least 1 person who you can trust) know where you are going and when you will return.  If possible, show someone or mark on a map the exact area where you will be going.

Carrying a walking stick is also a good idea.  Besides using it to walk, it can come in very handy for a variety of other purposes (a crutch, splint, shovel, weapon, etc.).  If you don’t have one, pick one up on the trail and use a pocket-knife to scrape off those prickly things.  Another way of smoothing out a new walking stick is to rub it on a large rock until you get the appearance you want. 

Enjoy your hike and remember to use your camera.   Don’t forget to send AZOD some of your favorite pictures so we can post them on the site. 

Remember,  if you pack it in, pack it out! 

R L Gray

    Camping/Hiking editor

    Team AZOD