I’ve always liked to be prepared for anything life can through at me and as I head out into the great forests this country has to offer it’s important that I’ve got everything I need no matter what might happen.
What’s in my pack?
- Pack away waterproof coat
- First Aid Kit
- Dry Bag
- Towel
- Mountain currency (loo roll)
- Tea light candles
- Lighter
- Swiss Army knife
- Keys
- Wallet
- Food
- Drink
- Hip Flask (with a little bourbon)
- Hiking pole
- Compass
- Torches & spare batteries
- Powerpack & charging cable
- Bivvy bag
- Gloves
- Socks
- Notebook
- Tissues
- Spare laces
- Spare contact lenses and glasses
- Emergency blanket
First Aid Kit
This is one of the most important bits to carry. I’ve got a pretty well packed kit, with bandages, slings, plasters, bite/sting cream, bug repellent, cotton swabs, alcohol wipes, tweezers, scissors, ibuprofen, digestion tablets, face mask, condoms and safety pins. Remember those last two shouldn’t be stored next to each other, for obvious reasons.
There is much more that I could choose to include and as time go by I am sure that this kit is going to grow to fit my requirements.
Mountain currency
Yes, Bear Grylls might have inspired this one, but it is such a useful one to keep on you. It can be used as kindling for a fire, to clean and dry equipment, maybe even to write out a note, and of course for wiping your never regions if you need to go in the woods.
It is worth remembering that standard toilet paper will take longer to biodegrade than you may think, so leaving it out in the open or burying it in the ground is not the best solution. I always carry some dog poop bags with me so to be sure take your waste paper with you and dispose of in the next bin you see.
Hiking Pole
I only carry the one, and at the moment it is a Eurohike Expedition variety which I picked up from Millets at a very reasonable price, £8.99. I know most use hiking poles one in each hand and use them continuously almost like ski poles. For me I have this to help my balance whether this is coming down a steep slope or going up one. I also use I for a little extra support whilst trekking.
Many years ago I had an alteration with rusty old barbecue which managed to take a little chunk out of my lower shin. It does hurt with the impact of running or cycling and can sometimes feel the cold break through the thin layer of skin that covers the bone still. Hiking isn’t something that really has an affect on this though, but it is nice to have a stick that can I know I can use to take a little of that extra weight if I do ever need it.
There will be more
This is what I carry with me when I’m on a single day hike. If you’re following this blog you’ll soon realise that I’ll be taking on some longer treks. I am well aware that there is much more gear I am going to need to complete these.
So I’ll keep updating this post, and as I start to use the items in my pack I’ll start looking at describing why I’ve found it useful.