Loadout: Lightweight Day Hike

I take any chance I can get for adventure, so I like to go light and move fast. This loadout in my Osprey Talon 11 helps me do just that:

• Osprey Talon 11
• Keith Titanium Water Bottle
• Osprey Ultralight 3L Stuff Sack
• Snugpak Patrol Poncho
• Carhart Beanie
• Morakniv Companion Stainless
• Petzl Tactikka Headlamp
• Bushcraft Outfitters Signal Sack
• Clif Bars
• Osprey Ultralight Tool Roll
• IFAK (SWAT-T, Gauze, Boo Boo Kit, meds, etc.)
• Gorilla Tape (3ft.)
• Aquatab Water Tablets
• 550 Paracord (25ft.)
• Fire Kit (Bic, UCO Matches, WetFire cube, Fatwood)
• Exotac Nano Beeswax Candles (x2)

This pack, along with my EDC, gives me enough gear to tackle the trail for a day hike (and survive unexpected emergencies) while keeping a low form factor. I usually just toss in an extra bottle of water and go!

My kit contents are pretty self explanatory, but I would like to add my remarks on a few items:

I don’t expect to be encountering any traumatic injuries while on a rural day hike, so you will see that my trauma kit is quite minimal. The SWAT-T tourniquet can be used as a tourniquet (with proper training, which I have), a sling, or an improvised pressure bandage when combined with the gauze. The Gorilla tape can be used for a wide variety of things, but I keep it with my trauma items so that I can improvise a chest seal with the packaging of the gauze, etc. if need be.

The Signal Sack from Bushcraft Outfitters is one of my favorite pieces of kit. I am a huge believer in multi-use items, and this exemplifies that perfectly.  I use it as a large waterproof seat, as a signal panel during hunting season, a bag for collecting tinder, edibles, etc. a pillow when stuffed with a jacket, an improvised backpack when rigged up with some cord, a flag to mark my camp, and so much more! At only 4 ounces, this thing comes with me no matter what

Although not the lightest, I chose to go with the Snugpak Patrol Poncho for two reasons: 1. It is an excellent poncho – the Snugpak has dedicated sleeves with thumb holes, a great hood, a front pocket, and many other features that serve great when used as a poncho. 2. The enclosed sides of the poncho mean that you can sit down while wearing the poncho, pull your legs inside, and draw up the hood to have a “personal tent” or bothy bag while taking a break in nasty weather. Add my beeswax candles and you have what is known as the “Palmer Furnace”, a great technique originally developed for cavers to keep warm without a fire (look it up!).

To conclude, this loadout can serve as a wilderness day hike bag or as an emergency GHB, if need be. I want to give a huge thanks to Pack Config for letting me share my gear and putting out great content.

Stay sharp my friends, L.J.