What's in your Pack?

To begin, a good fitting pack can make your hike a lot easier. That is, the waist belt down at your thighs (if you're short) or up at heart level (if you are tall) isn't much fun at all.  Wide, padded shoulder straps help keep the weight of your pack from digging into your shoulders. Make sure the straps are properly adjusted so that the weight of the pack rests on your shoulders & hips. And those straps on the sides of the load? Those are "compression" straps. People often leave them hanging loose then wonder why their backs get so sore.  Tighten them up, keeping the contents of your pack from pulling back on your shoulders. 

Also, many backpackers already know this but often dayhikers do not: pack your heaviest items closer to your spine. This also can save weight pulling your back into unnecessary extension, causing further pain. If you have a sternum strap in the front, adjust and buckle it so that it goes across your upper chest/sternum area.

I prefer having an option for a water reservoir (i.e., Camelbak bladder) inside the pack.  There are also pockets on the sides of my pack which can carry water bottles. Having easy access to liquids seems to help hikers to drink more.  On longer hikes and hot days, I will often carry a full Camelbak bladder as well as a 1L water bottle.  Gatorade or an electrolyte-type drink can go in a regular Nalgene or collapsible Platypus soft bottle to keep your reservoir available for water only, if you like.     

A question I am frequently asked on tour is: "What is in your pack?". I used to carry a 45L pack, with everything except the kitchen sink (!), mainly because I wanted a pack that would serve both winter and summer activities. After a lot of unneeded hauling, I switched to a 25L woman-specific daypack. Having one season under its hipbelt, it has served me well thus far. Some people opt to hike with smaller Camelbaks or waist packs. That is fine... as long as you can take the water, food, and layering you will need for your hike.  Remember to plan for possible weather conditions and emergencies.  You probably won't need that down sweater if you are hiking in the desert in summer!

Here are some of the other items I keep in my pack when I am guiding:

• Food (Lunch + extra snacks, possibly a gel or two)
• Water/Gatorade (If I'm not carrying enough for all day, I bring a backpacking water filter)
• Layers/Wind or Rain Shell/Hat (Toque & gloves or extra socks if it may get cold)
• Map/Compass (Guidebook, if necessary)
• First Aid kit (enough to deal with basic emergencies)
• Foot Care/Blister kit
• Emergency kit with headlamp, extra batteries, cord, duct tape, lighter or matches
• Large trash bag (can double as a poncho for someone if needed)
• Bandanna
• Plastic zip bag with hand sanitizer, tissues, extra sunscreen, lip balm
• Other possibilities: down sweater, binoculars, field guide, camera, ID, Insurance card, small amount of cash

We'll talk more about some of these items in further detail later, but I just wanted to give you an idea of what generally works for me on a regular day hike.  And no, I don't bring the hand weights. ;)

Hopefully this helps!  What works for you?