Spring/Fall Day Hike Packing List

The always up to date guide to what’s in my pack! Geared for a Spring/Fall day hike where you are expecting sun but there is a chance of rain.

Last Updated: 9/09/2015

This is a full gear list including both packed and worn items.

• Trekking Poles – Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole (length – 130 cm)
  • I like a longer trekking pole if its the “z-pole” style.  That way I can choke up and adjust my length when needed but still have a long option when crossing streams or on steep descents.
• Backpack – Black Diamond Bolt Pack
  • This pack is awesome.  Best day pack ever
• Hammock – Hummingbird Single Person Hammock + Tree Straps
  • Nothing makes people jealous like busting out a hammock at the edge of a lake and kicking up your feet.
• Water Bladder – 2L Hydrapack Reversible Reservoir with Shape Shift
• Bic Lighter
• Headlamp – Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
  • 160 lumens in a small dependable, waterproof package.
• Sit Pad – 1′ by 2′ piece of foam I cut from a sleeping pad
  • One of my favorite items to take with me.  Great for sitting on at lunch, around the fire, using as a small table to keep from losing small items, placed under a pack in your vestibule to keep the bottom of your pack dry, and many more uses.
• Emergency Beacon – Delorme InReach
• GPS – Garmin 62s
• Watch – Suunto Core
• Sun Glasses – Smith Dolen ChromaPop Polarchromic Ignitor Sunglasses
• Puffy Jacket – Outdoor Research Cathode Hooded Jacket
• Rain Jacket – Outdoor Research Helium II
• Hiking Pants – Prana Zion pants
• Hiking Shoes – Salomon XA PRO 3D ULTRA 2 GTX
  • These are awesome trail runners that are a bit beefier than the minimalist trail runners that are so popular right now.  They are rocking GORETEX, have awesome traction, are lighter than traditional hiking boots, and are comfortable enough I don’t need camp shoes.
• Gaiters – REI Trail Running Gaiters
  • I wear gaiters almost more to keep dirt and small rocks from getting in my shoes and causing irritation than to protect against snow or brush.  That’s why I go with light weight ones.
• Boxers – ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Boxer Brief
• Socks – Darn Tough Ultralight hiking socks
• Shirt – Outdoor Research Echo 1/4 zip
• Hat – Trucker Hat
• Emergency Survival Gear – Emergency + medical gear packing list

Alternate Items – These are items I swap in or out when the weather changes.

• Sandals – Teva Barracuda
  • I like bringing sandals with me when I’m going to be around a lot of water.  Either fly fishing or just crossing a lot of streams/rivers.
• Ice/Snow Traction – Kahtoola MICROspikes
  • I once got talked into leaving these at home during a early October trip to The Enchantments – huge mistake. Now I always bring them if there is even a slight chance of snow.
• Fly Fishing Rod – Tenkara USA Sato Rod + Flys
  • I use a traditional fly rod when I’m not backpacking but I like the quick setup time of a tenkara rod when I’m backpacking for quick casts while hiking.
• Water Filtration – Sawyer Squeeze Mini + Platypus Platy Water Tank
  • If there is any question that I might use more than 2L of water this comes along.