Your survival in the wilderness starts with YOU! This is what I carry in my day hiking pack, weather I’m going 3 miles or 15.

• Hike with a buddy. If you MUST hike alone, tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back. Give them a timeline as to when to call authorities if you don’t return. Also, leave the names and numbers of people in your party. Carry a personal locator device.
• Familiarize yourself of the trail BEFORE you go. Look at Google maps satellite images and reviews from other hikers on sites like All Trails. Know your mileage, terrain, water sources etc. You are responsible for YOURSELF even if you are going with others who “say” they know the way.
• Carry enough water and snacks. If the trail has water sources, carry a filter so you can get water along the way. If there isn’t water on the trail, be prepared to carry enough to hydrate you through the day.
• Carry enough food. Take a lunch and snacks and bring extra in case you are out longer than you expected – like overnight. Salty snacks are king on hot days when you are sweating a lot.

What I carry ALL THE TIME when hiking (even for the day)  A three mile hike can turn into a life changing event!  Be prepared!!!  

• Compass & Map (and know how to use it!) (I took the REI class!) It’s super easy to navigate with a compass and map. Here is my youtube vid of the class.
• Bivy Bag (emergency blanket to keep warm)
• 2 extra emergency “space” blankets
• Fire Starting Stuff. (I have a lighter, also a flint starter, and cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly to get a fire going fast) Here’s a video on how to start a fire in deep snow. In the winter (high country) I carry a lightweight folding saw.
• Water (2 liters) – extra food
• Layers of clothes and rain gear – in winter be prepared for a very COLD night!
• Hydration tabs and salt tabs
• Hydration reservoir (holds 3 liters) (camel back)
• Water filter (Sawyer Squeeze) 1 liter Smart Water Bottle for filter
• Water Treatment tabs as backup in case your filter fails
• Extra Cell Phone charging packs (2) with cables (just make sure they are also charged and ready to go) mostly used for GPS signal
• Duct tape (wrapped to my hiking poles) also velcro zip ties
• Para cord (50 feet)
• Knife
• Emergency Locator Beacon. I carry the InReach Mini.. there is a subscription involved and I can text via satellite with no cell signal.
• First Aid Kit and Leukotape for blisters (I swear by this stuff)
• Wet wipes and/or toilet paper (PACK IT OUT!)
• Tyvek (can be used as a tarp, ground cover, footprint for shelter,etc) It’s very light and water resistant
• Headlamp (rechargeable or bring extra batteries)
• Signal Mirror (with spotting hole)
• Hand warmer pack in winter (I carry one pack even in summer)
• Whistle
• Extra pair of dry socks (especially in winter)
• Mosquito head net in summer months. They are BAD in the Sierra!
• Misc Items: Extra snacks, salty snacks (especially in summer) plastic trash bag that can be used for all sorts of things (sitting on wet ground) not to mention hauling out trash.   Bandanna, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray sun hat, trekking poles.
• I also have all sorts of GPS hiking/topo map apps on my phone such as Gaia, Guthook for the PCT, Peak Finder, Alltrails,and Wikiloc.  There are a bunch on the market. You don’t need a cell signal, just a charged phone. Nice to have, but also learn to use a compass and paper map! I always print out a topo map of the area that I’m hiking.

If you have items that you don’t see on my list, let me know!  I’d love to hear what you carry!

***  In the winter I take additional items such as micro spikes, sometimes snow shoes, gloves, hat and even more layers. My pack is a lot heavier in the winter for sure!

I highly recommend to read THIS book! There are sooo many lessons to be learned here for all conditions of hiking!

Happy Hiking and Remember, Stay Safe and Leave No Trace