Day Packing List

What do you pack on a day hike?

Whether you head out for the day remember it can always turn into an overnight trip. Being prepared in the woods and knowing what to pack can save your life.

Packing List:

20-30L Daypack

Trekking poles

Sturdy Hiking footwear

Hiking shirt – long sleeves help with sun protection

Hiking shorts or pants

Rain gear – waterproof

Snacks

Water – Bladder & Water Bottle

Sunscreen

Hat

Sunglasses

Lip Balm

Head Lamp – Extra batteries

First Aid Kit

Matches

Fire Starter

Emergency Shelter – Emergency Blanket

Bug Spray

Multi-tool/knife

Change of clothes waiting for you in the car.

Toilet Paper – Camper toilet paper is biodegradable. Regular toilet paper takes a long time to decompose.

Extra clothing is one of the 10 essentials. Weather can change quickly, and you may be out longer than planned. In every season, be prepared with additional waterproof layers, fleece jacket or warm layers, extra socks, gloves and toque and buff.

Optional:

Rain cover for daypack.

Gaiters (Great for creek crossing)

Bear Spray

The 10 essentials

Did you know there is 10 things that you can pack that can save your life?

Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger.

Whether you follow a map or a GPS. Knowing where you are at all times is key. Make sure to look around for markers. Look behind you and make that a habit. We rely on technology more than we know, and having a map in a waterproof case can go farther than a dead battery.

Always leave a trip plan in your vehicle & with someone you trust.

Headlamp: plus extra batteries.

Sometimes things happen and we don’t always make it back in daylight. Being able to see in the dark hours can make life that much easier and essential to know where you’re going.

Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen.

SPF 30 is recommended for extended outdoor activity.

First aid including foot care and insect repellent (as needed).

It’s vital to carry and know how to use the items in a first-aid kit. Pre-assembled first-aid kits take the guesswork out of building your own, though many people personalize these kits to suit individual needs. Any kit should include treatments for blisters, adhesive bandages of various sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, pen and paper.

Knife plus a gear repair kit.

Knives are handy for gear repair, food preparation, first aid, making kindling or other emergency needs, making them an essential for every outing. Every adult in your group should carry a knife.

Fire matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove.

In case of an emergency, you need to have reliable supplies with you for starting and maintaining a fire. For many people, this is a disposable butane lighter, but matches are also suitable so long as they are waterproof or stored in a waterproof container. Convenience-store matchbooks are often too flimsy and poorly constructed to be trusted for wilderness use.

Shelter carried at all times (can be a light emergency bivy).

Always carry some type of emergency shelter to protect you from wind and rain in case you get stranded or injured on the trail. Options include an ultralight tarp, a bivy sack, an emergency space blanket (which packs small and weighs just ounces) or even a large plastic trash bag. It’s important to understand that your tent is only your emergency shelter if you have it with you at all times (a tent left behind at your camp is not sufficient).

Extra food Beyond the minimum expectation.

Always pack at least an extra day’s worth of food in case something causes your trip to go long (such as an injury or bad weather). It’s a good idea to pack items that don’t require cooking and that have a long shelf life. Things like extra energy bars, nuts, dried fruits or jerky are good.

Extra water Beyond the minimum expectation.

It’s crucial to carry enough water for your outing and have some method of treating water while you’re out there, whether that’s with a filter/purifier, chemical treatment or a stove for melting snow. When determining how much water to carry exactly, consider that most people need about a half liter per hour during moderate activity in moderate temperatures. You may need to carry more than that depending on factors like the outside temperature, altitude, level of exertion or an emergency.

Extra clothes Beyond the minimum expectation.

Conditions can abruptly turn wet, windy or chilly in the backcountry or an injury can result in an unplanned night out, so it’s necessary to carry extra clothes beyond those required for your trip.

When deciding what to bring, think about what you would need to survive a long, inactive period out in the elements. Common options include a layer of underwear (tops and bottoms), an insulating hat or balaclava, extra socks, extra gloves and a synthetic jacket or vest. For winter outings, bring insulation for your upper body and legs.