What’s in my Backpack

What’s in my backpack? Specifically, my dayhiking pack. Is it the same things I’d find in your pack? Maybe. Maybe not. I tend to over pack, especially if I’m out on the trails with my kiddos or leading a hike for Mtn Chicks. But, generally speaking, here’s what you can usually find inside my Osprey

• The first thing people always notice is I carry an abundance of water in my hydration pack. It’s always overboard. Always. Most of the trails in Southern California are lacking in one key thing: streams and rivers. Because of this, I’m always paranoid about running out of water on the trail. So, I usually have a full 2.5L bladder on me as well as an additional water bottle (that electrolytes can be added to if needed), if not more in my Nalgene.
• I love my first aid kit. It’s a little overboard as well as I carry a 4-person backpacking kit (my kit has since been discontinued by REI). However, I feel this is necessary because I lead and host hiking events where I feel responsible for the well being of those I’m leading. A normal daypack really only needs a basic first aid kit with the few essentials.
• Every daypack should have some survival gear in it. Even if you’r only planning on hiking a few miles. Let’s not forget about the Oregon hikers who got cut off from their cars due to the Eagle Creek Fire and were forced to backpack through the Gorge overnight. What should have been a 4 mile hike to some waterfalls, turned into a 20+ mile trek through the forest. For this reason, I always carry an emergency blanket, emergency shelter and SOL kit, along with my trusty Huntsman.
• We’ve all been out on the trail and needed to go. So, a trowel becomes necessary for those emergency trail stops.
• Because I use my Samsung phone for photos and trail descriptions (I also carry a topo map of the area I’m in and a Suunto Compass), I carry a battery charger. I’ve only ever used it on overnight trips, but it’s best to err on the side of safety. And, speaking of photos, I also carry my “faux pro.”
• Again, while I’ve only ever used it during backpacking trips, I always carry my Black Diamond Spot headlamp. I especially like this one because it has a red light for nights when the bugs are out or you are camping with others who are already asleep (the red light doesn’t shine through a person’s eyelids and wake them up).
• Remember how I said I overpack? Yeah? Well snacks can always be found in abundance in my pack. Apples, nuts, Probars, chocolate. I usually have enough to keep me and 3 other people going on the trails for a couple days. Add to my snack stash Nuun electrolytes. But don’t eat them. Just trust me on that one.
• Bathrooms on the trails are like unicorns; if you see one, it’s magical! But, sinks are non-existent, so I carry a small sanitizer to keep the germs at bay. Along with my sanitizer, I also carry a few travel-sized sunscreens and my Doterra essential oil travel kit.
• Finally, during most months, I carry a jacket. I almost never wear one while hiking because I get too overheated, but I always have it with me in my pack just in case the weather turns, or I find myself out on the trails overnight.

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If you’re wondering what kind of bag I use, it’s always Osprey. They’re packs have literally enabled me to get back out on the trails (read more about that HERE). For my dayhikes, I opted to get the Mira AG 34. It’s on the big side for a daypack, but again…over packer here! Haha.

Now that you know what’s in my backpack, let me know what’s in yours in the comments below. Would you add anything to my pack? Are there things you think I should definitely leave at home? Comment below!