What’s In My Daypack 2020 by Sarah Kirkconnell

Years ago I was a happy UL (ultralight) hiker. I carried very little, I would do 4-day trips with a large daypack on. I was also on a high from the “there I was” tales. I once got into an argument on a trail about misery and hiking with a hiking partner, where I snarkily said that the pain and misery only made the tales that much better.

Needless to say…as I got older I decided comfort was worth a bit more weight. I also took it a bit more seriously that being in better shape was better than sucking it up. More muscle strength means I can carry more. And if that means I carry 3 ways to make fires, and 3 ways to drink water, more the better.

I got my daypack out and shook it out the other day – to see what needed to be replaced, updated and even seeing if I needed to add in. Now then…I don’t always carry all of it. If it is a close in local hike on the island I tend to part out a bit of it. But in the wilderness? Always all of it. And longer hikes usually get extra clothing added in as well, along with more food.

What I am carrying currently:

• Deuter Trail 28 SL (woman’s fit)
• LifeStraw (emergency use only)
• Ultra-Sil Outhouse Toilet paper holder (Kirk found it in Australia and brought it back to me) (I like my TP. End of story.)
• OR med kit bag (that is a whole post right there)
• Sam Splint
• Unscented baby wipes, travel pack (not shown) (Clean hands keep people from getting sick if you cook for them!)
• Headlamp (check batteries every 3 months, look inside to ensure no leaking)
• Pepper spray (kept in hip pocket)
• Knife (kept in hip pocket)
• Sit pad
• Rain jacket
• Rain pants (15 year old REI ones)
• Waterproof bag for mobile phone/wallet
• Pack towel (upper, light blue)
• Cooking pot
• Gas canister
• Gas canister support
• Snow Peak Stove
• Lighter (BIC brand)
• UL measuring cup
• Bamboo utensil set
• Tiny pack towel for kitchen
• UL cutting board/prep station
• Snack size bag with paper towels folded up
• Fire starters, 2 types
• Waterproof matches
• Hand sanitizer, mini bottle (for fire starting)
• Metal fire starter
• UL blanket to sit on (with children this became important – it allows a clean place to sit on and take shoes off to cool off feet.)
• Emergency blanket (not shown)
• Hand warmers (not shown)
• Hat, fleece
• Gloves (not shown)
• BeFree water filter bottle
• Snacks (changes by the trip)
• Food (for longer trips, depends on where are going/what I am reviewing or developing)
• Emergency snacks (often honey packets)
• Bag of plastic bags (for garbage or keeping things dry, not shown)
• Water bottles (2) (not shown)
• Prescription sunglasses (not shown)
• Sunhat (not shown)

Two things I do not carry:

Commercial bug spray as I react in hives to it. Commercial sunblock unless at high altitude or on snow. Most brands I get hives from. I only use it if I must, and then cover most of my body with clothing instead.

~Sarah