Almost 4 years ago, I asked your help to rate my backpack. I have made some major changes since then, and now that my ankle is back to almost normal, the itch to get out into the woods is getting stronger. This post is for two purposes: first, to document those changes while going through my checklists, and second, to ask for your advice. I am fundamentally a well-read novice, not an expert. Have I overlooked something essential? Has my obsession for redundancy and what-ifs led to over-packing?
First, some caveats: I live near the Idaho-Washington border in the inland Pacific Northwest and Mountain West climate. This is aimed at the dry part of Washington, and the mountainous parts of Idaho and Montana. We have four distinct seasons, cool nights even through most of summer when days can be quite hot, and winter snow/ice. There is access to relatively clean water in many remote areas thanks to springs and snowmelt feeding lakes and streams, but some zones have heavy metal contamination from mining. Hazards include wildfires, dangerous alpha predator wildlife, and sudden storms.
This is also slightly over-packed because this overlaps with wildfire evacuation mindset, and I can't shake the worry I may need to leave with what I can grab: backpack, tech bag, overnight bag, some basic supplies, and never look back.
The Pack
My old backpack was a large military surplus ALICE (All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) pack with a capacity of around 62 liters maounted on the proper aluminum frame. Smaller Medium ALICE packs of around 40 liter capacity can be used with or without this frame. Pro: the frame can be used without the pack to carry all manner of other loads, allows airflow around your back, can have extra loads strapped onto it, and supports a partially-emptied pack very well. Cons: not very comfortable, and not well adapted to recreational hiking needs.
I took the advice @cahlen in an old post from a few years ago and bought a Granite Gear Crown2 60L lightweight hiking backpack. This model is now discontinued, but you can see their current line here. Meanwhile, Cahlen has a newer recommendation in this post. Options abound, and I'm sure other brands will also serve well. I'm happy with this one, your mileage may vary, etc.
Modern hiking backpacks are designed to fill a taller and more narrow volume than the old military pack. This one has a removable internal plastic panel as its frame. The shoulder straps are very comfortable, and include a chest strap to keep it secure. There is a pocket on each side, and a large mesh pocket on the back. There is a detachable top pack which can be left off to reduce bulk if needed.
One potential issue: part of the lightweight design focus of this pack led to smaller webbing and buckles than typical 1"/25mm I have used in the past. In the event it breaks, repairs could be more difficult.
Modifications
As Cahlen's original post recommended, I added a MOLLE-compatible web belt in place of the original hip belt. This makes it easy to customize. It now has two pouches for Nalgene bottles (one of which has a drinking tube upgrade similar to a Camelbak), a small zip pouch, a magazine pouch for my Leatherman, a universal pistol holster, and a magazine pouch for an actual pistol magazine.
I am not in a proper desert, but I am also not in the rainforests of the cascades. I bought a universal rain cover for my pack so I can add an extra barrier to keep it (and its contents) dry should a rainstorm hit.
The Gear
This pack still has some room, so I can add more as needed, but these are the essentials I plan to keep at all times. The checklist here is from an older post, Backpacking Basics, as recommended by an expert who presented a library program a few years ago.
Navigation
A compass, notepad, and pen, are stored together in a side pocket in one of the water bottle pouches. I have an old post on compass basics here. I plan to wear a cheap Casio analog watch as well, partly because a watch can be used as a backup for a compass, and partly to escape the leash of a phone and schedule. I'd like to get a self-winding mechanical watch eventually, but this will do for now. Note that without proper maps of wherever you plan to travel, these tools lose much (but not all) of their utility
Sun Protection
I have a broad-brimmed canvas hat, same as before. I added a collapsible umbrella for sun and rain protection after seeing it recommended by someone from the wet west side of Washington State. Both are stored in outside pockets for easy access.
I also have a poncho in my inventory, but I think I'd prefer something else. The one I have does not breathe at all, so any exertion leads to perspiration, and it has nowhere to go. I got soaked through from within when I used it last. Do you have any suggestions for a better product? This is also a good reminder to test your gear and learn its shortcomings before it matters!
Insulation
Even in summer, nights can get very cold in the mountains and deserts of the American west. I have a sleeping bag, a puffy jacket, thermal underwear, a knit cap, and other clothing for layering as needed. Some is in the top cover pouch of my backpack as previously mentioned for easy access, and the rest is in a dry bag inside the pack. A dry bag serves two purposes: keeping water out, and keeping the clothing contained and compact.
I have a set of merino wool thermal underwear and wool socks in the dry bag, among other things. Wool retains much of its insulation performance even when wet. It also has antimicrobial properties. There is a common saying, "cotton kills," because it does not insulate at all if it gets wet. In hot weather, it's great for wicking away sweat and keeping you cool, but in cold weather, it's worthless for staving off hypothermia. Synthetic fabrics perform better overall, but get stinky fast. Choose your clothing based on your climate and your budget.
The biggest change overall to this kit was an upgrade to the sleeping bag. My old kit used a heavy, bulky Coleman sleeping bag I already had, but since then, I bought a proper backpacking sleep system that packs down to an incredibly tiny volume. It is lighter, smaller, and rated to insulate more than I expect to need. Down insulation is even better than my synthetic-fill bag, but cost is outrageous.
I still need to get a sleeping pad to keep it off the ground, so I am open to specific suggestions here.
Illumination
I already have a good LED flashlight as part of my everyday carry, but hands-free headlamps are preferred for hiking and camping. I have one here. I also have spare batteries. If you have never been out in the country, you have no idea how dark it gets at night. I miss what it was like before town grew closer to where I live, or new neighbors from urban areas started installing floodlights in their yard and leaving them on all night.
First-Aid Supplies
My serious first aid kit from my car can handle far more if I bring it along, but I'll throw in a Trauma Pak previously reviewed here. I need to locate my Altoids tin emergency kit, because it has simple band-aids and such. I put it all somewhere safe last year so I wouldn't lose it, so I'm sure you know what that means today...
I don't really have a better category for hygiene in this checklist, so I'll consider it a sort of preventative first aid sub-category. I have a folding shovel smaller than the USGI entrenching tool, and while I do not recommend it for serious digging, it is smaller, lighter, and good for a quick "cat hole" in the woods. I also have toilet paper and some "Dude Wipes" I got on sale, but the standard price is absurd. Just get some generic biodegradeable flushable wipes if you want that sort of product to clean your hands, nether regions, etc.
Oh, one last thing: every hoopy frood knows where his towel is, and I have one in the pack.
Fire
I have waterproof matches and a basic Bic lighter, plus some fire starter fuse and a telescoping tube to blow air into a fire. You could probably make that last bit from an old portable radio antenna.
Note that having the means to build a fire is not enough. Know when, where, and how to build one. Our forests are tinderboxes in the summer, and you do not want to set them ablaze with your campfire. Keep it as small as possible for what you need. Put it out COMPLETELY when you are done. Don't be responsible for an inferno.
Better yet, use a stove instead of a campfire. Some folks swear by JetBoil and other compact gas/propane stoves. I've abandoned Sterno cans in favor of an Esbit stove to go with my Stanley cookpot and a few extra utensils, but I also have the option of my larger BioLite stove. Leave the massive Coleman two-burner camp stove behind unless you absolutely need it. I think @generikat had a story about those in one of her older posts, but I can't find it at the moment.
Repair Kit & Tools
I always carry my Leatherman Wave, and I stowed its bit driver and a flat multi-tool with the fire starting kit in the belt pouch. I also still have my somewhat-silly Ka-Bar Zombie Killer War Sword, because despite the brand hype, it is still a sturdy knife. I have used to to chop branches and baton wood. It also has a smaller knife in the sheath, and my Silky saw fits in the extra pouch on the sheath. This is arguably overkill on cutlery, but who doesn't like options?
You might prefer a hatchet instead of the saw and big knife, but a fixed blade knife with a 4-5" (10-13cm) blade is still a good idea. If you plan to bring a fishing rod and catch your dinner from lakes and streams in the wilderness, a dedicated fillet knife might be a good idea, too. If you live in a country where the law looks askance at having a sharp object, what is your preferred option?
I have a small coil of parachute cord as well. Never leave home without it! Need a clothesline? Broke a shoelace? Need to lash some sticks together? It is incredibly useful for all manner of tasks.
Trekking poles serve as tent poles at night, and aid with balance during the day. If I pass through snake country, I'll be using these to make sure nothing bitey is lying in wait. Never step or reach where you can't see, by the way.
I also live in the same area as bears, mountain lions, and wolves; and I'm leery of many poorly-trained aggressive dogs due to past experiences. I'll be carrying a gun. That is why I have a holster and mag pouch on the belt.
Nutrition
I have several freeze-dried meals, instant coffee packets, and a surplus MRE ready to toss in. Snacks are more perishable, but I plan to pick up some granola bars, gorp, etc. on my way out.
Hydration
I have those two one-liter Nalgene bottles on the belt system, and a drinking tube upgrade on one side. Water is heavy, so if possible, plan to refill as you go. I have two options for that: a lightweight and compact gravity-feed Sawyer kit in the pack now, or a bulky (but much faster) Katadyn filter pump.
Even if you don't have these, remember the adage, "when in doubt, boil it out." You do NOT want to deal with nasty microbes attacking your digestive tract in the woods. Other options you might consider include chemical water treatment tablets, UV purification lights, and a self-contained Lifestraw water filter.
See also: Mess Kits & Water Filtration Review
Shelter
I have a lightweight tent now instead of the cheap tarp I had before, which has been demoted to backdrop now. The new tent makes use of trekking poles for the structure, as mentioned previously. Those came with the snowshoes I reviewed a year and a half ago. This now fits inside the pack in its dedicated stuff sack.
My guildelines and checklists can be found in my old posts about Survival Kits 101 and Backpacking Basics, the former covering a program on preparedness I led at the library, and the latter based on recommendations from a local presenter we hosted.
Remember, this isn't so much an effort to brag about my gear, but a request for advice from more experienced folks here. If you're even more of a beginner than I am, start with what you have, and make upgrades as needed over time, because it's expensive to buy all-new gear from the get-go. The important thing is to get started, not to have the perfect gear recommended by influencers.
