Hi Samhain,

I looked over your daypack list and it seems very reasonable to me, being prepared for emergencies or just having the stuff you like to use adds weight to the pack, thats just the way it is.

I confess that I also carry some additional equipment, where I live it is often wet and cold (I have seen it snow in every month of the year).

I usually add: rainsuit, type of shelter (light tarp or Heetsheet), metal GI cup, Cell phone, Sat. phone (not working well lately), PLB (mostly to compensate for the poor Sat. phone) and Bear Pepper Spray.

I am usually working or checking out a new area when I am on my hikes so I also have with me: flagging tape, short brush-hook machete, a light saw (folding Bahco Laplander or Pocket Chainsaw) and a map/air photo/sat. photo of the area.

Concerning the Toilet Kit, I also carry a small package of "Wet-Ones" when camping as 5 of them can give you a decent sponge bathe. When hiking I carry a few thick, blue, shop towels instead of TP. The shop towels are more multi-purpose as they are good for cleaning your hands/gear with after field-dressing big-game and make a decent wound dressing (used after my teenage son hit his hand with a machete).

Good discussion topic,

Mike