In a discussion of gear/weight, I’m reminded that when I was a (much) younger man and a little less wise, I might have been mistaken for a small pack mule, since my philosophy was “if I own it, I carry it” (those were also the misguided days of “the bigger the knife, the better”).

Fortunately, with age came wisdom. These days I’m guided by the old adage, “the right tool for the job.” I have a core kit that’s carried no matter what; beyond that, it’s supplemented based on circumstances: my physical condition, length and terrain of the outing, solo or accompanied, time of year, weather etc. Last week’s moderate 10-mile dayhike in the hills, my pack was ~12 lbs. including water.



Related, but often given less attention — at least by me — the selection of the pack in which we carry all this “stuff.” I’ve made my share of trips with a simple rucksack; still do sometimes. But these days a well-designed, comfortable pack that carries the load well — whether daypack or larger — has helped offset the limitations that come with age, and allows me to comfortably carry a reasonable amount of gear.

As for dayhikes specifically … I don’t carry “everything including the kitchen sink” nor do I think anything more than an Altoids tin is excess baggage. But I never forget that stuff happens — even on a dayhike — no matter my skills and experience. Broken leg or other injury, fall into a ravine, lost, surprise snowstorm, mano a mano with a bear . How many hunters/dayhikers have struck out for the day with little more than a knife, matches and water … and lived to regret it (or not). There’s a reason why SAR is a thriving industry.

Commonsense is a good bit of gear — and it weighs nothing.