I love that... "mean-spirited" Has anyone ever seen "easy going, pacifist" black flies? The ones you describe in the Smokies sound like they are cousins of the ones we encounter in northern New England. Small enough to find a gap in whatever clothing/netting system you have, and travelling in swarms, they have a blood sucking attack that can turn a grown man to tears. I won't be surprised if Jack Bauer uses them on tonights final episode of 24 to break a terrorist down...

A small tube of Super Glue. It's great for small cuts, for patching gear, etc.

David Enoch

Yep.

But they might have been fruit flies from a bad neighborhood.

+2 on the duct tape and compass.

Both items will be invaluable no matter the situation.

No flashlight??

I agree. Even with it being a lightweight "daylight" kit and already having a Photon, I think a more solid flashlight would be a welcome addition. A NiteCore EX10 or D10, LiteFlux LF3XT, SureFire T1A or E1B, Ra Clicky/Twisty, or an AA or CR123A Fenix would be good choices for something with a bit more power than the Photon.

I just did a 10 mile day hike in the North Georgia Mountains (Bartrum's Trail) over the weekend (nice trail, by the way). I am surprised at how very similar my kit was to yours. I used a Gerber Hydration Pack that I bought from Smokey Mountain Knifeworks:
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/pro...&SKU=G11050

2 liters of water with a 316 cu inch pocket.

First time out with the Gerber, but would rate it as excellent value for the price.

Heat sheet, PSK, para cord, photon light, bic lighter, first aid kit (AMK kit), map, compass, almost exactly the same content as you had.

Differences:
SAK
stuffed a military type poncho in one side pocket.
GPS in other side pocket
More food (ate lunch on the trail)

Did not pack DEET, but did spay down well before hitting the trail (tick season).

The only thing I might add to your kit is a light weight poncho, both as rain gear and shelter.

I guess I would say yours is a good kit, because it is almost exactly the same as mine!

Also, as you noted, in the winter, I will go to a larger pack and pack more stuff, like watch cap, dry socks, gloves, windbreaker.

You might consider one of those small 2 oz. Hand Sanitizers. The stuff works great for disinfecting wounds and also for starting fires in wet conditions.


Just a thought.

If not stated before as I'am late on this topic, Pepare for colder than you think as this just happened this past week end,had the means to layer up and some Chem. heaters went from 90 degree's to 32 Degree's over night.

+1 on the zip ties and duct tape. I'd also add a good compass. For the dental floss and other cordage try substituting a spool of 50# woven fishing line, like spyderwire, . Use it for tying things together, sewing up rips, making snares, guying out poncho or tarp shelter, etc. Even though you plan on daylight only, I'd put in a light of some kind, murphy's law hasn't been repealed yet.