When I was recovering from a broken shoulder the past year, DH carried my hiking pack while I toted a fanny pack. Now that I can handle the load again the past 4 months, he still ribs me for carrying so much stuff.

On a hike this weekend, I gave in and went light. (Ritter PSK with mini bic, mag block with ferro rod and SAK, FAK, multi-tool lanyard, wool blanket, rain jackets, hot dog weiners, bug spray, sunscreen, 1 water bottle each, map and compass, leatherman, AAA mag, firesteel. DH carried a water bottle, leatherman, AAA mag and cel phone.) DS carried his survival kit and water too.

I was too light. We wanted to stay out over-night but didn't feel adequately supplied, even with DS's ever-growing kit. (He's carrying his own stuff now and fighting the over-prepped battle too.) We were specifically short of water and food this time. We were dressed just fine, with light long pants, LS shirts, hats, socks, good boots (shoes
for DS) and sunglasses. The beach we were on had plenty of dry driftwood, enough for shelter and fire, but that isn't something we can count on.

I fight an unending battle against over-packing.

I've been repacking today and have come up with this set-up. This kit is intended only for day hikes and unplanned overnights, not camping and not trips where we share pavement with the parking lot. We often go on unplanned hikes. The kit lives in the trunk of my car for just such an occasion. We're in South Eastern Ontario, and don't spontaneously venture farther than about an hour or so drive from some sort of civilization.

What are your thoughts?

ON-BODY:
-Leatherman Kick with AAA mag and firesteel in sheath
-Lanyard with Fox 40, Gerber Vise mini tool, firesteel and LED
-Ritter PSK with added mini bic, mag block with ferro rod and SAK

NAVIGATION:
-Local maps & Silva compass

LIGHT:
-LED headlamp & extra batteries

FIRST AID:
-AMK .5 FAK with extra gauze, pressure bandage and 2 triangulars

SHARPS:
-Buck folder
-Sierra saw

SHELTER:
-2 rain ponchos
-2 bandanas
-Wool blanket
-2-person heat sheet

WATER/FOOD:
-Lg kleen kanteen (full)
-1.5 ltr water bottle with filter (full)
-Micro PUR tabs
-Fruit & Nut trail mix
-Pepperoni sticks
-Hot chocolate
Food can be added before each trip, but I think I'll add some Cliff bars and jerky to be better prepared.

FIRE:
-Butane lighter
-TinderQuick
-Birthday candles

MISC:
-Bug spray (spray can & wipes)
-Suncreen
-Toilet paper (about 1/3 of a regular 1ply roll, inner tube removed)
-Baby wipes
-Small roll duct tap
-20 ft nylon cord
-cel phone

ADDED:
-bear bell
-small air horn
-OTC meds

REMOVED:
-Ballcap clip-on LED & extra batteries *Redundant Back-up
-LED crank light *Redundant Back-up: keychain LED on lanyard
-Buck fixed blade *Redundant Back-up
-2 rain jackets *Redundant Back-up *Will switch out with ponchos when the cooler temps come back
-Mylar sleeping bag *Redundant Back-up
-Bic *Redundant Back-up
-Fire steelm *Redundant Back-up *Have one on lanyard
-Strike anywhere matches in matchsafe *Redundant Back-up
-Vaseline soaked cotton balls *Redundant Back-up
-Tea lights *Redundant Back-up
-Bucket hat *Redundant Back-up
--Canteen cup *Redundant Back-up

I should note that even when we make spontaneous excursions, we always file a trip plan with a couple of trusted people, including updates when we decide to extend our stay.

Are bear encounters frequent enough to figure into your plans?

I use categories of function to check against gear. Here is your list broken down as I would. Where do you think you may be too heavy or too light?:

First Aid,: AMK .5 FAK with extra gauze, pressure bandage and 2 triangulars

Shelter: -Bucket hat, -Wool blanket, -2 rain jackets, -2 rain ponchos, -2-person heat sheet, Mylar sleeping bag

Fire: -Butane lighter, -Bic, -Fire steel, -Strike anywhere matches in matchsafe, TinderQuick, -Vaseline soaked cotton balls

Water: -Lg kleen kanteen (full), -1.5 ltr water bottle with filter (full), -Micro PUR tabs, -Canteen cup,

Food: -Fruit & Nut trail mix, -Pepperoni sticks, -Hot chocolate, more to be added

Navigation: Local maps & Silva compass

Light: -LED headlamp & extra batteries, -Ballcap clip-on LED & extra batteries, -LED crank light, -Tea lights, -Birthday candles

Signaling: Fox 40

Self-protection:

Hygiene: -Bug spray (spray can & wipes),-Suncreen,-Toilet paper-Baby wipes

Morale:

Repair and multipurpose: Gerber Vise mini tool and LED, -2 bandanas, -Sierra saw, -Buck folder, -Buck fixed blade, -Small roll duct tape, -20 ft nylon cord, Ritter PSK with added mini bic

Great breakdown Dweste. Thanks!

Black bears and coyotes are both possibilies. Thanks for the reminder!

Protection & Signalling: I've added a bear bell and small air horn.

Signalling includes the mirror in my Ritter PSK, to which I've also added a magnesium bar with ferro rod, a keychain LED and a SAK Spartan.

My plan for this kit is no more than on overnight, whether by emergency or choice. (We rarely go more than a few hours from the car.)

A tent seems like overkill for this time of year but I'll add one when the temps start to drop again. I thought of adding an AMK bivy but it would be too small for three of us, and a tarp and rope add bulk and space.

I definitely need more food, and am thinking of adding a nesbit stove.

My challenge is that I don't want a 50 und kit

Comment 1: Isn't that what DH is for?

Comment 2: If going with others the load can be split somewhat. Consider adding an empty small pack for that purpose.

Comment 3: Why not just take your BOB?

comment 4: Thanks for the interesting posts!

Thanks Dewest.

My GHB and our BOBs have more shelter, clothing, hygene, food, cooking, etc. than I want to take on a day hike.

DH is aewsome but he's not my pack mule. Good idea about splitting things up. He's slowly coming around. When he asked where the mustard and coffee was at lunchtime, it took me a minute to realize he was serious. He's carrying those next time. He had his leatherman, AAA mag, cel phone, camera and extra batteries this time.

Geez..... you do overpack.
-first, tell DS and DH, if they want to eat, they pack their own food. You're not a pantry.
-Ditto shelter - why on god's green earth are you carrying 2 rain coats? You have 2 torso's that I don't know about? And 2 ponchos? Pick one.
-1 flashlight. One. Not 3. Worst case scenario if your lights die? It's dark. Big deal.
-1 knife. Fixed or folder, but only one.
-Mylar sleeping bag or heat sheet. Not both.
-Fire: pick 2 methods, and 2 fuels. You're way, way redundant there.
-Ditch the sunscreen. You're in Canada. Not exactly the sun-burn capitol of the world.
-Baby wipes and TP? Pick one. Unless you have diapers to change or raging hemorrhoids, ditch the wipes. I bet you even carry a full roll of TP too, don't you?
-Ditch half the food you're carrying. Again, you're not a pantry. Let your DH and DS carry their own food. If you get stuck overnight and don't eat for 24-48 hours, no big deal. Try that cord and catch some fish.

Sorry to be harsh, but look at all that crap you're lugging around. I bet that's not helping your shoulder. Tell your DH to get off his duff and pitch in. I bet he weighs more than you - he should be carrying more than you. He's not your "pack mule" but it's ok that you are his?

Nice, two triangular bandages. Those sure come in handy. I'd also suggest a SAM splint, irrigation syringe, plenty of 4X4's, maybe a couple of 3-4" gauze rolls, and 2 rolls of tape. I know it adds weight, but they're worth it IMO. Also, a small section of Tyvek Homewrap makes a nice, lightweight ground tarp. That would protect your mylar sleeping bag and wool blanket from getting soggy. I recently changed my emergency shelter system. I ditched my disposable poncho and garbage bag for a small UL silnylon tarp (picked up on sale), a section of tyvek, and an AMK heatsheet.

I agree with the comment that you have too much redundancy. I would not carry extra battereis, either. I prefer to put lithiums in the light used for day hiking and reserve it for that puirpose. If needed you shoud be able to walk all night.

I would not carry a SAM splint on a regular basis. Splints are among the easiest things to improvise. Same with triangular bandages. It would be different if you were going on a SAR excursion.

Evaluate your kit as you use it and prune ruthlessly. Be on the lookout for lighter alternatives.