Very nice kit, indeed! I would recommend a small zip lock bag for the ferro rod with magnesium block. With time it tends to deteriorate and may spoil the content of the pouch.

Hope for the best and plan for the worst.... When I plan to go for a hike, I plan to end up on an unexpected overnighter. It's the rallying call of us overpackers, but it's a tough time of year, around these parts, for downsizing our kits. (It's been such a long winter that it's hard to resist.) This little woods bumming kit is intended for use when my Jeep is under an hour walk away. I'm keeping my bigger day hike kit packed and ready in my Jeep for longer truer wilderness hikes, and also for use as a GHB. In addition to time and distance, terrain and weather play a big role in deciding which kit I take.

bacpacjac's GHB/Day Hike Kit

Here's a few snippets from this morning's Toronto area weather report for the next 24 hours to give you an idea of what I'm prepping for:

"...can expect a major temperature swing within the next 24 hours with a high of 20C Monday and a low of -8C Tuesday... rain is expected to make its way into the forecast in the afternoon.... ice pellets will arrive Monday night as the temperature plummets, bringing with it a risk of freezing rain early Tuesday morning.... the precipitation turns to snow Tuesday morning... the snow is expected to clear Tuesday afternoon with a high of 2C." We've got 70 km/hr winds the next few days too.

There is also serious flooding just East of us, and much ice left to melt between home and work. The creek I drive beside on my daily commute is just about up to the level of the road, so I expect to detour tomorrow.

Very nice. Well thought out.

With most people, it is a struggle to get them to carry enough. With most of us here, it is a struggle not to carry too much!

It's a few weeks in and I am really liking this kit. Thanks so much for the feedback! I've taken it to heart and:

-added a filter straw
-added a few MicroPUR tabs to my canteen kit
-removed the black PSK bag, along with the extra folder, mag bar, extra duct tape, squeeze light
-moved the mini repair/fishing kit to my FAK
-replaced the birthday candle with a trick birthday candle
-added a Buff in lieu of a winter toque (baseball hat season is back but we're still dropping close to or below freezing)

I'm still thinking about the straps, but the leather belt is working just great. It's the perfect length and the kit weighs little enough that it's really comfy slung over my shoulder. I think I may just leave it as it is.


Back to the hatchet for a moment... here's a little video about my usual day hike sharps. As it sits this morning, this little kit has only my Mora. (I've always got my EDC SAK too.) The others are living in my bigger kit, unless I plan on using them.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8OysTFxfqo

Until I fix by unsafe hatchet, I'm using the good old family hatchet:

Pics sent