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.