Backpack Unpacked

Paranoid I'm going to forget something critical as I countdown towards my first ever solo multi-day hike, I'm finding that I'm checking, double checking, triple checking that I have everything I need. During my check this morning I took some pics and thought I would share what exactly is in my pack.

What is in the pack

Striking the right balance between weight and comfort is always front and centre of my mind when determining what I will or won't pack. The below list will not suit everyone, as we all have difference priorities and needs.

Merrel Hiking Shoes
Croc Swiftwater Mesh Sandals
Platypus bladder (will double as a hot water bottle - because I'm a sook)
Giant Water Bladder
Sawyer Mini Filtration - will use on any water collected during hike before consuming
Walking Sticks - Awesome for keeping balance, and saving knees
Food for 3 nights & 3 days
Helinox Chair Zero - because comfort in camp is also important
Optimus Crux cook-set - includes gas canister, stove, fry-pan/lid, saucepan/cup, spork, mesh carry bag
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent - separated into parts for ease of packing
Nemo Salsa 15 Sleeping bag and Silk Bag Liner - packed inside the Big Agnes compression sack
Big Agnes compression sack - also doubles as mattress inflator
Clothes for 3 days/nights - packed into an Osprey compression bag
First Aid Kit & Hygiene Pack
Trowel
Solar Battery/Charger
Garmin inReach Explorer+
Topographic Map and Compass
Bag Agnes Air Core Mattress
Lumix G Camera, 3 spare batteries, & case (not pictured) - because if there are no photographs, it didn't happen!
Samsung S7 phone (not pictured) - contains my books to read at night
Headlamp (not pictured)

So How Much Does it All Weigh?

Gone are the days, where hard core hikers would espouse that any walker worth their salt can carry one third of their body weight.

"any walker worth their salt can carry one third of their body weight"

Maybe I can, maybe I can't, either way I have zero interest in hiking with a heavy pack. The lighter, the better, without sacrificing all of the creature comforts. So when weighing my pack (excl water), I held my breath hoping it would come in under 13kg ... drum roll ... My entire kit weighed in at a very respectable

12.073kg / 26.6lbs

This will make for a very happy hiker on the trails. Naturally I could shave quite a bit of weight out of my pack by not bringing the chair and all the electronics. Who knows, maybe next trip I won't bring them, but for this trip I am very happy with the balance of weight and comfort.

#Hiking #LightweightGear #HikingLight