Your "Must Haves" for hiking/camping/expeditions. (other than firearms)

[OptimusGlen]

Hi everyone, I'm interested to see what you all MUST bring with you when you venture out into the wilderness. (I'm looking for specifics, pictures if possible and experiences)

This summer is going to be a big one for me. The wife and I are planning a number of different trips, some will be day long hikes, others will be multi-night camping expeditions. We will be in Northern Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon/Washington, and Alaska. All on separate trips with different plans.

I'm not sure on where we will be able to bring firearms and where we wont, ideally I would carry everywhere but that may not be possible. For that reason lets limit this to all other gear.

[Señor Peligro]

Judging by my past, copious amounts of malt liquor and irish whiskey.

[EK20]

Several stout knives (fixed blades only, none of that folder BS) are always carried. Some sort of first aid kit, food, several sources of fire as well.

[greyhare]

Water
Knife; fixed and folder. Buck 110 is big enough for 99% of uses, durable, classic, affordable.
Oh sh__ shelter; Space blanket and para cord at a minimum.
Map and compass.

Where in Oregon?

[OptimusGlen]

Where in Oregon?

We will be visiting relatives in Vancouver Washington, just over the border from Portland. We will probably be there a few days and one of those days we would get out in the wild for a hike.

The Minnesota trip will be the biggest one, and even that is only planned to be two overnights, but there may be canoeing involved. From my limited experience, it's best to be over prepared as long as it's not too much weight.

In Colorado we will be visiting friends near Loveland. They have their own hiking spots they like so I'm not too worried about that, but still... being prepared for the worst is key.

In Alaska our base will be Dillingham, volunteering with a youth camp going out from there for 10 days. Where to, I don't know.

[dubraycer36]

Knives, fixed, folding, at least 2 each.
Water for duration of hunt + 2 days
MREs for duration of hunt +2 days.
50ft of 1/2 in. poly
2 bics, 1 zippo, and a magnesium firestarter.
GPS, and a rescue radio/beacon (JIC)

[nevermas]

Knives: ESEE Junglas (or Chris Reeve Pacific) and Strider SnG
Multitool: Leatherman ST300
Sharpening Stone (small one)
Flashlight
3 liter camelbak
Paracord (usually have a good roll in the car)
Firestarter: Light my Fire, tinder (I like the prep the tinder before leaving), fatwood (can also find on site), vaseline balls stuck in a straw, and matches/lighters.
Water bottle (stainless)
Tent or if I wanna go simple, tarp
Backpack(my beat up Eagle AIII will usually suffice)
Waterproof hardshell (if it isn't a rainy day this is usually strapped to the side of my backpack)
Garmin Etrex
First Aid
Food
Cellphone

[SpclAgentD]

Just went through this in Mendocino for a short 6-mile hike...

2 Knives (fixed blade and a pocket knife)
2 Flashlights (my headlamp and a smaller LED light)
3L Camelbak Bladder (already in my daypack)
Water Filter
Paracord
Lighter and Flint/Steel with tinder.
Emergency Blanket
Extra sweatshirt (depending on location and time of year)
First Aid Kit
Freeze-Dried Food
Jetboil

[AutobahnTDI]

This should be obvious but here it is anyway: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials

[HookedOn16v]

Biodegradable baby wipes in a zip lock baggy.

Keep them in an inside pocket of the jacket you're wearing, keeps them warm.

Nothing like a warm baby wipe in the middle of the night of a couple day trip to make you feel better !

[VDubby18]

Must haves...



A pipe. Nothing beats sitting out by the campfire with a nice bowl of English blend.

[roccostud]

map of area and a compass.

The more I hike the less I want to bring. Some of you guys are packing some weight.

I made a few changes to my setup this year. lighter pack and sleeping bag.

[GreenandChrome]

For Oregon/Washington, August is the hottest month, the first week usually the driest. Temps drop to about 30 degrees at night in the mountains, 40-50s in the hills.

I carry:
Lightweight waterproof jacket
3L+ drinking water
Compass
Knife
Hiking food- Clif Bars, sandwiches, gummies, etc.
Extra socks
Camera

Lightweight waterproof jacket w/ hood, as you never know when it will rain in the PNW. Plan your gear accordingly, just in case. The Eastern side of Washington is a lot drier (and hotter in the summer) than the West side.

If you plan on hiking in and camping, the ground might still be cold and damp. Plan accordingly.

JetBoil. Awesome. I do not have one, but I'm thinking of getting one.

I've hiked on some populated trails, so dangerous wildlife has been non-existent. Therefore, I've never carried bear spray.

Oh, I downloaded NatGeo's National Parks maps for my phone. It's pretty nice. I can't verify if it will find your location on the map, because I probably won't have signal when I need it.

[abawp]

I'm not sure on where we will be able to bring firearms and where we wont, ideally I would carry everywhere but that may not be possible. For that reason lets limit this to all other gear.

Open carry an option? Reason I ask is everywhere in Oregon except for the greater Portland Metro area you're allowed to carry openly, loaded, and in the vehicle without a permit. Soon as you get into Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Oregon City, basically that whole urban area, per local laws you're required to empty the firearm and even the magazines . That is, unless you happen to have an Oregon CHL, which is the only concealed license accepted in Oregon.

Colorado, you can open carry loaded anywhere except for Denver proper. I believe their castle doctrine laws extend to the vehicle but I know you can open carry in the vehicle as long as it is plainly visible. You're safe to have it loaded in the glove box if that's more comfortable for you.

You should know about Minnesota, unless of course you meant northern Montana? You should be good to go with open carry in that state.

As for WA, you'll need to have the firearm unloaded in the vehicle and either plainly visible or in the glove box. Basically not concealed on your person, open carried loaded and away from your vehicle is fine without a license. Of course this applies to non CPL holders.

A lot of what I described can be found on this site:

http://opencarry.org/opencarry.html

I like the handy map, it links directly to handgunlaw.us PDFs for that specific state, giving you a nice breakdown of their laws. They're pretty well up to date as well, down towards the bottom of the PDFs should show the latest revision. Best of luck.

[hi_racing]

In Colorado we will be visiting friends near Loveland. They have their own hiking spots they like so I'm not too worried about that, but still... being prepared for the worst is key.

Don't forget sunblock for up here. Add in some bear spray and a bear bell (so you don't have to say "Hey bear" all the time). If you're going to be out overnight make sure to practice good food safety.

Ditto on the space blankets. If the monsoon is active it rains every afternoon here and they're a great way to get out of the rain. Also ditto on the baby wipes in a baggie. Sure is relaxing to clean your face/etc when you stop for a break or the evening.

I probably carry too much but for me it's better than enduring a cold wet unplanned overnight on the side of a mountain somewhere. If I ever do get stuck I'll have shelter and a warm dinner.

Good luck! Have fun! Sounds like a great summer ahead.

[speaker]

Ski pole hiking staff, 1 or 2, solid design, not collapsible, curb finds
Compass
Wire commando saw
Wallet Fresnel lens
Magnesium fire starter
Butane crack-pipe lighter (more like a small torch than lighter)
Nessmuk set (although sometimes I leave the axe in the car)
Sierra cup
50' paracord

Fishing set (if I know there is a stream or lake ahead)

Thinking of making a fold-up twig stove

Really need to add a basic first-aid kit

[speaker]

This should be obvious but here it is anyway: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials

Good reminder!

I never take a flashlight and that is stupid. A couple times I've dawdled and a light would have been great.

[EK20]

Really need to add a basic first-aid kit

http://www.eseeknives.com/comprehensive_kit.htm

Even includes a knife!

[speaker]

http://www.eseeknives.com/comprehensive_kit.htm

Even includes a knife!

Knives I've got. (See Nessmuk reference.)

[alleghenyman]

I like to keep it light - saves a lot of hassle, sore shoulders, and tired feet. Here are some essentials as I've learned over the years:

Water filter or iodine tablets for sanitizing water
Waterproof firestarters
Butane lighters
Extra socks and boot laces
Aspirin
Nuskin (a liquid bandage that dries hard kind of like superglue)
Dr. Scholl's type gel patches for blisters on feet
Bug spray
Sun screen
Hand sanitizer
3.5" folding knife and small Swiss Army knife
Playing cards
A few plastic garbage bags and zip-loc gallon bags - it's a real pain in the ass when something important gets damp and has leaves and pine needles stuck to it for the rest of the trip.
Cheap LED headlamp from Walmart.