what should i pack in a hiking backpack?

Answer 1

Greetings - Patrick here from footprintsdownunder

That's a bit of a general question you have there, hiking snow or hot weather what sort of terrain are you going to be hiking through.

Here is a basic list for a lone hiker i.e. not on a tour and getting in and dirty.

Good quality Ruck Sack I would recommend one from the Sea to Summit company they produce the best Back Packs for hiking in the world in my opinion - my Ruck Sack of choice.

The Minimum Essentials

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Ticket
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Passport
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Money - preferably in travelers cheques in case you get robbed (bring some small dominations)
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Credit card - used for emergencies and making bookings over the phone (you will find it hard without one)
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A rough plan of your journey with rough dates - Gives family piece of mind
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A place to rest your head booked for the next night
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Medicare Card or Travel Insurance for medical emergencies $70 avarage cost non medicare
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Emergency phone numbers if wallet is stolen
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Address of everyone at home so you can write to them and gloat about being the in best country in the world!!!!

Backpack Fillers

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70 litre rucksack
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Sleeping bag
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Pillow case - some hostels' linen is dodgy (wash your stuff every hostel)
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Usual toiletries
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Camera and spare film (buy a digital camera)
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Bum bag or similar for money
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Hat
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Suncream (Use 30+. It burns man!!!)
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Waterproofs
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Sewing Kit
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Penknife
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Food
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Cutlery, plate, bowl and mug

CAMPING ESSENTIALS

Here's a quick recommended list for a two-nighter:

Necessary:
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1 rucksack (70litres, 2.5 kg)
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2.5 Litres of water in 2 x 1.25 litre plastic bottles (2.5 kg) (plus one empty). More for a hard or hot hike.
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Food: 1 pkt noodles, 1 serve of rice, 1 can steak & veggies, fruit, 1 pkt soup, 2 chocolate bars, 1 x 105g tin of tuna, 1 pkt cheese, tea / coffee / milo, sugar
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1 gas burner/stove (and fuel)
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Knife, fork and spoon
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1 set foldable camping pans
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1 small pot, billy or metal water bottle holder
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1 tent (3 man, 4 kg)
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1 sleeping bag (-5°C, 1.5kg)
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1 foam mat
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1 change of clothes (T-shirt, track suit pants / jeans, 2 undies, 2 prs socks)
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1 rain jacket or parka
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1 jumper
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1 hat
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1 first aid kit
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maps of the area
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1 compass
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1 torch (spare batteries)
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1 sunscreen
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1 box waterproof matches
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12 pieces of toilet paper

Answer 2

Take the most amount of water possible. As for food, take exactly what you would be needing. Packing for each meal separately, helps. Saves on space, and helps you take only as much as you need. If it is a multi-day hiking remember to carry enough clothes to change and socks. Keep in mind the place you are going to and the kind of weather that is there. If you know that the place is going to be cool then pack some warm clothes. Don't forget to take your sleeping bag and your tent if you are planning for a multi-day hike. Also a detailed map of the place, a compass, a first aid kit, a lighter, a torch, a tube of sunscreen, insect repellent cream, rope, a roll of toilet paper, spare batteries, sunglasses and a pocket knife. If your trip extends over a day and you plan to cook then do take an aluminum cooking set too

Answer 3

As little as possible.
Remember that everything you pack has to be carried up the mountain on YOUR BACK. Gear should be as light as possible and anything you do not use on this trip should be removed from your packing list.

Basically, you'll want a small tent and lightweight sleeping bag as well as a sleeping pad. Minimal stove. Proper planning will allow you to cook meals with only one or two pans. A knife, parachute cord, and toilet paper are all useful as are map and compass. A rain poncho which has grommets in the corners and can be used as a rain fly can be a life saver.

First aid supplies should be selected to prevent disaster... I call mine the "cork and patch" kit because I plan for stopping major bleeding and treating shock. Tapes, a couple of gauze pads, eye wash, pain killers and a space blanket. Splints can be made with available materials and the parachute cord you used to hand up your wet clothes.

Don't forget water treatment. I prefer iodine crystals because they are cheap, effective, last for years, weigh only a couple of ounces and take up 1/10 the space of a hand pump. Crumble a small vitamin C tablet into the water after an hour and the iodine taste will vanish.

How's the weather? Hat, gloves, spare socks needed? Ditch the big flashlight and get a tiny LED model.

Cell phones work in some very remote places when you get up high and just might allow you to call for help after that Sasquatch attack ;-)

Answer 4

What is the purpose of the backpack and its contents? Is it to bring with you when you hike? How long will you be gone, what kind of weather might you possibly encounter? How much will the bag hold and how much can you carry? Will other people be with you, or are you on your own? Do you have a need for any special items like personal medications (OTC or prescription)?

Regardless, the links below may be of interest if you're planning on hiking away from civilization.

Answer 5

Packs:
• REI Flash day pack
• Camelbak drinking system
• Digital camera
• Rechargable AA batteries (4)
• 128 MB memory cards (2)
• Padded camera case attached to belt

Ten Essentials:
• OR zippered mesh bag
• Deep Woods Off!
• Bandana
• Lip balm w/ sunscreen
• SPF 30 sunscreen
• Vaseline tube
• Purell Hand Sanitizer Gel
• Maps & trail guides
• Compass
• Princeton Tec Attitude 4AAA LED flashlight
• Mini Fox 40 Safety Whistle & lanyard
• Lighter
• Duct tape (6 feet)
• Coghlan's Signal Mirror
• Magnesium Firestarting Tool
• Leatherman Micra tool
• Large black trash bag (poncho/shelter)

Food/Water:
• 8" x 18" black sil-nylon food bag lined with O.P. Sak
• MSR Lexan spoon
• PUR Hiker water filter
• Food

First Aid:
• Band aids
• Ibuprofen tablets
• Imodium AD tablets
• Pepto Bismal tablets

Extra Clothes:
• Sierra Designs Microlight Jacket (wind/rain)
• Thru-Hiker Minima Vest (cold)
• North Face wind pants (rain)
• Golite Dome umbrella (rain)
• Patagonia fleece hat (cold)
• Spare polyester liner socks (change at noon)

Clothing worn:
• Lycra/Spandex compression shorts or just underwear
• Synthetic convertible hiking pants
• Mesh-backed cap
• Mountain Hardware Wicked-T
• Polyester liner socks
• Sunglasses & case
• Teva Terra-Fi sandals or cross training/running shoes
• Wrist watch

Answer 6

water, thermal blanket, something high in calories to munch on, rope, matches. . . first aid kit- just to be sure ;-)

Answer 7

food and water in case you get lost