Every adventure is unique, and you should plan for all likely contingencies. However there is a standard set of gear that I start with, whittled down by experience and preference.
Here are my favorites!
Trail Kit
The trail kit is a small bag of essentials that accompanies me on every adventure. I prefer to keep it together in a Aloksak or other waterproof bag.
- Water treatment: Aquamira — in small containers
- Emergency calories: Gu Energy Gel
- Medication: Pain Relievers, Antihistamine, etc
- First aid: Gauze, Tape, Band-Aids, Antibiotic Ointment, etc
- Sunscreen: In small container
- Bug repellent: In small container
- Tiny knife: Backnife
- Cash
- Fire starting
- Soap
- Sanitizer
Core Day Hiking Gear
This is my current standard gear for all day hikes (e.g. no overnighting)
- + Trail Kit
- Backpack: Osprey Talon 33 — frameless and comfortable
- Poles: Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
- Hiking Shoes: Hoka Arkali — super comfortable for long days
- Water Bottles: (Reused) Monster Hydro — durability and light
- Wind Shirt: Rab Borealis — most useful shirt I own
- Pants: Arc’teryx Gamma LT — versatile and durable
- Hat: Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure
- Satellite Communicator: Garmin inReach Mini
- iPhone
- Battery Pack: Anker Battery and Phone Cable
- Sunglasses: Native Andes
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T2 w/ 16-55 Lens
Core Canyoneering Gear
This is my current standard gear for all canyoneering outings
- + Trail Kit
- Canyon Bag: Rodcle Racer Bodengo 45L
- Waterproof Keg: Imlay Canyon Keg
- Harness: Edelrid Igauzu II
- Descender: Imlay CRITR2
- Ascender Kit: Petzl Basic and Croll
- Rope: Imlay Canyon Fire 8.3mm
- Anchor Kit
- Pothole Rescue Kit
- Helmet: Black Diamond Half Dome
- Shoes: Asolo Magnum GV
Core Backpacking Bear
This is my current standard gear for all backpacking outings
- + Trail Kit
- Tent: Zpacks Duplex
- Pack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest
- Sleeping Bag: Western Mountaineering Alpinlite
- Sleeping Pad: Big Agnes Insulated AXL
Special thanks to Campsaver for supporting this gear habit! I highly recommend their online and in-person stores.
Happy Trails! –Scott