The little thing that everyone said you didn’t need to bring but always came in handy?
Flipping your question around (sorry!) … I do fairly lengthy solo hikes of 20+ miles and everyone thinks headphones must be essential. Not me! Six hours listening to only my own thoughts and nature - I love it.
@Kase
Not here to shame, but IMO headphones/earbuds are a liability on the trail and in camp, with limited exception. You want to hear the natural environment, for enjoyment and warning both. Too many encounters here with wildlife to think I could have missed a bear coming up the mountain in front of me, as I walked the that the trail bisects; rattlesnakes, birds alerting (or going quiet), lost hikers calling out, etc. Have experienced all of this and more and benefited from the aural awareness in the moment.
Also had to chase a member of a hiking party I was with who was well ahead of us and in her headphone bliss; she managed to take the wrong fork off the trail we were on. My friend, who was her then fiancé, had a knee issue and couldn’t run after her, leaving me to go after her at speed. They ended up not getting married…but not because of her hiking etiquette.
I might use earbuds for ambient music or audiobooks when in camp, as long as there’s still light, or if a camping buddy is on listening watch.
@Graydon
Don’t disagree, but in their defence I’m UK based and the worst wildlife you’re likely to encounter is an over amorous squirrel. And I generally hike lowland England where the environment is far less hostile.
Anyway, I much prefer a soundtrack of drizzle on waterproof, or amorous squirrel on my walks!! I save the earbuds for spin class.
Rain jacket, rain trousers, over shoes, back pack rain cover and a clear plastic bad as inner lining in the bag. And lots of spare socks…was hiking in Scotland 
Cedar said:
Rain jacket, rain trousers, over shoes, back pack rain cover and a clear plastic bad as inner lining in the bag. And lots of spare socks…was hiking in Scotland
I was gonna say that sounds very similar to my summer hiking. I live in the highlands haha.
@Ori
Oh, that must be nice. The Highlands are in my humble opinion one of the most beautiful areas in the World.
Cedar said:
@Ori
Oh, that must be nice. The Highlands are in my humble opinion one of the most beautiful areas in the World.
I absolutely agree. I’m only here for the summer. I leave back to Australia tomorrow. But it’s been the best 7 months of my life. I feel at home here. I have the Cairngorms as my playground. The memories and people I’ve met here I will hold on to forever. I’ve worked my dream job, lived my dream life, and had one hell of a time.
Cedar said:
Rain jacket, rain trousers, over shoes, back pack rain cover and a clear plastic bad as inner lining in the bag. And lots of spare socks…was hiking in Scotland
This summer was pretty shit in Scotland Ngl , destroyed our plans for the WHW
Cedar said:
Rain jacket, rain trousers, over shoes, back pack rain cover and a clear plastic bad as inner lining in the bag. And lots of spare socks…was hiking in Scotland
socks
Roux said:
socks
Hikers always need socks.
Roux said:
socks
Me too. I got a 3pack of Merrell socks before a Colorado trip and I pretty much only wear those every day now.
Sun hoodie, I’ve never used one before and it’s great to not have to load up on sun block. A little bit on the face and a small bottle in the bag to reapply. I live in CO and found it very comfortable to wear above the treeline all summer.
Went to glacier this summer and my husband made us a portable backpacking electric fence. Slept soundly knowing I wasn’t worried about bears. The day after we got off trail one of the sites we stayed out was closed due to bear activity and we actually saw one that evening after dinner. Game changer for grizzly country. Of course we followed all the normal protocol!
This summer?
I mostly was hiking to access (approach, if you will) climbing. My organizer/roll thing for my climbing hardware. Also, a 180 cm sling. It’s an odd size but there’s a particular sport climbing anchor it’s perfect for.
@Galen
Do you mind sharing the name of the organizer you use for your climbing gear ?
Cary said:
@Galen
Do you mind sharing the name of the organizer you use for your climbing gear ?
DoMyfit Rock Climbing Safety Harness Hook Rope Storage Bag Quickdraw Rolling Hanging Gear Organizer Carry Amazon.com : DoMyfit Rock Climbing Safety Harness Hook Rope Storage Bag Quickdraw Rolling Hanging Gear Organizer Carry : Sports & Outdoors
I can’t tell if there’s a “real” one this is a knockoff of: Amazon has a bunch of apparently the same organizer by different names. It’s a bit crowded with a dozen quickdraws but I can still get it rolled up.
@Galen
Thank you so much ! I’ve been looking for something like that
