One's GF has asked that she may add to this discussion with her thoughts on the contents of her daypack. So here goes...
Will Your Daypack Save Your Life?
Ive read through previous posts on here and I thought you may be interested in what I take to see me through the rigours of wandering up a hill. Will it save my life? Maybe........you judge.
The awesome bit of kit that I carry all the stuff in is the Trespass Shocking Pink Tactical Back Pack Mini For Her.
Most of you will recognise the value of this as its a proven, reliable soldier out there. Heres my tip: I found that a good habit to get into is to zip up the compartments and carry it the right way up. So many hikes have come to grief when your stuff is strewn by your car whilst youve happily walked away, possibly assessing clouds. Yeh, weve all done that, I know. Unladen weight by the way is 5 ounces and somewhere similar in grammes, probably. Yup, I know, on the heavy side for a lightweight pack but its all about toughness out there. Am I right? Of course I am. So here is a picture of the beast:
Ive used a small perfume bottle to give it scale. Youll all recognise the make etc. guys. Another thing to consider is the colour of the pack and I think I made the right choice; after all its important to be spotted if in a difficult situation - like when its at the bottom of the wardrobe.
Ive looked longish and hardish at what you need in your day pack and this is my list - in different terrains and altitudes you would obviously add or subtract stuff. Well, actually, dont subtract anything at all because its about survival and I really need all this on a daily basis.
1. Boots Floral Tissues (4 Ply) - The commando of floral tissues - will withstand whatever your nose or cosmetics throw at them and still come back for more. No need to think about sphagnum moss. Ever.
2. Basic Cosmetics - Soap & Glory Lip Gloss, Rimmel Extra 3D Lash Mascara and an unknown brand of kohl eyeliner. Took these bad boys up Hay Bluff recently on a hike hilariously described as "gentle" by the gentleman. In high winds and high altitudes they provided me with the comfort of knowing that when the Mountain Rescue guys finally arrived to end my agony, they would be faced with kissable lips and come to bed eyes. I think everyone on here will recognise the survival instinct that courses strongly through my veins. Those guys may have to carry me after all. You shouldnt consider the cosmetics a purchase: theyre an investment.
3. iPhone 5 - hardly need to say why this is such a valuable bit of kit. Who else is going to take the selfie at the top? Duh!
4. Mirror - Yes, essential - see #2 above.
5. Money/Credit Cards/Body Shop Loyalty Card - I will use anything to get a taxi, scrape mud off my boots, bribe other hikers or small children, whatever. Survival is the name of my game. And ingenuity.
And errrm, thats about it for me. Comprehensive? I think so.
You may consider that I travel a little light. Well, the gentleman doesnt - youve seen
his list that also accompanied us up Hay Bluff. Whose backpack got opened and items used? Mine of course. Oh, except when he lent me his windproof jackety thing - it was bloody cold and apparently I was woefully unprepared for the rather surprising onset of winter in those high Alpen passes in wildest Black Mountain shire. Oh yes, and when he checked some piece of technology to determine that wed actually walked like a real kilometre or something. Tough hikes for tough people.
Blondie
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." Ralph Waldo Emerson.
