What’s in my backpack?

Water

Find a reusable water bottle you love, and always have it ready to go! The standard is about 32 oz (or one liter) per person for every 2 hours you expect to be on the trail, but it also depends on factors like weather and weight. Everyone is different, but there are a variety of water calculators available online to estimate how much water to bring along.

Snacks

Some good options are protein bars, jerky, trail mix, granola, or nuts. Apples and other fruit can work well too, just make sure it’s not overly ripe! We have one backpack that eternally smells like bananas after multiple incidents with them getting smashed.

Hand Sanitizer/Wipes

If you’re anything like me and can’t resist climbing rocks, or insist on sliding down steep inclines on hands and knees, you need these. Even if you’re not, it’s always a good idea to have something to sanitize your hands with, and many trail or vault toilets are not stocked with hand soap.

Extra Jacket

A packable jacket, especially a waterproof one! Find one that can be rolled up to take up a minimal amount of space in your bag. If you’re hiking in a climate where the weather is volatile, if you are hiking throughout the day as the temperature changes, or even if you just plan to rest at a higher/windier elevation, you may find that you need that extra layer.

Pepper Spray

I like to take pepper spray with me, but make sure it falls within the legal parameters in your state. I sometimes hike alone or with other female friends, and it makes me feel safer to have it as self-defense from smaller predators (not bears, that’s a different spray) in case of an emergency.