5 mile hike


Thomas Snyder

Thomas Snyder

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Dec 29, 2010
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Location
Shelburn,IN
What all should I bring on a 5 mile all day hike?
whats your checklist?
i'm thinking:
fixed blade Knife (bushman :EEK: )
First aid kit
Trail mix
Rain poncho
Hydration bladder (there's fountains everywhere where i'm going)
Map
lenstatic Compass
Mess kit
Portable stove
20' of paracord just in case
Matches
Mag flint
Multi tool
fishing pole and SMALL tackle box
Hiking stick possibly
any thoughts?
BTW going to a State park
 
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Maybe a bit of tea or coffee or bullion cubes to heat with your cookpot in case you get cold?

Warm clothing. A baggie of tinder.

Good list!
PMZ
 
Dont forget lighting like flashlights or even headlamps for hands free use. Just an idea :)
 
we're going in Late May so no Heavy clothing,BUT will bring a space blanket just in case.
Lunch?
trail mix,possibly fish, sandwiches :)
plus which is the best size ALICE pack for the trip?
Small,Med,or Large?
 
Looks like you've got it all covered. Just make sure you've got extra clothing. A packable jacket or a fleece or something is great if you're out longer than expected and temps drop. A headlamp is another great thing to have.

Maybe add some water purification tablets/drops? You could boil any water you need, but that takes forever.
 
For a 5 mile day hike I usually carry just a hydration carrier over the shoulder. I don't worry too much about shelter unless the hike is completely off trail and cross country through unknown territory. As always wear clothing appropriate for the weather conditions. An Alice pack for a 5 mile day trip is way overkill unless I'm looking to stay the night.

My hydration carrier has the following:

  • 1 quart Nalgene with water (and a nesting cup)
  • protein bar or baggie of trail mix
  • First aid kit
  • Fixed Blade knife
  • Small diamond sharpener
  • fire steel
  • small tinder kit
  • 55 gallon baggie or MEST tarp in case of rain.
  • small LED light (AA variety)

watercarrirer2.jpg


A 5 mile day hike is not that big a deal if you're on an an established route. National park trails are very well marked and it's almost impossible to get lost unless you really go off trail. If there are water fountains on the trail that tells me it's a well established route.
 
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Tommy:

Which park are you planning to visit?

Most 5-milers around here (I live near Bloomington, IN) are what I would rate as easy to moderate hikes. No doubt a good chance to test out your gear, tweak your list, etc...

In late May you definitely can go lighter on the spare clothing but make sure to watch the forecast and figure on rain. Take everything you think you want to 'play with' while you're out. If you take too much, you'll learn what to ditch - just don't cut corners on the stuff you NEED to take. 32+ ounces of drinking water wouldn't hurt for that time of year / that length of hike especially if it is hot out.

Have fun and be safe!
 
Have you got any plans for some smaller hikes ( perhaps locally ) leading up to your trip in May? perhaps where you could practice some skills ie: setting up a shelter, getting a small fire going etc?
 
Rubicon_Dave said:
For a 5 mile day hike I usually carry just a hydration carrier over the shoulder. I don't worry too much about shelter unless the hike is completely off trail and cross country through unknown territory. As always wear clothing appropriate for the weather conditions. An Alice pack for a 5 mile day trip is way overkill unless I'm looking to stay the night.

My hydration carrier has the following:

  • 1 quart Nalgene with water (and a nesting cup)
  • protein bar or baggie of trail mix
  • First aid kit
  • Fixed Blade knife
  • Small diamond sharpener
  • fire steel
  • small tinder kit
  • 55 gallon baggie or MEST tarp in case of rain.
  • small LED light (AA variety)

watercarrirer2.jpg


A 5 mile day hike is not that big a deal if you're on an an established route. National park trails are very well marked and it's almost impossible to get lost unless you really go off trail. If there are water fountains on the trail that tells me it's a well established route.
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could pack a mylar blanket at the bottom for shelter
 
For a 5 mile hike in a state park, I think that you are overpacking. I would just take some water, lunch, a small FAK, a knife, a cell phone and a camera.
 
You have a good kit. Have fun.

Be prepared but not overconfident - "Do not mess with the forces of Nature, for thou art small and biodegradable!"
No one expects to get into trouble in the wilderness, but every year people do.
Appropriate gear and knowledge turn a survival situation in to an unplanned camping trip.

Leave your destination, route, planned time of return, and the automobile make, model, and license number with a responsible person.

Carry enough gear to at least spend an unintended night out. My kit goes with me in the woods whenever I'm out of sight of the car:
Insulation – Extra clothing (that retains warmth if wet) + rain gear
Shelter – Tarp, bivi, poncho, large garbage bags (2) or space blanket
Fire – Fire starter (matches, lighter, metal match, etc.) + tinder or candle, & a knife.
Water – A container & purification method. A metal pot to boil water.
Food - (500-1000 calories/d)
Navigation – map of area, compass, & flashlight with spare batteries
1st aid kit
Sun protection: Dark glasses, sunscreen, & SPF lip balm (can also be used as a fire starter)
Insect repellant
 
claydoh3 said:
could pack a mylar blanket at the bottom for shelter
Click to expand...

I could, and I generally do when it's an over-nighter or cross country... but the MEST is stronger than a space blanket and provides more than adequate shelter for a simple 5 mile day hike. I've carried a space blanket in some form for almost 25 years and used one only once... and it wasn't even an emergency.
 
Tommy Snyder said:
What all should I bring on a 5 mile all day hike?
whats your checklist?
i'm thinking:
fixed blade Knife (bushman :EEK: )
First aid kit
Trail mix
Rain poncho
Hydration bladder (there's fountains everywhere where i'm going)
Map
lenstatic Compass
Mess kit
Portable stove
20' of paracord just in case
Matches
Mag flint
Multi tool
fishing pole and SMALL tackle box
Hiking stick possibly
any thoughts?
BTW going to a State park
Click to expand...


Unless you are expecting to stay overnight, I would skip the whole camp stove, and just bring some fruit and grain bars, or a sandwich for your meal. Eat breakfast before you head out, much on trail mix while travelling, and if you find yourself really starving or running out of energy, stop and eat your sandwich. A PBJ sandwich will keep just fine without needing to be iced down like lunchmeat might. Likewise without needing the stove, you can ditch the mess kit. This will lighten you up a bit.

Wrap a few (3-5) feet of duct tape around your hiking stick, along with your 550 cord. Good in case your shoe sole starts coming loose, or some other major malfunction in your gear.

Now what I said does not take into account something happening like you breaking a leg or something like that. Make sure people know exactly when to expect you, and where you will be. So if you don't show up, they will come looking for you.
This is why i recommend carry some extra food that doesnt require cooking. If you have a broken leg, you aren't going to feel like making a fire and cooking dinner. Just pull out the bar and eat. It will keep you going.
 
I assume you are going to or already went to greene-sullivan? My advice, bring a tent. The second time I went there I think it was spring 2009. We did so well fishing our 1.5 day trip turned in 3.5 days. Every time I eat bluegill I think of that place. Have Fun
 
Tommy, I have always been told not to exceed 25% of your body weight when it comes to the amount of gear you carry (including water), but I also find it is much much easier to work your way up to that weight. I did a 13 mile day hike with 11% and I realized i carried way to much.

Take along a small note pad and pencil and make notes;

1. What did I use?
2. What did I not use?
3. What could I do with out?
4. What are my luxury items?

This is what helps me when I pack b/c it is inevitable that I will carry to much and I always seem to find that out at the halfway point.
 
shadowmib said:
Wrap a few (3-5) feet of duct tape around your hiking stick, along with your 550 cord. Good in case your shoe sole starts coming loose, or some other major malfunction in your gear.
Click to expand...

That is a good piece of advice, Last fall before a three day hike I wrapped some duct tape (actually OD 100 mile an hour tape) just under the grips of my trekking poles. About 10 yards from the trail head I did my final gear check. while checking my poles I over tightened and broke one of the locks(cheapy poles from Walmart). The locking mechanism was jammed into the upper section so that the lower piece would not collapse into it, but it kept falling out.
At first I was thinking that I would have to put the poles back in the truck and look for a couple of sticks along the trail. That's when I remembered the tape. A few wraps and it was as good as new! I have put about 150 miles on that pole since I taped it and it is still holding fine.
 
Alice Pack size depends on how much gear you take with you. From looking at your gear list I would say a small pack. Be careful its not a foreign made pack.

Extra Food(emergency)
Bandana
Tweezers(hard to do things if nails are long.)
Toilet Paper
Hand Sanitizer
Cotton Balls with Petroleum Jelly(help start a fire)
 
woodsinfire said:
I would say a small pack. Be careful its not a foreign made pack.

Tweezers(hard to do things if nails are long.)
Click to expand...


tweezers:33: ? dude just cut yer nails at home a day before...they wont grow back on a 5 mile hike


Tommy: just take what you feel good about , trow them in your pack, and go for a walk , like a friend of mine says:" Don't worried it to death"
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