10 miles, 6 hours, one bag — water, layers, and what stays home
Pack for a 6–8 hour day hike without the junk that weighs you down: 2–3 litres of water, rain layer even if sunny, first aid basics, navigation, and snacks that actually get eaten. You will learn what lives in the bottom vs top of the pack, how to distribute weight, and the ten items that cause most rescues when forgotten.
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Fill bladder or bottles before you leave town — trailheads often have no fill. 2 L minimum for 4 hours; 3 L for 8 hours or hot days. Phone with offline map; paper map backup if you have one.
Tell someone your route and latest return time. Stick to it or text if delayed.
Base tee, insulating fleece, rain shell — three thin beats one cotton hoodie. Hat and buff for sun or wind. Extra socks in a zip bag; wet feet end hikes.
Headlamp with fresh batteries lives in the pack always. 'We’ll be back by noon' is famous last words.
Pro tip. Rain jacket in outside pocket — not buried under lunch.
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