Going on a 60 mile/4-5 day hike...

What do you never leave home without? I've done some overnight hiking, but never multiple-consecutive nights.

Comment w/your "I'd never leave home without"...

Solo or with others? When I'm solo hiking I never leave home without leaving a detailed itinerary with someone. Good practice when hiking with a group too, but even more important if going it alone. IMO having someone else generally know where you are is more important than any single item you could bring.

But, since your question is actually about packing, I always make sure to bring an extra pair of socks. A pair for hiking in, and another pair designated as "tent only." Having a pair of dry socks to put on at the end of the day is really nice (and also good for the health of your feet).

Great idea on the "tent/hammock only" sox.

I'll be hiking w/others.

A good attitude!

I have a pretty well shaken-down list that served me well on the SHT. There was only one item missing from my list that I rushed to buy when I went through Grand Marais, and that was aquaphor - the continual up and down of the SHT combined with long mileage days meant I had various chafing areas and an annoying blister on my right heel that a little aquaphor took care of.

Make sure you have enough TP and bug spray. Don't forget your trowel, even though I didn't actually use it on my eight days on the SHT.

Did you get your multi-day hike in?

I never leave without:
Clean clothes left in the car for the ride home.

Sleeping clothes, double as warmers if the weather goes south, and go under rain gear if my main clothes get soaked. (including a pair of warm loose socks, only for sleeping). This way I don't worry about an extra pair of dry pants and shirt.

Minimal fire kit.

Headlamp and back up flashlight or lamp.

Knife, just robust enough to split small wood if everything is wet.

Compass, Map

Cash to pay for a ride, or anything that comes up where I need something that a person will share, so that I can pay my way. Never want charity.

...and all the more obvious gear nobody would go without..

MN_Lindsey, thanks for asking this question. Took me a couple days, but here are my things I can think of.

I try to keep my pack as light as possible, but one thing I always pack is backups. So, for example, not just 2 bic lighters, but 3.

All my cookware is metal, so that in case my stove or fuel canister fails, I can still rig up a way to heat my water over a fire.

Two knives, one my constant at the ready one, and the other just basically a razor blade.

I usually have two containers on me that can store water somehow. Usually I bring a 2 liter platypus reservoir, 1 nalgene and my coffee cup which is an insulated cup with a cover. On my recent 127 km trip through Pukaskwa Park in Ontario, my Platypus sprang a leak. I was able to repair it that night with super glue and 4 strips of duct tape, but in case I couldn't I still had a means of packing water for the hike.

Two ways to filter water. This can be a lot of combinations. The backup most people use is boiling it. But that means using stove fuel or starting a fire. I usually bring a filter and Potable Aqua drops. However, on this last trip, I brought my MSR water filter as well as a Gryal Water Filter. The Grayl, surprisingly, became my main filter. It was just so easy to use, chug some water, throw some into the Platypus, chug some more, and continue hiking.

Instant Glue and 5', more or less, of duct tape. Always for me. I wrap the duct tape around a bottle or my hiking poles. I carry the instant super glue in an old medicine bottle, to protect it from accidental punctures. I wouldn't want super glue to be let loose in my backpack.

Two headlamps. They are so light now (ha, ha) that having a second one is so easy. On both of them, I make sure there is a way to disable the headlamp from accidentally turning on. That means either buying one that has that feature, or as I do with one of mine, flipping one of the batteries backwards.

Ibuprofen and Tylenol. The ibuprofen for when the aches and soreness and inflammation is too much and I need to have a good night sleep. And the Tylenol for in case I start developing a fever or have severe pains.

I wear glasses on a daily basis. So I bring a pair and my contacts. Usually I hike with the contacts because my glasses have can fog up in the heat and humidity. But I keep my glasses very safe in a hard case just in case my contacts become unusable. Also, I bring two pairs of sunglasses. I think while backpacking it only needs to be one, but while canoeing I always bring two sunglasses.

Two ways of having a map, or some directions I can follow. Usually it is the map of the trail I am on and a GPS as well as a compass. For the last couple of trips I have been camping with an InReach as well, which also has a GPS on it as well as communication abilities.

Well, this got a bit long but I hope you glean some useful items from my rambling. One last bit, the best thing I can pack though, is the knowledge in my brain. Knowing the flora, reading the skies for weather prediction, knots, knowing that an early start is a cooler start to the day, and knowing how to listen to when my body says "stop, take a break" have helped me really enjoy backpacking.

Enjoy it and have a good time!

GeneH: "Did you get your multi-day hike in?


I never leave without:
Clean clothes left in the car for the ride home.
."

Oh definitely doing this, and cozy shoes so I can rip off my sox and hiking boots!!!

I totally would have forgotten to do this!

I now cary in my pocket, not my pack, a small “survival bag” with a tiny knife, a couple water tabs, a small baggie (to hold water), a small lighter, and a tiny but loud whistle. I tried an Altoids tin, but that was a bit uncomfortable, so now they are wrapped tightly in Saran wrap and placed in a small pouch.

Took most of your advice and it was amazing!

The best advice was to have clothes to change into for the ride home. It was like a dream to put on loose comfy sweats!