Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum ? for the hikers?

For the wife---focus on comfort and making things easy unless she is an avid outdoors person.

Steripens are awesome...if the water is clear. I've had great success with Sawyer squeeze filter systems.

Don't forsake a really good sleeping pad if you use a tent.

Lots of good bags out there that are warm and light: Kelty, North Face, Mountain Hardwear, etc...

Plan on bringing stadium/canoe seats (the soft kind), to make sitting around the fire more enjoyable with back support.

Lightweight Nylon tarp to string up if rain is in the forcast.

Good long burning Fire starter (gel, cubes, cotton balls/Vaseline, etc...) that will help catch damp tinder if it rains.

LED Headlamp and a small LED flashlight for each.

Good stove with extra canister of fuel. MSR Rocket works great.

Extra Red colored Nalgene Bottles in case your water source is a distance from your camp. Red means stop..so you can be reminded not to drink until sterilized or filtered.

Wrap some duct tape around a bic lighter or two to have as needed. Weighs less than a big roll.

Multi Tool.

Scotch pad: sponge on one side, scrub pad on other. Great for cleaning up.

Paracord. Bring more than you would think you need.

Small First Aid Kit: Bandaids, gauze pads, 2 roll of athletic tape, ointment. Handles cuts, sprains, blisters and burns which are the most common hiking injuries.

Map, Compass, GPS, safety plan, let people know where you are going, etc...

Minimum 2 days of survival rations: Power bars, jar of PB, etc...just enough to get a little nourishment if stranded a couple days.

Camp shoes: Something light and comfortable to hang out in.

Food Ideas:
Freeze steaks before the trip--then as you hike they will thaw just right...baked potatoes in the coals to go with it-- and you can have a really nice meal the first night and lighten your pack at the same time.

Unless you really like freeze dried food, you can make a few nice meals using cured salami/pepperoni/prosciutto that are vacuum sealed and don't need refrigeration along with some precooked Uncle Ben's rice packets (heat with a little water) or some quick noodle packs that cook quickly.

Packing your pack: Get some cheap lightweight nylon bags in different colors: Food in one, cooking gear in one, first stuff in one, etc... Coordinated so if you need something you just grab that bag and not have to dig through your pack. Clothes in a plastic bag or ziplock to keep dry.

More stuff + more wight....you figure it out