I enjoy photography as well as traveling, hiking, and adventuring. Naturally, my hobbies tend to merge. As much as I enjoy the hiking season, I don’t enjoy the hordes of people that come with it. I travel the tourist hotspots during the offseason but tend to limit myself to local secrets during the summer. Immediately after my college graduation a few weeks ago, I hit the road to explore the Pacific Northwest. Most of the places I visited during my first trip this summer didn’t have a soul in sight, just the way I like it. I got some cool shots and tested out some new gear for The Loadout Room in peace and quiet. Below is a quick overview of the day hike loadout I use with links provided for gear I or other Loadout Room writers have reviewed.
The pack
I use either my Osprey Talon or my GORUCK GR1Â (pictured). The GR1 is more convenient for carrying my photography gear, but the Talon is a more technical pack for the outdoors.
First-line gear
-Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody
-Marmot Verde Pants or Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants
–Wilderness Tactical Original Instructor Belt
–Darn Tough or Smartwool Socks
–Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX Boots
Essentials and other gear
-Firestarter (Exotac nanoStriker XL and UCO Stormproof Matches)
-Headlamp (Black Diamond Spot)
-Knives (Spyderco Manix 2Â on my person and an ESEE 3 or 6 in my pack)
-Map and compass
-Personalized medical kit (for both traumatic and minor injuries)
-Personalized survival kit (signal mirror, water purification tablets, 550 cord, etc.)
-Wet-weather gear
The gear I have listed is by no means a comprehensive list. My loadout is rarely ever the same and is determined by a myriad of circumstances: activity, distance, location, local laws, etc. This is just a quick overview of the gear I normally use for a day hike. Safe travels and happy adventuring.
