I day hike for 2-11 hours in a chaparral climate on well travelled trails accessible by car; for shorter hikes see: Lifechanging Upgrades?
iNatting:
- Smartphone
- Creditcard sized ruler
Clothing:
- Cargo shorts
- Short sleeve T-shirt
- Bandana - swear cloth
- Sun hat with neck flap and wind strap
- Trail running shoes - vent mesh reduces blistering
- Regular backpack - logos removed with seam ripper
- Sandals / Flip-flops
Nutrition and Hydration:
- Food - same as @lia_the_naturalist’s list
- 2-3 x 1L plastic bottles with a pinch of low-sodium salt and tap water for electrolytes and hydration - not refrigerated
- 2 stainless steel vacuum flasks/tumblers with mostly ice cubes and some water - inexpensive at second-hand stores
Gathering:
- Paper lunch bags - herbaceous samples
- Hori hori - uprooting invasives and transplanting
- 1.2L plastic fiber powder container - berries and transplants
First Aid:
- Shoe laces - from worn out pair
- Alcohol towelettes - disinfection
- Bug bite thing - anti-syringe for sucking bites
- Styptic powder - minor cuts, in a small bag
- Instant Glue - larger, deeper cuts
- Surgical Stapler - gashes, surprisingly inexpensive!
I leave one of the ice-water flasks in the car and drink the other with lunch. It’s very refreshing. The ice is also useful for bug observations (see: @teellbee’s tip here).
The sandals are a for wearing after the hike allowing feet to rest; the best and most underrated tip I’ve learned from an avid runner!