Overnight packing kit

How to pack your own overnight/ multi day hiking kit.

The most important thing is to have a spot for everything and to put everything back in its spot so that you can find it.

Think logically about the things you'll need multiple times a day and make them the most accessible. For example in the hip belt, we will store:

• Hand sanitizer
• Gloves and Beanie
• Pocket Knife

These are items that you'll pack away early in the morning when you get too hot, will need when you get too cold or need after going to the toilet and when eating, keep them available.

Pack items that you only need at the end of the day at the bottom of the pack such as:

• Shelter
• Sleeping Mat
• Sleeping Bag

Think about it, see what works and then stick to that so it becomes second nature where everything goes.

How should I waterproof everything?

Drybags, use drybags! Drybag everything - this protects things if you fall in a river or a bog hole. Bring a pack cover or drybag to cover the pack, don't rely on it though, store everything in drybags or ziplock bags.

How much does a good multi-day pack weigh?

As little as possible. Get everything as lightweight as you can, the only things that you should take a bit more than you think you need are:

• Water
• Gas

As you can never have too many hot water bottles or hot chocolates on a hike, it's really criminal not to have enough of them though. And if you are an experienced hiker, you know how painful it is not having enough water. Take at least an extra 2L between you as well as each person's minimum, you can adjust this as you go, better to have a bit too much water than not enough though.

It will depend on how many days you are hiking, if it is only a few aim for 10-12kg or less, this will grow if you need to carry more.

What should be in my remote area first aid kit?

Here is a link to the best things we have found to have in a first aid kit, we recommend shopping for these items in your local pharmacy and storing them in a drybag with a first aid sign on it that is visible on the outside of your pack.

Here is a link to the remote first aid kit with a google doc that you can download it.

The Packing List is below as well as in this google drive document.

Shelter (store in drybags)

• Ground Sheet
• Tent
• Tarp for lunch in case of rain
• Sleeping mat
• Sleeping Bag
• Hot water bottle or drinking bottle that can be used as a hot water bottle (nalgene or equivalent)
• Bit of foam yoga matt to use as a seat
• Microfibre towel for wiping down tent
• Pack raincover/ poncho

Hygene

• Trowel
• Toilet paper
• Wet wipes
• Hand sanitiser
• Insect repellant
• Sunscreen
• Toothbrush/ toothpaste

Cooking

• Jetboil or equivalent
• Gas, make sure you have enough for hot water bottles
• Cooking pot or two dehydrated meals that don’t require a pot
• Lighter
• Small dishwashing cloth and tiny container of dishwashing liquid
• Salt and pepper
• Wraps for lunch and ingredients for 3 days
• Oats with milk powder 3 serves
• Packet soups, 2 serves per day
• Snacks, biltong, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, lots of chocolate
• Lifestraw or other water filter
• 4L water per person
• Spoon, knife, bowl, cup
• Ziplock bags for rubbish

Clothing (store in drybags)

• Surf shoes or wetsuit socks
• Wetsuit pants or woolen thermal leggings for river crossings
• Sleeping Clothes
• Fresh change of clothes for each day
• Polar Fleece
• Down Jacket
• Rain Jacket
• Beanie
• Buff
• Gloves
• Lipbalm
• Hiking Sticks with gaffa tape on poles that can be reused to fix things
• Head torch
• Tent solar light
• Mosquito Spray

Navigation

• Phone for navigation with alltrails map and avenza map preloaded
• Backup phone with alltrails map and avenza map preloaded or a powerbank
• PLB

First Aid Kit

• Compression Bandage
• Saline Pack for Wound Care
• Pointed Tweezers and Tick Removers
• Alcohol Wipes
• A Range of Bandages and Dressings
• Bandaids (most used item)
• Space Blanket
• Iodine for Antiseptic Use
• Pain Relievers, antihistamines and Medications such as gastrostop
• Cream for bites
• Steri Strips
• Chlorine tablets in case the water filter breaks
• Surgical Tape for Emergency Repairs
• Small Scissors and Tweezers
• Crepe Bandage (Small)
• Compeed Blister Bandages
• Freeze of tick spray
• Super glue
• Glad wrap
• Hydrolytes

The first rule of remote Area First Aid

Let someone know where you are going.

Packing a well-rounded remote area first aid kit is essential for any outdoor adventure. The items discussed from saline solution and gauze swabs to essential medications like pain relievers and gastro stop are the core elements every first aid kit should have. Tailoring your kit to your specific needs is important but this guide ensures you’re ready to treat minor injuries and handle emergencies in remote environments.

However, even with the best equipped first aid kit, accidents can still happen and emergencies may arise when you least expect them. That’s where the Friends Find Me hiking safety app steps in. This app is designed to give you an extra layer of safety while you’re out hiking, camping or exploring the bush. It provides an easy way to notify your emergency contacts if you don’t return at your expected time, ensuring someone always knows your whereabouts.

By combining the preparedness of a well stocked first aid kit with the proactive technology of Friends Find Me, you can focus on enjoying your outdoor adventure without worrying about your safety. Whether you’re hiking through remote trails, camping in the wilderness or simply exploring nature, these tools work together to keep you secure and connected when you need it most.