Right then. You've asked, and I'm going to show you.
This is my pack. My trusty, battered, beloved yellow rucksack that has been up hills, through bogs, across rivers, and into more forests than I can count. And today I'm opening it up and showing you exactly what's inside. 🎒
No sponsored kit. No affiliate links. Just the honest contents of a bear who spends a lot of time outdoors and has learned — sometimes the hard way — what actually matters.
💧 Water & Hydration
A good insulated flask. Mine holds about 750ml and keeps drinks warm for hours. On cold days, that's not a luxury — it's morale.
A water filter or purification tablets. For longer trails where I might need to top up from a stream. I use a small squeeze filter that weighs almost nothing.
A collapsible cup. Takes up no space, endlessly useful.
Blue's rule: Always carry more water than you think you need. Always.
🍯 Food & Snacks
I eat on the trail. Regularly. Unapologetically. Here's what's usually in the food pocket:
Oat bars or flapjacks — slow-release energy, easy to eat on the move. A small jar of honey — yes, really, don't judge me. Nuts and dried fruit — lightweight, calorie-dense, brilliant. A proper sandwich for longer days. And always, always a little something for the summit. A treat saved for the top makes the climb feel purposeful.
🧰 Safety Essentials
First aid kit. A compact one with plasters, blister pads, a bandage, antiseptic wipes, and pain relief. I've used every item in mine at some point.
Map and compass. Even with a phone. Batteries die. Signal disappears. A paper map and the knowledge of how to use a compass is non-negotiable on any serious trail.
Emergency whistle. Tiny. Weighs nothing. Could save your life.
Head torch. Even on day hikes. Trails take longer than expected. Daylight is unreliable. Always have one.
A foil emergency blanket. Folds to the size of a playing card. Keeps you warm if things go wrong. I've never needed mine. I will never stop carrying it.
🧥 Clothing & Layers
Whatever the forecast, I carry:
A lightweight waterproof jacket — always. A spare mid layer — a thin fleece or insulated gilet. A spare pair of socks in a dry bag. A buff or neck warmer. Gloves in autumn and winter.
The weather in the UK changes its mind constantly. Dress for what it might become, not just what it is when you set off.
📱 Navigation & Communication
My phone with the route downloaded offline — no signal required. A portable battery pack to keep it charged. A written note of my route, start time, and expected return — left with someone who knows to raise the alarm if I'm not back.
✨ The Personal Bits
And then there are the things that aren't strictly necessary but make the trail feel like mine:
A small notebook and pencil — for thoughts, sketches, things I want to remember. A tiny pair of binoculars — for birds, for distant ridgelines, for the sheer joy of looking at things more closely. And a photograph. Just a small one. Of somewhere I love, or someone I'm walking for.
The pack doesn't have to be purely functional. It can carry a little of who you are too.
That's everything. Well — almost everything. A bear has to have some secrets.
See you on the trail. 🐾
— Blue
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