Nowadays we are hiking with rather heavy backpacs, lots of extra survival gear. I can recall doing long daytrips with only the camera backpack and 1 liter of water and 1 x emergency chocolate bar, an ankle and knee guard and 2 x crepe bandages.
However; after our unexpected Disney ridge overnight we have realized once again that things can easily change. A simple ankle sprain can be the deciding factor for having to overnight and therefore we are now always carrying a lot of stuff:
Polar fleece
longsleeve shirt - warm
thermals
Dry socs
Medical kit
Emergency shelter: big plastic bag (you buy them for this purpose and an adult fit in there) and a buvvy
Waterproof clothing - complete
Leatherman (I only have a made in China one so I also carry my Swiz army knife)
GPS and spare batteries
Head torch
Radio (which only works line of sight - but it can help)
3 liters of water
Emergency food and other food to keep you going for atleast 2-3 days
A few little extras - like I cannot hike with specs but I carry them with and use when needed.
The pictures I take without my glasses, just keep and eye on my histogram to expose properly.
So I only have space now for the camera with one lens fitted to it, and therefore alternate.
The above pics were all taken with the Nikon d7100 and the Sigma 10/20mm wide angle lens.
I had to sneak up to the birds to get good pics but the lens is an absolute winner when it comes to landscape.
If I am missing anything critical on my backpack please share the thoughts!
Zach is back from the Mountain and had a hard time up there. He experienced terrible galeforce winds and mist - it never opened up but still had a good time.
Woody1 you are right, Zach do not do lazy and we became very good friends!

Today we made a very nice wooden table/bench combination - I cut all the planks yeasterday and today Peter and Santjie joined and we build it.
Came out very nice - solid and beautiful. I'll see if I can get a picture or two uploaded soon. Just as we finished and packed away the tools the rain started.
Once it is dry I will sand it a bit more and treat it with some kind of outdoor varnish.
Goodnight!
