I've heard it time and time again. "I can't carry that much gear, it's too heavy, etc etc."
Really, carrying the 10 essentials doens't require more than a fanny pack and a water bottle. If your fanny pack has a place to stick a water bottle, double bonus!!
So let's take a look at the 10 essentials list again....
SHORT VERSION:
1. Navigation
2. Sun protection
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire
7. Repair kit and tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency shelter
1. Navigation. A map and a compass need only take up a tiny portion of space. Neatly fold your map, tuck it into your pack, and there you go. There's no reason to buy a gigantoid compass, compact is best. Some compasses can be worn around the neck.
2. Sun protection. I buy my sunblock in the little trial size bottles that you can get in drug  stores. They are small and compact, and fit into my fanny pack pretty well. I wear my sunglasses and tuck my SPF chapstick into the fanny pack. Add a hat and you should be set for sun protection.
3. Insulation. An extra pair of ankle socks goes into the pack. While they aren't as hardy as my thick hiking socks, having an extra pair of socks can go a long way towards comfort! If you dress in layers than you can take off a jacket and tie it around your waist or tuck it over your fanny pack strap. You won't be able to fit an entire change of wardrobe in your fanny pack, but... well... if you're going to insist on a fanny pack instead of a backpack, you will have to make some concessions.
4. Illumination. Flashlights and headlamps can now be bought in the tiniest of sizes. LED lights especially are super compact. Be sure to pack at least one extra set of batteries.
  5. First aid supplies. Altoid tins and Sucrets tins make wonderful water-resistant mini one-person first aid kits. I can fit the following into mine: banadages in several sizes, a little roll of gauze and some tape, several gauze pads, little one-time-use ointment packets and some advil and tylenol. Another alternative is to purchase a little travel first aid kit. I recently found these at my local Dollar Tree!
 6. Fire. Waterproof matches are one good option. I recently bought a match container for $1.00, dumped out the cheapie matches that came with it, and substituted some waterproof matches (a 4-pack bought for $1.99- the container held less than one pack). You can get little tiny firestarters treated with wax or other flammable chemical and tuck those in, or tuck some dryer lint (HIGHLY flammable) into a snack-size plastic Ziploc baggie and you're good to go! Personally, I carry a Swiss FireSteel, which works even wet and strikes a spark 5,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
 7. Repair kit and tools. Duct tape is invaluable; wrap strips of it around your water bottle or some trekking poles, and you'll have it with you if you need it. You can use it to repair a strap, cover a blister, hold a bandage- the possibilites are literally endless! Pack a little folding multi-tool and you're good to go. Mine has pliers, wire cutters, a blade, three styles of screwdriver, scissors, a saw, bottle opener, nail file, awl, and ruler. It's super small and compact, and takes up very little room. I also like to pack a sturdier folding knife.
8. Nutrition. This can be as simple as a PowerBar. I hate the things, personally- it's mostly a texture thing- but they have a long shelf life and if I'm hungry I'll eat it! I'd rather stick a few Larabars or some dried fruit in my pack. See Trail Food for more ideas.
9. Hydration. You may have to carry a separate water bottle to cover this essentail item, but be sure it does not get left behind!!
10. Emergency shelter. I pack a space-blanket and an emergency rain poncho in, both take up very little room unopened. They cost less than $5 for both of them, so if I use them I can replace them easily. Both items can be used to huddle under them, wrap up in them, or create a shelter with them.
That's the 10 Essentials! Of course I like to add some extras as well....
 My whistle has a storage compartment in the body, and can also be worn around the neck or tucked into the fanny pack. It cost me under $5, and I have tucked away into the little compartment the following: a handful of waterproof matches (I tore the strike edge off the matchbox and slipped it in too), fishing line, a fishing hook, and a needle and thread. I wouldn't trust the compass or the tiny mirror inside the lid, but still it works great and is waterproof.
You can buy bug repellant in small travel-size bottles. Other alternatives for bug repellant are the little repellant wipes.
I always pack a bandana and a few large ziplocks. The bandana can be used as a bandage, to wipe things away, I can get it wet and drape it over my neck on a hot day, I can use it as a hat, as a marker (my bandana is bright red), to tie a broken pack strap, or any other number of uses. The ziplock bags can be used to carry water, store trash, keep my other items dry, etc.
Also packed away are a package of kleenex, a few packaged wet wipes, and a little tiny bottle of antibiotic hand sanitizer.
That's it!! It can completely and totally be done. So now you ask, well then why do you carry that big ole pack when you hike? Well, I like to carry an extra-large first aid kit in case other hikers don't have their own 10 essentials, and I also carry extra water in case other hikers didn't bring enough. Both have come in handy quite a few times already.
So be prepared and no excuses!! You can fit your 10 essentials in a fanny pack, so there!
This article
© Alecia J. Rivas and PNWLH. Please give credit when using this article.
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