Backpack and some miscellaneous items for the Fish River Canyon hike.

The backpack is the 46lt version from LiteAF (https://liteaf.com/product/ecopak-eplx-46l-curve-full-suspension/). I am taking the optional hip belts pockets (https://liteaf.com/product/hip-belt-pouch/) as well as the hip pack (https://liteaf.com/product/fanny-pack/).

I have found a way to either strap the hip bag into the hip belt, or alternative to carry it on top of the back pack. The hip pack is primarily for camera equipment. If I decide not to take any action camera, it will stay behind.

I have also added a stretchy water bottle pouch from Hilltop Packs (https://hilltoppacks.com/collections/accessory-pouches/products/custom-stretchy-water-bottle-sleeve-holder-pouch) as the one from LIteAF does not suit my needs.

Some additional items:

- Sea To Summit Trash bag (https://seatosummit.eu/products/trash-dry-sack-past-season). It keeps all the trash safely contained and the smells out of the backpack. THis is the older model and there is a newer model available.

- LiteAF Hiker Wallet (https://liteaf.com/product/small-zipper-pouch-hiker-wallet/). I'll have some cash and a credit card in there, because when one finishes the hike, it will pay for food, drinks and the warm water pools.

- Hilltop Packs Zipper Puch (https://hilltoppacks.com/products/zipper-pouches?variant=43560830632193) - This keeps my passport and all relevant documentation. The hiker wallet also goes inside.

- Cébé Sunglasses - I use photochromatic 0-3 so that I can ever wear it in low-light conditions. The latter is useful when one might encounter brush, branches or insects.

- Nooz Optics reading glasses (https://www.nooz-optics.com/en-us/collections/reading/original) - I have found these to be the most dependable and lightweight for backcountry usage. They go in a hipbelt pocket for quick access.

- Kimbefeel Milos sandals - The best weight-to-comfort sandals I've come across. Thicker than Xero, but lighter. Unfortunately they are discontinued.

- Leki Traveller Alu telescopic poles (https://www.leki.co.uk/item/813/Leki/Leki-Traveller-Alu-Blacksilver-Greyneon-Yellow.html) - Although slightly heavier, I prefer the aluminium version over carbon as I use these as my tent poles too. Even though I am not using a tent for this hike, I need it for other hikes on this travel, so these are the set of poles of choice.

#fishrivercanyon #hiking #whatsinyourpack #namibia #liteaf #noozoptics #cebe #leki #kimberfeel #seatosummit #hilltoppacks

Sleep system for both the Fish River Canyon and Drakensberg trips in 2026.

- Bandit quilt from UGW
- Nemo Fillo Elite pillow
- Sleeping bag liner from Naturhike
- Nemo Tensor Extreme sleeping pad
- E-Vent Sil compression dry bag from Sea to Summit

For the desert I could have gone with a normal Nemo Tensor and a lighter quilt, bur since I only want to fly with one combination I opted for taking the warmer set.

I have also now worked out a way to keep the pillow strapped to the pad at the expense of about 10g.

Although the sleeping bag liner is depicted with its own stuff sack, Ieave that behind. Instead the pillow, quilt and pillow are all compressed into the dry bag. The sleeping pad still travels in its own stuff bag. For bag end up at the bottom of the backpack when hiking.

#whatsinyourpack #sleeping #hiking #FishRiverCanyon #Drakensberg #quilt #nemoequipment #ugqoutdoors #seatosummit #naturhike

FRC gear review 4: Sea to Summit Trash Bag.

I wrote about my intent to take one of those on my trip: https://mountains.social/@ysb33r/111880045857673354

Normal trash bags break easily. They can leak into your pack, or they can swing around on the back of your pack like a baboon drunk on marula fruit. This dry bag solves the problem. It keeps the smell in the bag.

A definite for future trips.

#frc2024 #hiking #seatosummit #whatsinyourpack

I took the plunge and decided that I am going with a Sea to Summit X-Plate for both the Drakensberg & FRC trips. Strictly not necessary for the first trip, so might still leave it behind, depending on the food taken, but definitely required for the latter. Weighs 180g, so adds about 160g over having just taking a MYOG cutting board.

I would like to see how it actually performs on trail.

- Product link: https://seatosummit.co.uk/products/x-plate
- Original post: https://mountains.social/@ysb33r/112115434356144052

#whatsinyourpack #hiking #SeaToSummit #Drakensberg #frc2024

The cutting board dilemma. I have a small cutting board I made, weighs only 18g. Have done many trips. Works well, when there is only two of us or I alone. We like to cut cheese, fuet, biltong, chillis, onions etc on it when eating or cooking, so it is an important part of trail ritual.

Also when solo or in a pair, we don't need plates, we just eat out of the pot. But in a group of four, do I forego the cutting board and get myself a plate with a built-in cutting-board such as Sea-to-Summit's X-bowl. It rolls in at 80g, so quite a step up in weight.

WDYT?

What do you use for a chopping board?

https://seatosummit.com/products/x-bowl

#whatsinyourpack #hiking #trailcooking #seatosummit

Nowadays it is common to carry a powerbank. I take a 20000mAh version from Anker. I just wish it could be lighter as it weights a whole 350g. But it carries a mobile phone, a headlamp and a smartwatch for 5 days of charge, which is really useful. It can also charge some camera equipment.

I also need three kinds of cables:

- USB-A to USB-C: Charges most things nowadays.
- USB-A to Garmin: Fenix models have good battery life, but when recording a route the whole day, they will need a charge
- USB-A to Micro USB: Somethings like the Petzl headlamp needs this.

It all goes in a Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil drybag.

- https://www.anker.com/products/a1268?variant=37438338695318
- https://seatosummit.eu/products/ultra-sil-dry-bag?variant=42398588829846

#whatsinyourpack #frc2024 #hiking #anker #seatosummit

When carrying down-filled equipment, it can be compressed to save space. It also need to be kept dry. This is where the Evac compression dry bag comes into play. It also serves to organise a couple of items together. In my 13lt version I put:

- Quilt
- Liner
- Sleeping pad
- Pillow
- Puffy

Even after compression this is the bulkiest item in pack - it goes at the bottom as it is only used in the evenings.

https://seatosummit.eu/products/the-evac-compression-dry-bag

#whatsinyourpack #frc2024 #seatosummit #hiking

I always use a sleeping bag liner - even with a quilt. It keeps the more expensive down item clean and it adds some warmth to the outer sleeping layer. My choice for the last couple of years is the Thermolite Reactor Extreme (non-fleece). I have in the past used it on its own in mountain huts. I don't take the stuff bag it comes with as it gets stuffed along with the quilt I have.

https://seatosummit.eu/products/thermolite-reactor-extreme-liner

#whatsinyourpack #frc2024 #seatosummit #hiking

I'm a spork person and currently I carry a Sea to Summit Spork. It has been on many trails, both overnight and day. It works as expected, and only weighs in at 9g.

The teeth are enough to spike a sausage, although I won't be carrying any on the FRC - the ecosystem is too sensitive and we don't want to make fires.

I don't why anyone wants a plastic spork, if a much more durable metak is ultralight can be used.

https://seatosummit.eu/products/alpha-light-utensil-spork

#hiking #whatsinyourpack #namibia #frc2024 #seatosummit

The problem with multi-day trips is to carry out all rubbish. It is not the carrying part that is the problem, but that the garbage bag can get a hole in it, and out leaks some smelly stuff. (Nobody wants tuna oil inside their packs).

So I invested in a Sea to Summit garbage dry bag. It adds 100g to base weight, but it ensure that the actual garbage is protected and that is sealed, regardless of whether it is carried inside or outside of a backpack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPBCW6k0c7U

#hiking #lnt #garbage #seatosummit