Electronic I am taking on my next multi-day hikes:

- Mobile phone. I keep it in a pocket in my Forclaz trousers.

- Garman Fenix 6 smartwatch.

- Petzl Swift headlamp. I prefer the stronger beams that this offers as I use for walking in the dark and not just for camp cooking.

- Iniu powerbank. 20Ah. I am not taking my older Anker power bank as the Iniu has the capability of both usb-c and usb-a power out.

- usb-c to usb-c charge cable.

- usb-a to usb-c charge cable.

- usb-c to micro-usb adaptor (for charging headlamp).

- usb-c to garmin adaptor (for charging watch).

- 4lt Ultra-sil drybag from Sea to Summit for keeping everything together. This bag goes in the backpack as I don't normally need it in the day.

Not included in this list are camera equipment, spare batteries and chargers for cameras.

This time around I have cut some grams off the base weight by using shorter cables and then the adaptors instead of extra cables.

#FishRiverCanyon #drakensberg #southaftica #namibia #whatsinyourpack #hiking

For the Fish River Canyon and Drakensberg trip I have my cooking setup settled and there are some luxury items.

- I am taking a Fozzils Snapbowl for when I need a bowl. Doubles as a cutting board. (https://www.fozzils.com/product-page/snapfold-bowlz). It fits nicely into the back stretch pocket of the backpack.

- A long handle spork.

- A Victorinox Soldier's knife. It has all the necessary utilities for emergencies. The made blade is serrated and sharp. I have used it in the past to even cut open tins. (https://www.amazon.es/-/en/Victorinox-Schweizer-Soldatenmesser-Functions-Including/dp/B002RWXZ7E)

- A spreading knife, because it works better than the pocket knife's big blade. It is my one luxury item.

- All the cutlery items go into a small Hilltop tent stake bag. I purposely bought the one with the meat print. (https://hilltoppacks.com/products/tent-stake-stuff-sacks-funny-prints?variant=38878721867961)

- MSR Pocket Rocket DLX. Slightly heavier than some other compact stoves, but it burns more efficiently, has a regulator and a piezo igniter. (https://cascadedesigns.com/en-eu/products/pocketrocket-deluxe-stove).

- Lightload Towel as a dish cloth. It is super lightweight, recycable and lasts for many days. (https://www.litesmith.com/lightload-towels/).

- MSR Titan 900ml kettle. (https://cascadedesigns.com/en-eu/products/titan-kettle-900ml)

- MSR Titan Double Wall mug 375 ml. It fits inside the kettle. (https://cascadedesigns.com/en-eu/products/titan-double-wall-mug).

- All the cookware goes inside a Hilltop stuff sack, including one gas canister. (https://hilltoppacks.com/products/stuff-sacks-w-custom-printing-challenge-d50t-fabric?variant=45960307114241)

- I have one large food bag from Hilltop (https://hilltoppacks.com/collections/food-bags-bear-bags/products/food-bags-w-custom-printing-challenge-d50t-fabric-bear-bag-5) as well as 2nd snack bag. At this point I might take another Hilltop bag instead of the Sea to Summit drybag for the latter purpose.

- As these hikes are in Southern Africa, a common practice is to eat rusks with morning coffee / tea. I keep these in a plastic container to prevent them from becoming crumbs.

- My second luxury item is a Platypus 800ml wine bag, because we like to sip some red wine in the evening. When it is empty it rolls up really small (https://cascadedesigns.com/en-eu/products/platy-preserve).

This whole setup is < 900g.

I did not include a emergency matches or a lighter in this list as that will go into the emergency and first aid bag.

#whatsinyourpack #hiking #cooking #traillfood #fishrivercanyon #drakensberg #namibia #southafrica #msrgear #hilltoppacks #platypus #victorinox #fozzils

What people take for toiletries is a very personal choice. For me for overnight hikes my toiletries remain consistent.

- Small drybag where most of things go. After various options in the past, I have now settled for one from Hilltop Packs - https://hilltoppacks.com/products/ditty-bags-printed-dry-bags-challenge-d50t-fabric-11?variant=46398823629057.

- A very small Sea to Summit Airlite towel. https://seatosummit.eu/en-nl/products/airlite-towel (I only use this on trail, as I have left two behind in the shower after the trail. There are small after all and easy to miss).

- Sunscreen

- Nail clippers

- Tooth brush.

- Dental brush tablets. Much better than toot paste. They don't make a mess and I can take exactly the amount I need.

- Interdental brush. For me a better solution than floss, as I do not have perfect teeth. I normally carry this in a hip belt pocket as I might need it during the day,

- Mirror, it is just useful for many things. like putting sunscreen on your face.

- Lip balm. Not something I always use, bu it does come in handy on hot, sunny days. I also carry this in a hip belt pocket,

There is noticeable absence of deodorant, soap and shampoo. I am in the "embrace the smell" camp when on trail and I don't like to introduce day-hiker fragrances. If it is going to be a very long hike, then I'll bring something, but for <7 days I don't. (There is always water and a wet wipe from the hygiene bag).

But there are a couple of things I do leave in the car for cleaning up after the trail - soap, shampoo, deodorant and a bigger towel.

#toiletries #hiking #whatsinyourpack #fishrivercanyon #drakensberg #pyrenees

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

Footwear for the Fish River Canyon & the Mnweni Traverse in 2026.

- Nnormal Tomir Boots. Waterproof versions. Durable soles. Good for water crossing. Mid-ankle keeps the dust out and reduces risk of ankle rolling on boulders. I replaced the default laces with a quick lace system.
- Custom insoles from Sidas moulded by specialist boot fitter. This means no unnecessary foot rolling, leg movements and less fatigue.
- Dust gaiters. Will either be a pair from Dirty Girls (picture) or a hiking pair form AR Gaiters. (https://argaiters.co.za/collections/ar-gaiters-hiking). Keeps dust, sand, sticks and pebbles from getting inside.
- Sliverlight crew socks. One pair worn for 5.5 days. Backup pair in pack. (https://silverlight.store/socks)

#hiking #whatsinyourpack #hiking #fishrivercanyon #drakensberg #southafrica #namibia

The Berg 🫠

#drakensberg #southafrica

5 weekend escapes with both mountains and wine

South Africa offers stunning landscapes, from mountains to vineyards. For a weekend getaway, you can hike in the morning, enjoy wine in the a…
#wine #SouthAfricanWine #Breedekloof #cederberg #Drakensberg #Franschhoek #mountaingetaways #southafrica #Swartland #travelSouthAfrica #weekendescapes #Wine #WinefromSouthAfrica #WineofSouthAfrica #wineregionsSouthAfrica
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2358082/5-weekend-escapes-with-both-mountains-and-wine/

5 weekend escapes with both mountains and wine

South Africa offers stunning landscapes, from mountains to vineyards. For a weekend getaway, you can hike in the morni…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #SouthAfricanWine #Breedekloof #cederberg #Drakensberg #Franschhoek #mountaingetaways #southafrica #Swartland #travelSouthAfrica #weekendescapes #Wine #WinefromSouthAfrica #WineofSouthAfrica #wineregionsSouthAfrica
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2358082/5-weekend-escapes-with-both-mountains-and-wine/

Corner Pass in the Injasuthi area of the Drakensberg. This very rocky pass has some risky, non-beginner scrambles in it.

As I was negotiating the last of the scrambles (also the crux of the pass) a rock was dislodged above me. I tried to duck as deep as possible into the rock section I was on, but I heard it whoosh past my head. It bounced on top of my backpack, which I was wearing at the time, and then continued further down the pass.

#mountaineering #closecalls #southafrica #drakensberg