Laila’s 5 non-essential, essentials for an overnight hike

In the year of the ultra light gear, does a girl really need a cheeseboard on a hike? I says yes!

The key to a successful hike is making sure you’ve got everything you need, but also knowing how much you can comfortably carry on your journey. 

I like to ‘reverse engineer’ packing weight. Instead of just thinking about how light I can pack, I like to work out how manageable the trail distance is and how many non-essential, essentials I can sneak into my bag…..

I go on a multi-day hike each year with a group of friends and some of them may tell you that this tactic has been taken too far on some occasions - insert hiking while carrying a Coles chiller bag with a 6 pack of beer and some T-bone steaks for the first night - but I think we’d all agree that these extra touches make for some of the best stories.

So yes, you will need the essentials (do not forget your tent, sleeping bag and head torch) but here’s my top 5 non-essential, essentials that you’ll always catch me stuffing into my pack.

Goon sack on trail….IYKYK

1. A Cheese Platter

Now we know what you’re thinking, how well does cheese travel on a hike? Well you’re in for a treat because I’ve tried and tested all of my favourite cheeses, for their hiking stability, so you don’t have to. Gouda is our personal favourite travelling companion and it pairs perfectly with some dried figs and some vita wheat broken into ‘rustic’ crackers. I will however say that in Tassie you can get away with a few more cheese varieties given it is typically cooler. We will always have some cheese on our hiking tours here in Tasmania!

2. My kindle

One of my favourite things is crawling into my sleeping bag and smashing out a couple of pages of my new favourite book. If you’re not yet converted to the e-book life, take this as your final hint. I’m talking in a built back light, wayy lighter than a normal book, and  they are waterproof! 

I recently dropped my kindle over a waterfall on the first day of hiking the Jatbula Trail (NT), and after a 30min mission to scramble down the rock face to find it in the depths of a waterhole, it still lived to tell the tale! 

3. Fairy Lights 

Big lights are out this year and that applies to camping too! I love bringing some fairy lights along on all trips to give a little extra ambiance and that ‘glamping vibe’. Fairy lights also add some added safety, stopping you from tripping over guy ropes on that late night trip to the loo. And even better, you won’t need to blind your mates every time you look at them with your head torch on!

I personally carry the Luci string lights which can be solar or USB-C charged for added convenience! 

4. Sarong 

The humble sarong is going to become your best friend on your next trip. I’m sure I’m not the only one who cannot stand the weird small size of a travel towel - just bigger than a tea towel but not really useful for anything an actual towel is supposed to do. 

Aside from a sarong working as a full sized towel to dry yourself with, it has so many added benefits. Think, a pretty picnic rug for your cheese platter. A hair wrap for wet hair? A scarf on a chilly evening! Or maybe you’ll need a modesty cloak for changing under. The options are endless!

5. Hammock

No I’m not talking about the dusty, heavy old hammock hanging up in your parents backyard. Lighter-weight, hang from anywhere hammocks are getting more popular and it is so satisfying hunting out the perfect trees to string your hammock to when you get to camp. Perfect for reading in, having a nap, snuggling in with a cup of tea, and a little escape for some solo time! I’ve got my hammock packed and ready for the next freycinet circuit, a cup of tea overlooking the Hazards - yes please!!

Got any favourite non-essential, essentials? We’d love to hear about them! Pop them in comments below!