What do you carry when you actually hike?

[IdahoSkies]

As my moniker may give it away, I live not only in bear country, but wolf country and backpack (not camp) frequently. I have 5 small kids that I take ranging from ages 2 to 9. A three day trip with my wife and our kids is pretty intense.

When I was younger, I carried nothing but what I needed. Now with all the wolf sign that I see I was not comfortable taking my kids out for that long with those predators around. Smaller people make for more advantageous targets. We did not have the wolves in the numbers we have them when I grew up.

Now when I go with my kids, I take a G29 with an extra G20 Mag. 25 rounds of 10mm. When I am by myself, I take my G29 with one mag. I found when compared to a magnum revolver the G29 on an ounce/power/capacity comparison was the right choice for me. I was not comfortable with 6 rounds and my five kids. Me, maybe, my kids, no. Wolves run in packs. and I have no confidence in my ability to reload 6 a round revolver in the time I felt I needed.

So long story short G29 and occasionally an extra magazine. This from a guy who is not found of Glocks and swore he'd never own one.

 

[crestoncowboy]

I carry the same hiking or camping. I live about 30 minutes from Damascus va. the appalachain trail Crosses the creeper trail bicycling trail there. My Glock 20 weighs 3 pounds fully loaded the model 29 weighs less. I don't carry extra mags and ten roun
d is plenty for me. If I have to dump a mag in a bear or person I figure my long trip will be cut short anyway. I have talked to quite a few backpackers some doing the whole app.trail and id say 1/4 were carrying. Most carrying 22s. The standard from those i've talked too is 3 or 4 pairs of shoes in their pack. So is a 2 lb Glock going to hurt.
That said to all those suggesting a long gun, I have been on multiple day hunts and a rifle turns into a cumbersome Bastard really fast. Crawling through laurel bushes, checking out caves, climbing over rocks. I'm in good shape and the weight of a Lever gun isn't the issue, but even a slung rifle will snag and bump on anything within 6 feet.lol also at least for the Appalachian trail, it Crosses near Towns and other trails, as well as going by popular fishing streams and rivers, people have been robbed, i'm not sure id want everyone to know I was carrying. I'll keep my little 10s

 

[VBVAGUY]

Wow this is an AWESOME picture !!! I can only imagine the beautiful sunset and sunrise you see from this location !!! Thanks for sharing. God Bless

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Really? Are we talking camping (if you have a cooler, you're camping) or backpacking (if you've considered cutting the tags off your sleeping bag, you're backpacking)? Do you bring the three guns including a rifle for fun or because you feel you need three guns for protection?

Never been "backpacking" I don't think. I'm just talking about a couple hours to a day's hike through the woods, mountains, or desert for fun with friends and family. I have a rifle everywhere it's socially acceptable. I'd carry one to work if it were allowed, and to Walmart if it didn't cause a panic.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Do you bring the three guns including a rifle for fun or because you feel you need three guns for protection?

This is an irrelevant question. It's a way of life. I don't do so because it's super fun to carry a rifle through the woods, or because I feel that I need tons of protection. It's a way of life. Two pistols always where legally allowed. Where allowed and accepted, a rifle. It's that simple.

 

[41magsnub]

For day hikes and longer I pack either my 4" security six or my m&p45 midsize both with the meanest hardcast rounds available in a pancake holster.

When I run the dog up a small MTN trail after work I'm lazy, I just leave the j frame in my pocket since I don't want to take the time to regear.

 

[Macchina]

This is an irrelevant question. It's a way of life. I don't do so because it's super fun to carry a rifle through the woods, or because I feel that I need tons of protection. It's a way of life. Two pistols always where legally allowed. Where allowed and accepted, a rifle. It's that simple.

No offense but you should never be anywhere that requires a "way of life" which involves carrying 3 guns. Most soldiers in an active war zone looking for a fight don't carry 3 guns... Not judging, just comparing.

 

[batmann]

No Bears or Mountain Lions in Indiana where I hike, but real problem is wild dogs and Coyotes.
I will usually carry my Ruger SR 22 pistol loaded with CCI Stingers. It is light and accurate. If I am camping (tent) I bring my Ruger 50th Flattop in .357 stroked with 158 gr Double Tap HP. That is more for people protection now a days.
I am thinking of getting a Glock 29 SF or Gen 4 if I can find one and ammo to go with it. It would suffice as my all a round out door pistol.
Funny, I have a Glock 22 (.40) and never thought to carry it in place of the .357, just never seemed outdoorish. Now that I have put this in writing, may do a rethink.

 

[EVIL]

My "cardio-gun" as of late has been my Ruger SR-9c. Not for Ultra light Backpacking so much as strenuous, all-day, day hikes, trail cycling, kayaking etc. It carries light & compact enough to not interfere with whatever activity I am engaged in. The 10 rd magazine is enough for me as I EDC a 5-shot SP101 357 with one speed loader most days. In OH, the most likely threat is bad guys on the trails or trail-heads. Coyotes are more afraid of you in my experience, and I have never seen a black bear in OH.

When I travel for work, even to the "grizzly & puma infested" mountain west, I still pack the SR9c --- reason being it is relatively common inexpensive and I wouldn't cry too much if the airlines lost it and I got a check instead. I often take hikes up into the various mountain trails of UT, NM and I feel OK with just the 9mm round especially since it works for both country & city carry. Would I prefer to have one of my .45's or .357's - you bet. Again, I have seen way more people on the trails than mega-fauna. I have seen a bear before on a backpacking trip in northern NM but I maintained my distance and we each went our separate ways.

If I was regularly planning multiple-day backpacking trips I would evaluate my carry option in the favor of lightest option possible. Like a an air-weight J-frame. Last time I backpacked my pack weight was 43 Lbs. I don't relish carrying a sidearm & ammo that is 10% or more the weight of my gear - especially since additional weight can cause possible injury. To me, in remote areas, the biggest risks are exposure, dehydration, and personal injury or incapacitation due to an accident. Animal attack or badguys are definitely a much of a less likely concern (obviously depending where you are). I always conduct a little operational risk management and prioritize my gear and strategy to the most likely threats & risks.

 

[bobmilekjr]

situational

If I'm not in bear country, I generally pack my Ruger GP100 .357 mag, and feel perfectly capable and safe. I've never noticed the weight on my hip, even after several days, with 30lb pack, or packing game out. If in bear country, and limited to a handgun, I'll pack either a Taurus Tracker .41 Mag or Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag, plus bear spray. If in bear country, and the situation allows, I feel much better with the bear spray and my Marlin Guide Gun .45-70, or a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs and buckshot.

 

[bobmilekjr]

situational

If I'm not in bear country, I generally pack my Ruger GP100 .357 mag, and feel perfectly capable and safe. I've never noticed the weight on my hip, even after several days, with 30lb pack, or packing game out. If in bear country, and limited to a handgun, I'll pack either a Taurus Tracker .41 Mag or Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag, plus bear spray. If in bear country, and the situation allows, I feel much better with the bear spray and my Marlin Guide Gun .45-70, or a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs and buckshot.

 

[Spindrift]

The 'backpacking' I mainly do is the hiking during archery season which occasionally includes 2-3 overnighters in a spike tent. I typically cover 6 or 8 miles a day during bow season for elk and I carry the same pistol that I carry every day concealed.
Kimber TLE/RL-II full frame .45 with two spare mags.
The only difference is that when hiking, I pack her in a Blackhawk drop leg SERPA because there is no need for concealment.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Okay, I'll throw a little goop in the game.

How many have actually used their gun while hiking? I usually carry a Colt Woodsman and have killed many a squirrel, and dealt with an occasional copperhead and feral dog.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Used? I'm a veritable Hansel and Gretel with my brass. lolz

 

[Vern Humphrey]

That's why when I carry a centerfire, it's a revolver. Them dang automatics spit out the brass and it slows your hike down when you have to get down on your hands and knees and look for it.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Ruger MK II with 22 HP LR with 4 clips for a total of 40 loaded rounds.

 

[YANKEE2500]

Colt Agent, 38spl

 

[psyopspec]

How many have actually used their gun while hiking? I usually carry a Colt Woodsman and have killed many a squirrel, and dealt with an occasional copperhead and feral dog.

I've killed critters with a .22 while woods walking, but have never fired a gun that I brought on an actual multi-day hike. Much like CCW, it's not about the odds I'll need to deal with threat. It's about the stakes involved if a threat actually arises.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

No offense but you should never be anywhere that requires a "way of life" which involves carrying 3 guns. Most soldiers in an active war zone looking for a fight don't carry 3 guns... Not judging, just comparing.

OK, thanks for setting me straight. I'll stop. I should have known that I don't need them.

 

[Greycliff gunman]

OK, thanks for setting me straight. I'll stop. I should have known that I don't need them.

I don't mean to poke my nose in but I didn't see the original post claiming a "requirement" for a way of life. In the United States we have a right to carry. Does that mean we can carry only one, only two, only three, only 100. As best as I can tell a person can carry as many as they like or feel necessary. Depending on circumstances 3 may seem excessive but not wrong. When hunting I always carry two guns sometimes three. I always have my hunting rifle and my back up .454 Casul. In the fall time I like to carry a .22 caliber pistol as well for grouse. If I am going shooting in may bring up to ten guns, only cause its fun.

 

[Heysoos]

When hunting, I always carry a sidearm; was just raised to do it. But backpacking, I've rarely taken a gun and thankfully never needed it. I have a hike coming up on the Olympic Peninsula in WA, and it's known high-density black bear area. Considering taking my Kahr MK9. I realize it's under powered, but it's all I've got. Gun, holster, 6 round and 7 round mags come in at just over two lbs and I'm cringing at the weight, but I'm thinking I would sleep a lot better.

Considering the meth problem we have around here, maybe I should carry more often while hiking.

 

[harrygunner]

I usually spend a few days to a week alone, hiking miles away from the trailhead.

I take one of these, depending on what also occupies the area. I live in a state that has mountain lions, wolves, black and grizzly bears.



The shoulder holster is worn over a shirt and under a cover garment. The backpack goes on last. The rig fits nicely in the void under my arm.

 

[Mainsail]

I have a hike coming up on the Olympic Peninsula in WA, and it's known high-density black bear area.

I've done a lot of hiking in the Olympics and I anxiously await the day I'll be lucky enough to see a bear. They're pretty shy so it may be that I'm just too noisy. I've seen bear scat when away from the trail system hiking into the Wonder Mountain Wilderness, some of it very fresh too, but never a bear. I once saw a cougar while I was driving the waterline road up behind Quilcene- huge beautiful cat just strolling along the rutted dirt road. It got tired of looking over its shoulder at my jeep creeping up behind it and took off into forest.

Your Kahr should be enough for the cats. Bears are seldom a problem.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

How many have actually used their gun while hiking? I usually carry a Colt Woodsman and have killed many a squirrel, and dealt with an occasional copperhead and feral dog.

I have not had to fire, but I did draw my FNP-45. I got a feeling something was watching me. I was up on a mountain road at dusk and was walking back to my truck alone. I turned and something brown ducked down and didn't move when I turned and looked.

The only brown critters we have here that are dangerous and that size are mountain lions. If it had been a deer, it would have ran away. I still can't say for sure it was a cat, but being dusk, and how it moved, something was just un-deer like about it. I walked the last half of a mile back with my 45 in hand, cocked and locked. Spooked me pretty bad. There are a lot of lion tracks in the snow on that mountain all winter.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The only brown critters we have here that are dangerous and that size are mountain lions. If it had been a deer, it would have ran away. I still can't say for sure it was a cat, but being dusk, and how it moved, something was just un-deer like about it. I walked the last half of a mile back with my 45 in hand, cocked and locked. Spooked me pretty bad. There are a lot of lion tracks in the snow on that mountain all winter.

There are mountain lions in Arkansas -- i've seen one crossing the county road where I live -- and black bears. We have a bear season, and I've seen bears in my back yard (I live in the middle of the woods.)

Generally, when hiking, though, I carry the Woodsman. But there are plenty of times I carry a .45 Colt.