Three Points of the Compass could never be considered an ultra-lightweight backpacker. Though I suppose I push it into the ‘lightweight’ bracket by any stretched definition. Many hikers will shake their heads in disbelief at what I include in my gear, I care not a jot.

Three Points of the Compass likes to compartmentalise his gear. This ensures nothing is left behind and anything can be found quickly when required. Roll call prior to vacating a youth hostel on the Pennine Way, 2018

I like to segregate and organise my gear, especially on trail. That way I know where things are, I can easily check off that everything is with me, that nothing gets left behind in a hostel, bothy or, god forbid, at home! To that end, I tend to carry a selection of small and light bags and pouches in which different groupings of trail gear are carried. With these I can carry out a ‘roll-call’ when packing, ensure that I have the most fragile stored appropriately within a pack, guarded from knocks and damp. I can have what is required during the day to hand, my First Aid Kit within easy reach and damp gear kept away from electronics.

On longer hikes Three Points of the Compass will normally have seven different pouches of smaller gear. Other hikers will either not be carrying such ‘stuff’ at all or if they are, will aggregate it differently, very probably by grouping into less units. Fine, this is simply how I do things. l have has a brief glance in each of the seven bags and pouches shown above. I don’t get bogged down with weights, simply personal rationale.This isn’t a recommendation, just a part explanation. The seven groupings are:

• Hydration- 2020 version
• Ditty bag- 2020 version
• Hygiene- 2020 version
• ‘Poop kit’- 2020 version, though not a great deal changes over the years
• Electronics- 2020 version with reference to earlier incarnations
• First Aid Kit- 2020 version
• Day ‘stuff’- 2020 multi-day and day hike versions