Photography Equipment:
- Typically one Nikon SLR camera
- Five Nikon lenses and 1 teleconverter (1.5x)
- Usually 100 gb of memory (minimum)
- Four camera batteries, a remote shutter release, lens cloths and cleaner, an external shotgun microphone
- I prefer large carbon fiber support
Non-photography Equipment:
- Small, easily accessible 10×25 Swarovski pocket binoculars
- Sturdy Boots. Protective clothing fitting the weather be it brutal sun or bitter cold.
- A broad brimmed hat covers my head most of the time.
The gear for a fair weather day hike usually weighs in at about 50 pounds. I use padded backpacking packs (Osprey, lowepro or mountain smith) and padded lens pouches – padding on everything! (climbing cliffs, and riding down screes requires a lot of intention in movement to not damage sensitive equipment).
With my gear continually escalating in weight I have recently started using some trekking poles, to get some of that weight off my legs as well as a couple extra feet on the ground 😉 , so far I find them very useful. I have tried a few and my current REI brand external locking ones have been the best (strongest) yet.
I do carry bear spray. I have never had to use it. (There have been a few times where I was glad to have it – check out my Encounters page!)