I prepare because I tend to be out in the north woods in deer season. I plan to be back by sundown but a lot can happen in the woods. So I wear my survival vest that has enough gear in it to keep me alive and comfortable for a week. It is about five-six pounds and that includes the extra ammo.
Even for a novice she took way too much stuff.
For an experienced hiker on a two hour hike?
No.
Yep, big ole red flag.
Here’s a mistake I made that turned out to not be bad actually:
In Capitol Reef NP, I hiked out to an overlook (3 miles each way) and got caught out after dark. It was fall, 60 degrees, and I was wearing cotton sweat-bottoms and a t-shirt. It was like summer when the sun was up. At sunset 3 miles from the car, the temp dropped to 45F quick (I hung around to take some sunset pictures at this overlook). It got dark way fast but there was a 3/4 moon up so I never needed to break out the head-lamp in my pack. The walk on a wide moonlit desert trail was actually pretty fun. 45 was a bit cold so I broke out the emergency foil blanket to wrap around my shoulders. I didn’t even really need it. At 45 F, no wind, and in a T-shirt with sweat-bottoms, I was fine as long as I kept working. When I’d stop for a sip of water or whatever, then it felt cold. I wish I’d brought my thin little fall jacket but a winter coat? NO, total overkill.