If i go on a weekend hiking trip, or a field exercise, a Commradio CTX-10 is the radio I usually carry. The CTX-10 is compact, rugged, has a built in tuner, and lithium batteries with a charge controller. It's easy to keep the batteries topped off with a 20 watt solar panel. An end-fed, or multi-band collapsible vertical antenna does the job, and it all goes into a small pelican case that's not always carried. It also has a built in Morse code reader, and it's manufactured in the USA.
Johny, I suggest keeping the FT-817, because of its versatility. I've got a FT-817 too, and it's been a good radio. The important thing is that it covers not only HF, but VHF and UHF too. So, it can be used in other types of mountain topping contests. I've used my FT-817 as a 2 meter mobile when I had issues with a primary mobile radio. Again, this radio mostly resides in a pelican case, but it's ready to go anywhere. Like the CTX-10, the FT-817 could be set up as a field base radio due to the ability to be powered by rechargeable or single use batteries.
I've heard good things and bad things about the Xiegu G90. Everyone seems to like the price, but no one likes the warranty. From what I understand, the radio needs to be returned to China in the event there's an issue with the radio. Seeing the current world situation, I'd hesitate to purchase anything made or associated with China. Baofengs are disposable $25 radios, are you prepared to have a disposable $460 Xiegu radio? I say look beyond the price.
I would have suggested a Lab 599 TX-500 a few months ago, but seeing that they're made in Russia, they're no longer a viable choice.
The other option is an Icom IC-705, which covers HF, VHF and UHF. Of course, with the downside of the 705 is the price. It's a quality piece of equipment, pay once, cry once.
There's a big difference between boondocking and hiking, and every ounce counts when you're heading up hill or into the bush. There's nothing like sitting in front of the fire or in a lean-to and working DX or listening to a shortwave station, as the sun sets over the horizon. In most cases, there's little background noise, so weak stations are easy to copy. One of my favorite memories was listening to the BBC on the last day of a rigorous 8 day hike, watching the sun set over a still pond, as we were serenaded by bullfrogs and owls.
