You’ve probably read numerous stories of people who go out for a short hike and get lost. Very often they’re found, albeit cold and hungry, but sometimes their outcomes aren’t so happy. That’s why many hiking organizations stress the importance of the ten essentials of hiking.
Too many people go out even just for a few hours and think that they don’t need anything more than the clothes on their back. But as motorcyclists like to say, dress for the crash, not for the ride.
With spring approaching and more people starting to hit the hiking trails, are you prepared for the great outdoors? Make sure that you understand the ten essentials of hiking before you hit the trails.
1. Proper Footwear
Any hike requires proper footwear. Leave the sandals and Crocs at home, and make sure that you’re wearing shoes or boots that fit you well, support your ankles and arches, and keep your feet from tiring. Also be sure to take at least one extra pair of socks for longer hikes. A change of socks can do a lot of good, especially if your feet get wet from sweating or crossing streams.
2. Navigation and Communication
Always know where you’re going, how to get there, and how to get back. In this day of smartphones we tend to rely too much on online maps that require cell phone service. You’re not always going to be able to rely on that in the wilderness.
Make sure you have a paper map and some sort of compass, so that in a worst case scenario you’ll be able to find water, shelter, or a road. GPS devices can’t hurt either, although they too have limitations in the wilderness.
And always be sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back, so that in case something happens to you, someone will be able to alert first responders and organize a search party.
3. Water
Even if you ignore all the other ten essentials, hopefully you’ll at least carry some water with you. The hotter the conditions, the more water you’re going to need. The case of the family that died while hiking in California was an unfortunate reminder that sometimes not carrying enough water can be the difference between life and death.
It can’t hurt to carry a means of purifying water either, especially on longer hikes. If you run out of water, you may have to rely on streams, ponds, or lakes for your water needs, and the last thing you want is to get sick from drinking contaminated water.
4. Food
If you’re going to be out hiking for more than a few hours, be sure to bring some food. The longer you’re out, or the more strenuous your hike, the more food you should pack. And be sure to bring a little extra just in case.
5. Appropriate Clothing
While we have the luxury of pretty accurate weather forecasts, in mountainous areas weather can change in an instant. Just because the forecast is for 85-degree sunny weather doesn’t mean that it’s not going to be 60 degrees and foggy at the top of the ridge.
Make sure to wear clothing that’s appropriate for the conditions, have rain gear ready in case an unexpected storm passes through, and remember that cotton kills.
6. Safety Equipment
When most hikers refer to safety equipment, they’re referring to ways to start fires and to make emergency signals. This means carrying flashlights and fire starters, as well as an emergency whistle. The odds of you needing to start a fire are minimal, but with fire starting kits being so small, there’s no reason not to carry one.
7. First Aid Kit
You never know when you’re going to cut a hand or leg on rocks or thorns, or when you might turn your ankle. A small boo-boo kit is the bare minimum you should bring with you on a hike, to cover the all but certain scrapes and cuts. You’ll probably want to learn some wilderness first aid too, especially for longer hikes, like how to treat twisted ankles or how to create splints for broken or fractured legs or arms.
8. Knife or Multi-Tool
Knives and multi-tools should be part of your everyday carry (EDC) anyway, but they’re especially important on a hike. They can be used for numerous different purposes and are something that could be absolutely essential when you need them most.
Many hikers would also add a firearm into this category too, depending on local regulations. You can never be too safe from threats, whether four-legged or two-legged.
9. Sun Protection
Regardless of which season you’re in, you’ll need to protect yourself against the sun. That means applying sunscreen, wearing sunglasses and hats, and wearing clothing to protect yourself against burns and excessive sun exposure.
10. Shelter
You never know when you might end up alone and lost in the woods. In that case, you’re going to need shelter. It’s especially important if you’re hiking alone, or hiking in remote areas.
That doesn’t mean that you have to carry a tent with you every time you’re outdoors. Space blankets can do a perfectly good job of keeping you warm and sheltered, and they can fit in your pocket. You’ll also want to familiarize yourself with the types of improvised shelters you can build.
We all want to have fun and enjoy the great outdoors. And if you stick to the ten essentials of hiking, you will stand a much better chance of surviving any problems that might pop up during your time outside.