Hiking Essentials
No matter where you are hiking or how long you are going to be gone there are certain things that no hiker should ever be without. These are some of the most used and most useful items in your pack. These items are as follows:
MAP
Not only will your map let you know where to go and where you have been but it can be helpful in a number of ways. It is very useful during pre trip planning by helping you locate water, camp sites, and even re-supply points for gear and food on longer hikes. Should you become lost by some major road you can also use the map as a make shift hitch hiker sign.
COMPASS
A compass always seems like a good idea but how good of an idea is it if you don’t know how to use it? Make sure you are very confident in your compass reading skills. These can be a life saver when you’re lost and trying to navigate in harsh weather conditions. Many compasses have a mirror and a magnifying glass built in. The magnifying glass is about useless. It takes a hot day and no clouds to start a fire with one of these. The mirror on the other hand can be a life saver; literally, you can use this as a signal mirror for rescue parties or planes flying over head.
WATER AND PURIFIER
You body can only last a few days without water. Even if you know there will be water where you are heading out to, make sure you have your water bottles topped off before you go. If there is access to water by people or animals there is a good chance the water could be tainted. You want to make sure you have a way to purify the water. There are a number of different ways to do this. You can carry tablets, chemicals, or a purifying pump. All of these are very practical. It’s just a matter of preference and taste.
The tablets can make the water have a strong iodine taste to it. So bring along something to cover up the taste like Gatorade powder.
EXTRA FOOD
Alaskan bushmen always prepare for the worst when heading out into the wild. Even if it’s only for a few miles. There’s no telling what could go wrong. Weather can change, people get lost, or you get hurt. Even though a person can last weeks with out food why would you want to? With some many multi vitamin energy bars out on the market today why would you leave with out a healthy supply of them?
This extra food will put your mind at rest if you get lost or hurt. And a stress free mind in a survival situation is your best tool of all.
EXTRA CLOTHES
We all know how sudden Mother Nature can change he mind. And because of this we should never listen to the weather man. The forecast might call for sunny days and no clouds at the bottom of the mountain, but once you pass the tree line your in no mans lands. Be prepared with extra clothes should the weather change suddenly. As a rule of thumb you should never wear cotton because it holds moisture and you should always carry a hat for protection from the elements.
FIRE STARTER
There are so many light weight ways to make your own fire starters. Most can fit into an old film canister and cost less than a few bucks to make. You can also buy weatherproof lighters, or small fire starter key chains.
The usefulness of fire in a survival situation is almost limitless. A fire is a great way to signal for help to airplanes and for a signal that can be seen at night. A fire will also protect you from hypothermia and coldness. You can use it to sterilize water or melt snow for safe drinking water.
FIRST AID KIT
The pre made first aid kits at the store are great and have everything you need. When you buy your first aid kit make sure you take the time to go through it and become familiar with what is in side it. While looking through the contents check the band aids to make sure the are fresh and check the expiration date on the medication.
You should go through your first aid kit on a regular basis to throw out bad or old items and replace them right away.
MULTI PURPOSE TOOL
These are decently priced and can come in very handy. They are about as useful as a fire. You can do anything from cut rope, make shift pot holder, repair backpacks, get out splinters, and much more. Make sure you have one of these and make sure you know where it is.
FLASHLIGHT
The need for this is obvious but it needs to be listed. These can be used to see in the dark and to signal for help. Make sure you have new batteries and extra bulbs before you leave your house.
SUNSCREEN AND SUN GLASSES
When you’re above the tree line or in snowy environments these two items are great at protecting you from the elements. When hiking in snowy environments you can get twice the amount of UV from the sun reflecting off the snow. Thus the sun glasses can help prevent snow blindness from the reflecting sun.
