Essential Hiking Supplies And Equipment

From USHikingtrails

Many hiking web sites, magazines and books offer a list of essential supplies and equipment that every hiker should carry. Not wanting to be left out, I offer my own list. This list is based in part on the lists already circulating, in part on the recommendations of the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers, and in part from my own experience.

The Ten Essentials, first described in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, a hiking and mountain climbing club, are often referred to as the basic equipment that many consider essential in the backcountry. These items are recommended as the very minimum materials necessary to increase the likelihood of survival in the field. Most of the Ten Essentials are incorporated into my own list, and they are noted in the list below.

In developing my own list, I add the following considerations:

Before leaving on any hike, I try and assess the worst-case scenario that might keep me in the backcountry longer than planned. OK, you can fall off a cliff and die, or have a heart attack or stroke while on the trail. These are difficult to prepare for. Realistically, for most day hikes, the worst-case scenario is that I, or someone in my group, become injured or too ill to walk out, and help won't arrive until the next day. So for most hikes, I try and carry appropriate supplies to keep me alive overnight. A second scenario is that you encounter someone on the trail that has been injured or is ill, and you become the caregiver or rescuer. Again, this situation presents the chance that you will spend the night in the field with that person. I choose to limit the supplies to the bare minimum for an overnight bivouac, because I don't want to carry a fully-loaded pack on every day hike. Your personal comfort level and amount of risk you are willing to take ultimately dictates how much gear you carry.

Starting with this basic worst-case assumption (that I might have to survive in the backcountry overnight), the following variables should also be taken into account:

The terrain: In general, the liklihood of being injured, getting lost, or stranded (in this context, meaning you know where you are, but can't get to where you need to be in the needed timeframe) is higher in steep, rocky and rugged terrain than it is in more forgiving terrain. Furthermore, if you need rescue, it will most likely take your rescuers longer to reach you and longer to evacuate you in rugged terrain than if you are in gentler terrain. The supplies and equipment you carry should reflect the fact that in rugged terrain, if you get in trouble, you may be there longer than if you are in gentler terrain.

The elevation: The higher the elevation, the greater the chance for inclement weather, and the more quickly the weather can change. I was caught in a snowstorm in the Colorado highcountry in late July. A couple of hours later, and a couple of thousand feet lower, and I was down to a T-Shirt and shorts.

The weather and season: Goes without saying. The chances of getting hypothermia in the summer with forecast highs in the upper 80's and lows in the 60's is much lower than on wet fall day in the 40's, with lows in the 20's. Conversely, dehydration is a greater concern in the former than in the latter, and your gear should take that into account.

Proximity to civilization (and help): If I'm hiking in one of the state parks or open areas a few miles from my home (and with cell phone service so I can easily call for help), the odds of getting into a situation that I couldn't walk out of, or of getting rescued from within a couple of hours, are much lower than when I'm in the remote backcountry, hours away from help. This factor enters into the supplies and equipment that I carry.

In summary, use common sense and your knowledge of the backcountry and of your destination when deciding what supplies to carry.

With that background, finally here is my essentials list:

The Bare Minimum

This is the equipment everyone should carry whenever they venture off city sidewalks:

• Personal identification
• Water - Usually a minimum of two quarts for a summer hike of any length
• Food - At least a high-calories snack
• Wide-brimmed hat for sun protection if it's hot, and to retain heat if the weather turns bad (I prefer a wide-brimmed hat over a baseball cap because the latter doesn't protect the neck and ears from the sun)
• Rain Jacket - Goretex or coated nylon
• Waterproof Boots (Sneakers may be OK for a casual stroll, but can lead to trouble on even the easiest hikes)
• Whistle - wear it around your neck, or loop the lanyard through a belt loop and keep it in your pocket
• Flashlight - I carry an LED headlamp. It's small, light, will run for hours on a set of batteries, and you can wear it on your head, keeping your hands free. Also carry one set of spare batteries. A second option is a small hand-crank LED flashlight such as this one from LL Bean, which has the advantage of never having a dead battery
• Pocket knife
• First Aid Kit - At least the basics like band-aids and antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), Imodium (anti-diarrheal), Benadryl or hydrocortisone ointment (for poison ivy, insect bites, etc.) and an Ace bandage (for a sprained ankle)
• Matches and/or a butane lighter - If you can build a fire, you can stay warm, and use it as a signal
• Pocket tissues (Works as toilet paper in a pinch; better than leaves)
• Pack or fanny pack to carry it all in

Clothing

My rule of thumb is to dress in layers, and to carry one more layer than you anticipate you will need, plus an outer waterproof layer. In Colorado where I live, be prepared for summer to turn to winter without warning: Three to four layers of clothing is sensible. Cotton, especially jeans, is not your friend because it absorbs and retains water. Wear synthetic fabrics, especially in the layer next to your skin.

Guided by the other variables listed above, in addition to the bare minimum, my clothing list may also include:

• Long underwear - Top and bottom, wool or polypropylene
• Light and sturdy pants (especially if you leave home or camp wearing shorts). Light synthetics are best, not jeans!
• Heavy wool or synthetic pants (in colder weather, early or late in the season or at high altitudes)
• Long-sleeved shirt (Bring an extra to change into after a sweaty climb or for an extra layer)
• Light wool or synthetic sweater and/or wool or synthetic shirt, or a fleece vest or jacket
• Synthetic or wool jacket (in colder weather, early or late in the season or at high altitude)
• Wool or fleece stocking cap
• Extra pair of wool or wool/synthetic blend socks
• Wool or fleece gloves (in colder weather, early or late in the season or at high altitude)
• Bandanna

Optional But Highly Recommended Equipment

• Map and compass
• GPS Receiver (See What Can I Do With A GPS Receiver?)
• Lip balm
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Watch
• Nylon cord (parachute cord or light rope)
• Large trash bag (for makeshift rain protection)
• Emergency blanket or lightweight tarp
• Fire starter (Cotton balls soaked in vaseline in a waterproof container are a readily-available option)
• Toilet kit (Toilet paper or pocket tissues, trowel and hand disinfectant)

This list is a work in process, please feel free to edit it or comment and provide your input.