Safe Hiking Summary

1. Always Leave A Trip Itinerary With Someone

Leave your route, expected campsite locations, start and finish dates and a telephone number of the nearest forest service/park service ranger station with someone at home. If you become lost or injured, this information is obviously vital for a rescue.

2. First Aid Kit

You can purchase one of these from an outdoor store or put one together yourself. A few items to include (this is only a partial list) are bandages, aspirin, antibiotic cream & tweezers. The kits you purchase at the store come in a variety of sizes and some are more “complete” than others. Might be a good idea to read up on some backcountry first aid to determine what you should include.

3. Flashlight

Most backpackers these days probably take a headlamp as opposed to a regular flashlight. A headlamp is much more convenient than a flashlight when you’re trying to do chores (like cooking). Holding a flashlight in your mouth gets old quickly! Be sure to bring extra batteries.

4. Map and Compass/GPS

Make sure you know where you’re going and how to find where you are if you get lost. With GPS these days, it’s pretty simple as long as you know how to use it! And of course you need to know how to use a compass if you’re taking that instead. It’s amazing how many people don’t! It’s a good idea to take laminated maps so they’re not destroyed in the rain, but at the very least put it in a waterproof bag (zip lock). Also make sure your GPS is fully charged or has new batteries.

5. Water & Filter or Tablets

Might sound silly having to mention this, but you’d be amazed at how many people fail to take (and drink) enough water. During strenuous activities such as backpacking, you’ll need to drink even more water than normal to stay hydrated. Your muscles are one of the first things to suffer when you’re dehydrated. Be sure to bring a water filter or tablets that purify the water. Read the instructions and labels to determine if the product is going to be satisfactory. Most remove almost everything (like Giardia & Cysts) but don’t remove viruses. Here in the US viruses are generally not a problem as they are in some other places. If you go elsewhere and want to be sure to kill all unwanted creatures, you can use a combination of pills (which can kill everything) and then filter the water (this will make it taste good). You’ll want to test your filter before the trip.

6. Food

Be sure to bring enough food, and an extra day’s worth in case you get lost, hurt, etc. You’re burning a lot of carbohydrates, so those should make up the bulk of your meals.

7. The Right Clothing

Know what weather to expect on your trip. Mountain nights are always at least cool and can be downright cold (below freezing) even in the middle of summer. Days are usually always hot to one degree or another. Mornings are always nippy. Desert hiking can be downright brutal during mid day. It’s a good idea to have a hat, an over heated brain might cause you problems. If you’re fair skinned, protect yourself from the sun with appropriate clothing. Layers work very well since you can shed them s the temperature climbs. Synthetics work very well because they don’t hold the moisture like cotton does, so sweat is dispersed and rain won’t make them a soggy, cold mess. Be sure to bring some sort of rain gear (at least a jacket or poncho). A good pair of hiking boots is vital. They’re probably the single most important piece of gear. If your feet don’t work, you’re in a bad situation. Make sure they’re comfortable before the trip, don’t take them out of the box at the trailhead and hope they are!

8. Knife or Multi-Purpose Tool

You’ll use this in a variety of ways while on your trip. And if you’re caught in an emergency, you’ll be glad you have one along.

9. Mirror & Whistle

If you need help and can’t move, a whistle will travel much further than your voice (and eventually your voice will wear out). Besides being able to see if you’ve got beef jerky stuck between your teeth, a mirror can be used to signal others over long distances in the event of an emergency. Aircraft are able to see these signals.

10. Matches

You’ll use them to start your stove and the campfire. In an emergency you might need them to keep warm. You can also use them for building a fire to signal for help.