Published: Sunday, June 19, 2011
10 essentials: Restock your backpack with the basics before taking off on a hike
You're just heading out on a short day hike. You're not the star of "Survivorman" or "Man vs. Wild." Why should you have to pack the 10 essentials?
Answer: Bringing the 10 essentials, the basics every hiker should have for every trip, could actually save a life, maybe even your own.
Here's what you need to bring according to "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills," the adventure bible for local Mountaineers clubs.
Most of the items can be found at outdoors stores or around the house. Stick them in your pack now and you'll have them ready the rest of the summer.
Navigation: Bring a compass and a topographic map of the area you are visiting. Look for Green Trails maps or USGS maps.
Put maps in plastic zipper-close bags to make them waterproof. Fold the map so the area you need shows easily through the plastic. Altimeters, GPS units and hiking books with route descriptions can also be helpful.
Sun protection: Bring sunglasses, especially if you are traveling near snow, plus sunscreen and SPF lip balm. Bring enough clothing to cover your skin.
Insulation: Here's one most people skip, but really shouldn't: layers of clothing, including rain gear, in case you get stuck or need rescue. Hats and gloves are small. Pack those, too.
When you're not moving, it can get awfully cold, especially if you're wet.
Chemical hand-warmers and a sitting pad can help keep you from freezing, too.
Illumination: Take a small headlamp or flashlight. Spending an unplanned night in the woods is bad enough when you can see. Carry spare batteries and a backup device, in case a bulb burns out.
First-aid: Go beyond Band-Aids. Your first-aid kit should include gauze pads in various sizes, roller gauze, butterfly bandages, triangular bandages, a battle dressing or Carlisle bandage, adhesive tape, scissors, cleansers or soap, latex gloves, paper and a pencil.
Fire: Carry two butane lighters. You might also bring waterproof matches or regular matches in a waterproof container.
Handy extras include candles and fire starter products and compact emergency tinder made for campers.
Repair kit and tools: Knives are so useful in first aid, food preparation and repairs that every hiker should carry one. Other useful items include duct tape, shoelaces, wire and a pocket saw.
Nutrition: For short trips, a one-day supply of extra food is a reasonable emergency stockpile. Emergency food should require no cooking and store well.
Hydration: Bring at least two quarts of water for a day hike. In hot weather or at high altitudes, you may need three times that much per person. If you'll be near a water source such as a river, bring a purifier.
Emergency shelter: If you're not carrying a tent, bring a plastic tube tent or a jumbo trash bag.
Heat-reflective emergency blankets, which can be used to warm injured or hypothermic people, can also double as emergency shelters.
Look for Washington state hikes at www.heraldnet.com/hikingguide.
Answer: Bringing the 10 essentials, the basics every hiker should have for every trip, could actually save a life, maybe even your own.
Here's what you need to bring according to "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills," the adventure bible for local Mountaineers clubs.
Most of the items can be found at outdoors stores or around the house. Stick them in your pack now and you'll have them ready the rest of the summer.
Navigation: Bring a compass and a topographic map of the area you are visiting. Look for Green Trails maps or USGS maps.
Put maps in plastic zipper-close bags to make them waterproof. Fold the map so the area you need shows easily through the plastic. Altimeters, GPS units and hiking books with route descriptions can also be helpful.
Sun protection: Bring sunglasses, especially if you are traveling near snow, plus sunscreen and SPF lip balm. Bring enough clothing to cover your skin.
Insulation: Here's one most people skip, but really shouldn't: layers of clothing, including rain gear, in case you get stuck or need rescue. Hats and gloves are small. Pack those, too.
When you're not moving, it can get awfully cold, especially if you're wet.
Chemical hand-warmers and a sitting pad can help keep you from freezing, too.
Illumination: Take a small headlamp or flashlight. Spending an unplanned night in the woods is bad enough when you can see. Carry spare batteries and a backup device, in case a bulb burns out.
First-aid: Go beyond Band-Aids. Your first-aid kit should include gauze pads in various sizes, roller gauze, butterfly bandages, triangular bandages, a battle dressing or Carlisle bandage, adhesive tape, scissors, cleansers or soap, latex gloves, paper and a pencil.
Fire: Carry two butane lighters. You might also bring waterproof matches or regular matches in a waterproof container.
Handy extras include candles and fire starter products and compact emergency tinder made for campers.
Repair kit and tools: Knives are so useful in first aid, food preparation and repairs that every hiker should carry one. Other useful items include duct tape, shoelaces, wire and a pocket saw.
Nutrition: For short trips, a one-day supply of extra food is a reasonable emergency stockpile. Emergency food should require no cooking and store well.
Hydration: Bring at least two quarts of water for a day hike. In hot weather or at high altitudes, you may need three times that much per person. If you'll be near a water source such as a river, bring a purifier.
Emergency shelter: If you're not carrying a tent, bring a plastic tube tent or a jumbo trash bag.
Heat-reflective emergency blankets, which can be used to warm injured or hypothermic people, can also double as emergency shelters.
Look for Washington state hikes at www.heraldnet.com/hikingguide.
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