The 10 Essentials of Hiking

[Grasshopper]

The American Hiking Society-AHS lists "The 10 Essentials of Hiking":

The 10 Essentials of Hiking
Fact Sheet

1. Map and Compass. A map not only tells you where you are and how far you have
to go, it can help you find campsites, water, and an emergency exit route in case of an
accident. A compass can help you find your way through unfamiliar terrain-
especially in bad weather where you can't see the landmarks. Either one without the
other is significantly less useful.

2. Whistle. Purchase a whistle with exceptional loudness. To be used to aid in rescue.

3. Water and a way to purify it. Without enough water, your body's muscles and
organs simply can't perform as well: you'll be susceptible to hypothermia and
altitude sickness, not to mention raging thirst.

4. Extra Food. Any number of things could keep you out longer than expected: a
lengthy detour, getting lost, enjoying time by a stream, an injury, or difficult terrain.
A few ounces of extra food will help keep up energy and morale.

5. Rain Gear and extra clothing. Because the weatherman is not always right.
Especially above treeline, bring along extra layers. Two rules: Avoid cotton (it keeps
moisture close to your skin) and always carry a hat.

6. Firestarter and matches. The warmth of a fire and a hot drink can help prevent an
encounter with hypothermia. And fires are a great way to signal for help if you get
lost.

7. First aid kit. Prepackaged first aid kits for hikers are available at outfitters. Double
your effectiveness with knowledge: take a basic first aid class with the American Red
Cross or a Wilderness First Aid class, offered by many hiking organizations.

8. Knife or multi-purpose tool. These enable you to cut strips of cloth into bandages,
remove splinters, fix broken eyeglasses, and perform a whole host of repairs on
malfunctioning gear-not to mention cut cheese and open cans.

9. Flashlight and extra batteries. For finding your way in the dark and signaling for
help.

10. Sun screen and sun glasses. Especially above treeline when there is a skin-
scorching combination of sun and snow, you'll need sunglasses to prevent
snowblindness, and sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

[Al_HikesAZ]

They've got it all wrong.
The first essential of hiking is EnJOYment.
Second is probably Boots
And HAZ rates right up there too.

[desert spirit]

That list sounds reasonable to me. All of that is in my daypack, except for the rain gear. I also don't bother with a compass, which I don't see any need for if you stay on trails.

The comments with each item are kinda interesting. I've never in my life been lost, for instance. How can you get lost if you stay on established trails? I used to bushwhack, but my sense now is that untrodden earth should stay that way. Regarding item #6, firestarting ... interesting that they don't mention ziplock-bagging your matches, or what the heck you're gonna do if the wood is wet.

[te_wa]

#1
Knife for stabbing your buddy's leg, so the bear eats him, not you
#2
Hikearizona.com
#3
Jack Daniels. Shut up. Jack Daniels.
#4
see number 3

[Jeffshadows]

Sounds like the list was written for the pacific northwest...

[Grasshopper]

Regarding item #6, firestarting ... interesting that they don't mention ziplock-bagging your matches, or what the heck you're gonna do if the wood is wet.

"Fire Starter" & "Waterproof/Windproof Matches" are sold at some outdoor recreation stores like REI, Bass-Pro, Sports Warehouse, Sports Chalet, etc). I carry these WP matches & the match box striker in one of those old plastic 35mm film containers with the snap-on top. Having fire starter is also important for wet conditions: It can be as simple as carrying a small candle. I carry a small stick-like length of wood material compressed in wax..called "fire sticks" (also sold at some of the above outdoor rec stores).

[Al_HikesAZ]

#3
Jack Daniels. Shut up. Jack Daniels.

You will never ever get lost if you drink enough Jack Daniels. 'Course you will wake up in the morning both hungover and lost

Oops are we hiJACKing this thread.

[azbackpackr]

It is ok if you personally are comfortable hiking only on trails, nothing wrong with that, just please don't advocate it too loudly!! There are those in the govt. bureaucracies who would LOVE to limit us to hiking only on trails, everywhere at all times, even if the area in question does not warrant that type of draconian regulation. If that ever happens, I'll take up knitting. I don't like staying on trails, especially up here in the White Mtns, where it is so wide-open and easy to hike off-trail. There are also other legitimate outdoor activities, including hunting, which take place off-trail.

Sorry but this got brought up here and this topic of staying on trails has pushed my buttons in the past, and I will continue to advocate for freedom of foot travel in our various public lands. Certain small areas, of course, sometimes need to be either closed or limited due to fragile ecosystems, archaeological sites that are well-advertised and heavily visited, or other areas where there are huge numbers of people visiting an area.

As for the 10 Essentials list, I remember it well from when I took a Basic Mountaineering course from the Sierra Club in San Diego in 1976. It has not been modified much over the years, as it is fundamentally a pretty good list. Can't say I follow it to the letter all the time, but it's a good list. And I do recall that someone from Washington state came down and taught part of that course, including the "10 essentials" unit. He also wanted us to carry snow shovels and sleeping bags and sterno and all sorts of other cold weather gear in our CARS at all times in case of emergency. It was February at the time, and we were all sitting there in our t-shirts and looking at each other and going, "Huh? What snow? What storms?"

[desert spirit]

It is ok if you personally are comfortable hiking only on trails, nothing wrong with that, just please don't advocate it too loudly!! There are those in the govt. bureaucracies who would LOVE to limit us to hiking only on trails, everywhere at all times, even if the area in question does not warrant that type of draconian regulation.

My goodness, I don't think that's what I said at all. I didn't say anything about government bureaucracies limiting anyone, and I wasn't advocating anything. Don't look for a government conspiracy behind every little thing

And it's not that I'm only comfortable hiking on trails. I choose to hike only on trails.

[azbackpackr]

No, you didn't say any of that, but I keep running into these types of bureaucrats, and so do some of my friends. Seems goofy, I know, but there are at least a few of them in AZ.

[PaleoRob]

If you drink enough Jack you won't end up lost because you can't find your way out of your house to go hiking!

[Grasshopper]

As for the 10 Essentials list, I remember it well from when I took a Basic Mountaineering course from the Sierra Club in San Diego in 1976.

I took that same Sierra Club course in San Diego in Feb-Mar'83. I took the 10 Essentials course segment seriously & glad I did: In May'85 while on a SD-Sierra Club Outing to Lake Arrowhead, we were car camping for the weekend doing a long dayhike on the PCT Segment that goes through this area to a popular hot springs called Deep Creek. We all stayed there too long and the dayhike turned bad trying to get back to our remote campsite before dark... to make a long story short, hiking in a swimming suit I got lost (was alone & it was my fault for getting lost), but I got through the night by myself in 40F temps and back to the group safely the next morning because I had ALL these published "10 Essentials". Until your number comes up and you need them, it can be somewhat of a :roll: issue to discuss. They are for the unexpected, not for the assumed.. First rule of the wilderness is: "Never Assume Anything" ;)

[te_wa]

seriously, all of the above are solid advice. this list is nothing new, so i'll add a couple things i think should be in the TOP 12 essential items.
11. DEET, or Permathrin for insect control.
12. Tell someone else where you are going, and eta back home.
13. I think a bandana should make the list, because it is the single most useful item in any pack.

[Grasshopper]

this list is nothing new, so i'll add a couple things i think should be in the TOP 12 essential items.

You can tell I do like this topic Actually, if you think about it, a number of other items can be added-on to the base "10 Essentials" to keep it at 10 but to allow it to fit your needs. There is actually an 11th Essential that was know as toilet paper with trowel. Something for Insect control can be added to the first aid kit and a yellow bandana can be added to extra clothing. Just like a cell phone/Spot (added~to first aid kit items) and a GPS can be added to Map & Compass now that we have entered the 21st century.

[azdesertfather]

seriously, all of the above are solid advice. this list is nothing new, so i'll add a couple things i think should be in the TOP 12 essential items.
11. DEET, or Permathrin for insect control.
12. Tell someone else where you are going, and eta back home.
13. I think a bandana should make the list, because it is the single most useful item in any pack.

I'd definitely second 11 & 12! And add a cell phone. Or if you have the $$$, a SPOT.

[joebartels]

#1 & #2 I'll scratch. Studying the terrain ahead of time will get you further. Blowing on the edge of a dollar bill is louder than any whistle on the market.

#3 & #4 are valid.

#5 is valid in Rim country in the summer otherwise I'll continue taking my chances.

#6 is retarded, I'm not starting a fire in the desert cause I made a mistake

#7 is the shirt on my back

#8 have never came close to needing

#9 is a good idea considering they only weigh a couple ounces these days. However the few times I've needed it it was for others

#10 should be a lot higher on the list if you value your life

Personally I prefer picaridin over deet and only if absolutely annoying conditions do I put it on before hiking. Permethrin from my experiences works wonders in keeping the annoying critters from landing on you however they still seem to hover close so I double up with picaridin for a little better (not perfect) effect. The last time I told somebody where I was going they called me on the trail. After thirteen years of hiking I've been fine without the single most useful item.

#1 Experience (if you do not have it then bring somebody that does)
#2 Water & food
#3 Sunscreen & Sunglasses
#4 itty bitty headlamp w/lithium batteries

However everybody's list will have to be custom fitted. Thank god HAZ is a culture and not a society! Minus the starting fires part it is a good list if you know nothing IMO and I'd throw on te-wa's additions too.

[Al_HikesAZ]

Thank god HAZ is a culture

Speaking of CULTURES. I hope to get my results back this week. I had to take my stool sample in to Sonora Quest Labs. TMI?

[azbackpackr]

TMI! TMI!

I personally can't go anywhere, not even to the post office to pick up my mail, without some sort of lip balm. When I pack a daypack to take a quick jaunt near home, I would never leave home without it. That, plus a hat and a bottle of water for a short summer hike. I do pack other things, usually, of course. First aid kit with a lighter in it, light jacket and a snack or lunch. I live in the mtns. so the jacket is often necessary even in summer. In fall, winter and spring, I pull out all the stops. I don't want to get caught out there unprepared.

I have never understood the need for carrying one of those trowel things. I always have used my boot heel. And speaking of TP, I don't take it on dayhikes, either--have almost never needed it on a dayhike except to give to someone else who should have brought their own.

TMI TMI!!!

[big_load]

TMI! TMI!
I have never understood the need for carrying one of those trowel things. I always have used my boot heel. TMI TMI!!!

Really? AZ is about the worst place for that, at least the lower, desert areas. My heel just bounces right off. Trekking poles work OK. My weapon of choice is a medium-sized snow stake.

[dysfunction]

Since I wear trailrunners.... and I've had too many sticks fail when desperately needed I carry a trowel


oh, but I don't bother on a day hike. Same is true of many of the 10 'essentials'