HikeArizona.COM

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.

azbackpackr wrote: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.

azpride wrote:Ahh, yes... Wrapped around the flashlight

te-wa wrote:i wrap about 3' of duct tape around a water bottle. others use hiking poles to hold it. but thanks Jeff, that should be a 'must have' item.
DEET only works to block the receptor sensors on most mosquitoes. it is not a 'repellant' despite the package claims (think: "motor" oil). it does not have much affect on midges, blackflies, deerflies, or ticks. its amazing what some goofballs think you can 'repel' with it... "hey this stuff even works on mice" etc...

one of the things im going to add to my kit is a keychain LED light, instead of bringing heavy, extra batteries... i suggest you bring a spare light source instead. here's one that weighs dang near nothin' and is very bright for its size: http://www.rei.com/product/731177

te-wa wrote:i wrap about 3' of duct tape around a water bottle.

Jeff MacE wrote:Some of the newer diagnostic penlights are very small and bright, too...

te-wa wrote:I think a bandana should make the list, because it is the single most useful item in any pack.

rlrjamy wrote:

te-wa wrote:I think a bandanna should make the list, because it is the single most useful item in any pack.

+1 I always have a bandanna. On Friday, I used it to dry my hands after throwing snowballs, and Saturday I used it with my visor to make a coool fashionable hat to keep the sun off my neck.

azbackpackr wrote:And yes, I DIDid correct both of y'all's spellin--for timez!