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.

[SuperstitionGuy]

When hiking or backpacking with a group I always take my AA battery operated electric shaver along so I can look fresh and happy in the photographs.

Actually I take it along so I can creep up behind someone with the shaver held low to the ground, turn it on and slowly raise it up until they begin to hear it.

WOW do they jump when they think a rattler is ready to strike their behind!

For some reason after that experience no one wants to hike or backpack with me again... :whistle:

[azbackpackr]

who the hell spells it bandanna? its bandana right?
buymyheadlamp

Well, actually, my dictionary shows both spellings, with "bandanna" as the preferred one. I looked it up because "bandana" just looked wrong somehow. I have a photographic memory when it comes to spelling. But not for much else, unfortunately. ;)

[te_wa]

maybe im lovin' the spelling banana. Bananna just dont look right. ban(d)ana

[BobP]

Fri = Bandana

Sat = Bandanna or Kerchief(women) ;)

Buyte-washeadlamp

[Grasshopper]

buymyheadlamp

Gotta ask: Why did you buy this so great lite, high tech light, then never use it and now want to sell it?

[azbackpackr]

He needs the money to get a new bandanna.

[te_wa]

dude, i have about 16 of everything, problem is, im not a packrat at heart ;)
which is a good thing, because with my wife, the roof is already about to pop off the house

He needs the money to get a new bandanna.

quiet, you!

[big_load]

Te-wa is simply a serial gear tester. Stop him before it's too late!

[te_wa]

and a "cereal" gear tester too, I just got a new spork

[writelots]

problem is, im not a packrat at heart ;)

I wouldn't imagine so, packrats live in the ground (and in the walls)... Now a FLYING packrat...that, I'd love to see

I like my buff and use it a lot like a hankerchief - it's just easier to keep it on my head. But the one thing I NEVER leave the trailhead without:

COMMON SENSE!

If you ain't got it, stay home!

[dysfunction]

Bah, anyone with so-called 'common sense' wouldn't want to go to the places I enjoy

[Jeffshadows]

Bah, anyone with so-called 'common sense' wouldn't want to go to the places I enjoy

That goes double for me, half the time...

[azbackpackr]

What's a buff?

[PaleoRob]

Is it like "in the buff"?

[te_wa]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQAKQ0y87d0
get Buff quick

[dysfunction]

it's tempting to bust out a shemagh... it's a bandana on steroids

[writelots]

Bah, anyone with so-called 'common sense' wouldn't want to go to the places I enjoy

Well - I suppose I should amend my statement to say "stay home or go somplace where we won't even find the body"...

The benefit (for me) of the buff over a hankie/bandannannanna is that I have an unusually large head (would ya believe) and I have a hard time tying those things on it. The buff is ssttreeetchhhyy - some women can wear it as a bikini top (ha! as if! those ain't real women!) - which means it's about right for my mellon...

[te_wa]

careful, Wendy you might just end up with the trail name "A cup"
trail names cannot be denied once given. Just ask "noodle"

[writelots]

[BobP]

Buff - Do any women wear Buff's from the angler series...