As you begin to venture outdoors and hit the trails, keep these Essentials in your pack when you hike. Although you may not use all the Essentials every time you hike, they serve as good insurance against the unexpected, and can be life savers in an emergency.
1. Extra food and Water: Emergency packet of high energy food and minimum of one quart of water.
2. Extra clothing: Weather can change rapidly and without warning
3. Matches: In a water-proof container with striker and fire starter: candle, paste or other commercial starter.
4. Map: Topographic map of current area AND Compass with 2 degree markings and base plate. Know how to use a map and compass.
5. Headlamp or flashlight with extra bulb and batteries: A headlamp is great because it allows you to keep your hands free if you are out on the trail after dark.
6. Signaling Device: A whistle and/or mirror. H Pocket Knife: Size doesn’t matter.
7. Emergency Shelter: This could be as simple and light weight as a space blanket that will fold into a small zipper lock bag.
8. First Aid Kit-Some Basic first aid kit items include: A variety of different sized Band Aids, gauze pads and roll, adhesive tape, small tweezers, moleskin (good for blisters), athletic compression bandage, triangle bandage (for making a sling), small tube of antibacterial ointment, Over the Counter painkiller such as Advil or Tylenol, OTC antihistamine such as Benadryl, an extra supply of any prescription medicine. Consider taking a First Aid Course.
9. Sun Protection: Sunglasses with 98 – 100% UV Protection, Sunscreen with 15+SPF, lip balm.
10. Pocket Knife: Size doesn’t matter.
Denise Lundy is an Outdoor Contributor and Hiking Consult to Nspire Magazine. Denise enjoys many recreational pursuits, and has a passion for hiking and backpacking. She loves living in a place where the trails of the Selkirks, Cabinets, Coeur d’Alenes and Bitterroots lie in her backyard, and the Purcells, Cascades, Willowas and Rockies are within reach. Denise is a 2011 graduate of the Spokane Mountaineers’ Mountain School, which led her to explore alpine climbing and to summit peaks such as Mt. Baker and Mt. Adams. When traveling, Denise enjoys exploring on foot, and has had many special adventures hiking the Alps, the Andes, the Aleutian Islands and the Hawaiian Islands. Denise’s favorite weekend getaways include Winthrop, Bend, and Walla Walla. Denise is the Broker and President of Fortus Realty, Inc., a boutique real estate firm in Coeur d’Alene.
Being prepared, using common sense and having a good attitude should get you through whatever nature throws your way.
By Denise Lundy