Lots of people have a "Ten Essentials when Hiking" list, and I thought I would share mine.
1. Map and Compass
Above all, the most important thing to have is a map or picture of the trail at hand. Once you have the map, make sure you study it and find a landmark nearby, such as a river. If you get lost on your way, just walk in the direction of the landmark, so you eventually find your way back home.
2. Water/Food
Having a water bottle that works (and I mean WORKS) is ideal for the avid hiker. After my first hike, I quickly realized having a water bottle that could filter out just about any water on earth was necessary. I personally bit the bullet and dropped $40 on a 1-liter bottle that I've taken on each hike I've been on. And it has been a huge relief. I've used it every time. As long as there is water nearby, I always have a drink. The one I chose to buy was the Katadyn BeFree, and I would certainly recommend.
Where will your next drink of water come from?— Katadyn Outdoors (@katadyn) June 4, 2019
Photo Credit: @adventures_azhttps://t.co/vDrUzaEKav pic.twitter.com/gKICOdrjJX
Having a water bottle that can drink just about any water safely is a big essential.
The food is pretty self-explanatory. Don't go hungry.
3. Bathing Suit and Towel
This one is more of personal preference, but I love having a bathing suit and towel in my backpack at all times. You really never know when the opportunity will yield itself to a quick plunge. Especially in the thick heat of summer, sometimes a quick shower from a waterfall or dive into a quarry can cool you off and get you energized for the rest of your hike. Even further, a towel is great to have for when it rains. After my last hike where I got soaked by Mother Nature, packing an extra towel was perfect.
4. Flashlight
Ah, the one that got away. I have yet to blog my hike to Virgin Falls, but I'll touch on it more when I do. On the way to the falls (which was an excellent hike, I might add), you could go off the path for a short trip into Sheep's Cave. Every time I've seen hikes advertise a "cave," it's usually just a quick ten-foot detour off the trail, and that's what I was expecting this time around. Oh, but I was horribly mistaken. Sheep's Cave was a legitimate cave and went back several hundred yards. At least, as far as I could tell. I turned around after about 100 yards because the flashlight on my phone was too weak. In conclusion, bring a flashlight. And not just a phone flashlight, bring something that will actually let you see.
Pictured above is the very beginning to Sheep's Cave, and you can see just how dark it is at the very beginning. Go deep into the cave, and you'll see a flashlight is necessary.
5. Extra Clothes and a Rain Jacket
There is nothing, and I mean nothing, worse than having to walk or drive home in wet underwear. This one's pretty self-explanatory. Bring an extra set of clothes in case it rains or you have to cross a stream or anything else. Also, purchase and carry a good rain jacket with you - well worth the investment.
6. Find Yourself an Emergency Contact
This isn't something so much to bring as it is to shore up beforehand. Be very sure to tell at least one other person where you will be, exactly what trail and how long you plan on taking during your hike. Similar to having a water filter, an emergency contact is a must-have. The man seen below was rescued because he had an emergency contact in his mother.
7. Fire
Like water, heat is a fundamental utility of life. Having some sort of fire-starter is an important resource for staying safe while out on the trail. It can be a lighter, a torch, matches or anything else that keeps heat, just make sure you have something.
8. Phone/Portable Speaker
This one is interesting, and it's not one you'll find on most other essentials list, but I think these two items are great for a hike. The phone is absolutely necessary, even if you aren't anticipating having cell phone service. If you get lost in an area of no service, you still have a tracker in your phone (at least, this applies to iPhone) because of Location Services. This means you can still be found even when you don't have service.
The portable speaker isn't necessary, but it has made my hikes far more enjoyable. Just adds a little variety, especially if you've been doing your hikes like me - by yourself. Even with a group of people, having some music can simply liven up the atmosphere.
9. Knife
All jokes aside, it's a smart idea to have a knife on you at all times. God forbid you get attacked by an animal while on your trek, but if you do, you'd much rather have a knife on you than nothing. Moreover, it can be used for food, gear, kindling, just about anything you need it to.
10. First Aid
Probably the most predictable on the list, first aid is essential on your hike. You never know when you might fall, get scratched or get injured in any other way. You hope it never does, but it's definitely smarter to be safe than sorry.
I can't embed another webpage on this site, but this story of a man who injured himself with an ax and healed himself using a first aid kit he brought might help show how important an aid kit is.
Honorable Mention: Hiking Boots. It seemed too obvious to include, but a good pair of hiking boots makes all the difference.
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