Now that you are here, it means you are seeking the guide to a once in a lifetime hiking experience.
To traverse the most breathtaking and scenic landscapes in the world, you will need to know the essential items that can be tailored to your trip depending on such considerations as duration, weather, difficulty, and distance. The most enjoyable hikes, especially in the countryside will require you to carry more items unlike short treks within developed areas such as city parks.
Intended for backcountry hikes, where you will need to be self-sufficient for your well-being, this checklist is purposefully comprehensive and will ensure you do not forget anything crucial.
Hiking Gear
The primary hiking gear is a backpack. The best choice of backpack depends on the number of items you will be taking with you.
Consider carrying a sizeable backpack enough to fit clothing, water, food and all other gadgets required.
Based on the extent to which you want to record the experience, you should consider carrying a separate camera backpack.
Your decision will determine its size to either travel light without too many attachments or to take more camera-related items with you.
There is no harm in carrying a flashlight or headlamp, camera, tripod for your camera, two-way radios and binoculars in your camera backpack, especially if you have chosen the right size.
Clothing and Footwear
Check the weather forecast to ensure that you are dressed for the occasion.
Therefore, you need more clothes besides those you require for the trip to prepare for unplanned night outs or weather changes.
Consider the level of protection offered by the clothing from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Moreover, the terrain should determine your footwear selection. Trail runners or hiking shoes are sufficient for smooth and gentle hiking trails. On the hand, trekking on rugged, rocky trails will require boots for additional support.
Food and Water
While packing food and water, remember to include snacks like jerky, energy bars, and nuts to eat easily during the trail. Some people like carrying a sandwich for lunch as well.
Two litters of water per individual per day would be a good start, but the amount may be adjusted based on the intensity and length of the hike, age, weather conditions, body type, and sweet rate. You will, therefore, need water bottles as well as a water filter or chemical treatment.
Navigation
You need these contemporary navigation tools during backcountry hiking:
⦁ Map: make sure you have a topographic map with a short, frequently used, and impossible-to-miss nature trail.
⦁ Compass: With a compass and map-reading ability, you reduce your chances of getting disoriented during the hike. Most smartphones and watches have electronic compasses, but you should also consider carrying a standard baseplate compass as an indispensable backup that does not depend on batteries.
⦁ GPS device: With a GPS device, you can find a given location on a digital map accurately. The ones intended for outdoor travel are normally rugged and waterproof. Nevertheless, you can still use a GPS app in a smartphone, but due to its fragility, remember to protect the phone with a case.
⦁ Altimeter watch: This is valuable navigational extra you should consider carrying. The watch measures air pressure using a barometer sensor and uses GPS data t closely estimate your elevation. Such information helps you determine your location and track your progress.
⦁ Satellite messenger or personal locator beacon (PLB): The two gadgets help alert emergency personnel whenever you need help. When you activate them during an emergency, they determine your location using GPS and transmit a message through commercial or government satellites.
Emergency and First Aid
First aid supplies, lighter and firestarter, whistle and emergency shelter are essential requirements.
It is imperative to carry and understand how to use each item in a first aid kit. The kit should include blister treatments, various sizes of adhesive bandages, and some gauze pads, adhesive tape, nitrile gloves, pen, and paper. Precisely, the number of people and the length of the hike will determine the contents of your kit.
Health & Hygiene
Remember to carry the following:
⦁ Prescription medications
⦁ Hand sanitizer
⦁ Menstrual products
For sun protection, you might need sunscreen, a sun hat, and a pair of sunglasses among others. Other optional materials that you may need include insect repellent, urinary products, baby wipes, antiseptic wipes, etc.
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Disclaimer: Note this is a sponsored post from Omnicore Agency.
