Whether you will be dayhiking or doing a multi-day backpacking trip, these items will insure a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience.
One of the most important things is having a map of the trail you will explore. Get one at the park visitor center or find one online that you can download. This will keep you from getting lost, help you identify new trails to check out and possibly help rescuers locate you if you're in trouble.
Get yourself a good map reading compass. Using the map and compass together, you can orient your map to your direction and surroundings, choose the correct path and keep yourself on course.
Staying hydrated is crucial. You can survive about a month with no food, but only a few days without water. You can become dehydrated quickly by exertion, perspiration, heat and exposure. It's a good idea to have 2 one liter bottles of water. Also, carry some water purification means with you. I use a liquid water treatment drops.
Take a bit more food than you think you will need, to get you through an extra day if need be. This can easily be accomplished by having a few whole food bars with you, each of which constitute a complete meal replacement. Important for maintaining energy output.
Having a few additional clothing layers will help you stay warm and dry. Depending on the season, temperatures can fall quickly around sunset. It's a good idea to outfit with synthetic clothing. That way, if you get wet they will dry faster. Wet clothing in cold temperatures is a recipe for disaster.
Bring a small flashlight or headlamp with you. Sunset may occur sooner than expected and you may have a few more miles to go. Hiking in the dark over uneven terrain is dangerous.
Have a personal first aid kit and know how to use everything in it. Suffering an injury in the wilderness is no fun. You can assemble your own with supplies from home, but include triangular bandages and moleskin or mole foam. You may want to consider taking a basic wilderness first aid course.
Matches, a lighter and or candle as firestarters. Be certain to keep them in a waterproof container. Only light a fire in the wilderness if it is a matter of survival, not just simply staying warm if an additional layer of clothing will do. Prevent wildfires, use caution!
Carry a knife with you. Mine has come in handy so many times. If you use a folding knife, make sure that it has a locking blade. Non-locking knives have closed on fingers!
Ultraviolet protection is really important. The suns rays can be damaging to eyes and skin, so bring a good pair of sunglasses, a small tube of sunblock and perhaps a wide brimmed hat.
One of the most important things is having a map of the trail you will explore. Get one at the park visitor center or find one online that you can download. This will keep you from getting lost, help you identify new trails to check out and possibly help rescuers locate you if you're in trouble.
Get yourself a good map reading compass. Using the map and compass together, you can orient your map to your direction and surroundings, choose the correct path and keep yourself on course.
Staying hydrated is crucial. You can survive about a month with no food, but only a few days without water. You can become dehydrated quickly by exertion, perspiration, heat and exposure. It's a good idea to have 2 one liter bottles of water. Also, carry some water purification means with you. I use a liquid water treatment drops.
Take a bit more food than you think you will need, to get you through an extra day if need be. This can easily be accomplished by having a few whole food bars with you, each of which constitute a complete meal replacement. Important for maintaining energy output.
Having a few additional clothing layers will help you stay warm and dry. Depending on the season, temperatures can fall quickly around sunset. It's a good idea to outfit with synthetic clothing. That way, if you get wet they will dry faster. Wet clothing in cold temperatures is a recipe for disaster.
Bring a small flashlight or headlamp with you. Sunset may occur sooner than expected and you may have a few more miles to go. Hiking in the dark over uneven terrain is dangerous.
Have a personal first aid kit and know how to use everything in it. Suffering an injury in the wilderness is no fun. You can assemble your own with supplies from home, but include triangular bandages and moleskin or mole foam. You may want to consider taking a basic wilderness first aid course.
Matches, a lighter and or candle as firestarters. Be certain to keep them in a waterproof container. Only light a fire in the wilderness if it is a matter of survival, not just simply staying warm if an additional layer of clothing will do. Prevent wildfires, use caution!
Carry a knife with you. Mine has come in handy so many times. If you use a folding knife, make sure that it has a locking blade. Non-locking knives have closed on fingers!
Ultraviolet protection is really important. The suns rays can be damaging to eyes and skin, so bring a good pair of sunglasses, a small tube of sunblock and perhaps a wide brimmed hat.
About the Author:
James Warner is a hike leader who feels that outdoor adventure can improve one's life mentally, physically and spiritually. If you liked this article and want to learn more about hiking and backpacking, check out: beginner hiking and backpacking guide
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