Hey guys! In this article I am gonna tell you about the ten very most essentials that no one should go hiking without.
Well, packing the necessary items whenever you go outdoors is a really good habit which can save you from unnecessary overheads and difficulties in case you have to face any emergency situation. You’ll truly appreciate the value of carrying these life saving items when something goes amiss.
So without wasting any more time, let's get started with our checklist.
1. Navigation Tools : It commonly includes map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger which will help you find your way when you get lost. The important thing is you should not only have these tools just packed up in your bag but you should also know how to use them so that it's worthy making these items a part of your backpacking essentials.
2. Light Source : It is always good to have some kind of light source such as headlamp or torch with you so that you can find your way through the wilderness of night. Usually a headlamp is preferred by almost every outdoor traveller because it frees up your hands for doing other tasks rather than keeping them busy holding large and heavy torches. Hands-free lighting is the best for outdoor activities during night. Just don't forget to place one of the two batteries in reverse because sometimes the headlamp accidently turns ON in your bag and you run out of your batteries when needed.
3. First Aid : It is so important to include a first aid kit in your backpack whenever you plan an outdoor trip to treat yourself or your friends in case you get hurt. An ideal first aid kit should include gauge pads, bandages of different sizes, treatment for blisters, pain relief gels, disinfecting ointments, all packed in a waterproof bag. And most importantly you should know how to use the items in your kit otherwise it would be useless to carry unnecessary weight in your bag.
4. Sun Protection : Despite of all the excitement for your trip, don't forget to pack with you and wear your sunglasses, sunscreen and sun-protection clothing. It is necessary to protect yourself from harmful UV radiations of the sun to avoid sunburns, premature skin aging, skin cancer and cataracts. And also don’t forget about the SPF-rated lip balm.
5. Hydration : During outdoor adventure trips like hiking or trekking, you really need to stay hydrated otherwise you won't be able to enjoy your hiking to the fullest due to the sides effects of dehydration. So it is better to know where the water sources are and if there aren't any, then you should pack enough water for your trip. And if there are water sources in the area you are travelling, it is a good option to carry with you water purification tablets to make sure you don't upset your stomach with dirty water.
6. Nutrition : The next essential to add in your backpacking essentials is the extra food to last you atleast one day longer than your original plan. But in doing so, you need to make sure that the food you pack is suitable for hiking. Extra energy bars, nuts, dried fruits are some good options to consider as they don’t require cooking and have a long shelf life and will also provide you enough energy to walk in wild. It is not a good practice to carry can food because it might add an extra unnecessary weight to tour shoulders.
7. Fire Starter : In case of any emergency situation or during night, you need to have supplies for starting and maintaining fire. An ideal fire starter kit may include waterproof matchsticks or lighter to lit up the fire, and some paper or lint trappings and candle to maintain it.
8. Repair Kit : The most basic repair kit consists of duct tape, zip ties, safety pins and sleeping pad. Besides these, a repair kit might include a basic knife with only single foldout blade, or more elaborate knife and multitools with one or two flathead screwdrivers or a pair of foldout scissors. Knives are great for any kind of repair work, food preparation or other emergency needs.
9. Emergency Shelter : It is quite important to pack any kind of emergency shelter in your bag which could protect you from wind or rain in any emergency situation that might occur during your trail. Some of many things include emergency blancket, bivy bag and tarps.
10. Extra Clothing : Weather conditions may suddenly go against your side and can unexpectedly turn windy, wet or chilly. So it is important that you pack some extra clothes beyond your original plan. While doing so you need to think what you would need to survive in such a situation. Most common things might include an extra pair of socks, a layer of underwear, gloves or an insulating jacket.
Besides all these, an important rule to remember is that it is very crucial to manage the weight of your backpack. It should not be more than 20-30% of your total body weight otherwise your trip might result in unnecessary injury or poor use of your energy than the feeling of joy and happiness that an outdoor trip should inculcate in your heart and mind. Another important thing is that the items you will need for your trip depend largely on the climate you are hiking in and for how long.
