Basic items that should be on your hiking checklist

Packing these important “ten trekking essentials” whenever you go into the mountains, even on one- or two-day treks is a good habit. To keep yourself safe and to complete the trekking expedition successfully with no untoward incidents, you need to carry this trekking equipment with you:

1. Navigation

Here are some of the essential navigation devices for trekking/hiking in the mountains:

Map: Always carry a topographic map on any trip that involves something quite a short, impossible-to-miss path or often visited trails. A topographic map is a detailed and accurate two-dimensional representation of natural and human-made features on the Earth’s surface. These maps are used for a number of applications, from camping, hunting, fishing, and hiking to urban planning, resource management, and surveying.

Compass: A compass, combined with map-reading data, could be an important tool if you get lost in the mountains. Many mobile phones, GPS devices, and watches have electronic compasses. A compass with a mirror can also be used to flash sunlight to a chopper or rescuer in an emergency/rescue.

Gps device: A GPS device permits you to accurately locate your location on a digital map. Whichever you select, always remember that these gadgets run on batteries, so you will have to select the one which has the best battery backup and probably carry additional batteries.

Altimeter watch: This is often a worthy navigational device to think about bringing on. It uses a barometric device to live atmospheric pressure and/or GPS information to provide a detailed estimate of your elevation. This information helps you track your progress and confirm your location on a map. For hikers and mountaineers, a quality altimeter watch is a worthy addition to your gear collection. Popularly referred to by the acronym ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass), these watches offer the most essential information for trekking adventures.

2. Headlamp

You might be wondering, “Why do we need a headlamp for a day trek/hike”? Well, we hopefully won’t need it… however what if we get lost? What if something happens? Being able to find our way through the wilderness at night is essential, so you always need to have a light source with you, also it keeps your hands free for all types of tasks, whether that’s cooking dinner or holding trekking poles. Always pack a headlamp and an additional set of batteries.

3. Sun protection

Always pack with you and wear dark glasses, sun-protection wear, and sunblock. Not doing this might end up in sunburn and/or snow visual defect in the short term and possibly premature skin aging, skin cancer, and cataracts in the future.

Sunglasses: Quality dark glasses are indispensable in the outdoors to protect your eyes from most likely damaging radiation. If you’re turning out with a lengthy trek on snow or ice, you’ll need extra-dark glasses.

Sunscreen: Spending long hours outdoors can expose you to ultraviolet rays, the reason for sunburn, premature skin aging, and cancer. Carrying sun blockers is recommended to assist limit your exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Sun-protection clothing: Clothing is often a good means of blocking ultraviolet radiation from reaching your skin while not having to spread on ointment (you’ll still want sunscreen lotion for any exposed skin, like your face, neck, and hands). A hat, ideally one with a full brim, could be a key accent for sun protection.

4. First aid

A first aid kit is one of the 10 necessities you must always take on a trek, and it’s particularly necessary on an overnight trekking trip. Some of the things inside you’ll use fairly regularly and should replace often (moleskin for blisters, bandages, or aspirin), whereas others are seldom used but are essential in an emergency. Every person’s kit should vary depending on the medical conditions of the hikers within the party, the length and period of the trip, and the area you’ll be hiking into.

5. Knife

Knives are handy for gear repair, food preparation, first aid, making kindling, or different emergency needs, making them important for each outing. Each adult in your group should carry a knife.

Knives and multi-tools are available in a large form of designs, styles, and materials. The knife or tool you select is based on your intended use and activities. The best choice for ultralight packing might differ from what you would like for camping or everyday use.

6. Fire

In case of an emergency, you need to have reliable supplies with you for starting and maintaining a fire.

For several folks, this can be a disposable butane lighter, however, matches also are appropriate as long as they’re waterproof or kept in a waterproof container. Fire-starter, as the name implies, is an element that helps you jump-start a fire and is indispensable in wet conditions. The perfect Fire-starter ignites quickly and sustains the heat for quite some seconds.

For outings where firewood isn’t accessible, like treks above the tree line and/or on snow, a stove is suggested as an emergency heat and water supply.

7. Emergency shelter

Always carry some kind of emergency shelter to shield you from wind and rain just in case you get stuck or wounded on the path. Options include an ultralight tarpaulin, a bevy sack, an emergency space blanket (which packs small and weighs just ounces), or perhaps a large plastic trash bag. It’s necessary to understand that your tent is only your emergency shelter if you have got it with you at all times (a tent left behind at your camp isn’t sufficient).

8. Extra food

Always pack at least an additional day’s worth of food just in case something causes your trip to travel long (such as an injury or bad weather). It’s a good habit to pack things that don’t need preparation which have an extended time period. Things like additional energy bars, nuts, dried fruits or jerky are good. If you’re going on a long multi-day trek or a winter trek, take into account bringing along more than a one-day supply.

9. Extra water

You should carry enough water for your trek and know some method of treating water while you’re out on a trek, whether it’s with a filter/purifier, chemical treatment, or melting snow. Take into account that almost all individuals will need about a half liter per hour throughout the moderate trek. You’ll have to carry more than that, depending on factors just like the outside temperature, elevation, level of effort, or an emergency. Before starting always refill a minimum of two bottles or a collapsible water bottle.

10. Extra clothes

Conditions can abruptly turn wet, windy, or chilly in the backcountry or an injury can result in an unplanned night out, so it’s necessary to carry extra clothes beyond those required for your trip.

When deciding what to bring, think about what you would need to survive a long, inactive period out in the elements. Common options include a layer of underwear (tops and bottoms), an insulating hat or balaclava, extra socks, extra gloves, and a synthetic jacket or vest. For winter outings, bring insulation for your upper body and legs.