I frequently get comments from casual walkers when I hike with all
my stuff... "You look like a real hiker." I'm not sure what the
appropriate snappy answer should be, but, yes, I guess I am a real
hiker. I typically use a smaller "hip pack" for my day hikes. I keep
it stocked so it is always ready to go, and I always take it, even
on short hikes of two hours or so. This works well if like me, you
want to make going a "no brainer." I get irritable when I reach into my
pack for sunscreen, etc. and find them missing, and so keeping the
pack intact is key to safe, happy day hikes.
Here's my inventory:
First aid kit (including moleskin for blisters)
Socks (extra pair in case of rips, wetness, or to equalize fit
when one shoe is too loose)
Tissues or wipes
Food/Snacks (bring extra) Sun block Insect
repellant
Plastic Ziplock bags Trash bag
(makes an adequate poncho)
Leatherman-type tool (or Swiss Army tool)
Compass and GPS Digital voice
recorder
Emergency space blanket
Waterproof matches Flashlight &
extra batteries
Mirror for signaling Whistle (to
scare off animals or to use as a signaling device) Firestarter Nylon filament
Pen
Small notebook
Trail map(s)
Sunglasses
Cell phone (keep off unless needed)
Camera(s)
Jacket/pullover and/or raingear
Gloves Water
purification tablets
2 bottles of water (.5 or 1 liter sizes depending on the
effort/distance to be traveled)
I don't see any of these items as negotiable. Some of this stuff may
seem overkill for day hiking, but you never know what could happen
out there. Always allow for bad weather and for the possibility that
you may be forced to spend a night outdoors unexpectedly. I hike by
myself so frequently that I plan to be self-reliant no matter what.
If I wander off the trail and get lost, or fall and break my leg,
with the equipment I carry I would be able to signal for help with a
flashlight or whistle, call of help on my cell phone, light a fire
if necessary, stay warm, and hydrated.
It's also a good idea to assemble a separate "survival pack" for
each hiker to have at all times. In a small waterproof container,
place a pocket knife, compass, whistle, space blanket, nylon
filament, water purification tablets, matches and candle. With these
items, the chances of being able to survive in the wild are greatly
improved.
From
DayHiker.com:
FOOD
Trail Mix may not be the best food on
the trail for a hike that has high levels of aerobic and anaerobic
exercise. Nuts and other oily, fatty foods are harder to digest when
your body is using your oxygen elsewhere. Also, fruit in excess can
cause digestive distress.
DayHiker has found the best foods on the
trail are the new sport bars including Promax, Balance Outdoor,
GeniSoy 40.30.30, BioProtein, Extra Protein, Balance Bar, and Pure
Protein.
WATER
By studying the weather, the water
sources, the trail, one can carry the minimum amount of water, which
is probably the heaviest thing one carries on a day hike. An
interesting idea is to stash water bottles on the way, to be
retrieved on the way back. A water filter may be an efficient way to
go to minimize weight of carried water. The disadvantage is the time
it takes to find water, stop and pump. For day hikes, my advice is
to carry your water with you and leave the filter for overnight
hikes.
TREKKING POLES
This is the best-kept secret for
success on any kind of hike. Common in Europe and mandatory
equipment for mountain climbers, trekking poles give an advantage,
which most people don’t understand until they try them. The
uninformed usually comment or think, "Where’s the snow?" "Aren’t
they heavy?" "Do they help? "Are you really a wimp?"
It is estimated the use of trekking
poles can add up to 20% efficiency to the body by transferring some
of the load to your arms. Even more significant is the stability the
poles provide, greatly reducing the need for leg muscles to
continually provide balance. The chances of a sprained or broken
ankle, the bane of a hiker a long way from help, is greatly reduced
by the use of poles. Stream crossings, wet rocks or logs, ice, loose
rocks, and steep areas are made safer.
A single walking stick is better than
nothing, but is more awkward than two lightweight trekking poles.
Additionally, telescoping poles can be stowed in your daypack at
times when they are not needed. Some models have shock absorbers
built in which allows less stress on the wrists when stroking hard
with the poles. Another feature recently is a slight taper on the
hand grips which make for a more ergonomic grasp.
As far as I'm concerned, trekking
poles are a MUST HAVE! And use fingerless athletic or mountain
biking gloves to help cushion your hands while using the poles. |
