PSA - Be Prepared!

I'm going to get on my soapbox for a moment: If you're going to gallivant through the great outdoors, PLEASE take a moment to be prepared.  There are a lot of good resources, checklists, and reminder, and a little bit of looking ahead can make your trip much more enjoyable.



The easy one is The Ten Essentials.  Almost everyone has heard of it, and most people are halfway there if they grab a water bottle.  The list has evolved since first appearing in Freedom Of The Hills in '74, but the basic list:

1. Navigation (map, compass, GPS)
2. Sun Protection (hat, SPF 30, sunglasses)
3. Insulation (extra clothing layers)
4. Illumination (flashlight, headlamp)
5. First-aid supplies + bug repellant
6. Fire (lighter, matches)
7. Repair kit & materials (knife, duct tape, zip ties)
8. Nutrition (dry foodstuffs)
9. Hydration (2L/day)
10. Shelter (space blanket, garbage sacks, more)

Even a subset of this list can make your hikes a lot nicer.  An extra 500mL (16oz) of water is nice for that last mile on the trail, or some fruit snacks for a sugar boost.  A pair of bandaids fit in your wallet and can stop blisters.  A flashlight lets you stay out a little later.

Check the weather.  Look at the trailhead signs, as they often have maps or distances.  If there's a park ranger hanging around, ask them how things are looking out there.

Many hikers I've run across pack little more than sunglasses and a water bottle.  If you're the lightweight type, or in a well-traveled area near town, then you probably haven't found a need for most of these things.  On the flip side, I've run out of water on a couple hikes, gotten lost in the snow, and shared my first aid kit for everything from aspirin to sprained ankle wraps on the trail.  Other times, I've used may topo map to help locate where a camper's site is (more or less), and to figure out which trail various groups should chase.  One trip out, I shared the Hot Hands, spare gloves, and spare headband that I was carrying.  Another, I escorted four teens off a hill in full-dark because they didn't look prepared (and were using cell phones for flashlights, when I found them).

A bit of preparation doesn't take much.  Grab another water bottle, drop in a granola bar, pack a thin headband, carry a $2 first aid kit, find an LED flashlight from the checkout offerings.  It'll make your trips more pleasant, and adventurous in a good way.

Happy hiking!