Backpack Essentials For A Day Long Hike
Spring is here, the sun is shining and with summer fast approaching every nature buff wants to be outdoors, camping, hiking or just grilling in our backyards; the truth is, we are happiest when were outside! There is nothing better than taking a hike for the day when the weather is just right, taking in the sights, taking photographs and leaving nothing but footprints. Some of us like to hike on familiar trails us more adventurous hikers like to get off the beaten trail and explore the unknown. While we don’t recommend this unless you are an avid hiker and seasoned traveler; If you decide to take a path less traveled there are a few very essential tips that you should follow to ensure your safety.
- Let someone know where your going and when you should be back. (also leave a visible note in your car)
- Pack things in your hiking backpack that you may not think you need for a short hike, but could come in handy should you get lost or injured.
- Bring a hiking buddy with you, its best to never go alone.
- Bring bear spray, or carry a proper weapon during bear season. (learn more about what to do in the event of a bear encounter)
- Properly mark your new trail with guide markers that you can follow if you do stray off of a marked trail.
Bringing with you just a few basic essentials could mean the difference between life and death. We all know the old saying here in New England; “if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes”. This is more true than you might think and it can mean the difference between spending the night in comfort or having to bear the night in freezing temperatures with nothing but the coat on your back. So how do you pack in the event of an emergency, when it’s just a day hike, and you really don’t want to weigh your pack down too much?
Water is the key to life so that will be first on my list. OK were not going to pack gallon jugs in our packs that would be too heavy and just silly, so instead lets pack a couple water bottles for the hike and a water purification kit for the just in case scenario. Stick to an area where there’s a river or lake nearby you will thank us later if you get lost and thirsty!
Food, no we’re not going to bring the buffet with us so how can we pack food enough food that doesn’t take up too much space and can really sustain us in an emergency? Think trail mix! Yep, trail mix is light weight, has all the essentials that we need including sugars, carbs and proteins! Beef jerky is another good one, it’s light weight, filling and energizing as well. Let’s also think ahead a little, should something happen and you have to survive out there for more than just a day. Bring a knife for hinting and other essentials such as a couple fishing hooks and a fishing line, pack these into something small that you can access easily later on and wont get lost on the way.
Fire will not only keep you warm but will cook up a fish should you catch one. Bring with you a lighter and another means to start a fire. Put them each onto separate containers that are not only waterproof but are not together, why? What if something happens and you loose your pack? It’s always best to have a back up kept somewhere else!
Some other great essentials
- Rope
- First aid kit
- Mylar blanket
- Compass
Would you like to learn hands on how to use a compass of you get lost? How to read a map or start a fire, these all look easy on those You Tube videos but have you ever tried with hands on methods? Book a survival instruction show today and put your skills to the ultimate test! Could you survive?
