Essentials
Plan for the Worst . . . Hope for the Best

For every hike there is a list of essentials that are necessary to both make the hike enjoyable and minimize the potential for problems. Highland Hiking has consolidated the input from many experts and season hikers to list key items that are required at a minimum to protect you from both human mistakes and natural events. This list is a recommendation for those items at a minimum to protect you in the wilderness.

Fanny packs and light weight backpacks have made that chore carrying essential gear and supplies relatively easy. Too many hikes have failed due to the lack one ingredient, sometimes the camera, sometimes moleskin, often lack of water and energy replacement, compasses, rain gear, often just one item.

Most often, these essentials are used for others in your group or for those you meet on the road in need of assistance. From the simple one day hike to extended excursions, being prepared out in the wilderness is the key to comfort and safety.

Map

A map of the location and trails is essential. Distances, direction and altitude changes can be very misleading particularly as you are tired from long and arduous hikes on hot and cold trips. A great source of both maps and other trail information is the website LocalHikes.

Topographic maps have been produced by the US Geological Survey and Canadian Map Office and are available on LocalHikes and other websites.

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Compass

For day hikes or those with marked trails and maps, a compass may not be necessary. But compasses are light and small enough to be carried on all hikes. Navigational jaunts, training courses and hide and go seek games are quite enjoyable and educational. Working with topographical maps and a compass opens up a better understanding of the hiking trails, their terrain, and allows you to see the forest and the trees.

Other navigational tools can rescue you from a serious situation. Watches can estimate general direction. The shadow compass can give you East and West directions. Natural signs of direction such as the North Star can help you. Your hands can estimate time as well.

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Food & Water

Adequate replenishment of calories and water is mandatory to get the best from your hike in terms of comfort and sustained energy levels. Water is an essential part of the body's processes. It aids digestion, regulates body temperature, keeps cells healthy and carries waste from the body. Always keep your water bottle handy and keep drinking all day long. Highland hiking has provided some adequate guidelines depending on the activity level of your hike.

Water purification is necessary on long hikes unless you want to carry many quarts of water. Boiling water is the most certain way to kill microorganisms. Chemical purification using tablets is very effective. Water filtration systems do a good job as well.

Food can be one of the most important and complicated factors to plan for hike. Food should be appetizing yet contain the carbohydrates fats and proteins to replenish the cells and muscles. A moderate hike would burn 1000 calories over two hours at a decent pace.

During strenuous hikes there is a tendency to not eat on the trails were into you cook a meal at the campsite, or eat when the hike is finished. It is extremely important to refuel throughout the hike and snack almost every hour during the five minute rest periods. Trail mix, Corp., nuts and dried fruit, candy bars or anything high in carbs and still tasty is a great source of energy.

Carbohydrates are great source of quick energy. They provide both quick energy and longer-term fuel. Simple carbs such as trail snacks and candy are broken down quickly for energy. Complex carbs such as pasta provide the longer release of energy.

Fats take even longer to break down than complex carbs. Limit the amount of Trans fats and try to get at least 25% of your calories from fats.

Protein is the building block of all tissues. Of the 22 amino acids that make up protein, 14 are produced by the body itself. The remaining eight amino acids are complex proteins that you must add through food digestion. Beans, lentils, peanuts, cereals, vegetables and fruit are excellent choices of complex proteins.

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Flashlight

Day trips require no light but sometimes hikes extend into dusk hours because of poor planning, accidents, route errors and a variety of other reasons. For the extended hiking periods where you walk either at the very early morning or into the evening, lights should be light weight, hands free, and bright enough to detail the trail. The new models of headlamps are very light, attach around the head and move with your line of sight. For camping trips, we recommend two flashlights. One plastic, very light weight, uses one battery, and can be carried and the body for easy retrieval installed in the pocket flap of the tent for those night excursions to Mother Nature. The second light should be more of a lamp that illuminates across an area or propels a large beam depending upon a switch setting. Metal lights are usually much heavier but very durable and longer lasting.

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Rain Gear

Staying dry is life's greatest comfort on the trail. The body largest organ, skin, performs better in a dry condition. Use a wide brim hat to shield the face and neck from harmful sunrays. The layering principle works for rain gear as well. Rain gear should be light weight for normal and warmer climates jackets should have some breathable openings in the side for body processing of heat out if needed. Waterproofing shoes goes the longest way in keeping the comfort level high on rainy days. Waterproofing of clothes shoes tents and packs will feel like a million dollars when you are dry and the rest the world is not.

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Matches & Fire

Backpacking trips usually include setting up a campfire as either a source for cooking food heat into the cool evenings and general enjoyment. Improperly built fires definitely damage the land. Highland hiking has described when not to build a fire and how to properly build a fire. Do not built fires when fire danger is moderate to high, when there are restrictions, on windy days, or if dead wood is scarce. To build a fire, select a site away from lush vegetation, trees, brushes, branches or roots, tents, tarps or anything flammable.

Leave No Trace Fire Principles are well defined and are great to provide your cooking and comfort while leaving no trace of your campsite. Have it for boot the beginning intermediate and advanced campers.

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First Aid Kit

A proper first aid kit can be the most important item in this list of essentials. Performing first-aid can be very difficult. Training is required for serious issues. Everyone is encouraged take a first-aid course and CPR for even day hikes. Highland hiking will recommend some excellent wilderness first-aid trading websites to increase your first response abilities and assistance skills.

For even day hikes with friends where trails are familiar we would suggest during the following in your Fanny pack or small backpack. This includes mixed Band-Aids, moleskin of 10 sq. in., a couple of antibiotic ointment packages, and sunscreen.

As the group size enlarges consider adding the following items. This includes causes, adhesive tapes, Ace bandage is, and a solar blanket.

For extended hikes over difficult terrain consider adding latex gloves, more antibiotic packets, tweezers, additional moleskin, waterproof matches, petroleum jelly, and new skin liquid bandages.

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Sunglasses & Sunscreen

Including a wide brim hat, sunglasses, and the proper sunscreen, you can survive an all-day hike in the Sun. Keep in the body temperature within range is a key to physical and mental processes ongoing inside your system. In the winter, the glare of snow or at altitudes and behind majestic clouds, the Sun will get you.

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Pre-trip Checklist
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