Wilderness TrekkersThe Ten Essentials for Backpacking and Hiking
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During one of our Cub Scout den meetings last year we did a little experiment in order to teach our Cub Scouts some basics about hiking before they moved on to Boy Scouts. The boys were told to bring in ten of the most important things they believed they must have in their backpack to take on a day hike. They had some interesting items to talk about. They had things like full size umbrellas, lots of extra clothes, a football, heavy canned goods (no can opener, though), electronic games, cans of soda, candy snacks, etc. Even at the age of 10 or 11 they had the right idea that they would need protection from the rain or cold and some food to eat.
We continued the lesson with teaching them about the ten essentials every hiker should have in their backpack by showing them a couple of properly filled packs and explaining the use of each item and why it might be needed. Each scout was given a list and had a chance to repack an empty backpack using the list and getting familiar with the items. They enjoyed the activity and definitely learned a lot during that meeting. Many of the boys had ‘aha moments’ and got it. Children are fast learners when it comes to danger or fear. They want to know. They need to know. They like to feel that they are in control. Explaining that the ten essentials could possibly save your life or help you survive a night alone in the woods was enough incentive to teach the lesson. Of course the lesson was to ‘be prepared’, which is the Boy Scout Motto.
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Because not everyone was a scout in their youth, there are many people who enjoy hiking but end up learning the hard way how to be prepared for a hike out in the woods. It is usually by trial and error and getting stuck in a situation where they needed help. Maybe they sprained an ankle and had no first aid knowledge or supplies. They may have been caught in a storm that popped up out of nowhere and had no rain gear or knowledge about making a temporary shelter or even just an extra jacket to stay warm – hypothermia can be deadly. Or maybe they were deep into the trail on a very hot day and ran out of water and did not know how to find a water source because they did not plan ahead – dehydration can also be very serious. Or the worst case scenario is always getting lost for a day or more and trying to survive without water, matches, warm clothing or the knowledge to handle any of it. What is intended to be a pleasant day on the trail can indeed turn out to be a life threatening situation if things go wrong and you are not prepared. Having knowledge as well as the ten essentials (and a bit more) is the key to a lifetime of safe happy trails.
We’ve all been caught unprepared in all kinds of life situations. That is how we learn best. To be a safe, happy hiker it is wise to learn about the ‘ten essentials’. It is a checklist that has been around for a long time and has not changed much over the years until recently when a few modifications have been made for the modern hiker. The basic ten is still relevant though. The checklist is offered below. You may even have your own modifications to the list. It definitely comes down to personal choice but what you choose makes the difference. For example, if you are on any special medications or inhalers you don’t want to forget that or if your canine companion is along for the hike you will need supplies for him such as food, water, waste pick-up bags, etc.
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Just having these in your pack is not enough – you must know how to use them. Take the time to attend an outdoor class that many outdoor outfitters and sporting goods stores offer. Join a local outdoor club and start hiking with a group to get yourself accustomed to what is involved or start reading on the internet as you are doing now. YouTube is full of helpful videos on all aspects of hiking – how to build a fire, how to sterilize water, how to build a shelter, survival techniques, etc. These video tutorials can be very helpful if you have no experience at all and having a visual video lesson increases your chances of remembering what to do if you are panicking. Experience is of course the best teacher and you will be a hiking pro before you know it.
The Classic Ten Essentials List:
- Fire Starter
- Map & Compass
- Water
- First Aid Supplies
- Pocket Knife
- Flashlight
- Food
- Extra Clothing
- Rain Gear
- Sun Protection
That is the basic version of ‘the list’. That simple list in its most basic form can and will save your life in an emergency situation but it’s really not that simple. Each of these items requires more thought and understanding to really be an effective tool in your backpack arsenal.
For that I am going to refer you to the experts by giving you a link to the REI website below. You will find more detail on each of the items above. You will also note that REI has revised the list slightly and updated what they believe is best practice. You can’t argue with professionals! Here is that link but come back to read the rest of this blog because I have a few things to add to your backpack that you might need or want!
REI: Updated Ten Essential “Systems”
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/ten+essentials.html
In my hiking and camping experience there are a few “essentials” that I don’t leave home without. All are lightweight and just make life on the trail a bit more tolerable when the going gets rough. Here is a list of what I call “Supplemental Essentials” and I don’t take everything on every hike but rather decide as I pack for a particular trip whether I’ll need it or not.
“Supplemental Essentials”
Cell Phone - for emergency and doubles as a camera
Insect Repellant – should be in the top ten!
Duct tape: wrapped around your water bottle, flashlight or hiking staff – the stuff belongs on the top ten list because it is so versatile and helpful in so many ways.
Whistle: In case you get lost a whistle will last much longer than you screaming your lungs out!
Toilet Paper: (Not a whole roll but a bit in a Ziploc for when nature calls)
Bandana (Many uses: a cool cloth when wet, a splint, a head covering, a signal flag on a stick,)
Gum
Baby Wipes in a Ziploc (just a few for refreshing your smelly, dusty self when needed)
Mini binoculars – for bird watching or can be useful if lost in the woods
Flavor Packets for water- just to spice up the beverage department (tea, lemonade or cool aid)
Hiking staff or trekking pole – depending on your age, ability and the terrain – this can be a real knee-saver
Warm hat (in cold weather) – just toss it in – you’ll be happy you did
Hand Sanitizer
Camera & Batteries (Keep both in plastic bags to protect from rain)
A Trash Bag (can become rain gear or a shelter or actually used to carry out your trash)
Emergency Space Blanket (very tiny – just ounces but useful if stranded/lost)
Extra Socks – refresh those tired, hot, sweaty feet
Field Guide – definitely not required but useful to some folks
Journal & Pen – to record the experience
Remember when hiking in a group –some of the items on the ten essentials list as well as the supplemental essentials list can be distributed among the group to reduce weight and duplication. When planning your trip, it is all a personal decision that needs to be balanced against weather conditions, location, personal experience and skill as a hiker and how much weight you really want to carry. When sticking with the top ten essentials you will never go wrong and throwing in a few extra items can’t hurt and just might come in handy.
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