Things You'll Need:
- Day pack/backpack
- Extra socks and hat
- Foods that are high in protein (like nuts, peanut butter and jerky)
- Knife
- Maps
- Compass
- Water
- Iodine tablets
- First aid kit
- Fire starters
- Comfortable shoes
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Step 1
Tell someone where you are going. Never leave for a hike without telling someone where you are going and how long you’ll be gone. Ask this person to check in on you later that night and make sure they have a detailed map of where you are hiking.
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Step 2
Research the area. Is it likely to rain where you are? How cold does it get at night? Are there poisonous snakes? Determine what items are necessary by knowing your surroundings. Bring a snake bite kit if the area is known for having poisonous snakes and pack for mountain weather if the temperature is sure to drop at night. Additionally, you’ll want to look into what plants are edible in the area.
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Step 3
Bring a map and compass. Hiking, even on regularly used paths can be dangerous because of the risk of getting turned around and lost. When you’re in the middle of nature, things can begin to look very much the same and you won’t be able to tell easy from west. Bring a compass and a current topographic map of the area and make sure you know how to use them both.
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Step 4
Bring plenty of water. Carry as much water as you comfortably can and bring iodine capsules so that you can purify fresh water from streams. If you need to purify water, you can boil it for 10 minutes or use the iodine capsules. You should only boil or purify water that is moving. Standing water is not safe to drink even if you boil it.
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Step 5
Wear comfortable shoes. Do not go out on a day hike with a pair of brand new shoes. You’re asking for blisters. New shoes may have slippery bottoms and you may not be used to the bulk of the sole. Wear good shoes that have been worn before and break in your new shoes on another day.
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Step 6
Have a first aid kit. You never know when you might lose your footing and have a bad fall. Even small abrasions and blisters can get so bad that they prevent you from walking, so be sure to have topical ointments, creams and bandages to use in these situations. Sterilize every wound, no matter how small. Even minor cuts can inflame into serious infections and if you’re out in the wild, you could get into a lot of trouble. Your should also have a whistle included in this kit.
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Step 7
Bring a knife. A knife can be useful in many situations, from cutting branches for a fire and gutting a fish to helping start a fire and for use in medical situations. If you think a knife is a silly commodity for a 2-hour day hike, consider how useful it will be if you get stuck spending the night in the wild. A small knife is light and takes up little room anyway.
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Step 8
Bring materials to start a fire. Matches won’t help you if it’s very windy or pouring rain, but bring a couple of stick matches in a waterproof container for use in mild conditions. A flint and a block of magnesium is a great safety tool that can be used in all conditions and is relatively light. If you get lost and are forced to stay overnight, a fire might be the only thing that keeps you alive; saving you from exposure.
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Step 9
Carry adequate food. Being hungry leads to disorientation and the last place you want to be disoriented is on the trail. Pack foods that are high in protein like nuts, peanut butter, cheese and jerky. These foods will keep you energized on a long hike.
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Step 10
Bring extra clothes. Even if it’s 90 degrees at the base of your hike, the temperature will change drastically at the top. Even in the summer time, mountain temperatures can drop into winter-like temperatures at night, so pack accordingly. Bring an extra pair of socks and a hat. Most of a person body heat escapes through the head, so hats or caps are vital. A synthetic layer for your core is a great way to trap your body heat.
