How to Prepare for a Day Hike 10 Essentials

Day hiking is a popular form of recreation. There are a few things you should do to prepare.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Daypack
• water
• 10 essentials

1. First step for day hiking is to prepare your day pack so that you have at least the ten essentials that all hikers should carry:
   
   1. Map
   2. Compass
   3. Flashlight/headlamp (with extra batteries)
   4. Extra food (enough for one extra day)
   5. Extra clothing
   6. Rain gear
   7. First aid supplies and an extra days worth of medication
   8. Pocket knife
   9. Matches (stored in a water tight container )
   10. Fire starter
   
   Make sure you wear appropriate footwear for the hike. Some hikes tennis shoes are perfectly adequate but other hikes demand proper hiking boots. Hiking poles are a great help if the hike is steep.

2. Plan where you will be going and obtain a wilderness map for that area. Make sure you tell someone (who is not going with you) where you will be going and when you will be back. Tell them if you do not contact them at that time to contact the ranger or law enforcement.

3. Before you leave, get as detailed of a weather forecast that you can. If you are going into the mountains, make sure you get a mountain forecast. Often the weather is different than in the lowlands. Be prepared to postpone the hike to another day if weather is not going to be good.

Tips & Warnings

• Always take a cell phone with fully charged battery if at all possible.
• A hand held GPS devise is a must in the back country
• Always hike with at least one other person
• Don't hike if the conditions are bad
• don't over estimate your fitness when choosing a hike - remember, you have to hike back too

[KaraDiablo]

on 11/4/2009 Great article. My boyfriend and I are advid walkers. And we are planning on going on a long hike this will help us out a lot.