Hiking allows you to experience the countryside, get away from the buzz of everyday life and get an opportunity to think clearly. It also allows you to focus and clear your mind. It is considered a full-body workout with great benefits to your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Below is a list of essential items for your next outdoor trip.
1. First Aid Kit
A first aid kit provides reliable and needed supplies to help you deal with minor injuries and ailments. Ensure you check your first aid kit and replenish any missing item before starting your hike to ensure that the first aid kit essentials are not missing. It is also wise to replace anything used once you get back from your hike.
It is useful in cleaning cuts or wounds that may be experienced during a hike, ensuring you are in a position to finish your hike and avoid infecting your wounds while outdoor. A first aid kit could be the answer in helping you continue with your trip in case of an accident or enable your survival in case of deep wounds that need disinfecting. While you hope you may not need to use your kit, being prepared is important.
2. Plenty of Water
Your body is estimated to have the ability to survive without water for three days. Thus, it is essential to carry more water than you need. It will be beneficial if you find water streams during your hike but ensure you pack your own because you will need it.
If your hike is set to take a few hours of the day and you intend to carry a liter of water, carry two if you need to spend more time outdoors. You can also include a water filter or chemical treatment for filling your water while outdoor.
3. Illumination Kit
Having proper lighting is essential to save you from getting lost. Even if your hike is scheduled to end early, having a headlamp or a torch is essential to help you trace your way back in case it gets dark. The number one cause of people getting lost is lack of illumination to help them get back once dark.
It gets dark pretty fast when you are in the woods, thus ensuring you check your headlamp and its batteries is important. You can carry extra batteries and a power bank. It provides you with alternative sources of light that may help you get back to safety.
4. Navigation Maps and Compass
Navigation maps and compass enable you to identify where you are going and prevent you from getting lost. However, a navigation map may be useless if you do not know how to read it. Thus, ensure you interact with the map and learn how to find your way. You should also know how to properly use a compass and understand its direction to ensure you are on the right path while outdoors.
Navigation maps enable you to know where you are and are essential to help you hike objectively. Most hiking areas usually have bad cell phone connectivity; thus, your phones’ navigation may not be completely reliable. Also, your phones may go off due to lack of charge, making them more reliable and useful.
Ensure your navigation map is placed in a clear waterproof bag to make it easy to read and prevent it from getting wet. This preventive measure prevents damage and provides you with a clear map.
5. Food and Proper Clothing
Hiking takes so much energy from your body, and one of the most important hacks for outdoor adventures is food. You need to pack some food to help you replenish the energy used during the hike. When packing food, ensure you select those rich in energy. You can opt to carry energy-boosting chocolate bars, dried cereals, fruits, and nuts.
Foo helps provide your body with the energy it needs. Remember to carry more food than you may need if you are out longer than expected. Clothing plays a major role in keeping you comfortable and keeping your warm. Avoid clothes with cotton material, and opt for synthetic to ensure you are comfortable during the hike.
Conclusion
Having the essential items needed for a hike goes a long way in keeping you comfortable. Some items such as sunscreen may look negligible, but having it with you will enable you to withstand the weather and allow you to finish your hike successfully.
