If you’re a hiking enthusiast or you’re planning to take up hiking as a hobby, it’s important to be prepared before you hit the trail. Packing the “Ten Essentials” is a good habit to get into, even on day hikes, as these items could be essential to your survival in case something goes awry. The Ten Essentials list was first assembled by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based organization for climbers and outdoor adventurers, in the 1930s. The list has evolved over the years to include a “systems” approach rather than individual items. Here are the updated Ten Essential Systems:
- Navigation: Map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger
- Headlamp: plus extra batteries
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes, and sunscreen
- First aid including foot care and insect repellent (as needed)
Further reading:
- Knife plus a gear repair kit
- Fire: matches, lighter, tinder, and/or stove
- Shelter carried at all times (can be a light emergency bivy)
NaturePulse™ Outdoor Bivy Emergency Sleeping Bag
- Extra food beyond the minimum expectation
- Extra water beyond the minimum expectation
NaturePulse™ eco-friendly collapsible water bottle
- Extra clothes beyond the minimum expectation
The exact items from each system that you take should be tailored to the trip you’re taking. When deciding what to bring, consider factors like weather, difficulty, duration, and distance from help.
Navigation is an important aspect of hiking, and the contemporary navigation tools include a map, compass, altimeter watch, GPS device, and personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger. A topographic map is essential for any trip that involves anything more than a short, impossible-to-miss footpath or frequently visited nature trail. A compass, combined with map-reading knowledge, is a vital tool if you become disoriented in the backcountry. A GPS device allows you to accurately find your location on a digital map, and an altimeter watch uses a barometric sensor to measure air pressure and/or GPS data to provide a close estimate of your elevation. A PLB or satellite messenger can be used to alert emergency personnel if you need help in the backcountry.
Being able to find your way through the wilderness at night is essential, so you always need to have a light source with you. A headlamp is the preferred choice of most backcountry travelers because it keeps your hands free for all types of tasks. Always carry extra batteries.
It’s important to pack sun protection items like sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, and sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen is recommended to help limit your exposure to ultraviolet rays, the cause of sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Quality sunglasses are also indispensable outdoors to protect your eyes from potentially damaging radiation.
Carrying a first-aid kit with foot care and insect repellent is also important in case of any injuries or bites on the trail. A knife and gear repair kit are also necessary, as is carrying matches, a lighter, tinder, and/or a stove to start a fire. Shelter should be carried at all times, even if it’s just a light emergency bivy.
It’s also essential to carry extra food and water beyond the minimum expectation, as well as extra clothes. These items will keep you warm and fed in case you get lost or are unable to return to your starting point.
In conclusion, packing the Ten Essentials before embarking on any hiking trip is important for your safety and survival. The items on the list may be tailored to the trip you’re taking, but it’s essential to have each of the systems covered to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the trail.