 Hiking Adventurer's Checklist
The following Hiker's checklist will help to plan your next hiking adventure. Not all items listed will be needed on every trip. Pack only what you need and leave the rest at home. Remember, you've got to carry what you pack.
Dayhiking
Packs - Day pack or fanny pack
- Child Carrier (if hiking with a child under four who has difficulty walking long distances)
Ten-Plus Essentials - Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle or hydration system such as Camelbak, Ultimate Directions or Platypus (carry two quarts in mountains when water is available; one gallon per day in desert environments)
- Water purification
- Nylon cord (50 feet)
- Waterproof/windproof matches
- Flashlight (extra bulb and batteries)
- Fire starter
- Pocket knife
- Toilet paper
- Topographic map
- Compass
- Emergency blanket
- Whistle
- Signal mirror
- Emergency snacks
First Aid - Antibiotics
- Antiseptics
- Tylenol
- Benadryl
- Tincture of Benzoin
- Sterile gauze pads
- Roller gauze
- Nonadherent dressing
- One-inch adhesive tape
- Steristrips
- Ace wrap
- Large compress
- Moleskin
- Second Skin
- Tweezers
- Bandage scissors
- Irrigation syringe
- Low-reading thermometer
- SAM splint
- Space blanket
- Sawyer snakebite kit
- Emergency report form
- Pencil
- Emergency Phone Numbers and money for a phone call
Clothing First Layer - Underwear
- Long underwear (tops and bottoms in either light, midweight. Synthetic is best or wool / synthetic/cotton blend
- Liner socks (*one extra pair only)
- Wool outer socks (*one extra pair only)
- Sport Specific Socks (such as those made by ThorLo) (*one extra pair only)
- T-shirt (cotton / synthetic blend such as those made by Sierra Designs or Patagonia or synthetic such as Tekware by The North Face)
Second Layer
- Wool shirt
- Fleece, Polartec or wool sweater
- Shorts
- Long pants
Protective Layer - Wool, A16 Bomber, Polartec hat
- Sun hat
- Fleece or Polartec jacket
- Parka (synthetic fill or down)
- Wool mittens
- Rain suit (jacket and pants)
- Gaitors
- Windbreaker
- Hiking boots
Miscellaneous Gear - Fishing gear and license
- Thermometer
- Bandana
- Note pad and pencil
- Camera, film, lenses
- Binoculars
Fun and Games - Frisbee
- Nerf ball
- Hacky Sack
- Harmonica
- Kazoo
- Animal, flower, other field guides
- Star guide
- Mini microscope
- Magnifying glass
- Small plastic collection containers
- Aquarium net
- Sketch pad
- Pencils
- Crayons
- Colored felt-tip pens
- Gold pan and mineral book
Contributed By: Michael Hodgson
Michael Hodgson is a an award-winning journalist and author of numerous books including Camping for Dummies, Compass and Map Navigator, and Facing the Extreme. He is a volunteer instructor for the American Red Cross, Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue team and was a former mountain guide. Michael is well-known for his sense of humor and eagerness to try anything once in the pursuit of a really good story. His friends remain amazed that he can still walk. He has partnered with his journalist-wife, Therese Iknoian, on four web sites: his own www.AdventureNetwork.com, plus www.GearTrends.com, www.TotalFitnessNetwork.com, and www.SNEWSnet.com | |
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