Essentials You Shouldn't Leave Home Without

Even if I am simply stepping out of the house to hike a local trail there are ten essentials I never leave home without. I carry this simple list for all day trips four hours or under and expand it for longer trips. I can also tailor it to include activity specific items such as specialty items for paddling or other activities.

1- Navigation Aids

At a minimum this should include a trail map unless you are in a small and familiar area. Beyond that, it can also include GPS and compass. Make sure that you are well trained with whatever aid before you set out depending on it.

2- Sun Protection

This includes a hat, sunscreen, and lip balm. There are a myriad of specific sunscreens you can choose from such as those included in lip balm. Hat choice is a personal preference, some prefer an ultralight baseball cap while others prefer a wide brimmed hat.

3- Protection from the Elements
Again this brings  wide variety of items and you must choose depending on your environment. This can range from a technical long sleeve shirt, to a fleece vest, to winter gloves with a baklava. At a minimum you should always carry rain gear- year round. Wind and water can bring you hypothermia faster than many realize.

4- Lights

In this area you can choose from lanterns, small handheld flashlights, to headlamps. Choose the most appropriate item for your trek. Whatever you choose always carry a spare and extra batteries. I recommend a headlamp so that you can still use your hands and most are bright enough to illuminate entire trails.

5- First Aid Supplies

You can carry either a homemade kits or a store bought. Store bought kits range in size from ultralight to multi-day guide kits. When buying a kit always check the contents list to make sure it includes what you need and supplement if needed. Also, always check to make sure the items are within the expiration date. I have bought many a kit with all contents were expired. Also, I tend to pack a little heavy in this area due to being a guide and needing to carry enough to handle everyone else problems, plus being an EMT means I carry more interventions than most.

6- Fire

In the event of an emergency fire is great for warmth, signalling, and psychological well-being. Always carry a fire starter such as lighters or weather proof matches. Make sure matches are kept in a waterproof container. I encourage you to always carry at least two fire starting device, one of mine is always a windproof lighter. Although we can teach you to light a fire with a bow drill, since we don't have to we encourage you not to. In addition to your fire starter always pair it with a fire aid such as fire gel, lint, or even a squirt bottle of alcohol. We are past the stone age, no need to act like we are still there.

7- Tools

At a minimum always carry a pocket knife, even better carry a multi-tool. You can choose from a wide range of prices and activity

8- Food

On a short hike you should carry snacks to fuel you through the trip, on a hike carry enough food for the day. With that said, take that and double it. If something bad happens you need to have extra. I also recommend taking enough to take a break and have a lunch or large snack while sitting at a beautiful vista. If the worst happens and you must resort to cannibalism remember do not eat the fat guys because fat has little nutritional value and don't eat the strongest guy because you might need his strength later.

9- Water
Never leave home without water, you can never guarantee that whatever source you may think you have to fill your bottle will be working when you get there. Aim for self sufficiency. In addition, always carry something that can purify water if you run dry. I carry a bladder for my water, a bottle for the doggies, and a pump filter to fill them if needed. Make sure if you are carrying a device like a filter that it fits your bottles.

10- Emergency Shelter
I have never had to bivouac when I did not plan, but I still always carry shelter. You can get fancy and carry a pre-sewn tube tent, a tarp, a disposable sleeping bag, but at a minimum carry a solar blanket. They cost about a buck, can be fashioned into a shelter, used as a blanket, use to reflect heat from a fire, or use to signal.




With the exception of clothing and water all of these items can be carried in a stuff sack inside your day back or even in a large belt pack. I once found a kit that contained these items and over time have got ridden of the contents but continue to use the pack. It has elastic loops and waterproof pockets for my essential as well as a plastic map case sleeve, a hook to hang it with, and a belt loop. Since I carry much more than this it is too heavy to carry in my belt.

With a background in wilderness survival and search and rescue I tend to carry much than the above list. I am chronically overpacked in preparation for worst case scenario and to take car of others, not to mention as a search and rescue profession you can never live down getting lost and having to be rescued. Some of the other items I carry include extra batteries (never carry ones that large if you can help it), a bandanna for use as head wear and a dozen other things, nylon cord for a multiple uses, bug spray, biodegradable cleaning wipes for freshening up or using the bathroom, dog or bear spray, lightsticks for marking my way or signaling, paper, pencil, duct tape, snare wire, a whistle and foil. Foil can be used to fashion a drinking cup, creating a dry surface to light a fire, signaling or reflecting heat. For a longer trip hike i might also carry a fishing kit and a trowel.

Please contact us if you would like to learn become more proficient in choosing or using an of the above items.

GET OUTSIDE

-Luke