{"id":2124,"date":"2013-04-10T17:09:30","date_gmt":"2013-04-10T17:09:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/?p=2124"},"modified":"2023-11-27T17:38:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T22:38:14","slug":"10essentials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/10essentials\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Essentials of Hiking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\tThe Ten Essentials of Hiking\n\t<\/h1>\n

\n\t\tTen Things You Should Bring on Every<\/i> Hike\n\t<\/h4>\n\t
Jasper Van Der Meij<\/h6>\n\t

American Hiking Society recommends everyone pack the “Ten Essentials” every time you head out for a hike. Whether you plan to be gone for a couple of hours or several months, make sure to pack these items. Become familiar with these items and know how to use them.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tThe Ten Essentials\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Printer-Friendly PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10-essentials-hiking-appropriate\n

\n\t\t1.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Appropriate Footwear<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Happy feet make for pleasant hiking. Think about traction, support, and protection when selecting well-fitting shoes or boots<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10\n

\n\t\t2.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Map and Compass\/GPS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While phones and GPS units are handy, they aren’t always reliable in the backcountry; consider carrying a paper map and compass<\/a> as a backup and know how to use them. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10\n

\n\t\t3.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Water <\/strong><\/h3>\n
(and a way to purify it)<\/strong><\/h5>\n

As a guideline, plan for half a liter of water per hour in moderate temperatures\/terrain. Carry enough water for your trip and know where and how to treat water<\/a> while you’re out on the trail.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10\n

\n\t\t4.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Food<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pack calorie-dense foods to help fuel your hike, and carry an extra portion in case you are out longer than expected.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10\n

\n\t\t5.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Rain Gear & Dry-Fast Layers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The weather forecaster is not always right. Dress in layers<\/a> to adjust to changing weather and activity levels. Wear moisture-wicking items and carry a warm hat.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10\n

\n\t\t6.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Safety Items <\/strong><\/h3>\n
(light<\/a>, fire, and a whistle)<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Have means to start an emergency fire<\/a>, signal for help, and see the trail and your map in the dark.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10\n

\n\t\t7.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

First Aid Kit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Supplies to treat illness or injury<\/a> are only as helpful as your knowledge of how to use them. Take a class to gain the skills needed to administer first aid and CPR.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10\n

\n\t\t8.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Knife or Multi-Tool<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With countless uses, a multi-tool can help with gear repair and first aid.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10\n

\n\t\t9.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Sun Protection<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing<\/a> should be used in every season regardless of temperature or cloud cover.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"10\n

\n\t\t10.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Shelter<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Protection from the elements<\/a> in the event you are injured or stranded is necessary. A lightweight, inexpensive space blanket<\/a> is a great option.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tBonus\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Trash Bag<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pack this 11th essential to making sure that the trails you love stay beautiful for generations to come. A ziplock bag is a great option for keeping the trash you pick up along the trail separate from the rest of your gear. Level up by including a pair of disposable\u00a0gloves to use when picking up less-pleasant litter.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tRelated Hiking Resources\n\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\t\n\t\tHikes Near You\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\t\n\t\tPlanning Your Hike\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\t\n\t\tLeave No Trace\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h4>\n\t
Samuel Scrimshaw<\/h6>\n\t

Be a Part of the National Hiking Community<\/h3>\n

Give to American Hiking Society today and help build and maintain hiking trails, conserve America’s natural landscapes, build a more inclusive outdoors, and ensure that tomorrow’s hiking experience is even better than today’s. Your gift makes you part of a growing hiking community helping to protect the places you love to hike.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGive Today\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\"Alternative\n\t

Matthew Mage<\/h6>\n\t

Leaders<\/h4>\nAHS prepares the next generation of trail stewards and advocates from local parks to Capitol Hill.\n\t\t\t\t\"Volunteer\n\t

Ryan Nelson<\/h6>\n\t

Stewards<\/h4>\nVolunteer to help maintain trails in some of the nation’s most beautiful parks and wildernesses.\n\t\t\t\t\"AHS\n\t

Kelly Snavely<\/h6>\n\t

Advocates<\/h4>\nAHS keeps you informed and gives you the tools to take action and make your voice heard!\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Ten Essentials of Hiking Ten Things You Should Bring on Every Hike Jasper Van Der Meij American Hiking Society recommends everyone pack the “Ten Essentials” every time you head…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":28817,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"tpl-full-width.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[396],"tags":[418,419],"class_list":["post-2124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resources","tag-10-essentials","tag-essentials"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe 10 Essentials of Hiking - 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