Out of all the passions and hobbies a person can have, hiking is one of the most exhilarating yet peaceful things to do! However, going hiking is something everyone should take as seriously as possible, as carelessness could get rewarded with a horrible experience. A hiking trip essentially urges you to take with you several things – ranging from trackpants and granola bars to tools and tents – that will help provide a seamless hiking adventures experience!
1. A sturdy backpack:
It doesn’t make sense to go on hiking trips if you don’t have a hike-appropriate backpack to accompany you. Such backpacks are specially designed to hold many things in one place – and still not become so heavy that you can’t carry them. They come with many pockets, small and large, and are perfectly water and weather-resistant. It can hold your food and water bottles, first aid kit, tools, emergency shelter, and more importantly extra clothes, such as t-shirts and trackpants, and other hiking accessories. If you wish to go on hiking adventures as frequently as possible, then it is recommended to invest in sturdy backpacks that would be perfect in the long haul.
2. Clothing and toiletries:
Hikes can also get super messy, with mud or water caking your feet or dry wind and hot weather affecting your skin. Therefore, if you want to brave the unpredictable weather during your trip, wear strong but comfortable clothes. Not sure what to pack? Then take a look at this little list we’ve compiled for you –
- Moisture-wicking underclothes.
- Quick-drying and comfortable t-shirts and trackpants.
- Hiking shoes or boots, as per the landscape.
- Socks.
- Lightweight jacket, for colder weather.
- Extras – if the trip is for more than a day.
Toiletries are as important as clothing, as they will help keep you clean and, therefore, motivated. Some basic necessary stuff includes toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap papers, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and sun protection.
3. Food and Water:
One of the most essential – perhaps the only essential – things to carry is food and water if you haven’t guessed it already. Food and water come in as extremely handy, may it be a one-day trip in a wonderful hiking area or a longer one. You can’t really take full meals on a hike, but don’t worry, as many hike-appropriate nutritional snacks are available. These include bars, nuts, dried fruits, and jerky – all of which can fit right in the pockets of your trackpants! Other options include packaged sandwiches, bagels, and dried meals. Along with this, it is important to take many water bottles to keep yourself hydrated and energized. Pack a whole lot of extra food and water in case your hiking trip gets extended.
4. First Aid kit:
Backpacking across the country may or may not give you cuts and bruises. It is, therefore, recommended that you carry a small but reliable first aid kit that will help in taking care of any small injuries. You can either purchase a kit or assemble one all by yourself. A general first aid kit includes bandages, antiseptic wipes, medical tapes, general medicines, tweezers, antibiotic tubes, and safety pins. After gaining some trail experience by going on hiking adventures frequently, you will get an idea of what works for you, helping you discard things you think you won’t need. If you use something on your hike, make sure you stock it up as soon as you return home so that you will be ready to face the wilderness like a boss!
5. Tools and Shelter:
Tools and shelter is a rather broad category, as it will include anything and everything that doesn’t come under the other groups. In essence, however, it contains tools for navigation, illumination, and repairing, among others. Such tools make your hike way easier to accomplish, with navigating tools helping you find your way, illumination ones to let you travel even at night, and repairing ones to make the equipment up and running again. Along with this, it is important to carry shelters, such as sleeping bags and tents. Not only would it help you at night but it would also protect you from sudden weather changes in the day. So choose some portable and packable shelter options, place it alongside your tools kit – and you’re good to go!
So, put those extra trackpants and shoes in your backpack, pack enough nutrition and hydration options to sustain you, and drop a first aid kit amidst all this. Then, you are all ready to write new hiking adventures on the pages of nature!
