Gear: Things you should bring on every hike - The Ten Essentials

Have you ever headed to the trail with a backpack that’s mostly empty cause other than some water, your smartphone and maybe sunscreen you weren't quite sure what you should bring along? Well, let’s make that a thing of the past.

No one every hits the trail thinking I will get lost, injured or that it will take me a longer than planned but it happens. And being prepared for these eventualities will make a huge difference in your safety and capacity to handle it. So what should you have with you to deal with these scenarios?

Packing what has become known as “The Ten Essentials” is a great trekking habit. The original list was assembled in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based organisation for climbers and outdoor adventurers, to help people be prepared for emergency situations in the outdoors. Over the years the list has evolved into a “system” rather than a list of 10 items.  Those systems will change depending on the activity, location, weather, remoteness from help, and complexity which you need to factor in when choosing exactly what essentials to take along.

​<< The Ten Essential >>

1. Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger

2. Headlamp: plus extra batteries

3. Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen 

4. First aid: including foot care and insect repellent (as needed)

5. Knife: plus a gear repair kit

6. Fire: matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove

7. Shelter:  carried at all times, in its simplest form an emergency blanket can do the trick 

8. Extra food: Beyond the minimum expectation 

9. Extra water: Beyond the minimum expectation
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10. Extra clothes: Sufficient to survive an emergency overnight

To be honest, we think there should be an eleventh essential, Leave no trace, to help keep the trails we love stay beautiful for generations to come. Include a sealable bag to pack waste out.