5 Hiking must haves for a safe hike. Are you thinking about going for a short day hike? Maybe someplace local or a new spot that you would like to explore? Well don’t go on your next hike without these 5 essentials for a safe short hiking experience. These are the basics and may seem simple but they are the building blocks of a successful hike. I never go on a hike without these. Of course there are a lot more items to carry but these are my suggestions to get started.
- A good pair of hiking boots or shoes. Make sure you break these in before going on a hike. My suggestion is to wear them around the house for the first week. Proper, comfortable waterproof footwear is essential. Do your research when it comes to shoes. Go to the store and try them on what works for one person may not work for others.
- A hydration pack or water bottle. Staying hydrated on a hike is extremely important. Make sure you have 16 ounces of water for each hour of hiking. Remember more fluids may be necessary in warmer climates. Water and sports drinks are best. Dehydration is extremely dangerous and can cause disorientation, confusion and possible death. So stay hydrated!
- Bring a cell phone or a 2 way radio. Communication in case of an emergency is key to a safe hiking experience. Make sure your cell phone or two way radio is fully charged.
- Always carry some type of safety equipment on hikes of any length. Some examples of safety equipment may be a knife, pepper spray, bear spray and a whistle. Being one with nature is great but always be prepared for the unexpected.
- Bring a trail map or have access to a hiking app. Get familiar with the trails before you set out on a hike. Plan out which trails you will take and how long and far you will be hiking. Having a plan will help prevent getting lost and will help ensure that you have enough daylight and water for your hike.
Making sure you have these 5 basic items before each short day hike will help you have a safe, enjoyable and memorable experience.
*Bonus tip-Download a barcode scanner to your cell phone; a lot of trailheads have a barcode available to scan and download a map of the trails. I use the free app Extreme QR code reader & QR code scanner on my android.
We would love to hear from you. What are your 5 must haves for a great short day hike? Leave us a comment below!
