Packing for a Fun and Safe Hike

For a full day hike, you may have read "The Ten Essentials" lists over and over again on the internet.  The lists sound like everything but the kitchen sink, and you are only going for a full day in the woods, hiking along designated, maintained trails.  I routinely see people on the trails with no more than water, sunglasses, and maybe a sandwich...maybe not even water and food.  You think that in a worse case scenario you would be close enough to others, or a ranger, and some help should you get sick, injured or lost.  Many of us tell ourselves those troubles only happen to people who are not familiar with the outdoors, or the daredevils and adrenaline junkies who tempt disaster.

My day hiking pack is ready to go with all the items shown and mentioned below!

Over the years I confess that I have been, on a few occasions, over-confident and under-packed.  I have used a space blanket, needed medication, a fire starter, or my bear spray (safely locked in my car trunk!)  I have gone without food, and been stuck in unexpected snow flurries overnight without a headlamp....really. Stormy Nightfall will fill you in on some of that.

For now, let's explore what you really need, basics, and some fun things too.  To nail down your own list, I recommend that you research your destination's weather forecasts, trends, and learn about the topography, distances, and consider possible injuries.  View maps of the trails you want to use, and get a "quad" map. Those are available at the local ranger station.  While you are visiting the ranger station, ask them about potential hazards (like high creeks, snow drifts, and tree falls), as foresters have given us great insights about current weather and trail conditions.

Here is a bullet list of things I pack:

• Snacks/food.

I enjoy salami, jerky, trail mix, cheese, and those sports jelly bean like snacks.  I may take french bread.  It holds up well and I am not big on sandwiches, but need the carbs.  Whatever it is, pack some food that will survive your hike!

Favorite snacks and fizzies (electrolytes)

• Water and a purifier, electrolyte fizzies.

Keep your electrolytes balanced out there.  Otherwise you may find yourself battling muscle cramps that were avoidable.  Be sure not to get dehydrated.

I love my SAWYER Squeeze Water Filtration System, and my Life Straw.  I look for lightweight, compact means and prefer to avoid batteries. (No, I am not getting compensated for telling you my favorite products).

The Life Straw needs to be broken in like some shoes.  It is very hard to suck the liquids through until you do it a few times.  I recommend doing this at home to make it more fun on the trails.  Kids need it broken in for them.  On the trail it is lightweight and easy to carry.

This is the water system I use.  All you do is screw on the filter to the water bag and you can drink through the filter or pour the water through the filter into your cup to add electrolytes before drinking.

• Small tarp/space blanket.

The little thin, super compact ones are fine.  We once used a one-man, but for two of us it was very narrow, and even for one person, the extra width would be helpful, so I recommend you get a two-man....they weigh next to nothing and are compact.  My friend got me the heavier red/silver one that is the backdrop for these photos. I like to have it for sitting on, for a picnic and a nap, and using on snow! Minimally, take the featherweight one though. Be aware, they tear pretty easily in use.

The ultra light style of space blanket (Mine has been used!).

• 1 brightly colored item.

It is preferable when you are in the wilderness to see people in natural colors.  It keeps wilderness experiences more pure.  But in the event of injury or getting lost, having one brightly colored item to capture the attention of helpers may save you misery and get you help more quickly.  SAR teams will have a higher likelihood of finding you faster.  My red tarp with the silver back is excellent!

• A small first aid kit, with bandaids, bug spray, an extra dose or two of medication you take at home, and I suggest having moleskin.  I have used it for years!  Cut  a piece that is larger in diameter than your hot spot. Next cut a hole the size of the hot spot (discard it) and use sports tape to keep the disc in place without covering the actual blistering area. This really helps prevent a full blown, torn up, bleeding blister. The opening leaves room for swelling and protects the skin from rubbing. 

Prepackaged first aid kits are available, or self pack one. 
Mine also includes migraine meds.

Remember your epi pens!

You can pick up small prepackaged kits for reasonable prices and I get a small one for each kid to carry, just in case, (without medications they shouldn't handle of course).  Prepackaged kits will have a couple of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Benedryl tablets, and probably some ointment good for treating small wounds.

• A light source like headlamp +/or flashlight.

I prefer a good headlamp, then if you are out after dark your hands are free.  Just be sure your batteries are good!  My zipper tab tiny flashlight is practically invisible it's so small and is handy.

• Sunglasses, a hat or scarf.  

  

  I love my Panama Jack hat!

I need prescription glasses now.  My college professor recently got the ones that go from sunglasses to indoor glasses quickly and she loves them out on the trails. They are on my wish list!  If you don't need prescriptions, get some good sunglasses with rubbery stems to help them stay on if you get sweaty.  I like NATIVEs.

A baseball cap is sufficient, but I like my hiking hat with a wide brim all the way around.  I may look like a hiking geek, but I am sheltered and cooler.  I love the fabrics nowadays.  I can dunk my hat in the cool stream and feel cooler on my hike without wrecking my hat.

My Native sunglasses with flexible stems.

• Fun items for the kids.

We take mini cards to play Go Fish or dice to play a form of Yahtzee.  I also have a lightweight floppy frizbee that is bright orange, making it easy to find in the woods.  I did some internet searches and found some fun games to play while hiking.  My grandson enjoyed doing "What if" scenarios and learned a lot about finding your way.   

• A pencil and paper have come in handy.

• Make a tradition. We have a little "toast" of an adult beverage carried in a flask when we reach our destination.  One time a friend made old-school chocolate, cream-filled cupcakes, frosted with a traditional white zigzag stripe across the tops for another friend's birthday.  Figure out something fun!  Repeat!

• A camera.

You never want to forget at least a cell phone camera for selfies.  I like my Nikon Coolpix S9700.  (No compensation here either, just my favorite).  I bring 2 extra batteries!

• Your dog.

I could be writing a whole article on this. Use good judgement about taking your dog. Be sure your dog is fit enough.  They get tired and sore just like people. Dogs get sick, over-exerted, affected by heat and cold they are not accustomed to.  They also get lost on occasion. A dog's feet may not be up to a hike in the woods unless they are out on trails often.  Dogs with bloody feet are not what any loving pet owner wants.  If you decide to take your dog, take a leash and use it if your dog is not under verbal control.  When a dog is not accustomed to the woods, it may get over-excited and harass wildlife, frightening wild creatures, and may put itself in harm's way.  Please carry dog waste out with you. Carry food, water, first aid and a leash. 

• Shoes.  You will surely wear them anyway, but please be sure they can stand up to the terrain you will be on.  Shoes Have Soles too is a true story of an urbanite hiking in her tennies.  I have learned that appropriate shoes are a safety factor. (I do carry light weight flip flops or water shoes on a carabiner on my pack to wear at the destination) Try looking at REI's shoe guidelines to help decide how much shoe you need.  I also found out that for the kids, shoes matter.  One came with shoes recently purchased and didn't make it in a mile before being upset about blisters!  It turned out he had a growth spurt and his next pair purchased when we got home was 2 sizes larger!  Check the kid's shoe fit before you go.

A real hiker's shoe with multiple repairs needed to get through the hike!

Leave No Trace.  Remember Wilderness Etiquette.

And with that, I wish you a happy and safe hike!

7/4/2015 Photos added and related written edits.
Italicized edit on 7/5/2015

Hiking Shoes or Losing Your Sole

 Or, "Shoes Have Soles"

Photo courtesy of Bill, the infamous Sierra Foothill Hikers Organizer: his own boots!!!

You've heard it all before.  "You need good shoes to hike, to go for a walk in the woods".  I received the photo below of a shoe belonging to one of my hiking partner's sisters.  He had talked her, arm twisted her, into a nice short and pretty hike near Whiskytown, CA, and this adventure was just a day hike.  She put on her tennies,  took water and snacks, and obviously a camera.  The whole story was long and hilarious, but I'll keep to the short version!  They met a bear (who did run off, thankfully)!  Along the way, they took a "wrong turn" and weren't where they wanted to be.  Out of nowhere they happened upon a house and had to humble themselves and ask for assistance. Next they called a friend of hers to come get them.  In her friend's car after she picked them up, they slid into a ditch, which banged up the car a bit and they had to push it back on to the road.  And Sore?  Yep.  She got that too.
But here is the shoe in question, and the real point of this story...the star of this true hiker's tale:

When the sole came loose, they tried repairs with duct tape, then medical tape, and finally, shoe lace remnants from a lace that had broken, to keep it attached.  The only idea they had left was to use bark for a sole....okay, laughingly!
So, my advice is to get a good pair of shoes first, then hike.  It is really worth the cost and you won't end up facing a bear in the woods with the sole of your shoe falling off!

Peachy Hiker's Table of Contents

Happy Trails!

Deer Attacks Child and Poodle!

I have no photos and I bet you're suspicious about the title.  It really happened, to ME, in around 1965 or so!  My profile mentions the amount of time I have spent alone in the woods.  Something bad was bound to happen!  We were on one of our regular trips but had stopped for a break.  I took our poodle named "Jeep", ya, "Jeep".  She was a well trained, adorable grey little poodle.

My pup, and I around 9 years old I think, took off into the woods, just like always.  She was not on a leash, but she never had a problem staying close to me.  We were wandering around and out of nowhere, here came flying hooves at us.  A doe was striking us both, rearing like a wild horse in the movies!  We dodged her and ran while I screamed!

Fortunately and unbelievably, here came a forest ranger, out of nowhere too!  He and my stepfather both grabbed the doe around the neck and drug her away from me and my pooch.  We were both shocked and scared...no, not crying!  But really, the forester said she probably had a fawn nearby and was afraid of us, defending her baby.

The lessons are: deer are not necessarily Bambi, children in the woods are at risk, and a pretty doe does attack people!

Peachy Hiker's Table of Contents