TOP 10 Things to Take on the Trail

“Summer is here…for the most part, and the hiking season has arrived and the trails, parks and backcountry will be hot with visitors from all over. This season stock your pack with these essentials… I’ll cover each one with a brief summary. It’s up to you, however, to thoroughly inform yourselves outside this article. I’ll provide some links below to start you off. And here it is in no particular order the TOP 10+ things to take with you on the trail this summer!

1. Water/purification: Very essential for you to bring water with you on the trail and possibly a means to purify water (tabs, filter). I take my 100oz. camelbak MULE. Quick Story: My friend and I went on an 8 mile rugged hike to see a popular water fall. We had spend most of the day hiking through rough and steep rock-filled ravines, and on our way out as we reached the trail head we encountered a couple on their way to the falls. They stopped us and asked us how the trail was and we told them it was pretty rough yet moderate. But upon seeing their attire (1 water bottle, huge tripod, an unleashed dog, a camera, a book, no food, and flip flops) we encouraged them to not undertake the trail considering the summer heat and ruggedness of the hike. Being grateful, they thanked us and returned back to the lot and went on an alternate and less intense hike. That would have been a hairy situation.

2. Food or extra food: My favorite essential…Food. Grub. Chow. Whatever you want to stick in your pack. Energy bars, pepperoni, crackers, sandwiches, salami, GORP… Food gives you energy to power through those calorie-blasting hikes.

3. Headlamp/flashlight (and extra batteries): You took that extended lunch and nap out by a scenic waterfall and now daylight is escaping. It’s good to have one handy just incase you need to spend an unexpected night in the woods or for a hike back to the trail-head at dusk. I use a Petzl Tikka Plus because it is water resistant and lives light for over 80 hours.

4. Pocket knife or Multi-tool: With these tools, Utility is important. Get something that is durable and functional. I recommend a Swiss Army Knife or Multi-function Pliers.

5. Map, Compass and Knowledge: I know, I know. “When am I actually gonna use this?” you ask. But wait till you decide to get adventurous and realize that you can’t find your way back to the trail head and its getting dark…(hope you packed that headlamp!) Before you begin your hike, get some general knowledge of the trail. Example: If a there is a main road west of the loop trail, then you know that you may have to travel west to get to that road if you get lost (Which way is West?). Make sure you inform yourself on how to use a compass. Take the time to print out maps if they are available online or stop by the rangers station to get map and info essential to the hike. Here is a site to get you started: http://www.compassdude.com/

6. FIRE! Matches, lighter, magnesium starter: Again…for those unexpected nights on the trail. Practice using a Magnesium starter at home (small fires of course!) so you know how to properly use each fire starter. Light My Fire has great solutions.

7. First Aid Kit & emergency blanket: It’s always great to have a small First Aid kit even for short hikes. Always essential. Add any extra meds that might be handy ( Advil, Neosporin, chapstick, prescription, etc…)

8. Raingear/Poncho: Any lightweight raingear is always appreciated when a downpour catches you. Lightweight so you don’t know it’s there, but ready to go when you do. If needed, you can use a poncho as a way to make a shelter, should you get caught an extra day... MORE

What are yours?”

“Duh”

“You're missing two.”

“I take my number line.”

“#1 my educated brain
#2 my common sense
#3 enough gear but not too much gear”

“#7%5 - pakpak (insep if I do not ware it)

#9$ - Gissmaeioux

#W2 - Ower truk so we do not got to walk to Wyodaho or wher never.

#33 - A good gimmedat (usely a rag)

Them is my leventy verry portent theengs.”

“1. Woman

2. Food

3. Water

4. Shelter

5. First Aid”

“That reminds me of the good ol' Boy Scout "Top-Ten" list :)

I know it will offend some here who will get all hung up on what the National policy is, but 99.99% of scouts never get involved in that BS, and being a Boy Scout can be a really GREAT starting point for someone who wants to be a serious backpacker!”

“Beer
Beer
Beer
Beer
Beer
Beer
Beer
Beer
Beer
Beer

Am I forgetting anything? Thats 10 right?”

“[You're missing two.]

The rest of the article is on my blog... the link should be up there. somewhere...by its lonesome.”

“Chocolate....

..and of course tisses!!!”

“Guns. And a horse, so I have something to shoot.”

“wow, i can't believe all you guys are missing the most important one

TP”

“or for that matter - condoms”

“1. Other peoples lists of top ten items to take on the trail.

2. Matches to burn the lists above starting fires.

3. Hatchet or Machete to Cut trees for tarp supports and firewood.

4. Plastic to put in the fire (it burns with pretty colored flames).

5. Glass Bottle Beer.

6. Pistol and lots of Ammo (to shoot at empty bottles).

7. Lotsa Toilet Paper (Gotta Go Gotta Go).

8. Chips and cookies, cans of Ravioli...

9. Stereo and speakers / my best RAP music.

10. My Pit Bull Insane.....he runs the woods and kills things I may be able to eat when I've ditched the empty Ravioli and pringles cans.......”

“I post a little list of PC items I pack and ever' body loses interest?

Wusses....”

“My pocket rocket. And my stove.”

“Jackstraw is starting to scare me”

“Hate to break it to you, but summer is not the start of the hiking season.”

“Fall hiking is best, but winter is great too, spring is good, summer is hot but also good. Year 'round is best! What were we talking about?”

“Nobodies mentioned the satellite linked laptop to be able to surf backpacking websites. Not to mention Cheetos.”

“mmmmm cheetos!”

“"Hate to break it to you, but summer is not the start of the hiking season."
TRUE. But for the Newbies who might not know any better it might be their first hiking experience. Unlike me, where my first hiking experience was in a cold North carolina mountains in 18 degree weather...”

“yummmm - Cheetos - edible fire starters”

“i find it's always useful to bring socks and shoes, when hiking.”

“a bath towel is nice - especially to snap the ass of the hiker in front of you”

“Note to brain: no hiking in front of HOI.”

“1) Camera
2) flip flops
3) unleashed dog
4) Backup flip flops
5) water bottle
6) Tripod
7-10) 4 books.

It's certainly tricky explaining the welts on your ass after a day's hiking with HOI.
last edited: 5/31/07 2:27:08 PM”

“Speaking of ass welts, ask Stomper about the ones she got after going on a TT trip. True story.”

“chuckle - that was a good story too


actually the towel thing comes from Douglas Adams”

“What....?
“I post a little list of PC items I pack and ever' body loses interest?

Wusses....”
SuperTroll
12:16:10 PM
5/31/07

SUPER...there isn't enough room here for you to list all the things you carry...lol...hahahahahah
What was it we were going to rename you on the trip to Hobbs Cabin???
...thanks for always being prepared!!!!

“Chocolate....

..and of course tisses!!!”
divinity
7:14:07 AM
5/31/07

tissues...I meant tissues!!!
last edited: 5/31/07 4:14:56 PM”

“well it was either that or kisses (as in Hershey Kisses)”

“My harmonica!”

“Cigars....and NO Nigal they were NOT from that Island 90 miles south of Florida (LOL)”

“Ahh...summer. The season of novice hikers and campers. Kids are out of school; people are taking vacation like its going out of style. Nothing like spending a lazy day on some remote beach, whether by the ocean or some lake in the woods :)

That said, let's not be knocking summer, even though many of us may have advanced to some of the other seasons. I bet many of us got our start in the woods during the summertime...

Special summer equipment to pack in the northeastern summers?
1. Crocs
2. Bug Spray
3. Calamine Lotion
4. Cotton clothing (assuming it's not likely to rain for the weekend)
5. A hat (to keep the gypsy moth droppings out of your hair)
6. There is no item #6 ;-)
7. A fleece (especially in NY or New England where its not uncommon to see 30's overnight even in July)
8. Swimming trunks (unless you prefer to just go nekkid - but depending on who you are, that may produce adverse reactions from fellow campers)
9. A little towel
10. Booze (doesn't that go without saying?)”

“1. Wallets
2. Jewelry (Watches)
3. Electronics (GPS, Cell Phones, etc)
4. Cameras
5. weapons (assuming you are still alive that is......).
6. High Tech Gear (Tents, Tarps, Stoves, Bags....)
7. Hikers (For Ransom)
8. Liberties with Hikers...(If I gotta say with which sex you're gonna USE this list I just KNOW it...[barf])
9. car keys (it follows that the CAR will be part of this...)
10. Lives...(so don't fight it; nothing is worth dying over - i love that thought, voiced by so many BAD PEOPLE* that prefer sheeple).

* inside joke...
last edited: 6/01/07 1:15:24 PM”

“Well, the number of a good, local, attorney is never a bad idea.”

“Summer is here, hiking season is over.

Heat, humidity, bugs, no water, poison ivy, snakes, no views, spoiled food.

My favorite weather to hike in is a high in the 50's and nights in the low 30's. Leaf off, plenty of water and very few people.”

“I second that opinion.”

“How could you all forget the Bear treats for when they come visiting? I always carry fresh sushi.”

“wait a minute.....you mean ya'll take stuff with you when you hike?



hmmmm.....maybe I should rethink my hiking stratigy”

“#1: your wits
#2: a sense of adventure

everything else is frosting”

“So is your being a half wit due to being an ultra light afficionado? Ha-ha.”

“So which burns better? Cheetos or Fritos?


Forgot all about the harmonica.... Thanks for the reminder, Alvin.  VBG”

“Ouch, should used Scoops.”

“Baby Wipes.......they great for bathin and wipin your as...............well, you know...no major monkey butt....which reminds me....Monkey Butt Powder......”

“ibuprofen, benedryl. the first one everyone understands. the second one is because when i hike hard, i release histamine and my nose runs like a faucet.

bandanas, at least two.

headlamp, for the times when the hike went longer than we thought.

these are only a few of the things i don't forget.”

“Backup activation codes for the TerraQuest.”

“Beer, just sneak it into your 10 yo's pack. (He has a new trail name; "Beer mule")”

“What HOI said - especially if it involves the pursuit of the answer to the universe and everything.”