Funny story, a couple of years back hiking Granite Mountain the weather changed dramatically on my friend and I. One minute the sun was shining, the next it was hailing. No joke and we were not prepared. It’s just a quick reminder why bringing the right gear is essential on these longer hikes. Please review the day hiking checklist on 10 essentials to consider bringing on your next hike.
Ten Essential items Reminder: (based on your hike)
1) Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger. Also try downloading the All Trails App, it works even when you have no service.
2) Headlamp
3) Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
4) First aid including insect repellent. Personal tip, bring extra bandaids/blister pads just in case yourself or a hiking buddy gets blisters; it happens and its super essential.
5) Knife
6) Fire matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove. Flint is my personal favorite.
7) Shelter carried at all times (can be a light emergency bivy)
8. Extra food beyond the minimum expectation
9) Extra water beyond the minimum expectation. Personal tip, bring a handy water purifier such as a life straw.
10) Extra clothes beyond the minimum expectation. Personal tip, I dress in layers. I layer down as I'm going up, then layer back up, as I proceed down the mountain. We also put everything in a ziplock bags to insure items don't get wet. This is the PNW and it can rain unexpectedly.
Fun fact, the original Ten Essentials list was assembled in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based organization for climbers and outdoor adventurers, to help people be prepared for emergency situations in the outdoors. Back then, the list included a map, compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra clothing, headlamp/flashlight, first-aid supplies, fire starter, matches, knife and extra food. Over the years, the list has evolved to a “systems” approach. After my experience on Granite Mountain, I always triple check for a poncho at min. FYI, most newer backpacks also come with a rain cover to prevent your essentials from getting wet.
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