Hiking is a delightful activity especially when you set out for it with family and friends. You can choose either far-flung mountainy areas or trails near your home where national parks provide this facility. This activity is pleasurable but requires special preparation before heading out for it. As you have to hike on long trials or mountains, you must have some commodities with you and everything that you think you may need during the adventure. The most important thing about planning hiking is the use of a hiking pack back. As you have to carry all the way, it must be comfortable and convenient to carry. Secondly, it must be of good quality and have enough volume to accommodate all essential things.
In this article, you will read about the list of things that make a best pack back for hunting or hiking. Let’s start.
The choice of a pack back mainly depends on the plans of hiking. Whether you are planning for a day trip, or more than three night’s trip or longer trips. Requirements vary with each type of hiking plan. For example, if you are going for a longer trip to a remote area where you plan to spend some days, you would need a larger pack back with better quality.
You may also want to consider other activities you intend to do on your trip and what you might need to pack for these. For example, will your backpack need to accommodate fishing gear or bird watching binoculars?
Before heading for hiking, you must have:
- Weather specific clothes
- Hiking shoes
- Water
- Plenty of food
- Hiking pack back
- First aid kit
- Navigation tools like a compass and maps
- Multi-tool or a knife
Below I have tried to find out a list of the most important things that you must carry with you. Let us discussthis in detail.
The choice of things may vary with each kind of trip and the checklist depends on the journey, time of the trip, weather conditions of the area, and much more. Therefore, a pack back is tailored to the individual needs for each trip. Hence some things are always necessary.
Sun Protection
Sun protection is necessary whenever you are going for outdoor activities. Exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause skin problems and damage eyes too. Therefore, it is vital to take sunscreen and sunglasses with you. It will provide you sun protection. Again the choice of sunscreen and sunglasses depend on the area where you are going hiking. You may also use sun protection clothes to protect yourself from radiation.
Navigation
If you are hiking through the forest land, a national park, or on mountains, you must have navigation tools because you may forget the path or lose your designated places away from friends/family (if you are in a group). Then navigation tools will help you to meet your group or find paths. Navigation tools are important to assess conditions and paths. Navigation tools include;
- Compass
- Map
- GPS device
- Altimeter watch
- Personal locator beacon
You must take along these five tools but if you are heading for a day trip then only a compass and map is enough. While for long and tough trials with harsh weather conditions, you must have other tools as well.
First Aid kit
It is a wise decision to pick the first aid kit with you on hiking. First aid kits are common but some people use customized kits according to their needs. A first aid kit must contain bandages of different sizes, over the counter pain killers, ointments, adhesive tapes, paper, pen, and medicines for blisters. Moreover, you must prepare a first aid kit according to the number of people in your group and the number of days on tour.
Extra food
You must have food for an extra day in the plan because bad weather conditions or any injury can delay the return on the expected time. In such a situation, having food would be a wise option. Take foods with yourself that have a long shelf life and do not require cooking such as nuts, dried fruits, and cookies.
Extra water
When you are outside, where you may face water scarcity, you must have enough water to keep yourself hydrated. Activities like hiking make you feel thirsty and a constant supply of water is necessary to keep you going. Always keep enough water with yourself on a trip to fully enjoy the tour.
Knife
During outdoor activities, you need a handy knife for food preparation, gear repair, first aid, or any other emergency need. Therefore, it is vital to have a fast knife with you on hiking. Besides the knife, you should also have a gear repair kit to avoid any inconvenience.
Fire
In some emergency cases, you may need heat or fire. Therefore, having a matchbox, lighter, or other tools for fire is good.
Headlamp
Having a headlamp is a viable choice if you have to walk during nights. In such a situation, a headlamp keeps your hands free and helps you a lot.
Shelter
You must have an extra shelter with you. You may strand on the trial or it may rain with strong winds. In such conditions, having shelter will protect you from harsh weather. You may take a bivy sack, an ultralight tarp, or an emergency space blanket.
Extra clothes
For longer trips, you must have extra clothes. Any kind of harsh weather conditions will make you feel wise about your decision of picking extra clothes.
Conclusion
It was a list of items that you must-have for your hiking trips. But a backpack depends on personal or survival needs. It gives you a clear idea about what you need. Before setting out for a trip, make a list of things that you want to carry and keep in mind all factors that may influence your choice. A good pack back is what you need on hiking trips to make it more pleasurable and avoid any inconvenience.