The Ten Essentials for hiking are the gear items you should pack for all backcountry adventures, regardless of your planned itinerary. Having these in your backpack provides a solid foundation for addressing challenges or emergencies you may encounter in the backcountry.
The Ten Essentials
- Navigation
- Insulation
- Illumination
- First Aid
- Emergency Supplies
- Fire Starting Kit
- Food
- Water
- Sun Protection
- Shelter
- The 11th Essential: Bathroom Kit
Navigation
A paper map and physical compass are the most reliable ways to navigate in the backcountry. Do not rely on your phone’s GPS or maps apps for navigation.
While these tools can be a helpful supplementary resources, they are often wrong, and constant usage could kill your phone’s battery. A paper map and physical won’t die on you!
Check out our upcoming workshops to learn the fundamentals of using a map and compass in the backcountry. Our collection of maps and guidebooks will help you effectively navigate the Adirondacks and Catskills.
Insulation
An extra set of non-cotton clothes can make the difference between a nice day in the woods and an emergency. You might need an extra layer as you go up in elevation, if the weather changes, after the sun sets, or if you get wet.
It’s important to avoid cotton because it absorbs and holds moisture against your skin, increasing the risk of hypothermia. Wool and synthetics like polyester draw moisture away and dry more quickly. Even if you’re only planning a day trip, bring clothes for an overnight. Nobody expects to be injured or lost, but it does happen.
We sell a variety of clothing that’ll help keep you warm and comfortable during your backcountry adventure.
Illumination
Lack of a light source is one the most common causes of preventable backcountry rescues. Even if you don’t plan to be traveling before sunrise or after sunset, it’s imperative to pack a dedicated light source, a backup light source, and extra batteries, just in case your trip takes longer than expected.
Do not rely on your cell phone as light source. Cell phone flashlights aren’t very bright, but they will drain the battery quickly—potentially leaving you without a way to call for help.
First Aid
While you can purchase a compact, premade kit from ADK or other outdoor gear outlets, you may be able to assemble your own kit at home for less. We recommend some of the following items:
- Bug repellant
- Supples for treating scrapes, bug bites, and blisters
- Antiseptic/antibiotic liquid or ointment
- Adhesive bandages
- Gauze and surgical tape
- Tweezers
- An elastic bandage
- An instant cold pack
- Over-the-counter painkillers, allergy pills, and any other medications you need
Make sure to put your homemade first-aid kit into a zippered makeup or freezer bag to keep it dry. Carrying a whistle in your kit is a good idea too—three blows of a whistle is a universal sign that you’re in need of help.
Emergency Kit
Duct tape, safety pins, and a needle and thread are important items for any emergency kit. Whether you’ve got a tear in your pants or a broken trekking pole, you can typically patch it up with one of these items. Duct tape has many other uses, too, especially for backcountry first aid.
Some hikers like to carry a pocketknife or multi-tool with them—just be careful not to injure yourself while using them!
Fire Starting Kit
Waterproof matches, a lighter, or a fire-starting kit won’t take up a lot of room in your pack and will potentially offer you several life-saving benefits: warmth, cooking, water purification, and signaling for support.
Food
Food provides the energy you’ll need to complete your planned itinerary. It’s a good idea to have a snack before hitting the trail and pack more than enough food for your adventure, just in case it takes longer than expected. Snacking frequently on the trail will help keep your energy levels up. The best food choices fast-digesting foods high in carbohydrates, healthy fats, and electrolytes.
Water
As a rule of thumb, ADK recommends bringing at least two liters of water for a day hike. Temperature, elevation change, and your personal conditioning can influence how much water you should pack. The warmer it is and the harder you’re working, the more water you’ll need.
If there are water sources along your way, you can lighten your pack by carrying a water filtration system or water purification tablets. Failing to filter or purify your water can lead to infections like Giardia.
Each of our Adirondack High Peaks Nalgenes can hold one liter of water. Packing two of these for your hike will help keep you hydrated on the trail!
Sun Protection
Wear a hat and apply sunscreen to protect your skin. Sun hoodies can also keep your arms and head covered without making you too hot, even on warm summer days.
Shelter
Packing an emergency tent, tarp, or Mylar space blanket could be the difference between life and death if you find yourself needing to spend an unexpected night in the woods. Each of these items all work to keep you dry and (relatively) warm.
Bathroom Kit
While not officially one of the Ten Essentials, ADK strongly recommends packing a bathroom kit. A bathroom kit includes a trowel, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a zip-seal bag for carrying and disposing of used paper and hygiene products. You can get a trowel at the local dollar or hardware store.
In some situations, digging a cathole 150 feet off-trail and away from water sources may not be possible. In that case, you might want to use a Biffy Bag or W.A.G. bag.
Ready To Hit The Trail?
With the Ten Essentials for hiking in your pack, you’re now well prepared to handle challenging situations in the backcountry. If you’d like help planning your next hike or backpacking trip in the Adirondacks, check out our Personal Trip Planning program. We offer 30- and 60-minute one-on-one sessions to make sure you have a solid itinerary for a safe and successful outing.
