The Ten Essentials…And Why It Is Not Accurate
I was lucky enough to be asked to speak at a women’s “hiking with confidence” seminar earlier this month. The speaker who organized everything is a very knowledgeable and accomplished hiker and backpacker. In the past, we’ve had conversations about various hiking “rules” that she felt needed an update. After listening to her talk during the class, I am one hundred percent in agreeance. Let’s talk about it.
What are the ten essentials? According to the National Park Service’s website, they are (listed in this order):
Navigation
Sun Protection
Insulation
Illumination
First Aid Supplies
Fire
Repair Kit and Tools
Nutrition
Hydration
Emergency Shelter
The NPS also includes some bonus items like life jackets, bug spray, and personal locator beacons. All in all, this is a solid list. I don’t want to be too brash, but none of this is essential if you don’t know how to use any of it. So my first point is to practice with your gear. You don’t need to know 30 different ways to use a poncho as a shelter, but if you practice three different ways with a tarp, that’s a great starting point! There is no point in carrying a water filter if you’ve never used one. It’s like carrying a headlamp without batteries. Practice your gear!
Okay, off of my soap box now. So, the class organizer mentioned that she believes in these ten essentials, plus one. She also mentioned that she has a list of bonus essentials, just like the NPS. What’s number 11 in her opinion?
Backup Battery Packs. Once she said this, the skies opened up and the angels sang. Of course. I carry mine with me every time I backpack. I have it with me when we camp in the field at our house! The battery bank is an essential item for a lot of hikers. Honestly, we all rely on our phones too much. I’m not interested in fixing that problem. It is what it is. I always have waterproof printed maps of the parks that I’m at, but I have been known to pull up a trail on an app when I have service. However! I also take photos of the maps at every kiosk that I encounter along the way. It’s helpful for my navigation to see the progress in a more literal sense. This is where I was when I started, this is where I am as I hop onto a secondary trail. I’m also the kind of annoying hiker that likes to track every step I take on both my phone and smartwatch. If you know, you know, but those batteries in these cheaper watches drain hella fast when you are using them in a “workout” mode. Another way I use my phone is for the flashlight. This is ridiculous, but hear me out. I have a headlamp for night camp activities (using the bathroom, adding wood to the fire, checking the bear bag, etc). I have a collapsible lantern for in my tent so that I can read (I bring hoards of books, sue me, I never said I was an ultralighter). On top of that, I have a small chest clip flashlight, a straight pen light, a tiny button lamp, and I still find a need for my phone flashlight. Usually it’s for putting my shoes on or something because I don’t want it too bright but I also need to see. I don’t now, all lights have a different purpose and I’m positive that one day a weird light diagnosis will bare my name, but until then, this is how I do it. As a side note, I use my battery bank for so much more than my phone. It charges my kindle, my headlamp, and speakers. Forgive us, we have used the speaker on the kids’ first trip but in our defense, we had the only backcountry site in the entire park and were miles away from anyone else. The kids wanted a dance party and we suck at saying no when they are cute and bonding.
Now, onto the other essentials that were discussed at the seminar!
Whistle! It’s something that I consider first aid and safety but I realize that not everyone does. Now, most packs come with one on the sternum strap but it isn’t a guarantee. You need one to alert other hikers or rangers in the event that you are lost or in danger. I like to think that I’ll never get lost beyond hope, but I am also a dumb human with a complex. I do subscribe to the belief that I am always one more step away from falling and getting injured though. My children know how and when to use the whistle to get us help. Guys, you need a whistle. Three short blasts and you’re one step closer to a rescue.
Bathroom Kits. If you’re hiking three miles, maybe you need a bottle of hand sanitizer and a Kula Cloth. If you’re backpacking, you need a trowel (see our previous post on Runa’s bathroom adventures) and some wipes in a zip lock bag. The important thing here is to remember to pack out what your bring in. I’m tired of seeing tissues on the side of the trail. Please, bring a little bag to take it out. Please. My toddler wants to touch everything. I can’t keep living like this.
Tissues and Chapstick. Tissues for your NOSE. And you bring them out with you! I have that special cute thing where I have an exercise induced runny nose. Look it up, I swear it’s real. I keep tissues in my hip pouches or my pockets. Chapstick is also so important. Something about sweating and eating slim jims gives you a real dry lip situation. I hate it. I bring the extra stuff.
Sit Pad. We have actual sit pads. They kind of look like a miniature accordion foam sleep pad. They are great and we also use two per toddler as their sleep pad. Our teacher also mentioned bringing just a piece of Tyvek. I’ve never considered this as a sit pad before but we have used Tyvek with our backpacking and hiking gear before. There are so many innovative uses! Either way, sitting down for a quick lunch or break on something with support AND keeps your butt dry? Superior. Remember, hiking is not always a competition to see who can sweat the most and be the most miserable. Let’s be comfortable and happy from time to time, yes?
Change of Shoes for the Car Ride Home. I do disagree with this to an extent. Once I take my shoes off, I am done for the day. I have conditioned my brain to accept this reality for nearly 40 years. If I switch out my shoes and attempt to drive home, I will be sleepy and moody. Again, I’m not perfect. These things happen. I do however understand that a lot of people do this! My car is a mess (I have four feral children) so I am not worried about mud or dirt in my vehicle. I get the benefits, I’m just not putting in the effort there.
When it comes to my thoughts on the essentials, I agree with a majority of what’s listed above. I also have a few small additions and points:
Pepper/Bear Spray. As a solo woman hiker, it’s essential. When I have my children with me without Derek, it’s essential. I have confidence in our abilities to be safe, but it is just that small nagging fear of the worst case scenario. I feel stronger with it strapped to my chest. That’s another thing, if you carry bear spray, it should NOT reside inside your pack. Hip belt, chest clips, whatever. When you need it, you NEED it. You don’t need to dig for it.
Sun Protection. It’s on the list, but I approach it differently. I don’t like the idea of sunglasses staying on throughout the trail. It could be my vision and my slight color blindness, but I don’t like it. I’m concerned that I would not see a snake with them on. Now, I’ve never owned a pair of sunglasses that cost more than $24 at a Walmart, so that might be the difference. To be clear, I don’t fear snakes, I actually kind of love them. I don’t want to be the person that steps on one because I don’t see it, gets tagged, and ignites fear in a community that snakes are bad. Snakes eat mice, which are actually my largest phobia. This makes them heroes in my book. Mice are awful. I will not be elaborating on this. Gross.
Trekking Poles. We do not hike without them. At least one person has a pole, even on a short and safe hike. Poles are useful for the methods we are comfortable with setting up an emergency shelter. They also are great as a way to check rocks for stability and for critters below. Our hiking sticks have saved our behinds many times before and we will always hold them in the highest regard. Essential.
I know I typically carry too much. I have four kids and have been overpacking because of them for about 15 years now. It’s precautionary and silly. I feel like I could almost argue that my camp chair is essential and my little books and kindle are too. If we are being real though, I think that these listed items are a more up to date (not ultralight or bare boned) list of essentials. I’ve had fun thinking this over. If you want to do more research, I recommend checking out the NPS page on the 10 essentials. They also have links to videos for you audio learners out there.
So, how about you? What essential do you need that I didn’t mention? Let me know! Until next time, happy hiking!
