In Your Pack:
Some items for the trail
| Things to consider taking with you on the trail |
| Water - Even on a cool day and a short hike, do not leave your vehicle without it. |
SPOT (Personal Tracker)- In February of 2008 I bought a "SPOT Personal Tracker" and it has proven to be one of the best investments that I ever made. SPOT acts like a GPS in reverse: you carry it with you and anyone that you choose can monitor your progress in the field, from a home or office computer. If you are like me, having the ability to safely change your back country travel plans on the spur of the moment is a valuable asset. I still leave maps of where I am expecting to go and my approximate ETA back home, but now if the situation arises I can change my plans mid-stride without that nagging thought in the back of my mind "No one has a clue where I am right now". The "Upgraded Plan" that I have with SPOT automatically leaves a waypoint on a Google Earth map every ten minutes. My wife is my contact person so she can log on to the SPOT Web site and watch the progress of my entire trip from the time I leave the house in the morning until I arrive back home. One of the best features of SPOT Personal Tracker - that thankfully I haven't had to use - is the ability to push a single button (911) on the device which will automatically notify SPOT that I have a major emergency, and SPOT personnel will notify the appropriate agencies and my contact person. The other button on SPOT is the "Help" button and for me it is used for a non-life threatening situation such as a vehicle breakdown. When I push it, a message is sent to my wife (my emergency contact person) and she will alert either a prearranged person, law enforcement, or the appropriate agency and they will hopefully come to my rescue. One minor thing: SPOT, like most GPS's and other trackers, can lose satellite reception in canyons. This is just something that you need to be aware of. Packages / Upgrades that I highly recommend: I subscribe to the "Track Progress" and the "GEOS Rescue" packages. These two upgrades plus the basic service package which is required, makes my total subscription price less than $160 per year. That's less than 44 cents per day and that is pretty cheap security. Click on the link below for complete details about the various options and features SPOT can provide. The "SPOT Personal Tracker" and the services that I mentioned above can be found under the "SPOT Overview" tab. Click here to go to the SPOT Home Page GPS - Always have fresh batteries in it and spares in your pack. Even though the GPS is great, you still need to be aware of your surroundings, where you are heading, and where you have been. Turn around and look behind you so that you recognize the area when you are returning - it will look different going the other way. It is always a safe bet to mark your trail with a stack of rocks or scratches in the dirt pointing to the way out. This may seem redundant, but you just never know... and yes when using your GPS, do not forget to "mark" the position of your vehicle or where you started the hike. |
Maps of the area you are hiking. |
Sunscreen & Chap Stick - No scented sunscreens. The scents are really nice next to the pool, but they can also attract an assortment of unwanted flying critters. Chap Stick or a lip balm with a sunscreen in the formula is helpful for extra protection. |
Gators (brand name)- They are normally used to keep snow out of your boots. I use a pair of low-cut lightweight ones to keep weeds out of my socks and boots. I no longer come back from a hike and spend an hour digging weeds, stickers, and such out of my boots and socks. Gators come in different heights from low (ankle height) to just below the knee. They also come in lightweight nylon to heavyweight materials. Most of my hiking is through the brush and I hike in shorts (I know, I know... you should be in long pants), so I was constantly digging weeds out of my boots. |
Hat and jacket - Protects you from both heat/sun and cold. |
Medication - You may be out longer than expected or the exertion may require you to take extra meds. |
Sunglasses - Pretty obvious... |
Two-way radios - FRS radios are great for keeping in contact with your hiking partner. Make sure you have new batteries every time you go out and that you are both on the same channel. I have hiked with a person who did not carry extra batteries and did not change the batteries in his equipment and it could have been really dangerous if we had needed to get in touch with each other. The same applies for your GPS; keep new batteries in it and fresh spares in your pack. |
Cell phone - Keep in mind most cell phones DO NOT work in back country. Know your coverage areas and do not assume that your phone will work. Now if you are fortunate enough to own a Satellite phone, please keep me in mind the next time you go out. |
Flashlights and fresh spare batteries |
Waterproof matches |
First aid kit, tweezers, insect repellent - Also, I do not believe that it is recommended by the AMA, but super glue for me is a great way to take care of minor cuts which I get a lot of because I hike in shorts. Hint: If you use super glue in conjunction with a band aid, make sure the super glue is dry. You can not imagine how much fun it is to try to remove a Band-aid that has been glued to you body. From experience I can tell you it sucks (no pun intended). |
Gloves - I know, real men don't eat quiche or wear gloves. Yeah, right. Those of us who have hiked the washes that are alive with "Catclaw" (acacia family) or have hiked the limestone rocks that can be sharp as razors, may beg to differ. |
Walking stick - Many people do not like them but for me it has have been a virtual lifesaver. Not only is it a "third leg" when coming down steep slopes, it also helps this old body up the steep slopes. I also use it for beating the bushes / making noise when walking in areas that may be hazardous to my health. |
Camera - Do not leave home without a digital camera. |
Paper and pencil - Handy when leaving a note on your vehicle for someone to find. |
Hi-energy food bars - Just in case you are out longer than expected. |
Hike with at least one other person - Many of us do hike alone at times and that is not a really good idea. |
Know Your Limitations - Even though this is listed last, it really is one of the most important points. |
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