The Most Essential Emergency Gear for Hiking, Camping, and Backpacking
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Loading... - Valeria Barrera
- 27 Jun 2022
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Whether you’re a day-hiker, car camper, glamper, or thru-hiker, we can all agree on one thing: When the woods start calling, you gotta answer. We all have different reasons for appreciating the trail or campsite—maybe it’s the comradery, exercise, or a feeling of connectedness with nature and the elements. But for me, it’s that simple feeling of freedom, plus the fact that on a long enough trek you can actually get in better shape while eating nothing but jerky and trail mix. It’s truly magical.
Of course, experienced hikers know that that magic can start to fade pretty quick if you come under-prepared. The wilderness is still the wilderness, and emergencies do happen. While you can usually avoid them by planning ahead and knowing red flags to watch out for, you want to make sure that you have the correct gear for when things go wrong—it can very literally save your life.
Fortunately, you can channel your inner scout and come correct with a bit of information and some basic items. Here, I’ll defer to the Ten Essentials, the Holy Grail of preparation for expeditions into the great outdoors. The original list was constructed in 1930s Seattle by The Mountaineers, an organization of outdoor safety enthusiasts, and has subsequently been updated and improved over the years.
Even better, everything required to fulfill these essentials is available on Amazon. We picked out a great option within each category, so you can hit the trail with everything you need. Though if you want to take it a step further, you should also consider taking a wilderness safety course. From there, you can safely take in all that magic that the woods (and mountains and canyons and plains) have to offer.
NAVIGATION: Garmin eTrex 22x
When The Mountaineers first made their list of the Ten Essentials, GPS wasn’t quite a thing yet. You can still opt for an old-fashioned map and compass combo if you want, but this handheld GPS should do the trick a little more efficiently. Just don’t forget some extra batteries, just in case.
HEADLAMP: GearLight LED Head Lamp - Pack of 2
The only downside to a headlamp is that you might feel a little corny wearing one at first. But trust me, you’ll get over it once you realize how much easier your life on the trail is. Whether you’re setting up camp or cooking dinner, you want both of your hands free, and flashlights just get in the way. Plus, with this affordable two-pack, you won’t be the only one rocking one.
SUN PROTECTION: BALEAF UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Shirts
Sun protection is extra important if you’re doing a canyon hike or any other terrain that doesn’t provide a ton of natural shade. Sunglasses and sunscreen are both absolute musts for safety, but you can also invest in some sun-protective clothing. These Baleaf shirts are lightweight, breathable, and provide 50+ UPF protection. If you need women’s sizes, you can find them here. Read More...
