Daily hike gear?

How about a map?
Maybe a compass to keep the map company?
If you stop to cook, kielbasa and ramen....yum.
 
I'll second (or third) that "10 essentials" list. I'd take at least 2 liters of water per person if you're going to be out most of the day as well as some means to filter or purify additional water. If you have new hiking boots, make sure to break them in around town for a while before you take them out on the trail. Otherwise, stiff new boots are a great way get blisters. A quality pair (or 2, if you might get your feet wet) of NON-COTTON socks is also essential. Thorlo makes good stuff in that department. A cell phone and GPS can be good back-up tools, but don't rely on them as a magic ticket for rescue. I always take my phone with me, but never count on it having any signal out in the woods.

Have fun and feel free to post pics if you get any good ones.
 
Wow. Thanks for all the tips guys, I really appreciate it.

I've pretty much decided to bring everything you guys suggested except for the map and compass. I think I could figure out how to use a compass, but to tell the truth I'm a city kid. I was never a Boy Scout and the few times I went camping we stuck to campgrounds.
 
kamagong said:
I've pretty much decided to bring everything you guys suggested except for the map and compass. I think I could figure out how to use a compass, but to tell the truth I'm a city kid.
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Hey, so am I, born and raised, but using a compass is easy. Get a simple one for now, you don't need anything complicated. Also, absolutely get a detailed map of the trails. There should be some at the entrance, but you can go to the park website and print out the 5th page of the PDF-formatted park brochure. Here is the URL.

Believe me, you will use it while hiking.
 
Good ideas, everyone...

I just hiked Monadnock mountain in NH with my wife and son last weekend. Simple 2 hour hike up, not difficult. It is a well travelled mountain, touted as the 2nd most(sometimes 1st most) hiked mountain in the world. I'm no survival or outdoor expert, but it blows my mind to see how unprepared people are.

The weather was peeks of sun, mostly cloudy with possible rain, highs in the 60's. At the base....

When we got 2/3rds up, the temp had dropped to the low 40's with strong winds and misting. I saw people with just T-shirts, or wearing shorts, no rain gear, little babies!, and many people carrying no water. A few years back we did the same hike, and I foolishly did not carry enough water for the 3 of us. We were okay, but a little parched by the end. My son and I now each carry a hydration pack. I also carry stuff that I probably won't need, like cord, FS gear, etc. My wife laughs at me for taking all the extra gear, but you know the saying...

Trail mix is also a good thing to have handy. It will give you a good energy boost quickly. Nuts, dried fruit, etc. You can even make your own!

Hey, that list is great. I berated my wife about good socks and hiking shoes for years. She finally listened to me, and no longer has foot issues. Yeah, a nice wool hat is essential. I have this Hoodie thing that's cool, you can wear it 4 or 5 different ways.

As for knives, a large SAK in the pack, my navitool (which I have yet to use :grumpy: ), and a Gerber Paraframe(Hey, I'm not into tacticals, but this was pretty cheap) clipped in pocket.

Sorry, i have rambled endlessly...good thread.

Glenn
 
A small compass, even a bottom compass that you can clip to your wristwatch and a deteailed map of the trails are essential in case you get lost or disoriented. Stuff happens, specially when you are sure they won't. The compass will tell you which direction is north, so you can orient yourself and the map the right way. They do not take much space and can save you a headache.

I second the Trail mix suggestion. Get the one that has nuts, dried fruits, and little pieces of chocolate (M&M like). It will keep you going.

Happy trails.
 
I went up to Mount Diablo to camp last summer. When I found out that the Ranger stations were all out of trail maps I stayed at my campsite for 2 days reading in the day time and drinking beer at night. I didn't want to take any chances wandering around a place called Mount Diablo without a map. Good luck!
 
Everybody else pretty much covered things. I would add that whenever I hike, I take enough that I could easily spend a couple of days out if need be. Water filter is a great suggestion. Take at least three seperate methods of starting a fire, and some prepared tender...I like parafin dipped cotton balls myself. Over prepared? yes!!!! It sure would suck if you became incapacitated for any reason and had to spend a night or two without any comforts though.
 
If it's not too late.

If you're not going to be hiking more than 7 miles, sandwiches will be more than fine. PB & J is a good choice... Fruit is great too. I find trail mix to be dry and salty.

Some of these people are really making too big of a deal of going on a day hike. Just don't be foolish and have fun.
 
KySu said:
If you're not going to be hiking more than 7 miles, sandwiches will be more than fine.
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Please explain how 7 miles is a distance that makes sandwiches more (or less) suitable.

PB & J is a good choice...
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Curious, what makes their sandwiches a particularly good choice for a hike?
 
Someone earlier said something about sandwiches making them sluggish and I personally disagree. The reason I used '7 miles', was because if you're going for than that, in my opinion, you're gonna wanna bring something a little more energy replenishing, especially if you're not a hiker... (also 7 is my favorite number...)

Secondly, PB & J's are pretty damn good for you when you make them with 12 Grain wheat bread, crunchy peanut butter and organic jelly, and again, IMO they taste a helluva lot better than trail mix... The bread is probably the healthiest bread you can eat (besides the 15 grain), peanuts are great for energy (and yea they're a bit salty, but hey, you're only going 7 miles or less), and they jelly is sweet, fruit is great for hiking (most organic jelly has real fruit chunks in it), sweet and will bring some moisture to your mouth as well...

It's always worked for me for day hikes and they're easy to make! ahh so many advantages to the PB and J!
 
KySu said:
Someone earlier said something about sandwiches making them sluggish and I personally disagree.
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You disagree with what? A personal observation? The fact that sandwiches are more difficult to digest? That the body takes longer to digest them than fruit?

Also, please notice that the original remark was made about a "generic" sandwich. Most people also put some meats in the sandwich. That's what makes them slower and more difficult to digest.

The reason I used '7 miles', was because if you're going for than that, in my opinion, you're gonna wanna bring something a little more energy replenishing, especially if you're not a hiker...
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A little more energy replenishing than what? Fruit? :confused: How do you calculate "energy replenishment"?

And why is it more important to a non-hiker? If it's more important to a non-hiker, why bother with it in this case? Isn't he is going on a hike?

(also 7 is my favorite number...)
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Aha. What about the total denivelation of the day hike? Do you take that into account, or is it still a magic number? What denivelation do you calculate the 7 miles on? Is it in an open terrain in the summer, or is it in a forrested area?

peanuts are great for energy (and yea they're a bit salty, but hey, you're only going 7 miles or less)
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1. He didn't say he was going 7 miles or less, you invented it.
2. What's with this 7 miles again? Now it has a magic effect on saltiness? It's okay to be thirsty when hiking 7 miles but not when you're hiking 8?

and they jelly is sweet, fruit is great for hiking (most organic jelly has real fruit chunks in it), sweet and will bring some moisture to your mouth as well...
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So why not just eat fruit? :confused:

Mind you, I have nothing against PB&J sandwiches. I think they're great. I'm just trying to understand the basis for your dismissing other people's opinions in your original post (particularly that many of them dealt with safety, and I always find belittling safety to be irresponsible), and also your preoccupation with the 7 miles thing.
 
KySu said:
. . .
Some of these people are really making too big of a deal of going on a day hike. Just don't be foolish and have fun.
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Obviously you have little experience with the God Murphy (whose favorite number is 4) or missed the recent national story about the two men who went off on a casual "day hike" and nearly died for want of basic gear. Fortunately, they found the gear of a guy who died on a day hike and were able to signal for help with his matches.

The posts here vary in details but represent, together, very sound advice to cover the basic sareas (food,water,signal, shelter, first aid, navigation) that one ignores at his peril when entering nature's realm.

Peanuts, by the way, are a poor hiking ration unless combined with a better carb sources. Hence GORP -- or your favorite, peanut butter and jelly.
 
I don't think hydration can be overemphasized. Without water, you're body is unable to adequately control its temperature, you quickly grow fatigued, and your mental capacity is rapidly diminished. Bringing a windbreaker (I suggest gore-tex or another waterproof/breathable laminate) is actually a hydration issue. Most people do not realize how dehydrating the wind is.

Hydration is about much more than replenishing water. It is also about maintaining the appropriate balance of electrolytes. I highly recommend the product offered at http://eletewater.com/

You can find it at most hi-end retail camping supply shops.

Enjoy the hike!
 
rule number one is that there is no such thing as a day hike. be ready to overnight when you leave the pavement. the suggestions given by this bunch of pirates is as usual spot on. take some essentials and have a good time.

alex
 
akennedy73 said:
Hydration is about much more than replenishing water. It is also about maintaining the appropriate balance of electrolytes. I highly recommend the product offered at http://eletewater.com/

You can find it at most hi-end retail camping supply shops.

Enjoy the hike!
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A typical daily vitamin-mineral tablet + 1/3 of fast food salt pack + water = 1 qt. of GatorAide. Pretty cheap solution to electrolyte maintenance.
 
the ten essentials for hiking with a female:
1. toilet paper
2. blanket
3. multitool i.e. corkscrew
4. beverage: champagne
5. food: caviar
6. sanitary wipes
7. small garbage bag
8. breath mints
9. condoms
10. savoir faire

YMMV
 
The Boy Scouts have a list they call the Outdoor Essentials:

Pocketknife
First aid kit
Extra clothing
Rain gear
Water bottle (filled!)
Flashlight
Trail food
Matches and fire starters
Sun protection
Map and compass

I'd also include:
Whistle
Insect repellent
Toilet paper, ½ roll in bag
 
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