Hiking Essentials For Beginners: Things You Need

Hiking is qualified to be classified as a once-in-a-lifetime experience you must not miss. It will allow you to discover new things, get in touch with nature, and burn calories. As rewarding as hiking is, you must be fully prepared to make it a worthwhile experience. This explains why you must go with the essentials for the hiking trip. Before you embark on any hiking, you must get yourself ready by packing essential things. These are some hiking essentials for beginners:

Best Hiking Essentials for Beginners

Headlamp

Illumination is important on hiking trips; it will help you find your way around at night. There are many sources of light you can use; however, the headlamp is most recommended. This is because a headlamp will give you a chance to do other things like cooking with your hands free. However, ensure you carry additional batteries along.

First Aid

It is recommended you don’t leave your house without having a first-aid kit. You need to be prepared ahead of emergencies. However, it is equally important you know how to assemble the items in the first-aid kit. You can pre-assemble them at home to avoid guesswork during your hiking trip. Items that need to be included in the first-aid kit are adhesive bandages, gauze pads, OTC pain medication, adhesive tape, and blister treatments. In addition, you can include items like pens, paper, and nitrile gloves.

The contents of your first-aid kit will largely depend on the number of people and the number of days. To be safer, you can carry some medical emergency guidelines.

Food and Water

By now, you should know hiking will leave you sweating; therefore, you must come with water and snacks. While you are in it, it is important you bring extra water and food in case of any emergencies. You might need to spend more days than you expected.

Navigation

Ensure you don’t make the mistake of leaving and embarking on a trip without your map and a compass to offer guidance while hiking. Although there are GPS you can use, a compass is more recommended since you don’t need to use batteries.

Plus, they are durable, reliable, and lightweight. Both map and compass will keep you from straying off the right track. As important as these navigation components might seem, you must be able to use them. So, before leaving home, refresh your understanding of these navigation components.

Sun Protection

Since you will be out hiking, you need some protection for your skin. Even when the weather looks okay, don’t leave without your sun protection since the weather can change. You don’t want to end up with sunburns, cracked lips, snow blindness, and other conditions. Preferably, it is okay to include sunscreen, sunglasses, protective clothing, a brimmed hat, and SPF lip balm.