Day Hiking Checklist

The Ten Essentials

(for safety, survival and basic comfort)

1. Navigation

• Map (w/protective case)
• Compass

• GPS (optional)

2. Sun protection

• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Sunglasses

• Skin-shielding hat and clothing

3. Insulation

• Jacket or vest (preferably synthetic)

• Fleece pants (sometimes optional)

4. Illumination

• Headlamp or flashlight

• Extra batteries

5. First-aid supplies

• First-aid kit (see our first-aid checklist)
• GPS (optional)

• Skin-shielding hat and clothing
• Fleece pants (sometimes optional)

6. Fire

• Matches
• Fire starter

• Waterproof container

7. Repair kit and tools

• Knife, and/or
• Multi-tool

• Duct tape strips on bottle, poles

8. Nutrition

• Extra day's supply of food

• Spare energy bars, gels, trail mix

9. Hydration

• Water bottle and/or hydration reservoir

• Water filter or other treatment system

10. Emergency shelter

• Reflective blanket (or tent, tarp or bivy sack)

Beyond the Ten Essentials

(not every person will carry every item)

• Daypack
• Multifunction watch w/altimeter
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Trekking poles
• Interpretive field guide(s)
• Insect repellent
• Headnet
• Toilet paper
• Sanitation trowel
• Two-way radios
• Cell or satellite phone
• ______________________
• ______________________

• Energy food (bars, gels, trail mix)
• Powdered drinks
• Lunch
• Utensils
• Cups
• Route description or guidebook
• Food for kids
• Toys for kids
• _______________ for kids
• Bag for collecting trash
• Notepad or sketchpad w/pencils
• Trip itinerary left with a friend
• _______________________
• ______________________

Clothing options

(base choices on trip length and possible weather extremes)

Warm Weather

• Wicking T-shirt
• Wicking underwear
• Quick-drying pants/shorts
• Long-sleeve shirt (for bugs, sun)
• Hat

• Insulating jacket or vest
• Bandana or buff
• ______________________
• ______________________

Cool weather

• Wicking long-sleeve T-shirt
• Wicking long underwear (good sleepwear)
• Hat, cap or headband (synthetic or wool)
• Gloves or mittens
• Waterproof/breathable rain jacket with hood

• Waterproof/breathable rain pants
• Insulating jacket/vest/pants (part of Ten Essentials)
• _______________________
• ______________________

Footwear

• Boots or shoes suited to terrain
• Socks (synthetic or wool)
• ______________________

• Gaiters
• Water sandals (for river fording)
• ______________________

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