You are ready to go on your first solo hike! You pack a bottle of water, lace up your hiking boots, and hit the trail. But, after a few miles, you become lost, sunburnt and dehydrated, not knowing where to turn next. Hiking is a fantastic way to see the world and appreciate the nature around you, but you have to be safe and smart. You should always have a few essentials in your hiking bag, as well as follow a few rules before you jump on a trail by yourself.
- Phone and Phone Charger
Although signal on backtrails is rare, you always want to make sure you start the trail with a fully charged phone and a backup charger. My favorite charger is my Anker Powercore 10000. I always charge my power bank before I leave. That way, I have backup power for my phone. A good solar charger would also work well. If you need a signal, you may have to wander around the wilderness for a while, but if you ever need to call for help, you at least know your battery is full.
If you are like me and typically hike in scorching and humid areas, your phone might get overheated in your pocket or bag. An excellent way to prevent this is by wrapping a small hand towel around your phone before placing it in your backpack. Think of the inside of your bag on a hot day like the inside of a car. It gets hot-fast. If you have ever had your phone overheat in your vehicle after sitting there for a few minutes, then it is sure to do the same sitting in your hot backpack unprotected.
2. Trail App or Paper Map
It is crucial to either have a trail map downloaded on your phone or carry a paper map of the trails. My favorite app is All Trails. This app always tracks my hikes for me even when I don’t have a signal. It just updates when I get into a signal area again. It is also fun in the end to review your hike and see how much elevation gain you had, how far you hiked, and the calories you burned. The only downside to this online map is that it is not always updated, so don’t rely solely on what the chart says and still have a backup plan.
Additionally, there are usually maps at the beginning of your hiking trails, and it is best to take a picture of these maps for reference later. Suppose you don’t like technology or don’t want to drain your phone battery, then a paper map works just as well. Just make sure you get the latest version!
3. SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN
I know there is a dedicated group of those who swear off sunscreen never to wear it, but it is always a good idea to have. Even if you only plan a few miles, you never know how much shade the path will provide or if you will fall in love and end up spending all day on the trail. If your skin is baking in the sun all day, you don’t want to spend the next week in bed looking like a bright red lobster and reaching for aloe every 5 minutes.
4. Headlamp or Flashlight
Just in case you get stuck in a precarious situation or cannot make it back to base camp before nightfall, this will be a lifesaver. Sometimes the curiosity of the trail will be your downfall-like me. You could get stuck on top of a mountain as the sun is setting, having exhausted all of your additional power sources and phone battery. In this situation, you will want some source of light to guide your way down the rocky and steep path. REI has a great selection of headlamps that are easy to use for hands-free navigation!
5. Toilet Paper
I know many people are a fan of the drip-dry method, but I always like to keep some toilet paper stuffed away in my bag if nature calls at the most inconvenient of times. No one wants to wipe your ass with a poisonous leaf accidentally. Of course, always make sure you pack out your TP. No one wants to see your pile of used TP while they are hiking and enjoying nature.
6. Basic First Aid Kit/ Hand Sanitizer
This is a no-brainer. You should always have simple supplies on hand to take care of any trail injuries that may occur. You can pick up something like this one from REI, or you can make your own. If you make your own, I always like to include either hand sanitizer, alcohol, or both.
Hand sanitizer is excellent if you have to find a place to relieve yourself on the trail, but it can have multiple uses as well. You can always use sanitizer or alcohol to clean a wound if you get injured. Additionally, suppose you are like me and accidentally catch poison oak or ivy just from looking at it. In that case, you can use alcohol to get the urushiol oil off of your skin to minimize exposure and future break out from these pesky plants.
7. Chapstick
Last month I decided to go hiking on a 90-degree day, and I forgot my chapstick. The next day I was folding laundry, and when I sneezed, my lips were so dry and chapped that my bottom lip split right down the center. Yep, that happened. Since then, I have not left home for a hike without my chapstick.
8. Water/ Food
It goes without saying that anytime you are working out or sweating, you need to rehydrate. Some people may opt for sugary or energy drinks, but I strictly stick to water. I feel that water always quenches my thirst better, especially when it is really hot out. Always make sure to pack enough. Whatever you were planning on bringing, double it. I love my simple REI water bottles but a camelback or water bladder works great as well.
As far as food goes, you would think this only ever applies to longer hikes, but you never know where the trail will take you. It is always a good idea to have something in your bag to help refuel and energize. I always carry a banana or apple in my bag and snacks like a Kind Bar or goldfish crackers. You may not realize how much energy you are expending, and after a few hours in, you may start to hear the hunger growls.
9. ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE YOUR LOCATION
If you are hiking alone, always tell someone precisely where you will be hiking and how long you plan on being gone. Just in case your phone dies or something happens to you, you want to know that back up that will come looking. Ideally, if you are doing a longer and more desolate hike, you can track the hiking route on your phone. Now you can send screenshot pictures to your emergency contact every so often. Doing so will always keep someone updated on your location.
10. Choose Your Trails Wisely
If you are not comfortable hiking solo, make sure you research the trail ahead of time. You can always pick a high traffic trail if you are not comfortable hiking alone. The same goes for the type of trail you are hiking. If you know you cannot push yourself, then opt for an accessible route. On the other hand, if you feel confident enough, try for a moderate or challenging hiking trail and take precautions.
11. Trust Your Gut and Your Body
Especially when hiking alone, I would say that this is the number one rule to follow. If you start the trail and something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to hop off and go somewhere else for the day. If you get a few miles in and realize there is no one else on the trail, feel free to turn around. If it is too hot out and you are just exhausted after the first mile, listen to your body rather than fighting it. Knowing your body’s limits and trusting your instincts are both invaluable resources when you are hiking by yourself.
This is not an exhaustive list of everything you would want to bring with you on a day-hike, but it is a good start. If you plan for an all-day or multiple-day hike, there are always more things you will want to consider, such as appropriate clothing, shelter, a knife or multi-tool, etc. But following a simple checklist such as this before you go out on an adventure will help to keep you safe and prepared.