Know the 10 Essentials of Hiking (an overview)

Background Info About the 10 Essentials of Hiking

If you are new to hiking you may not have heard about the 10 essentials but the list has been around since the 1930’s. The list was created by The Mountaineers, which is an organization for climbers and outdoor adventurers. Originally, it was a list of 10 essential basic items that help aid with safety and survival in the wilderness. Over time, the list has become more of a systems approach instead of a specific list.

Why do I need the to know the 10 Essentials of Hiking?

Before setting out on the trail it is important to keep this list in mind. Remember the 10 essentials of hiking whether you are preparing for a day hike, an overnight camp or a multi-day backpacking trip. Keeping in mind the 10 essentials of hiking will help you to prepare for the unexpected. Carrying the 10 essentials is not a “cure all” for every emergency that could happen in the wilderness. However, it can help prevent a situation from becoming overly serious.

How much you pack for each of these “systems” will depend on many factors. Some of the factors are the complexity of your hike, who you are hiking with, and the duration of your hike.

True Story

Years ago I was backpacking in a remote and unfamiliar area of the George Washington National Forest. I had brought what I thought was everything that I needed for my trip. Some of the items included a charger and cable for my cell phone. When I started out on the trail, my phone was not fully charged. I thought it would not matter because I had brought a charger and cable in my pack. My thinking was that I just had to make it through the day’s hike and then in the evening once I got settled into camp I could charge my phone.

When I reached into my pack and pulled out the charger and cable I realized that I grabbed the wrong cable. Navigating with my phone the next day was no longer an option (my phone was less than 20% at this point). I needed to come up with an alternate plan because I was pretty sure that my phone would lose power completely somewhere along the way out.

Luckily, I knew about the 10 essentials of Hiking (at least on a surface level), had taken the time to print a paper copy of the map and I had brought my compass. I jotted down some notes on the back of the map, shut my off my phone to save battery and enjoyed my evening.

The next day, my phone did go completely dead but I had other tools in place to prevent getting lost. I was so grateful for my papermap- I had planned a circuit and there were several trail changes along the way. There is no way that I could have completed the trip safely if I had not understood the basics of map reading. While just knowing the 10 essentials is not a panacea for every situation but if you take them into consideration on your travels they can prevent a misstep from becoming a true emergency.

What are the 10 Essentials of Hiking?

The 10 essentials have become a list of 10 systems that should be considered before setting out into the wilderness. This list is just the very basics to consider before heading out on the trail. You can do a much deeper dive on each “system”. These essentials are important for your safety. You should know them when you hike by yourself and when you are hiking with others.

Navigation, know the basics of reading a map and how to read the terrain.
Illumination, save your phone battery and carry a headlamp (this is also hands-free)
Sun Protection, a hat, sunglasses and sunblock can provide much needed protection
First Aid, take the time to know the basics!
Repair Kit & Tools, a small knife can come in handy for a variety of uses
Fire, waterproof matches and some basic know-how are a must!
Shelter, an emergency blanket and the knowledge of how to make a survival shelter
Nutrition, a little extra doesn’t weigh much but can give added nourishment
Hydration, generally I carry a little extra water along with some powdered hydration packs (just in case)
Insulation, weather in the backcountry can change quickly- think in layers

Factors to Consider:

The extent that you implement the systems depends on many factors. It is important to think through your hike before setting out. Asking yourself questions about your hike before setting out can give you peace of mine and help keep you safe.

Some Questions to ask yourself before heading out:

How long and how far will you be hiking?

Will a light jacket be enough insulation or do I need to pack a base layer too?

Are you hiking alone or with others? Will just a band aid suffice or should I consider bringing a larger first aid kit?

Do you know what the weather will be? Do you want to pack a wool hat because it’s windy and snowy at the summit? Maybe you should just bring a baseball cap to keep the sun off of you face?

Is your Hike Complicated? Should I bring water shoes because there is a river crossing ? Maybe you will bring a change of socks do it in case you slip on a rock?

How difficult is the hike? Are you bringing an apple and a nutrition bar? Maybe it would it be better to pack a full meal plus some snacks? The more difficult your hike, the more nutrition you will need to bring.

How to Remember the 10 Essentials of Hiking:

Here is a fun limerick on the Mountaineers website. The words in bold are the 10 essentials. Thank you to The Mountaineers for sharing your knowledge. Thank you Steve McClure for giving us a fun way to remember the 10 essentials.

The Mountaineers Ten Essentials Limerick

By Steve McClure

To navigate, head for the sun

With first aid and knife on the run

Bring fire and shelter

Extra food is a helper

But water and clothes weigh a ton

Final Note:

While it may seem complicated to consider all of the 10 essentials when just starting out on the trail, it does become second nature the more you hike and backpack. Just like anything, you build your skills one step at a time until you find yourself at a beautiful view (which of course will make you want to find the next beautiful view).