Backcountry safety · Day hike pack list
Day hike pack list
The contents of your pack for a one-day hike will vary from season to season. Key recommended items include:
- Flashlight or Headlamp
- Whistle
- Space Blanket
- Three Large Trash Bags
- Sunglasses, Sunscreen, and Large Brimmed Hat
- Matches, Lighter or Fire Starter (in waterproof container)
- Water enough for more than your hike – 1 liter per hour of the hike
- Food enough for more than your hike
- Rain Gear in Summer – Adding a Fleece in Winter
- Map of the Area you are Hiking (don’t rely on a GPS)
- Compass (even if you use a GPS)
- Toilet Paper + Plastic Bag (to pack it out)
First aid kit, in a zip lock bag
- Blister Care (mole skin or second skin)
- Duct Tape
- Band-Aids
- 4 Inch Dressings
- Tape
- Safety Pins
- Personal Medication
- Ace Bandage
In addition to what’s in your pack, make sure your base layer is wicking, not cotton. Consider fleece gloves, fleece hat and extra socks. Hiking poles can take a lot of pressure off your knees.
A cell phone is nice to have, but remember that large parts of the back country have no cell phone service.
Go over your route with the entire party – AND DON’T SEPARATE!
Above all, let someone else know where you are going and what time you will return – with instructions to dial 911 if you are over due.