What to Pack?

What to Pack?

Planning to go to explore mountains or trail walking is it in winter or summer you need to be well prepare for the day to enjoy not to suffer. Hiking is usually a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. "Hiking" is the preferred term in many countries the term "walking" is used in these regions for shorter, particularly urban walks. There is always dilemma What to pack or what to bring, what you exactly need for hiking. To be honest it totally depends on activity you are doing on the day, list of your needs will be varied as per your trek and weather but I am going to give you the list you can choose from.

While you’re packing, use this handy day hiking checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important. First of all, short list ten essentials items that you exactly need depending type of your trip. The exact items you take can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance.

Items you are taking with you depend on the day of hikes if it is in the backcountry where being self-sufficient is important to your well-being. It includes many more items than you’re likely to need for short treks in or near developed areas, like city parks, though you can adapt it to your needs for these trips.

If you’re planning on spending a day out on the trails, it’s important to bring all the hiking essentials to keep you comfortable and safe depending on the distance and time you’ll take. This hiking gear list aims to put forward a solid base for those planning a day hike of around five to ten hours – either a hill or mountain ascent or trek.

You can change your items as per situations and conditions you will come across. Be sure to check weather forecasts, conditions in winter avalanche reports etc. beforehand and consider whether you need to add or remove items to reflect that or either you should be going or not to explore. Your back pack weight is also a major consideration as you’ll be carrying all of this hiking gear for hours at a stretch, always consider things better to have and not need than need and not have.

SINGLE DAY HIKES list

• Spending money • Rucksack • GPS & Paper Maps • Walking boots (ankle high) or approach shoes • Water bottles – 2 litres • Snacks • Packed lunch • Torch (head torches are best) • Camera & memory card • Mobile phone and power bank • Spare batteries for camera/torch and any other device • Waterproof Jacket and trousers • Fleece • Warm jumper • Warm hat or balaclava that can be rolled up into a hat • Gloves • Hiking trousers • Sunglasses • Sun hat /peaked hats/bandanas • • Toilet paper • Sun block • Any medication that you require.

WINTER TIME ADD: • Warm base layer (top and bottom) • 2 pairs of gloves • Spare warm hat • Hiking boots appropriate for the weather • Down jacket • Balaclava • Ski goggles or sunglasses • Vacum Flask for hot drinks • Big packed lunch full of high energy and high-fat foods • Crampon • Ice axe • Snow shovel • Hand warmers)

MULTIPLE DAY CAMPING HIKES

Keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your rucksack while hiking should be no more than 10kg. Remember in addition to this weight, you will also be need a tent, cooking equipment and food to carry.

• Spending money • GPS & Paper Maps • 1 large rucksack (65-80 litres) • Good, sturdy waterproof hiking boots. • Waterproof rucksack liner/strong bin liner • Small plastic bags for soiled clothes • Sleeping bag • Sleeping mat • Water bottle – 1 litre • Small freezer bags rubbish collection • Torch (head torches are best) • Camera /memory card • Spare batteries for camera/torch and any other device • Alarm clock, watch • Whistle • Hiking socks, 2 pairs • Underwear if long walk try compressor shorts • Waterproof jacket and trousers • Fleece • Warm hat or balaclava • Gloves • Hiking trousers • Sunglasses • Sun hat /peaked hats/bandanas • Wash kit • Biodegradable soap • Feminine hygiene products, for the duration of the trip • Toilet paper • Sunblock • Any medication that you require.

TEN ESSENTIALS: THE CLASSIC LIST: Map, Compass, Sunglasses and sunscreen, Extra clothing, Headlamp or flashlight, First-aid supplies, Firestarter, Matches, Knife, Extra food & drink


CONSIDER SIZE

BACKPACK

Backpack should be a back pack not holdall, a clutch bag won’t serve much purpose, so take a reasonable sized rucksack or backpack depending on items you have with you. Keep in mid you are going to carry it on your shoulder all day so need to be comfortable weight.

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APPROPRIATE AS PER WEATHER

CLOTHING

Keep in mind you are going to explore not to a dress party, carefully choose clothing depending on weather if rain waterproof and in winter breathable layers. Fleece or hoodie for temperature drops or strong wind. Hats, gloves, neck warmers and sunglasses are always wise choices!

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DON'T GET LOST

PORTABLE CHARGER

To avoid any kind of disaster and take a portable phone charger for your phone or extra batteries for your gps with you so you don’t fall completely off the grid or your phone had no power, should you need some assistance in case of any emergency.

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PROTECT YOUR SKIN

SUN SCREEN

Keep in mind even non-sunny yet bright days you can get sunburnt especially chance increases dramatically when at high altitudes so anyone hiking should lather on some SPF – don’t forget your face! – even on a winter’s day as a precaution. Sunscreen, also known as sunblock, available in lotion, spray, gel, foam, stick or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

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BEWARE OF TINY BEASTS

INSECT REPELLANT

Midges, midges, midges! Every one hate them, nobody likes being pestered by bugs all day long so plan ahead and have some insect repellent spray so that they stay far away from you. You’ll be a free meal for their miniature sharp jaws if you foolishly venture out in ‘midge weather’ without your insect repellent. There is no way you wont come across them in Scotland specially during summer walks and hikes.

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DON'S STAY IN DARK

TORCH

Although may be your mobile phone probably has a torch. And you are most likely planning to hike in the daylight. However, you can never be too safe when out on trails so taking a torch is worthwhile. Specially in winter in UK days are extremely short and sun sets very early so there might be a chance you have to walk in dark so safer than sorry try to keep a torch or head torch with batteries within your backpack.

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STAY SAFE

EMERGENCY KIT

An emergency kit is very important not only if you need it but also for peace of mind. It should have a foil blanket in it which is super lightweight and small to carry. For some heat and protection in the cold, it’s a must-have!

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STAY ENERGATIC

WATER & ENERGY DRINKS

You need to be hydrated all day long so take at least 2 litres spread between water bottles to keep hydrated, to keep your sugar levels up having a bottle of energy juice will perk you up when you start running low.

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KEEP WARM ENJOY YOUR BREAK

VACUUM FLASK

Summer or winter it’s always a good idea to bring a vacuum flask of tea or coffee for a nice hot drink when you take a rest stop. Or you can even take soup! Please make sure how long your flask can keep your drink hot.

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BOOST YOUR ENERGY

LUNCH BOX & SNACKS

It is recommended you take some other foods as well, especially some carbohydrates to provide energy. Dates, protein bars are brilliant and easy on-the-go snacks to keep your energy levels up and are usually low calorie nowadays.

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STAY BALANCED

TREKKING POLE

Trekking poles are another quite important item even you are first-time hiker or people with past injuries (I.e. knee injuries) often take trekking poles to assist their walking. It will help you to keep your balance and grip when unsteady.

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JUST IN CASE

DUCT TAPE

Duct tape an other item ridiculously sound like not an essential item but to be honest it is, can be used to patch up tents, bags, jackets, boots, a temporary fix many items. For heavy duty work, a few strips of tape can restore your trekking pole.

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LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT

WASTE BAG

Please keep waste bag with you and leave your footprint outdoor, never leave your litter behind! Be sensible and take your rubbish with you back down. Take care of the planet and environment.

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DON'T WANT TO SAY OOPS

WET WIPES

Wet wipes always handy whether it is nature call or you fall and dirty your hands, want to wipe your hands clean before and after eating, wet wipes will have your back.

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CLEAN HAND SAFE HANDS

HAND SANITISER

Hand sanitiser is an absolute must! Wipes can get dirt off your hands but hand sanitiser is what will actually refresh them and kill bacteria, so you’ll want to have plenty of this handy.

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