UP the Hill not over it

Going for a walk in the neighborhood requires a good pair of athletic shoes and maybe your phone. But when you are going into the woods I would suggest a little more preparation. There are many stories of people going on a day hike and getting caught out in a sudden storm, or in darkness because they were either slower than planned or took a wrong turn. Don’t be that person.

There are a few things that will make your hiking much more comfortable:

1. Hiking Shoes Note I did not say boots, they are heavy and not comfortable at all. There are so many good hiking shoes, often called trail runners, that will be perfect for almost all hikes. I personally like the La Sportiva brand of hiking shoes, but there are lots of good choices. Try some on and get ones that are comfortable, not heavy and do not rub your foot anywhere.
2. Hiking Poles I use my poles all the time. They provide extra stability and can lower the stress on the feet, legs and knees by taking the weight onto your poles through your arms. Thus you are hiking with your whole body. They also help keep your fingers from looking like sausages when it is hot and humid!
3. Day Pack with hydration bladder You can carry a water bottle and take a drink every time you stop but you will drink less water overall on the hike. The hydration bladder allows you to take a drink while stopped or walking because the tube is right there to be drunk from. The trick to keeping them clean is to put them in the freezer between uses.

There are 10 essentials that you should always have with you while hiking. I will be honest, I do not carry all of these if I am just going for a day hike but I do have all of them in my backpack for over night or longer trips.

10 Essentials

1. First Aide Kit – I always have this with me. It does not have to be fancy but always have a few band aides, gauze and antiseptic wipes. You are not doing emergency surgery out here but you want to be able to stop the bleeding if you fall. Add a tick remover tool to your kit.
2. Headlamp or flashlight- this is a very light weight item and if it gets dark you will be so very happy to have it. Tip- check your batteries before you go!
3. Hydration – I do not care how short your hike is, always take water with you. I recommend a hydration bladder.
4. Food- Regardless of how short my hike is, I always carry a protein bar with me. In fact there are some that have lived in my pack for quite a while but eventually they were eaten. If you are going to be out hiking over lunch, take a good old fashion PB&J sandwich with you. You will thank me when you are not “hangry” at the end. Seriously, protein is very important for hiking. Hungry, tired and thirsty can lead to poor decision making and get you into trouble on the trail.
5. Body Insulation – otherwise known as a jacket, hat, gloves, etc. If there is any chance that the temps could drop or it could rain/snow (that is, everyday in Central PA), then shove a windbreaker, extra sweatshirt, or rain jacket into your pack. Worst case is you carry it all day.
6. Map and Phone– In our house I always have the paper map and my husband always has the downloaded trail on his phone. The navigation apps are great unless you don’t have cell service or you are going somewhere that is not well traveled. We have been on hikes that the online apps do not have available because no one has recorded their hike or commented on it. I love paper maps! I have a big basket of them that I pour over to plan out hikes. There will be a future blog on maps for sure. Bottom line- do not count on trail markers to always be there. Know where you are going.

The first six essentials I always take with me no matter the length of the hike. The next four are things I add given the length and where I am hiking.

7. Sun Protection/Hat – good to have if you are hiking where the sun is shining and there are no trees. Very rare combination in Central PA but in Death Valley it was vital to have both.

8. Fire Starter -matches and a fire starter. Before you hike, it is important to know what the fire regulations are in the area you are hiking.

9. Repair Kit- multipurpose tool and duct tape, if you know how to use them.

10. Emergency Shelter– this can be anything from a tent, tarp or space blanket. We have an emergency mylar blanket. They are very light weight and are only a couple of bucks.

Aside from the ten essentials, if you are hiking in PA, or anywhere on the east coast, tick spray is the most important item to have. There are different kinds, from the Permethrin that you spray on your clothes to ones made with essential oils that are safe for humans and dogs. Always check yourself and dogs for ticks after every hike.