TrophyHusband 0 #1 July 28, 2006 even on short hikes? what are your essentails? what do yoe never leave behind under any circumstances? and bits of wisdom or lessons learned? for short hikes i usually just take water, a mulitool, and matches. i also alway have my suunto with altimeter and compass. for longer dayhikes i take sunblock, moleskin and bandaids, map and compass, water filter, raingear of some sort, headlamp, and a hat. i will always take my truck key with me. one time after an overnight i came back to my truck to find the battery dead. i have a keypad entry, but there wasn't even enough juice left to unlock the door. fortunately i have taken my keys with me. i had almost left them in the truck to save a little weight and something in my gut said that was a bad idea and for once i listened to my gut. it wasn't long before a woman came down off of the trail. she not only happened to have jumper cables, she was parked right next to me preventing anyone else getting close enough to jump me. if i hadn't been carrying my keys, i never could have gotten into my truck to start it. in addition to taking my keys, also make sure my truck is in good working order and double check all the lights before heading down the trail. today i'm also going to pick up one of those magnetic key boxes to hide a key in case i get serarated from my pack. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaM 0 #2 July 28, 2006 I was wondering that today. We are going mountain biking this weeken. I have added a first aid kit to my essentials. I have scraped my leg and last time my hubby scraped his hand. This time we are taking my son with.... I was thinking jeans might be a good essential! ~ Lisa ~ Do you Rigminder? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PsychoBob 0 #3 July 28, 2006 ***i also alway have my suunto with altimeter and compass. for longer dayhikes i take sunblock, moleskin and bandaids, map and compass, water filter, raingear of some sort, headlamp, and a hat. Quote I have the same items in a daypack I always carry but I also include a space (mylar) blanket, matches, lighter and firestarter (Cottonballs dipped in vaseline make great firestarter, Just put 4-5 in an old film cannister). There's been several hikes that I have come acroos someone that needs help and I've spent several unexpected nights in the woods because of weather. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it."I'm not a gynecologist but I will take a look at it" RB #1295, Smokey Sister #1, HellFish #658, Dirty Sanchez #194, Muff Brothers #3834, POPS #9614, Orfun Foster-Parent?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TrophyHusband 0 #4 July 28, 2006 QuoteI was thinking jeans might be a good essential! i would avoid cotton. although its tough, its nearly worthless when wet and takes forever to dry. a beafed up firt aid kit is good for mountain biking though. chances of getting scraped are pretty high. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites downwardspiral 0 #5 July 28, 2006 1-2 rolls of toilette paper. Your ass will thank you for it. www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites turtlespeed 221 #6 July 28, 2006 10 essentials for a hike. 1 Knife - with bottle opener 2 Bottle full of beer 3 Bottle full of beer 4 Bottle full of beer 5 Bottle full of beer 6 Bottle full of beer 7 Bottle full of beer 8 Map 9 Pillow 10 Asprin for when you wake up.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TrophyHusband 0 #7 July 28, 2006 if you need 2 rolls of toilet paper, maybe hiking isn't for you. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TrophyHusband 0 #8 July 28, 2006 what about an ipod? i've tried hiking with one, but it seems to take away from the hike. i listen to music while driving or exercising to take my mind away from the tedium at hand. while in the woods, i've found that that is exactly where i want to be and i don't want my mind to go anywhere else. the exeption to that is being alone at night. it seems that i'm scared if the boogy man when i'm in the woods alone at night. every sound i hear makes me think that a bear or cougar is coming to eat me. i need music to drown out my thoughts. fortunately this doesn't occurr when i camp with other people. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TrophyHusband 0 #9 July 28, 2006 what the fuck are you going to do with a map? i say you lose the map and add another full bottle of beer. a pillow is another waste. you could replace that with another full bottle of beer and just used the soft-sided cooler you carried the beer in as a pillow. (its very important when beer-hiking that you not let the beer get warm.) you should also forget the aspirin, one more full bottle of beer would be better. since you are only carrying 9 beers, make sure that its good strong beer. 9 bud lites won't get you drunk enough to stay warm through the night, however, if you did bring bud lite, you could exchang the bottle opener of a tenth full bottle of beer since they're twist-top. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AggieDave 6 #10 July 28, 2006 Huh. In a large part of N. America all you really need is some water, knife and lighter/matches. Everything you need to eat is readily available all around you and no, not in the trash left by other hikers.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites turtlespeed 221 #11 July 28, 2006 Quotewhat the fuck are you going to do with a map? i say you lose the map and add another full bottle of beer. a pillow is another waste. you could replace that with another full bottle of beer and just used the soft-sided cooler you carried the beer in as a pillow. (its very important when beer-hiking that you not let the beer get warm.) you should also forget the pillow, one more full bottle of beer would be better. since you are only carrying 9 beers, make sure that its good strong beer. 9 bud lites won't get you drunk enough to stay warm through the night, however, if you did bring bud lite, you could exchang the bottle opener of a tenth full bottle of beer since they're twist-top. It seems you have been beer hiking already . . . Quote a pillow is another waste. you could replace that with another full bottle of beer And then you said . . . Quoteyou should also forget the pillow, one more full bottle of beer would be better. So we have two pillows, or are you seeing double? Bottle opener is required - and I have never seen a 9 beer soft cooler - the pillow is essential as well.I have seen a soft cooler that you could could fit 7, and then one in each hand - just drink them fast .I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites downwardspiral 0 #12 July 28, 2006 Quoteif you need 2 rolls of toilet paper, maybe hiking isn't for you. Well I never go hiking alone. I always bring someone who is smaller and slower than me in case we encounter a bear or mountain lion. www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RoysPlayThing 0 #13 July 28, 2006 Yes...I don't think I would feel comfortable without the essentials... Better to be safe then sorry. 1. Map 2. Compass 3. sunglasses 4. sunscreen & bug repellent 5. Water (snack items for energy) 6. change of clothes 7. Flashlight (with batteries..hehe) 8. First Aid Kit 9. lighter or matches 10. Cell phone Perhaps a lightweight blanket. .. but I'm sure I would forget something. _______________________________________________ My mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Nightingale 0 #14 July 28, 2006 1. pocketknife 2. small first aid kit 3. layer-able clothing 4. flashlight 5. rain poncho 6. water 7. compass and map/field guide (if available) 8. waterproof matches 9. sunglasses and sunscreen 10.food All this stuff fits in my camelback easily. It's silly not to bring stuff that you will need in case you get turned around and lose your way. It's very easy to get lost if you're unfamiliar with the trail (trees look pretty much the same no matter which way you turn) or venture off the trail in search of a bush. I was hiking in Yellowstone with my brother about ten years ago, and we were chatting and not really paying attention to which forks in the trail we were taking, since we didn't have a particular destination in mind. Figuring we were just going for a walk, we didn't bring the trail guide or compass. After a few minutes of panic, we ended up following our noses back to the geyser basin, but most hiking trails don't have convenient sulfur-spewing landmarks. We were stupid, we got lost, and we got lucky. I'm not going to repeat that mistake. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites karenmeal 0 #15 July 28, 2006 I really need to learn to use a compass.. but since I usually have my boyfriend with me on longer hikes he is in charge of navigation stuff. When I go on day hikes it is usually on fairly well established trails. I bring a layer of warm clothes, head-lamp, first-aid kit, more food than I need, water bottle and water purifier (because I love the way mountain water tastes!), matches and bugspray. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites downwardspiral 0 #16 July 28, 2006 GPS units are getting cheaper. A topo map and compass combo are great but hell this is 2006. www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TrophyHusband 0 #17 July 28, 2006 [replyIt seems you have been beer hiking already . . . so it seems. i meant to say aspirin. i edited my post, but maybe it was funnier the original way. i have a soft sided cooler that i think will hold 9 bottles, but i'm going to buy a 12-pack and test that out. i'll get back to you later on that. it only has to hold 8 though as you should be drinking one of the 9. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #4 July 28, 2006 QuoteI was thinking jeans might be a good essential! i would avoid cotton. although its tough, its nearly worthless when wet and takes forever to dry. a beafed up firt aid kit is good for mountain biking though. chances of getting scraped are pretty high. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #5 July 28, 2006 1-2 rolls of toilette paper. Your ass will thank you for it. www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 221 #6 July 28, 2006 10 essentials for a hike. 1 Knife - with bottle opener 2 Bottle full of beer 3 Bottle full of beer 4 Bottle full of beer 5 Bottle full of beer 6 Bottle full of beer 7 Bottle full of beer 8 Map 9 Pillow 10 Asprin for when you wake up.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #7 July 28, 2006 if you need 2 rolls of toilet paper, maybe hiking isn't for you. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #8 July 28, 2006 what about an ipod? i've tried hiking with one, but it seems to take away from the hike. i listen to music while driving or exercising to take my mind away from the tedium at hand. while in the woods, i've found that that is exactly where i want to be and i don't want my mind to go anywhere else. the exeption to that is being alone at night. it seems that i'm scared if the boogy man when i'm in the woods alone at night. every sound i hear makes me think that a bear or cougar is coming to eat me. i need music to drown out my thoughts. fortunately this doesn't occurr when i camp with other people. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #9 July 28, 2006 what the fuck are you going to do with a map? i say you lose the map and add another full bottle of beer. a pillow is another waste. you could replace that with another full bottle of beer and just used the soft-sided cooler you carried the beer in as a pillow. (its very important when beer-hiking that you not let the beer get warm.) you should also forget the aspirin, one more full bottle of beer would be better. since you are only carrying 9 beers, make sure that its good strong beer. 9 bud lites won't get you drunk enough to stay warm through the night, however, if you did bring bud lite, you could exchang the bottle opener of a tenth full bottle of beer since they're twist-top. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #10 July 28, 2006 Huh. In a large part of N. America all you really need is some water, knife and lighter/matches. Everything you need to eat is readily available all around you and no, not in the trash left by other hikers.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 221 #11 July 28, 2006 Quotewhat the fuck are you going to do with a map? i say you lose the map and add another full bottle of beer. a pillow is another waste. you could replace that with another full bottle of beer and just used the soft-sided cooler you carried the beer in as a pillow. (its very important when beer-hiking that you not let the beer get warm.) you should also forget the pillow, one more full bottle of beer would be better. since you are only carrying 9 beers, make sure that its good strong beer. 9 bud lites won't get you drunk enough to stay warm through the night, however, if you did bring bud lite, you could exchang the bottle opener of a tenth full bottle of beer since they're twist-top. It seems you have been beer hiking already . . . Quote a pillow is another waste. you could replace that with another full bottle of beer And then you said . . . Quoteyou should also forget the pillow, one more full bottle of beer would be better. So we have two pillows, or are you seeing double? Bottle opener is required - and I have never seen a 9 beer soft cooler - the pillow is essential as well.I have seen a soft cooler that you could could fit 7, and then one in each hand - just drink them fast .I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #12 July 28, 2006 Quoteif you need 2 rolls of toilet paper, maybe hiking isn't for you. Well I never go hiking alone. I always bring someone who is smaller and slower than me in case we encounter a bear or mountain lion. www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoysPlayThing 0 #13 July 28, 2006 Yes...I don't think I would feel comfortable without the essentials... Better to be safe then sorry. 1. Map 2. Compass 3. sunglasses 4. sunscreen & bug repellent 5. Water (snack items for energy) 6. change of clothes 7. Flashlight (with batteries..hehe) 8. First Aid Kit 9. lighter or matches 10. Cell phone Perhaps a lightweight blanket. .. but I'm sure I would forget something. _______________________________________________ My mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #14 July 28, 2006 1. pocketknife 2. small first aid kit 3. layer-able clothing 4. flashlight 5. rain poncho 6. water 7. compass and map/field guide (if available) 8. waterproof matches 9. sunglasses and sunscreen 10.food All this stuff fits in my camelback easily. It's silly not to bring stuff that you will need in case you get turned around and lose your way. It's very easy to get lost if you're unfamiliar with the trail (trees look pretty much the same no matter which way you turn) or venture off the trail in search of a bush. I was hiking in Yellowstone with my brother about ten years ago, and we were chatting and not really paying attention to which forks in the trail we were taking, since we didn't have a particular destination in mind. Figuring we were just going for a walk, we didn't bring the trail guide or compass. After a few minutes of panic, we ended up following our noses back to the geyser basin, but most hiking trails don't have convenient sulfur-spewing landmarks. We were stupid, we got lost, and we got lucky. I'm not going to repeat that mistake. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #15 July 28, 2006 I really need to learn to use a compass.. but since I usually have my boyfriend with me on longer hikes he is in charge of navigation stuff. When I go on day hikes it is usually on fairly well established trails. I bring a layer of warm clothes, head-lamp, first-aid kit, more food than I need, water bottle and water purifier (because I love the way mountain water tastes!), matches and bugspray. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #16 July 28, 2006 GPS units are getting cheaper. A topo map and compass combo are great but hell this is 2006. www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #17 July 28, 2006 [replyIt seems you have been beer hiking already . . . so it seems. i meant to say aspirin. i edited my post, but maybe it was funnier the original way. i have a soft sided cooler that i think will hold 9 bottles, but i'm going to buy a 12-pack and test that out. i'll get back to you later on that. it only has to hold 8 though as you should be drinking one of the 9. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #18 July 28, 2006 QuoteGPS units are getting cheaper. A topo map and compass combo are great but hell this is 2006. There are some places that the GPS won't get a reading. Hence it's good to know how to use a compass and map. Edit to add my list: Ten Essentials 1. Map 2. Compass 3. Flashlight/headlamp (be sure to have an extra set of batteries that fit your flashlight/headlamp) 4. Extra food (enough for one extra day) 5. Water pump 6. Rain gear ( jacket and pants-always carry rain gear even if the sun is out) 7. First aid supplies (space blanket is part of this) 8. Pocket knife 9. Matches (stored in a water tight container in addition to matches or a butane lighter) 10. Fire starter (Toilet Paper) "In case of emergency" card (list name and number to call in an emergency, medications, medical conditions and whether or not you are a contact lenses wearer). You may want to pack your driver's license and insurance card in a plastic bag for protection.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #19 July 28, 2006 i used to bring a cell phone, but i never get reception anywhere i go, so i leave ti in the truck to save some weight. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #20 July 28, 2006 i don't want to get a gps until i'm proficiant with a map and compass. i'm working on it, but i want to be very comfortable navigating the old fashioned way. i also want to teach my boys to use a map and compass as well as the sun, moon, and stars eventually. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #21 July 28, 2006 I never leave home w/out my bag---equpped with all my "essentials" in any emergency. 1. Bandaids 2. Pharmaceuticals/Vitamins 3. Nail clipper/filer 4. Pepper Spray 5. Toothpicks 6. Floss/Mini Toothbrush 7. Mini Sunblock 8. Hair band 9. Lighter (I don't smoke, just like to carry one--you never know) 10. Trail mix/wasabi peas (I get hungry) 11. Wallett, of course 12. Burt's Bees travelers (which includes chapstick with SFF for my pucker) 13. Concealer stick 14. Girlie stick 15. Mini lint roller 16. Antibacterial gel 17. Mini flashlight 18. Sunglasses 19. Blotting papers 20. Water... Um, what else.... It seems after reading the "hiking" essentials, all I need is to throw in a compass and I'm good to go. Even better, if Billy's with me, and he usually is, then he always wears the Sunto watch I bought him and that has a compass, altimeter, and all that other stuff.Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #22 July 28, 2006 McDonalds Happy Meal voucher (go Large) (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #23 July 28, 2006 Quote19. Blotting Rolling papers 'cause ya never know. You may want to have a "safety meeting" when you get on top of the mountain. (and what is a "girlie stick" anyway?) Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #24 July 28, 2006 You know exactly what I meant. Ya'll might laugh, but you'll be asking to borrow something on our hike. Just wait! Everything's mini, though, so not enough to go around too many times...we'll have to push a few off the trail if we're gone too long.Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #25 July 28, 2006 Quote[TrophyHusband] i will always take my truck key with me. Yes! Shave ounces where you can. You don't need the whole key chain, just the truck key. Leave the other keys in the truck, and tie the truck key inside your pack where it absolutely will not get lost. Or hide it under a rock nearby the parking area. Quote[TrophyHusband] i would avoid cotton. although its tough, its nearly worthless when wet and takes forever to dry. Cotton depends upon the environment and weather in which you are hiking. In the hot desert, cotton is a great thing. It sops up your sweat, stays damp, and cools you as it evaporates. In cold weather, however, cotton is a bad thing. Those same qualities can give you hypothermia. Quote[TrophyHusband] what about an ipod? Blasphemy! I go into the wilderness to get away from modern life, not to take it with me. But to each his own. I prefer only the sounds of nature. I detest those groups who use a campground like a party location, with loud music. I want to hear the coyotes yapping, while watching for shooting stars in a still night. Quote[Aggiedave] Everything you need to eat is readily available all around you MRE's are much easier to catch and serve. Quote[Nightingale]I was hiking in Yellowstone with my brother about ten years ago, and we were chatting and not really paying attention to which forks in the trail we were taking I use my walking stick and scratch a line in the dirt to mark which way I went. Or line up three rocks. Or something. That way on your return hike out, you'll know for sure which way to go to retrace your steps. Quote[flyangel2] There are some places that the GPS won't get a reading. Hence it's good to know how to use a compass and map. Absolutely, like heavy tree cover or down inside a canyon. Map reading is essential for a long hike. Quote[flyangel2] "In case of emergency" card (list name and number to call in an emergency, medications, medical conditions and whether or not you are a contact lenses wearer). You may want to pack your driver's license and insurance card in a plastic bag for protection. Excellent suggestion. I have a "dog tag" on the outside of my pack, with name, address and blood type for quick ID. In flat black, so I don't reflect light around and scare off critters I want to see. Inside my pack is a laminated card with emergency contact info. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
