Ten Essentials for Camping or Hiking – Never Leave Home Without Them

Ten Essentials

My son is a Cub Scout.  They have regularly planned outdoor activities.  Anytime they go hiking or camping they must bring their “6 Essentials.”

Similarly, whenever you go outdoors for a hike or a camping trip, you need to make sure to take you “10 Essentials.”

What are the Ten Essentials?  I’m glad you asked.

• Navigation
• Light Source
• Sun Protection
• First Aid
• Cutting Tool
• Fire
• Shelter
• Extra Food
• Extra Water
• Extra Clothes

These are the categories of items you need to have on you anytime you venture outdoors.  Keep reading for a description of each category and some of our recommended items.

The exact items you take will depend on your comfort level and what you are doing.  My 10 essentials will differ when I camp in Yellowstone or when I backpack the AT.

Navigation

Your outdoor adventure could be a hike for a few hours, a weekend camping trip, or a multiple day long backpacking adventure. 

No matter which, you need to know how to get there and how to find your way back home, especially if you are prone to taking spontaneous side trips.

Most of us will depend on our cell phone to show us where to go and how to get home. 

What happens when there is no signal or the battery dies?

GPS

A GPS device is an excellent way to find your way.  These come in two flavors: a standalone device and an app on your smartphone.

Standalone devices are waterproof and almost indestructible.  They also have a longer battery life.  They are great for longer trips where you cannot easily recharge a device.

The biggest drawback to either of these methods is they are entirely dependent on batteries.  When the batteries die, they become useless and a dead weight.

Map & Compass

This is where an old-fashioned map and compass beats out technology.  You do not have to worry about conserving battery power.  They are also much lighter than any device, weighing in at just a few ounces.

We highly recommend carrying a compass and map even if you will rely primarily on a GPS device.

Pick up a map of the area from a reputable company that specializes in backpacking/camping maps.  These will show well-used trails, smaller trails, water sources, campsites, etc. 

Open the map and plan your trip in advance before you leave home.  Draw lines directly on the map showing your planned routes and emergency escape routes.  Pro tip: make a copy and leave it with someone in case the worst happens.

One advantage of a map is the 30,000-foot view.  You can see the entire area you are traveling in easily without having to find it on a tiny screen.

The compass needs to be an actual compass and not the app on your phone.  Learn how to use the compass to navigate before you leave.  Take a course or learn from someone with experience.

Personal Locator Beacon

We want to mention a personal locator beacon. This is not an essential and they are certainly not cheap.  However, these are really great if you can afford one.  If you get lost or hurt, you activate the beacon and it sends out your location to your contacts. 

This helps first responders find you quickly and can mean the difference between life and death. 

Light Source

You should have this if you are camping or backpacking. 

It is important to take a light source along even on short day trips in case something happens.

You can take a flashlight or a headlamp.  They are both great sources of light.  I usually have both. 

We recommend a headlamp for several reasons.  They keep both of your hands free to hike, climb, or carry things.  It is difficult to cut and carry firewood or to cook when you have to hold a flashlight in one of your hands. 

Headlamps do require batteries.  Be sure to pack some spares.

When picking a headlamp look for one that can tilt up and down to aim the light where you need it.  You also want one that is waterproof and impact resistant.

Sun Protection

It is important to protect yourself from the sun and dangerous UV rays.  Exposure to the sun can lead to sunburns and snow blindness.  Prolonged exposure can lead to wrinkles and cancer.

Sunglasses

Keep a pair of sunglasses with you.  Even on days when it is not sunny, throw a pair in your bag to have them when they are needed.  Weather conditions can change rapidly.

Not only do they prevent the sun from damaging your eyes, they make it easier to see on bright days and on snowy hillsides.

Clothing

At a minimum take a cap with a brim.  This will keep the sun out of your eyes.  Clothing is a great way to block UV rays.  Even lightweight fabrics come with UV protection.  Take a lightweight jacket to help protect exposed skin.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is essential.  Pick a formula that offers an SPF of 30 and blocks both UVA & UVB rays.  Apply generously and reapply every 3-4 hours.  Depending on weather conditions, time of day, how much you sweat you might need to reapply it more often.

First Aid

It is vital to have a first aid kit on you when you are involved in outdoor activities.  What is in your kit will be determined by what you are doing and where you are. 

On a day hike, you will need to have bandages, ointment, and moleskins.

On an extended camping trip in the backcountry, you will want to have significantly more.  

Camping in a National Forest near emergency services, you will need less items.

It is easy to find commercially sold first aid kits tailored to your planned activities.  We recommend buying a premade kit and modifying it to meet your specific needs.  Consider where you are going and what you plan to do when adding or subtracting items from your kit.

It should go without saying, but we will say it anyway.  You need to know how to use all the items in your kit.  What good is it to have a splint, if you do not know how to use it?

Learn how to use everything in your kit.  We highly recommend you take a wilderness first aid course either in person or online. 

Here are some items you might want to take with you.  Remember only take what you need.

• Bandages
• Gauze pads
• Medical tape
• Antiseptic ointment
• Mole Skins
• Ace bandage
• Nitrile gloves
• Tweezers
• A small pair of scissors
• A needle
• OTC Painkillers
• Anti-diarrheal pills
• Antihistamines
• Insect repellant
• Insect bite treatment
• Extra of personal prescriptions
• Epi pen

Cutting Tools

The right tools will help in any survival situation.  It is impossible to take every tool you might need, there are a few tools that are necessary to have.  A cutting tool is a must have. 

There are different varieties of cutting tools: knives, axes, hatchets, and multitools.

Depending on where you are headed, some of these don’t make sense.  For example, you don’t need an axe on a 3-hour day hike.  You would want to throw a fixed blade knife in you pack in case you get lost need to cut firewood.

Knives

I knife is the basic tool you must have.  This can be a folding knife, fixed blade knife, or a multi-tool. 

A folding knife works great for most things, but it is hard to cut firewood or defend yourself with a small folding knife.  Take a larger fixed blade knife to do these things.

A multi-tool like a Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman is a great tool to have with you in a survival situation.  In addition to a knife, these tools have pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, awls, files, can openers, etc.  These can make your life much easier. 

I usually have all three of these with me.  I keep a Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife in my backpack, a small multi-tool in my first aid kit, a folding pocketknife in my pocket, and a fixed blade knife either in my backpack or in a sheath on my belt.

Axe

On longer trips it makes sense to have a hatchet or a small axe with you.  These can be carried easily by strapping it to your backpack.  On a day trip, this is overkill and a good fixed blade knife is all you need.

Sharpener

It also is a good idea to keep a small sharpener to sharpen dull blades.   

Fire

Fire is a must have in any emergency situation.  It is used to signal to rescuers, to keep warm, to cook, to purify water, and to stay safe. 

This is so important to your survival; you need to take at least two ways to start a fire.

Lighter and Matches

A cheap Bic lighter or a package of matches is a reliable way to start a fire.  This will be all most people will ever need. 

Have you ever tried to start a fire with a wet match or wet lighter?  This is their biggest drawback. They are useless when they get wet.

Grab a lighter and some matches and store them in a waterproof container.

Fire Steel

This is another great way to start a fire.  This is a Ferrocenium rod that produces hot sparks when rubbed with the back of your knife.  These rods are indestructible and keep working even when wet.

Fire Starters

A good fire starter makes starting a fire easier.  There are different kinds of fire starters. 

You can use dried leaves and thin bark you find in the woods.  This works great except after a rain shower.

This is why you should take a fire starter with you.  This could be small pieces of fat wood, dryer lint, Vaseline-soaked cotton balls, or a purchased fire starter.

Pro Tip:  Practice starting a fire with each method and keeping it burning for a long time.  The more you practice the easier it will be in a real survival situation.

Shelter

Most of us think “Tent” when we hear shelter.  A tent is not going to make the 10 essentials list. 

The shelter we need is something small, lightweight, and easy to carry.  The only purpose of this is to protect you from the elements.  This is not for comfort.

This could be a small tarp, a bivy sack, a mylar space blanket, or even a large “contractor style” garbage bag. 

Extra Food

Weather, injuries, or slowing down to smell the roses can extend your trip longer than you planned.  For this reason, it is a good idea to pack enough food for one day longer than your planned excursion.

The best foods to pack are high calorie foods that have a long shelf life and do not require cooking.  Things like jerky, nuts, granola, dried fruit, and energy bars.

Extra Water

Water is essential for survival.  You can live without food for weeks.  You can live without water for just a few days.

The easiest way to make sure you have extra water is to carry it with you.  Water weighs 8 pound a gallon making it impractical to carry enough water for emergency situations.

The best way to prepare is to take enough water for your trip and then take a way to make water drinkable.  There are three common ways to purify water.

Water filters are lightweight and will take all the impurities out of water.  They come as pumps and straws.

Chemical purifiers can be used.  These are tablets that you drop in water to purify it.  The problem with these is they usually make the water taste bad.

Boiling is the final option.  This kills all the harmful bacteria and parasites.  This does require a metal pot or cup.  I prefer to use a stainless steel water bottle for this reason.  I can fill up my bottle and put it directly on the fire.  Try that with a Nalgene bottle.

Extra Clothes

One truth every outdoorsperson learns eventually is that no one can predict the weather.  When hiking and camping, you must be prepared for shifts in the weather.  It can go from dry to rainy or from warm to cold quickly, especially at higher elevations.

Before you leave pay attention to the weather forecast and pack accordingly.  Think of what you will need to survival an extended period outside.  You want to take along a few extra items like mittens, a warm hat, extra socks, long underwear, and a puffy jacket or vest.

Pro Tip: Do not take cotton.  Cotton has a couple of problems.  It will not keep you warm when wet and it takes forever to dry which will leave you cold and wet for a long time.  Wool will keep you warm even when wet and synthetic items are lightweight and will dry quickly.

Repair Kit

Not part of the original ten essentials, but I highly recommend you take one of these along.  Customize the repair kit for what you might need.  Include things like:

• Duct tape
• Sewing kit
• Paracord
• Safety pins
• Tent pole repair kit
• Tent patch kit
• Extra shoelaces

Spending time outdoors with our families and friends is meant to be a fun and enjoyable way to spend our time.  We do not anticipate finding ourselves in a survival situation.  Proper preparation makes the difference between surviving and not. 

Please take the time to understand the dangers you face wherever you go and whatever you decide to do.  Spend a little time preparing and putting together a kit like this.  We hope you never have to use it, but it you do, you will be very grateful.