3.For a Hike or Day Trip
- Trail mix.
- Nuts, seeds, nut-based bars or nut butter packs.
- Fresh, whole fruit that doesn't require refrigeration such as apples, bananas and oranges.
- Dried or freeze-dried fruits and veggies.
- Energy bars, chews or gels.
- Granola or granola bars.
- Ready-made tuna salad pouches.
- Whole-grain tortillas.
Crackers and cheese, tuna and chicken in foil packets, tortillas, pita bread or bagels, and peanut butter, nut butters and other spreadable items are popular lunch options.
Thru-hiking a trail is a long and difficult journey: an AT thru-hike, for example, takes five months on average, covering 2,189.2 miles (3,523.2 km). A PCT or CDT thru-hike also entails several months of planning in order to prepare gear and re-supply points. These two trails also take 4–6 months to complete.
Eat a combination of complex carbohydrates and lean protein, 1-3 hours before a hike, for example:
- A peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat bread.
- Greek yogurt with berries.
- Oatmeal with low fat milk and fruit.
- Apple and peanut butter.
- A handful of nuts and raisins (2 parts raisins, 1 part nuts)
During the day, keep all your food secured in your cooler or car, even if you're sitting nearby or on a short jaunt to the outhouse, and especially if you're away on a hike. At night, place any loose food, plus a cooler if you have one, inside your vehicle or into a metal bear box if there is one.
Training for a Day Hike
- Take yourself out for a walk two or three times during the week. Make sure to move briskly enough to get your heart rate up, and then keep it up for at least 30 minutes.
- Be sure to wear the same shoes that you'll be wearing on your hike.
- Carry a lightly-weighted daypack on your weekday walks.
Pre-mix your meals e.g. put your muesli, powdered milk, and dried fruit together- and label each bag carefully with the day number, meal, and even what's in it (you'd be surprised at how similar food can look in low light conditions) so you know exactly what it is, and when you're going to eat it.
Each essential is discussed in more detail below, as published in Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, 9th Edition.
- NAVIGATION. Modern tools have revolutionized backcountry navigation.
- HEADLAMP.
- SUN PROTECTION.
- FIRST AID.
- KNIFE.
- FIRE.
- SHELTER.
- EXTRA FOOD.
To help you pack light, here is a list of things you should consider not packing for a trip.
- Jewelry and Valuables.
- Heavy Zoom Lenses For Your Camera.
- Extra Toiletries.
- Too Many Cotton Clothes.
- More Than One Pair of Jeans.
- Those Nice Shoes.
- Hiking Boots.
- More Than One Heavy Jacket.
What to Bring Backpacking
- Hiking boots or shoes.
- Backpack.
- Tent.
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
- Stove and fuel.
- Kitchen supplies.
- Plenty of food.
- Water bottles and water-treatment supplies.
A loaded backpacking pack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight. (If you weigh 150 pounds, your pack should not exceed 30 pounds for backpacking.) A loaded day hiking pack should not weigh more than about 10 percent of your body weight.
Extended trips of 5 days or more usually call for packs of 70 liters or larger. These are also usually the preferred choice for: Winter treks lasting more than 1 night. Larger packs can more comfortably accommodate extra clothing, a warmer sleeping bag and a 4-season tent (which typically includes extra poles).
The tent can be packed adjacent to the sleeping bag or as close as possible to the middle. Placing the tent in the middle of your backpack will help ensure that the weight of your backpack does not cause too much strain on your back. You should also consider the angle of your packing.
What to Bring Day Hiking
- Hiking backpack.
- Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
- Hiking boots or shoes.
- Plenty of food.
- Plenty of water.
- Navigation tools such as a map and compass.
- First-aid kit.
- Knife or multi-tool.
A standard recommendation is to bring two options, a lightweight fleece top or jacket, and a lightweight puffy jacket that compresses well to fit in your daypack. Adjust as needed for your specific trip. Fleece jacket: On colder days, you can wear it while hiking.
TREKKING CHECKLISTFleece or wool trousers/pants. Trekking/Hiking boots with spare laces. Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4) Footwear for around camp, eg running shoes and/or sandals.
Clothing to keep you warm
- A beanie.
- Long thermal pants or underwear (keep in mind you will want to dress in layers, so you can shed a layer when it gets too hot)
- Waterproof pants.
- Hand and foot warmers.
- A scarf or balaclava.
- Mittens and gloves (pack at least two pairs in case one pair gets wet)
- Fleece pants.
- Down jacket.
Trekking Essentials - A complete list
- TREKKING GEAR. Ruck sack bag with rain cover.
- FOOTWEAR. Non-skid, deep treaded, high-ankle trekking shoes Qty -1.
- CLOTHING. Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants.
- TOILETRIES. Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
10 Day Hike Essentials
- Water. Two water bottles are not enough for an 8-mile round trip hike.
- Snacks. Peaches and trails are my favorite combo.
- Convertible Pants. Friends often say I have the goofiest looking pants of the group.
- Backpack.
- Trail-ready Boots and Shoes.
- Fully Charged Phone.
- Clothing.
- Sunscreen.
