10 essentials you should always have in your backpack
Colorado summers are as beautiful as they are volatile. Before you head into the high country for a hike this season, check your backpack. A well-packed bag can be the difference between a great day in the mountains and altitude sickness or — worst-case scenario — a rescue.
According to a report based on National Park Service data, the most common contributing factors to search-and-rescue incidents are making an error in judgement; fatigue and physical conditions; and insufficient equipment, clothing and experience. Many of these factors can be avoided by packing (and then acting) smarter for a day in the wilderness.
This list is based on recommendations by the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the 10 essentials adopted by the American Hiking Society and other groups, as well as some Coloradospecific advice.
“The 10 essentials is a good place to start, and the list varies depending on the organization and the people,” said Jeff Golden, marketing manager for Colorado Mountain Club and an experienced mountaineer.
Here are 10 things you must have in your all-purpose day-trip pack:
1. Water
People need water. This essential is easily forgotten — not at home, but on the trail. Not drinking enough water is a major contributor to altitude sickness. Natives, you already know this, but here’s
something else to consider: If you’re taking friends and family to a higher altitude than normal, grab an extra water bottle for them just in case they need it. In order to prevent dehydration, drink water slowly and frequently over several hours. If you are showing signs of altitude sickness — headache, nausea, fatigue — drinks with electrolytes can help you recover.
“We always recommend people carry more water and food than you think you’ll need,” Golden said.
2. Food
Don’t fool yourself — even if you’re planning to be back by lunch, hiking burns more calories than you think. Hiking with a lightweight pack can burn about 500 calories an hour, according to NutiStrategy Nutrition and Fitness.
If you start early in the morning, it’s likely you will be hungry by 10 a.m. If you are going for a full day, don’t forget snacks. When you feel like you can’t move your feet any further, or if you start to feel nauseous, a snack with sodium (and calories) can help.
“You’re sweating out all that sodium,” Golden said. “Bring good, salty food that you’re going to want to eat when you feel tired or sick. Candy bars are key.”
The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service recommend bringing high-energy bars, granola, candy or fruit. Since fruit can be heavy in your pack, or easily crushed, consider bringing dried fruit or packing a fruit trail mix.
3. Navigation tools
Other than food and water, the most important thing you can put in your bag is a map. In addition to your map, it’s a good idea to bring a compass and altimeter in order to read your map. Be sure to look it over before you start your adventure, and stay on marked trails.
Alternatively, bring a GPS, but if you do, make sure you have extra batteries.
“It’s a little old school, but we still encourage people to carry a map and know how to read it,” Golden said. “It doesn’t need batteries.”
You can obtain a trail map from your forest’s ranger district office or through the National Forest Service. Many state parks provide free maps upon entrance.
4. Rain protection and shelter
Bring a waterproof raincoat for those frequent afternoon thunderstorms we get in Colorado. Weather can change dramatically in the high country, and in an emergency, a good raincoat might be the difference between comfortably returning to the trailhead and hypothermia.
A lightweight tarp, poncho or tent is a good idea to have on hand in case you find yourself trapped in a storm and need shelter.
“Summer thunderstorms are pretty routine in the Rockies,” Golden said. “You want to be able to confidently survive a night out. For some people that’s a tarp, and others, it’s a tent. It’s good to have at the bottom of the pack. It could be something as simple as carrying an extra jacket.”
5. Extra clothing
If you plan to travel above 10,000 feet, bring a fleece and long pants, even on the hottest summer days, and make sure you wear appropriate clothing and boots for the terrain.
Temperatures drop three to five degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Weather quickly changes and the risk of hypothermia is real, even on a short day hike.
Avoid cotton T-shirts and jeans because these materials are slow to dry. If you get sweaty at the beginning of your hike and the weather turns, the stakes could be high.
“It could be sunny but all of the sudden, a storm rolls in. That’s how a lot of people get hypothermia when you least expect it,” Golden said.
6. Sun protection
No matter where you’re going, you should at least bring one of these three (if not all three): a hat, sunscreen or sunglasses. Do not be fooled by cool temperatures at elevation — it is easier to get sunburned at high altitude than it is at a hotter, lower altitude.
For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, there is an approximate 8 to 10 percent increase in UV intensity, according to a study by Ronald Perelman with the New York University School of Medicine.
“Wear sunscreen even though it feels weird at high elevation,” Golden said. “Wear sunglasses — especially if there’s snow on the ground. You’ll get sunburned places you wouldn’t even think about just because the sun is reflecting off the snow.”
7. First aid kit
Bring a lightweight first aid kit on any day hike. Rocks, tree roots, holes and fallen branches are a recipe for sprained ankles and cuts, and these hazards cannot be avoided on any Colorado hike.
If you’re hiking with a group, each person should have their own kit.
“This is something we suprisingly see people skip on,” Golden said.
8. Illumination
Particularly if you start your hike late in the day — or, just as a general practice — you should bring a flashlight or headlamp to make sure you can find your way if you get caught out after dark.
If you are starting your hike mid-afternoon, you could end up outside after the sun goes down. Choose an illumination device that is small and lightweight, and you can keep it in your pack all the time.
9. Fire source
Always carry the means to start a fire, in case of an emergency. A pack of matches or a lighter are featherweight, so it’s little extra weight in your pack. Just leave them there so you are always prepared. Make sure your matches are reliable by keeping them completely dry in a waterproof bag, even if you buy waterproof matches.
10. Time-keeper
Bring a device to keep time so that you can estimate your speed, distance remaining and return time. The average person hikes about 3 miles per hour, plus an additional hour per 1,000 feet of elevation gain, according to Naismith’s rule, a rule of thumb invented by a 19th century mountaineer.
However, you should time yourself on each hike to know what your individual pace is. Naismith’s rule does not include breaks. Based on a rough rate of time and distance, you can use your watch to calculate anything from where you are to when you should reach your destination.
No matter where you go, have respect for the wild beauty you are encountering, and remember just that — it is wild. A fun day can easily become dangerous, so you should be prepared, not scared.
“When I first started hiking, it looked like total overkill, but as you get more experienced you figure out what you’re using, and what you’re not, and find lighter stuff,” Golden said. “I just have one mesh bag that I know has all this stuff that I just throw in my pack.”