Gear Guy lists the 10 things you need to stay alive:
1. Navigation (compass and maps in a watertight case)
2. Sun Protection
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries)
5. First-aid kit
6. Fire (water-proof matches or butane lighter)
7. Repair kit and tools
8. Nutrition (no-cook foods)
9. Hydration (including filters)
10. Emergency shelter
For me the question is when to take all this stuff along. Ideally you’d never leave the trailhead without the whole assortment, but it seems like overkill if it’s a short walk on trails you know by heart.
My rule is: if it’s over 10 miles on unfamiliar trails, I take the Essentials. Since I own an ultralight tarp and bivy, I often throw them in my daypack. The bonus is getting some “use” out of something I paid good money for, though with any luck they’ll never leave their stuff sacks.
And here’s an extra special lost-hiker story from USA Today to help all the points sink in.
I just got back from backpacking in Yosemite. As I was going up Yosemite Falls trail, I was surprised about the number of day hikers who were totally unprepared in regards to their water supply. Many carried only one small bottle of water and still others repeatedly asked the backpackers for water. In the mid-day heat and exposed switchbacks, alot of people were roasting alive. Although I gave away as much water as I could spare, it became impossible for me to be the trail water fountain for people. Good tips that I hope everyone shares and considers.
I went out with a group at Big Basin on Saturday prepared for a short, easy hike and allowed myself to be talked into taking on the whole 12-mile waterfalls loop. Fortunately one guy with me wanted to head back rather than take on the whole thing and I jumped at the chance to do the same. We still ended up hiking six or seven miles and I was out of water when we returned to the park HQ.
The return of hot weather drastically changes hydration needs; I had gotten in the habit of just taking what I thought I might need, which is all well and good till the heat changes the need equation.