November 17 is National Take a Hike Day. It’s probably one of my favorite days because hiking is one of my favorite activities. Plenty of time and money has been spent on this crazy hobby. If you are a hiker or are becoming more of an avid hiker, you know what I mean by crazy.
Here is a quick list of 10 things you might forget to bring in your pack:
- Plenty of water and food
- Headlamp and extra batteries
- Physical map
- First aid kit (it doesn’t have to be a large kit)
- Extra socks
- Matches in a sandwich bag with cotton balls (fire starting)
- Portable phone charger and charging cable
- Emergency response phone numbers
- Bandana for multi-purpose use
- Satellite communication device (optional but highly recommend)
A more extensive list is available from REI.
No matter how crazy hiking is, even the best laid plans can go awry. Even the most seasoned hikers can still make mistakes or find themselves in unanticipated situations. Having a healthy respect and caution of the mountains is better than to underestimate the possible dangers. A good day in the woods should end with you and your friends back in your car, chatting about where to get pizza. I cannot stress enough how important it is to put safety about everything else. I once hiked nine miles only to turn around a quarter of a mile from the summit because the winter weather had taken an unexpected turn and I still had to hike the nine miles back to my car. As the saying goes, the mountains will always be there for a better day.

The best way to be prepared is to plan not only what mountain you want to hike but which trail(s) you want to take to get there. Before leaving for your hike, leave your itinerary with a trusted friend or loved one. I like to leave a map highlighting the trails I will take with my parents. Depending on the intensity of the hike, you may want to create a detailed list for yourself and for your itinerary of the mileage and elevation gain for reference points.
If you only have time for a short jaunt in the woods and are not looking to summit a 4,000-footer, it’s still good to let someone know that you will be without cell service and where you will be.
The popularity of hiking apps has grown over the years, but there are a few that stand out. AllTrails and Gaia GPS are my two personal favorites. AllTrails is great for trail reports, pictures and small details you wouldn’t know otherwise. I will read every trail report I can find before I head out so I know what to expect. Gaia GPS is my favorite to use while I am hiking. Prior to the hike, you can get an estimate of mileage and elevation gain/loss through the app. My favorite part is that you can always see where you are no matter if you have cell service or not. You can also estimate how much more distance you have left to the summit or to the trailhead. With both apps, you can map out a route if you are wanting to hike multiple mountains in one day. My preference is Gaia when it comes to this aspect of the planning. If you’re serious about making it more than just a couple times a year activity, I highly recommend the pro version of both AllTrails and Gaia.
This time of year, your cell phone battery will drain much quicker because of the colder weather. A trick to help with battery life while on a hike is to keep it close to your body heat and not in your pack. A coat or pant pocket will do just fine. Another tip is to pick up a portable charger for your phone and carry a charger, so you are never without an extra charge for your phone.
Wear proper footwear that has solid traction and, especially for this time of year, waterproof material. We are currently in what is known as “shoulder season,” where there may be a mix of ice and mud on the trails. If you are venturing out to the higher elevations, microspikes should also be added to your pack. They will give your feet solid footing over questionable terrain like ice or frozen mud. Even if you are heading up a fire tower trail, I can’t recommend these enough.
Dress appropriately for the weather. Never wear jeans while hiking! Moisture wicking materials and plenty of layers will get you started. Here is a list of what to wear on a hike.
Leave no trace. Carry in what you carry out.
If your plans take you into regions of high-altitude mountains, be sure to stick to the rocks on the summit and avoid stepping on the fragile vegetation. No matter what, always stay on the trail unless you need to use the restroom. In that case, get far away from the trail and pack away your toilet paper so you leave no trace.
Lastly, breathe it all in. There is little sign of human interaction deep in the woods and that’s a beautiful thing. As crazy as this might sound, limit the photos you take. It’s better to have something to leave to the imagination, don’t you think?
by Gabbie Albrecht (a future 46-er)