Click below to download the DAY HIKER’S CHECKLIST in PDF format.
Download the Day Hiker’s Checklist
DAY HIKER’S CHECKLIST
WHAT TO WEAR
The universal clothing rule for hiking is: Do not wear ANYTHING made from cotton. Cotton dries very slowly, and stays soggy and cold when wet.
• Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots. We strongly discourage running shoes, but there are some hiking specific shoes that may also work well for you.
• Socks made from wool, wool blend, polyester, etc. Some hikers add polyester or silk liner socks.
• Polyester, wool, merino wool or wool blend or nylon shirt.
• Shorts or loose, comfortable pants (Polyester, nylon or other similar synthetic material).
ESSENTIALS
• A comfortable daypack.
• At least one or two litres of water, perhaps three, depending on the weather and length of hike.
• Lunch and a snack.
• Rain jacket (with hood) or poncho.
• Warm fleece sweater (or wool).
• Wool hat and gloves or mitts.
• Headlamp or small flashlight. Matches or lighter for emergencies is also a good idea.
• A watch (to keep track of your progress) and a whistle (to call for help in case of emergency).
• Map (you will receive one before the trip) and compass (and knowledge of how to use them).
• Small first-aid kit (and any personal medical items you may need for asthma, allergies, diabetes, etc.).
• Phone numbers of medical insurance company and emergency contact person for the hike.
• If you have a cell phone, it’s a good idea to carry it while hiking, in case of any problems or delays on the hike.
ARTICLES TO LEAVE ON THE BUS
• Change of clothes, including shoes and sweater or jacket (you might be wet and/or muddy after the hike).
• A snack for the journey home,
• Plastic bags to store wet clothes or muddy boots.
OTHER OPTIONAL ITEMS FOR YOUR DAYPACK
• Spare dry shirt, shorts or pants, and socks.
• Rain pants and gaiters.
• Insect repellent (spring and summer) to be applied outside the bus (never on the bus).
• Sunglasses, sunblock (apply outside the bus), sun-hat or bandanna.
• Swiss army type knife or equivalent.
• Camera, binoculars, field guides to birds, flowers, etc., if those are your interests.
MORE TIPS FOR AN ENJOYABLE AND SAFE HIKE
• Mountains attract fools and bad weather. Don’t be the former and prepare for the latter!
• Pack out all garbage. “Take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill nothing but time”.
• Never hike alone. We recommend hiking with three other people when possible.
• Line the inside of your pack with a garbage bag to keep things dry. You might also want to pack individual items in plastic bags for extra protection.
• Never drink the water in streams unless you have purified it with purifying tablets or a water filter. Carry extra water (rather than sweet drinks), and/or sport drinks to replace electrolytes.
• On the bus, keep your hiking poles with tips downward and store under the seat and NOT in the overhead compartment.