Gearing Up To Hike A HIKING CHECKLIST & MORE
H IK
I N G
A new guide to enjoying — and being prepared for — the great outdoors
IN THE FORTHCOMING Outdoor Life
Lists , Barbara Ann Kipfer gives an informative celebration of the outdoors with 73 checklists covering the essentials needed and potential extras to consider for enjoying outdoor sports , recreation , and activities . Also included are informative callout lists that may come in handy in various outdoor situations , as well as snippets describing things one may observe during the outdoor activity . We took a peek at what Kipfer wrote about day hiking :
Essentials
Cell phone or watch with GPS Daypack , hip pack , or backpack First-aid kit Flashlight or headlamp with new batteries Gloves Hat Hiking footwear Hiking poles or staff ID , keys , money Insect repellent or insectrepellent clothing Jacket or windbreaker Knife or multi-tool Lunch and snacks Map and compass Rainwear Sunglasses Sunscreen Trip itinerary left with family or friend and also under car seat Up-to-date weather forecast Water bottle ( s ) Weather-appropriate clothing Whistle or bear bell ( s )
Extras
Bandanna or buff Camera Clothes for warmer and cooler conditions Extra clothes Extra socks Emergency shelter Fire-making supplies Handkerchief Notebook and pen or pencil Tissues or toilet tissue Water treatment method
Tips for Day Hike
� Acquaint yourself with the area and specific trail ( s ) you plan to hike so you can set a reasonable timetable for your hike . Many guidebooks include estimated times of trips .
� Always carry plenty of water . Three quarts per person per day is a good rule of thumb . Warmer conditions and / or rugged terrain may necessitate carrying more .
� Carry more food than you think you will need . It is better to bring extra snacks home with you than to go hungry .
� Carrying your clothing and food in different-colored stuff sacks keeps your pack organized and helps you find your gear easily when you need it .
� Check weather conditions before you leave .
� Drink often to stay well hydrated . Purify water from natural sources .
� Fill your canteens before you leave home . It is better to be prepared than to rely on backcountry water sources .
� Hike only as fast as the slowest member of your group .
� Leave your itinerary with someone you trust , and check in with them upon your return .
� Make sure your vehicle is in good running order and your gas tank is full .
� Note the time when you start your hike to gauge your pace and distance per hour .
� Practice minimum-impact hiking . Carry out whatever you pack in so others can enjoy the surroundings . Try to pick up what previous visitors may have left behind .
� Start off slowly to avoid excess fatigue partway through your hike .
� When you choose a hike , consider the ability levels of all members of your party .
Outdoor Life Lists will be released April 2 by FalconGuides , as well as Hiking Ruins Southern New England : A Guide to 40 Sites in Connecticut , Massachusetts , and Rhode
Island , which Kipfer has co-authored with Nick Bellantoni . Kipfer is the author of 14,000 Things to Be Happy About and 70 other books and calendars . She lives in Old Saybrook , Connecticut . thingstobehappyabout . com
70 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Holiday Spring 2024 2023