Trekking Checklist: 6 Important Things To Carry

Aug 11, 2021 No Comments by
Bansko Hiking

Trekking anywhere is always an amazing activity that can offer a lot of different benefits. And right now in Bansko it offers the chance for people to get out into nature and enjoy all that it has to offer. Trekking also provides a workout, which will help you stay healthy and strong. However, trekking does require some preparation if you want to do it right. 

Here are six things that every hiker should carry with them on their trek.

Water

Water is an absolute must-have for any treks. Water needs vary depending on where you are and what you’re doing. The amount of water necessary for a strenuous day hike might not be enough for a three-day trek with steep ascents. Generally, It’s best to bring two liters per person, per day while hiking; more if you plan to camp out.

A liter is equivalent to almost four cups or eight fluid ounces. You should bring an extra liter in case the weather changes suddenly on your trip – it’s better safe than sorry! 

Extra Clothing

Have extra clothing like a sweater, insulated jacket or long-sleeve shirt, gloves and a hat, etc. If your clothes are wet you will be more susceptible to hypothermia because wet clothes will freeze so it’s best to change your wet clothing as soon as possible. 

Extra clothing will also help you stay warm if the temperature drops suddenly. This is especially true when hiking in high altitudes or at night where temperatures dip quickly.

Survival Kit

Pack a survival kit. A survival kit is an essential item to carry when trekking. Having survival equipment can mean the difference between handling a difficult situation well and making things worse. Remember to check your pack regularly for anything that could have been lost while exploring. It should include:

  • A knife that can be used for many purposes, like making a fire or cutting things. A Swiss Army Knife is useful because of its compact size and the variety of tools that it contains
  • An emergency blanket in an aluminum foil layer to help keep heat inside the body if you are stranded outside during cold weather or nighttime. It also helps to reflect back humans’ radiate body heat so people don’t have to huddle together as tightly at nighttime
  • Water purification tablets; the risk of contracting waterborne diseases can be high when drinking untreated water while trekking. You should always carry at least an extra liter per person – that’s two gallons worth of liquid total
  • High energy food such as protein bars or nuts and seeds
  • Medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for muscle aches, altitude sickness, and headaches.

Sunscreen And Sunglasses

The sun is the major source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UVB rays are in sunlight and can cause severe sunburns, while UVA rays penetrate deeply into your skin causing wrinkles and age spots.

Sunscreen is essential for outdoor activities like hiking or trekking because it protects against both types of UV radiation. Also, bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful rays. 

The sunscreen should have an SPF rating higher than 15 and be water-resistant for up to 80 minutes so you’ll need less frequent applications during the day when you sweat during your trek. 

Map Or GPS device  

If you are not sure about the routes, it is best to take a map and compass. It is imperative that the map be updated with the most recent changes in topography. 

The more detailed the better, so the map or GPS device should have clear indications on what types of vegetation can be found there, such as mountains, hillsides, valleys etc.  

Personal Identification, Cash, Credit Cards 

Always carry your personal identification. It is a good idea to have this in an easily accessible place (like on you, or tucked into your waistband). 

You should also always make sure that you are carrying cash and credit cards with you too. If something happens while out trekking such as injury or getting lost, this will allow for quick access to money and may save the day.

A few simple steps can help you stay safe and healthy while enjoying the outdoors.  When it comes to water, always bring more than enough for your trip. It’s also a good idea to pack extra clothing in case you get wet or dirty, sunscreen (to protect against sunburn) and sunglasses (to shield your eyes from the sun), a map or GPS device so that you don’t get lost, personal identification with cash and credit cards just in case something happens on this hike. By taking these precautions before going out into nature, there’s no need to worry about getting stranded!

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I enjoy tech, apps, entrepreneurship, podcasting and collaboration with others. I love travelling as well as skiing, hiking, MTB, paragliding, cooking and good food.
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