I always carry a spare set of socks. If the army taught me anything - it was to always have spare socks :P

As a woman who is a weekend/day hiker, I always bring pepper/mase spray. I also always carry a flash light that can also be used as a stun gun. Before hiking I always let a close friend or family member know what State/National Park i am at and what trail(s) ill be hiking. I also send a "selfie" pic, just incase I get lost and people are trying to find me they have an updated photo of what I look like and what I am wearing.

My day hikes are typically 20+ milers and since I live here in the Zion National Park area well my gear includes some vital necessities such as: - Emergency Bivvy sack ( you never know when things can go awry ) - Multi Tool like a Gerber - Petzl Headlamp with extra batteries - Portable charger for phone as a backup - Extra socks and TP - vasaline for chafing in uncomfortable places :) - compass - emergency whistle and air horn for potential threats of people, animals, etc - 1 Serving of Pedialite carried in a small flask - baked potato chips for sodium and potassium to prevent cramps - mini tripod and C clamp to hold phone for recording video or timed photos - a laser pointer is essential in my handy pouch for emergency situations and can get the attention of people in the dark from far away. - My day hike pack is my Osprey Rook 50L but I am a big man of 6ft 6in and 250lbs. - Always take my BD hiking poles, my down top, hiking tights, shorts, Altra Lonepeak trail shoes, shoe gaitors, a poncho Just in case there is precip. - Always hike with my camelback bladder and drop a disc of Nuun tab into the 3L water. - My favorite food for hiking is either Hammer Gel or a large serving of GU ( chocolate esspresso ) I also take the Tuna Fish Packets too, they are awesome. - A visor, a thin summer hoodie top will keep the sun out especially if it is SPF - Always take a medi kit just in case too.

I have been bringing a lightweight hammock out on my day hikes it is really nice when you get to the right place and kick back and have lunch before you head back.

After being in Japan for years it's hard to miss people carrying umbrellas. So I bought one from Amazon, but make sure it's UV/SUN protective. The one I have is thick, but I went to Arizona with family and I felt like I could walk forever. I'm telling you, not only will it keep you protected, you will feel cooler. Use less water, and just feel better all around. I would highly recommend it.

In addition i carry a whistle, a loud one. If you get lost or injured it may save your life. Another item is in my first aid kit is EmergenC or Zip Fiz. Watch out for dehydration.

I’m in SE AZ, I’d add a first aid kit with tweezers and hemostats for thorns. A wide brim hat, pepper spray or weapon, more water, more food, external iphone battery, foil blanket and most importantly, a method for fire building.

Always interesting to hear perspectives from a west coast hiker. Being in Florida, my pack has most of the same stuff, but several notable differences. > Rain jacket is always a must. Florida is known for quick thunderstorms, especially in the summer. > Extra socks and foot powder. > Water shoes. So many trails have large amounts of standing water, so it's sometimes easier to switch to a closed toe/heel water shoe that you can easily hang on the outside of your pack. > Small towel for drying your feet when you changes shoes or socks. > Bug repellent and sun block. > Extra shirt, depending on the time of year and weather. Changing into a fresh shirt may not be necessary, but it's a big morale boost when it's vey humid.

Awesome, just in case anyone is wondering a tarp saved me from hypothermia once I was cold and wet and shivering. I found it in a trash can it was new never used like a gift from above I put it around me and felt instant warmth so I’ll never be without one even a very light one

One main reason that I hike with a walking stick or trekking poles is to minimize the hand inflammation from keeping your hands down during a long hike. The stick or poles help to keep the blood moving up my arms instead of succumbing to gravity and pooling in my fingers.

2 joints and a flask of whiskey

I always include "The Ten Essentials" in all of my packs, without fail. This includes packs I carry when I cross country and backcountry ski. 1. Navigation. Topographic map and assorted maps in waterproof container plus a magnetic compass, optional altimeter or GPS receiver. 2. Sun protection. Sunglasses, sunscreen for lips and skin, hat, clothing for sun protection. 3, Insulation. Hat, gloves, jacket, extra clothing for coldest possible weather during current season. 4. Illumination. Headlamp, flashlight, batteries. LED bulb is preferred to extend battery life. 5. First-aid supplies, plus insect repellent. 6. Fire. Butane lighter, matches in waterproof container. 7. Repair kit and tools. Knives, multi-tool, scissors, pliers, screwdriver, trowel/shovel, duct tape, cable ties. 8. Nutrition. Add extra food for one additional day (for emergency). Dry food is preferred to save weight and usually needs water. 9, Hydration. Add extra 2 liters of water for one additional day (for emergency). 10. Emergency shelter. Tarp, bivouac sack, space blanket, plastic tube tent, jumbo trash bags, insulated sleeping pad. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials I do not rely on any electronic device for navigation. I always have a topo map and a quality compass (with sighting mirror, that doubles as a signal device). I always have the darkest prescription sunglasses I can get. Cataract protection and delay are important. I always carry a wool rag sweater and Gore Tex parka. I carry a space blanket. I also carry rope, 6mm - 100 feet. I've used it to cross flash flooded streams during extreme thunderstorms. In the winter for cross country skiing I carry a butane stove for warming liquids when I find hypothermic people. I've lit some fires in very challenging storm conditions to heat people up. I always carry 2 quarts of water. I'm retired from the U.S. Forest Service, which included some time as a wilderness ranger. I was an EMT on a fire department ambulance. I've had my share and then some of emergencies and public assists in the backcountry both on and off the job. I've treated critical hypothermia, high altitude pulmonary edema, broken ankles, torn ACL's, anaphylactic shock due to a bee sting and some heat exhaustion cases while in the wilderness. I've assisted 2 helicopter evacuations off the job. I've also been involved in several search and rescues. I've seen the importance of each of the 10 essentials in assisting others and for myself in some unplanned circumstances. On many of my hikes it would seem that there was no reason to carry many of these items, but I ended up using them. You just never know what you are going to encounter.

Ditty bag that you keep and add to any pack is great idea to avoid forgetting the essentials. I'd add compass, map, whistle. Whistles are vital for emergency signalling - saves energy over shouting.

Rain gear, water filtration system, and food are the basics. I got caught in a hailstorm once on Pike's Peak without rain gear. That never happened again. Last summer I did a short 7 mile hike up to some falls and ran out of water on the way back. Not only was I thirsty but the elevation gains burned through some major calories. My return hike to the parking lot was ruined because all I could think about was a double mushroom and swiss burger, crinkle fries and a root beer from Culvers. Yes, I crushed that meal on the drive home.

The thermal layer is good not just if the weather changes, but in case you get stuck overnight. The nighttime temperatures really drop out West!

I do almost all day & overnight hikes in WI & MI and am delighted to see this video. Always in my pack?.. Notebook & pens. I'm trying to get my tween daughter to love hiking, so I create scavenger hunt lists on-the-fly to keep her interested & engaged with the experience! Many thanks and hike on, my friend! ✌❤😊

An extra pair of socks. My military and scouts experience has beat it into my head to change socks at noon. You can wear them a mittens if it gets cold. Though too. I carry the same you do even to work everyday. Thanks for some good info on your channel.

Sunblock and insect repellent. I had to learn the hard way. I think I'll be adding a paracord bracelet to my list also. Saw another video they suggested moleskin for blisters. Thanks for the input.

You pretty much covered the bases I do with 4 additions. 1. My fire/tinder kit, 2. A 2go Systems Trifecta, 3. Compass, 4. Cordage. The Trifecta is similar to an emergency blanket but its made of Tyvek with one side reflective and can be used as a tarp and a bivvy sack as well. I like being prepared for sudden "inconvenient Camping trips.

Great video! Some advice I've always heard is that when you go out for a hike, assume you may need to spend the night out there because you never know when a situation may arise. Growing up my mom always made us carry our own heat blankets (those metallic looking reflective sheets like they give marathon runners) that we could use if we had to be out in a nighttime emergency.

Great video. In addition to what you carry, I also carry maps and compass, a satellite phone, an MRI, and a quilt. Since most of my day hiking is in the Wind River Mountains, a snow squall or lightening storm can come up unexpectedly any time of the year and force me to wait it out, sometimes over night. There is are overhanging boulders and small caves so a prepared shelter is not necessary.

Thanks Darwin .....I’m a newbie ( old newbie ) getting ready to retire and I really enjoy your enthusiasm, love for what you do and the great info!

From October on, I’ll carry a cagoule, over trousers, torch, first aid kit, spare jumper, survival bag, map, compass, warm hat and gloves, in addition to most of the gear you’re carrying. But then I’m in the UK with variable conditions which may include heavy rain, high winds and possibly snow blizzards. Being prepared is essential for the conditions you can expect in whichever part of the world you find yourself in. Best wishes Darwin and thanks for sharing.

Thank you. I always carry my sense of humor.

Good content! As an old desert guy I have taken our stainless water bottles and covered them with thick canvas that we soak before we take off and dunk in potholes as well to stay cool from evaporation. Even if they dry out, still helps insulate , works amazingly well. Heavier than plastic but much healthier.

Solid advice! Great tips. My family just started the 52 hike challenge and we are documenting it on our channel. We are rookies and your advice has been super helpful!

Awesome recommendations! I don't necessarily like carrying just a bottle of water, because those tend to get warm. I love using a double-wall insulated thermos and putting it inside my pack, in case I need something cold. They also make hydration bladders that you can put in your freezer, so that your water stays cooler longer!

5 years later and your video is definitely still relevant and helping people. Nice work.

Great great list. I mostly hike locally in the Ozarks. Currently, it’s too warm to consider extra clothing and I prefer to just get wet when hiking if possible. I fully agree on trekking poles! Yesterday we finished a three day hike and I was lead setting pace and schedule. Our group nailed each mile even with the Ozark terrain. It was like clockwork. The poles helped to maintain some pace uphill.

I learned the hard way that not wearing sunglasses = cataracts. Wish I wore them 100% of sunny days years ago. Things we don't worry about in our 20s and 30s can become something we are stuck dealing with in our 40s and 50s. Great video!

I know this is years ago, but I love the idea of a ditty bag. I have those items that I've transferred between bags, but never thought to package them together. Wonderful!

Fantastic tips! My family and I are getting ready to do some National Park hikes over an 8 day period and this is a great way to get us set up before we leave.

Pretty close to my daypack setup, but I always take my Eno on a day-hike. One of the things that I'm constantly on the lookout for is an epic hanging spot.

The only things I would add are some lightweight cordage and an emergency blanket/ultralight tarp. Weighs less than 4 ounces, and I carry it for the same reason I always toss a puffy jacket in my pack, just in case something happens and I'm stuck out overnight. I'd also recommend some dryer lint or other fire starter, though I'm typically day hiking in wetter areas and early in the year. Oh, and I can fit all of that with plenty of room left over into my Teton Sports Oasis 1200 (20L) pack. I've actually used it for a weekend pack trip, though I wished it was about 30L for that.

Glad you're enjoying Joshua Tree! One of my favorite places to escape to, coming from San Diego. Will be out there again on the 20th to try backcountry camping for the first time off of the Boy Scout trailhead. Safe travels!

I always carry the SOL emergency bivy in case I get hurt and need to treat shock or as an emergency shelter/sleeping bag if I get stuck outside overnight. It weighs 4 ounces and is super compact so it's a no brainer imo.

I just bought compact binoculars , Bushnell Ultra HD binoculars. I gonna bring them along on my first big day hike. The destination being a nature preserve. Winks Lisa

Great video ! Remember a Day Pack with "The Ten Essentials" by the Seattle Mountaineers will keep you safe overnight and bring you home the next day. Just added a Rip-Stop Nylon Poncho/Tarp with Gromets, Double Side Snaps. And when combined with 100 feet of Para Cord and four Aluminium "T" Stakes makes an emergency Shelter. The only con was that the tag said Made in China ! And with your TreKking Poles you can make a great Shelter. A Day Pack is needed for any or all short Day Hikes ! In NM at the Top of the Tram people go for a short hike and the Sun sets and it gets dark and cold... And the people have No flashlights or a warm jacket and they have to call 9-1-1 for a baby sitter ! Also at WSNM a French couple took a short hike in the sand dunes and only the baby survived. tjl

I always have my solar charger. Nice bag. Thanks fo sharing. We have been RVing across the USA for nine years now, Love the nomad life.

I have pretty much the same. In fact, on a day hike the main weight is camera equipment and water. The main additions I carry are Sunscreen (because I am Scottish and it's vital for me), bug spray (depending on where I go), often a pack-towel (I use the REI Co-op Multi Towel Lite X-Large - its good if you want to go for a swim, or even if you want to put a blanket down for a picnic).

I've always kept a very basic survival kit on me, a sheet of thin mil plastic, some cord, etc. Survival situations sometimes happen closer to the trailhead than one would anticipate. Always plan on the backup contingency you may have to spend the night- learned this the hard way once in Boy Scouts a long time ago.

50+ years of serious wild country trekking have taught me that 1 through 3 you can leave at home or spare the expense entirely by having the proper footwear and proper fit. I haven't had hiking blisters since I was a teen by making sure of this one essential. #4 is a good item. I carry something else that does all those things, but the idea is the same. #5, lightweight yet durable rain gear is always an essential. Even in the desert it can be used as a windbreaker. Good video. You got people thinking and that is your best piece of gear. Trek on, my brother.

I live in Alaska so my daypack changes between summer and winter. I have just switched to my winter pack list. I hike above the treeline and the winds come from Prince William Sound and across an ice field so they are super cooled. I add and subtract clothing as I'm going up and down mountains and I use all the clothing I carry at some point during a day hike. Clothing I bring/wear includes: base layer (The weight depends upon the day's forecasted temperature range. I have gear to keep me warm down to 65 below zero.), pants, short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt, vest, jacket, buff, balaclava, toque, headband, venting facemask, waterproof/windproof gloves, mittens, gaiters, microspikes. My raincoat and rain pants are with me, too, as an added layer of protection. I usually wear them as I approach summits or while on ridgelines. I carry a shaped tarp tent in case of emergency along with a SOL Escape Bivy, Esbit stove and tabs, cup for melting snow. Emergency food bag: tea, bouillon, dehydrated meal, honey. I use Hunersdorf water bottles. I carry them upside down in insulated carriers I made for them from Reflectex. I also carry water inside my pack against the back so the water doesn't freeze. Depending upon where I'm going, I will attach my snowshoes to my pack along with my ice axe.

I recently got the "EVOC CC 3L Race" backpack which i think is a *really* good option for "fast and light" dayhikes. The main compartment is 3 liters, and it comes with a 2L waterbladder. This leaves me enough space for all the essentials. The waterbladder sits in the main compartment, and still leaves enough room for a whole bunch of snacks, as well as a "steripen" or "sawyer squeeze". Band-aids and disinfectant are stored in a mesh pocket inside. It also have a pocket on the shoulder strap that is perfect for a flashlight, and the hipbelt pockets are perfect size for my ecig and Garmin "eTrex 32x" GPS. An outside pocket have room for a sit pad, and the mesh pocket have enough space for either a rainponcho, or the Arcteryx "Incendo SL" jacket + a yellow reflective vest. Lastly, a zippered pocket have room for map and compass, my phone, and some other small items.

Great list! Thanks. I like ro carry a leatherman, a power bank for my phone, and a mini container of different medicines.

The Frog Toggs Ultra Lite 2 can give you complete coverage while being lighter than a typical rain jacket or windbreaker. At $18.37 they’re cheap enough you won’t be heartbroken if you tear it.

Instead of bringing a normal water bottle, I've been using the 1 liter Sawyer squeeze pouches, as when they are not in use. I can fold them away. Because they are not rigid I'm often times able to fit 2 of the full 1 liter pouches into one of the side pockets on my pack if I have to. As a plus, they also connect directly to my Sawyer mini so I can just fill them up at a nearby stream if I have to.

I always take my Julbo Glacier Glasses. Kinda over kill for most sunglass situations but I really like em and when I do find myself on snow and in the sun, there is nothing better. Love the video. Very informative and well delivered.

Closed Cell Foam sitting mat - So useful . . Easy to make do without but such a cheap lightweight little luxury !

thank you for considering us who use metric system. it helps when you mention things in a way i don't have to sit and translate.

Another great video. In addition to your setup, I carry ab it more cloths (typical hiking elevation between 6,000 to 11,000 feet), emergency shelter, compass and map wherever I go (including predetermined escape routes in case of wild fires or other catastrophic events) and at least ONE snickers :)

Hey Darwin! Awesome informative video, as always. I usually have what you mentioned plus spare socks and a fire source.

Nice job. I particularly like the links to where I can find each of your gear items.😊

I love your content!!!! I carry most of the same things as you like rain jacket, puffy warm jacket, buff, snacks, camera, emergency kit but I also ALWAYS ALWAYS carry thin gloves, extra socks and a toque...a canadian here, Lol!!!

When I first began day hiking I often went unprepared - I have learned better!!! Now I'm one of those folks that fights against taking too much. Good advice in this video. Thanks Darwin. And hello Snuggles - glad to know you guys are hiking lots together :)

Awesome, being prepared is the best way to stay comfortable and safe!

Awesome video again. Depending on the trail distance and conditions, I would also carry a SOL emergency bivvy combined with SOL emergency blanket and some 550 cord for the just in case situations. See you on the trails man. --JY

17 mile day hike!!! I was tired after 2 miles !!! Good God you are hard-core!!! Love the videos man... I am a 50-year-old kayaker camper but I seem to be having an interest in the hiking lately

My experience is climbing mountains at heigh elevation. I always use a buff. I carry 3 liters of water. I focus a lot more on clothing to survive extreme temperatures. This is a good list. Thanks!

I'm going on a three mile hike in the mountains tomorrow for the first time in eight months, so this is always welcome.

Things I bring that you didn’t mention: ass pad, TP, (plus a garbage baggie for it LNT), duct tape, emergency bivy, whistle, real compass, always have a regular paper map with topo lines along with a smaller topo map of just the trail that I dl to my phone, bug spray and sunscreen.

Thanks Darwin. Great advice! I also carry an emergency blanket and whistle. Also, probably a given, but I always make sure I have my ID, especially if I'm alone. Off to day hike the Grand Canyon tomorrow!

I can't get enough of your videos. You're very knowledgeable, it's so helpful. Thank you!

I bought the Osprey Escapist 18 a few years ago after seeing it on your channel. It's been a great pack for my day hikes.

Thanks Darwin. Please do a overnight backpack setup. :)

I organize my stuff a little differently, but have a similar setup. One thing I never go anywhere without...is a tarp. I would almost rather have a tarp than a rain jacket.

Thanks for sharing. I really didn’t thaught about carrying certain things in my bag but I will now!!

Aww memories! I was a marine at 29 Palms and NEVER visited the park. A couple decades later I got into hiking and visited the park with my wife. Happy I backtracked. Nice video!

I have to agree 150% on everything you carry!! I also carry a fistful of guy line and a poncho- I can always create a make- shift shelter with it if something goes wrong.

I like glow sticks in my pack for light and my hermonca and a whistle compose great video thanks for sharing

I agree with you about the extra warm layer, you never know what might happen with the weather

my day setup is pretty much the same as yours. We have a few short trails around Dallas, and those don't typically call for much in the way of gear as they're mostly urban/suburban trails. So, trails actual pack can vary, however normally, I always carry my Ribz 11L front pack. It will hold a ton of stuff, however some things won't fit inside and still leave any room. So, I combine it with either a Kelty Jaunt hip pack, or a Granite Gear Serrano 25. The Jaunt is also 11L, but has pockets that are more generously sized so my thermal/rain/wind layer will fit in a main pocket and FAK, ditty sack, water filter setup will fit in other smaller pockets. The Serrano is 25L and is also setup for a bladder which I don't always use. If I'm going out on a hike in one of our state parks or national forests, I'll also carry a sit pad, bug spray/net, sometimes I'll also throw in a 5x7 tarp with guylines and stakes. And that's about it. Cheers! DonP!

Always a great videographer. I just discovered Darwin On The Trail about a month ago. You should try hiking the long trail in The state of Kentucky. The Sheltowee Trace, and do a video on that experience.

I have an Osprey sirrus 24 and love it but you 18 liter is perfect.

Great video! I found with a DSLR + travel tripod that the Osprey Kestel 32 with its wide panel opening is just perfect. Also agree with the comments below that a spare pair of socks is small but can come in the most handy.

#1 item a loud whistle. #2 item map and compass. #3 item fire steel. Sure you love that pack but I can do the same with a 10 dollar Walmart pack.

ChapStick and ibuprofen just in case you need and my eno for chilling out

I've been a huge fan of Osprey packs for years. Love them.

Thank you! I just bought a daypack and I had do idea what to put in it for my trail adventures. 😁

#1 thing to keep in your daypack? Toilet paper!!! (no joke, because when you need it, you really need it). Also, no matter what season, I always keep a lightweight skullcap and very thin pair of gloves stashed in my pack.

Just getting into hiking, so I have nothing in my pack. Lol Great info. Thanks!

Great video. Nice choice of items covering the essentials

Very good video, and I agree on your choice of gear for your trip. I especially like that you point out how you carry different gear and different amount of water depending on the trip. Living and hiking in Scandinavia, I opt for a rain jacket every day of the week, and from 0-0,5 L of water at most trips. I often pack a windjacket in addition to a rainjacket, but not instead of it. All that make perfect sense. But for your trip, my set up would make no sense at all. And vice versa. My advise is to always pack for the conditions you will meet, don't copy other peoples packlists, unless maybe you go to the same area at the same time of the year and have a similar goal with the trip. Thanks, and keep your videos coming, I love the nuanced way you present your choises, not as the correct or best, but with reasons why the advantages outweigh disadvantages in a particular situation.

Always love your vids...informative and upbeat ..keep up the great work

Awesome video Darwin! Love this one. New subscriber here. I enjoy your content a lot, very informative!

Living in Arizona a hiking tarp. The sun can do some damage rather quickly, shelter is a life saver. Sun screen a must on all exposed areas. 3 liters of water. seems like a lot yet you lose more fluids than you reallize. Medical tape, the terain being mostly sand and small rocky areas. Slips and falls can happen. Personally a compact umbrella no such thing as too much shade in this state, Monsoon season is here so, staying dry as possible helps. Lastly a good set of binoculars. Lots and lots of stelar wonders to see and enjoy,

Everything you carry plus a ferro rod, emergency blanket sleeping bag, an Esbit titanium stove (or the MRS Pocket Rocket & fuel), waterproof matches, a titanium pot & spork, a dry tinder kit, a Kula cloth, and the Coalcracker Bushcraft T-Zero shelter. We hike and hunt all winter in rainy Oregon - sometimes miso soup or coffee on the trail is just what you need and if you need quick shelter, the T-Zero is AWESOME (super simple and FAST set up). I also carry an emergency whistle on my pack strap, and a Garmin InReach Mini always on my belt.

First time here. First thing I saw was the tattoo. Beautiful.

Good video. I recommend always wearing sunglasses during the day, even if it is cloudy, even if you are under tree cover. Only take them off if it literally gets too shady to see clearly. I used to spend a good bit of time outdoors without eye protection, but it seems to have taken a toll. When you get older, you will notice your eyesight degrading. This is a consequence of aging but of course one of the main contributing factors is accumulated exposure to UV radiation. Protect your eyes at all time.

We always carry a loud whistle. And in our deserts of Nevada where it can be warm during the day and become VERY cold at night as it does in late winter and fall, I always have more warm clothes than just a puffy. I'd have died from hypothermia if I didn't. Shell pants, hat, heavy gloves or even mitts. This has allowed me to stay out longer than if I had to worry about the temp plummeting. And late evening/close to dusk is a beautiful time of day!

i lov ur vids. im 64 yr old tomgoy love the outdoors.. happy trails to u darwin

I always carry a small machete, with an included saw. Since I live in Puerto Rico hiking here is more on wilderness rather than on a trail, ital always good to have something that helps me make a path for me to continue rather than turning around

Hey Darwin! Nice and useful video! I alwas car: my swiss army knife, a compas with the paper map and sun protection . Regards from Argentina!

Hey Darwin, great hiking tips. I would definitely carry first aid, a knife and a compass in my pack.

Whistle, knife, matches and one of those mylar emergency foil blankets. Also I am not a ground sleeper, I switched to hammock camping a few years ago and it's been wonderful.

I never leave home with out my bino’s and a space blanket!

Here in Minnesota, I always keep a head net in my pack for those pesky mosquitoes. They’re like the state bird here.

Hey Darwin, hiking in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, I added three items to my ditty bag, Space blanket, emergency poncho, and 50ft. of para cord. total weight 5.5 oz.

First, thanks for alluding to the different TYPES of hikes/hikers (day hiking, distance hiking, wilderness hiking and bushwhacking). EACH is different and distinct, and NONE inherently qualifies anyone for the other types of hiking. Of course, although day hiking is the simplest and most basic, day HIKERS routinely are the most inept and are, statistically speaking, BY FAR the most likely to need help from the local S.A.R.! I have read HUNDREDS of survival stories and have personally interviewed DOZENS of survivors and not ONE of them ever said, "Yeah, I knew my life was going to be in danger, but I went anyway...." Instead, it ALWAYS starts with "... I was just going on a day hike..." or "... I was just going to be gone a few hours..." Yep, that a DAY HIKER!! Yeah, there are the "10 essentials", but the ORIGINAL 10 Essentials are nearly 100 years old and REALLY needs to be updated!! here are MY 10 essentials: 1- Survival kit (Carry on your belt, NEVER in a pack) 2- Smartphone (in a waterproof-shockproof case & spare battery or battery bank) 3- Water for the day/duration (may include water filter/treatment) 4- Appropriate clothing (base and outer layers PLUS a thermal layer and a rain shell) 5- Sleeping pad with a good R-rating (head-to-hip mandatory, head-to-heel optional) 6- Area topographic map (printed on waterproof paper) 7- Personal Locator Beacon/s (feat. ACR RescueMe, Garmin inReach Mini) 8- Food for the day/duration 9- Necessary prescriptions (i.e. glasses, medications, etc.) 10- The Five Essential Steps 1- SURVIVAL KIT A good survival kit is a good idea ANY time you go on an outing! However, it MUST be big enough to make a difference, small enough to be convenient (ON YOUR BELT!!), AND assembled with a three-day ordeal in mind (those sardine/mini and paracord/bracelet kits are C**P, spend your time and money on assembling a GOOD kit!!!) A good survival kit already has most of your "essentials" including: A folding knife, Mylar bivy, head net, some first-aid items, UCO Titan Storm-Proof Matches, lighter, compass, reflector, whistle, Micro-Maglite with 3 AAA batteries, water treatment pills, bullion cubes, survival sunglasses, needle and thread, and MUCH more (my survival kit also has an ACR RescueMe PLB 1 attached to it). More on this in another post. 2- SMARTPHONE Victims have used Personal Locator Beacons in about 2% of SAR missions, satellite phones about 4%, but cellphones have been used to call for help about 37% of the time! I have even read a story of survivors, unable to call for help in the Alps, managed to call friends in the U.S., who then contacted SAR in their friends’ Alps location. And every year, coverage reaches farther into the backcountry. That's why I strongly advise people to take one along, in a shockproof-waterproof case with a spare battery (or battery bank). As an added measure, I would suggest keeping it tethered to a belt loop. 3- WATER You would THINK this is a "no brainer", but it is amazing how many people have to be rescued because they ran out of water, or had NO water! This includes for their kids and pets!! How much depends on where you're going, what you're doing, the temperature, etc. A filter, or other water treatment, is optional (it's a good idea to avoid giardia and crypto', but they are the least of your worries!) 4- CLOTHING LAYERS Dress appropriately, of course, but I recommend long sleeves and long pants always, and never cotton (you can always roll them up). Your underwear should be comfortable and nonbinding, then a base layer that wicks sweat and dries fast. A thermal layer (normal a good thick fleece), then your outerwear, or mid-layer, is what everyone normally sees. It should be comfortable, functional, and appropriate for the conditions. If you plan on hiking in winter (snow and ice), you may need an additional thermal layer (typically down/synthetic, normally used in camp or for sleeping) including a warm beanie and gloves (fleece, and/or down, depending on how cold you expect it to be), and on top of it all, a rain layer/shell including an optional rain hat and rain mittens (which can also improve your thermal layer and protect you from the wind). Your clothes ARE your shelter in an emergency, so BUY THESE FIRST and don't skimp on cost. 5- SLEEPING PAD Once the sun goes down, don’t expect rescue until after sunrise! SAR missions are not typically launched at night or in low visibility conditions. The only exceptions are if it is a life-or-death situation and/or they know precisely where the victim/s are. If worse comes to worst, and you have to spend an unplanned night in the wilderness, your clothing layers will protect you from most wind, cold and even rain, but you may want/need to sleep, in which case you'll need additional protection from the ground to avoid hypothermia (and be more comfortable). On this point, sleep is FAR more important than food. Short or full length, it's up to you, but the pad should have the highest R-rating you can afford. 6- TOPO MAP It goes without saying that if you are going to a wilderness area you should have a topographic map of that area, AND you should be able to read it (moreover, you should be able to use it with a compass). It doesn't take long to learn, or learn how to use it with a compass. I suggest downloading Backcountry Navigator to your smartphone, then download your area topo to the app. Then, buy a paper topo TOO, and make sure it’s on waterproof paper (most are). Alternatively, you can download an area topo then have it printed on waterproof paper, but it has to be printed with a laser printer. Finally, before you go on your outing, commit as much information on your route to memory as possible including intersecting trails, possible water sources, outstanding land features, etc. Just remember, a topo map can tell you about the terrain, but it can’t tell you the CONDITION of that terrain; there may be substantial treefall, landslide, overgrowth, etc. 7- PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON As I mentioned, I keep an ACR RescueMe emergency beacon attached to my survival kit (and my survival kit on my belt), but I ALSO keep a Garmin inReach Mini attached to my pack. This may seem redundant, but they serve very different purposes. The RescueMe does only one thing, but does it well, it sends an emergency SOS signal. The inReach Mini can also send an SOS signal, but I use it more for communications purposes (i.e. area weather reports, sending/receiving texts/emails/messages, share tracking points, etc.) One word of warning, the Earthmate map S-S-S-U-U-U-KS! You’ll be far happier with Backcountry Navigator! Fortunately, you can Bluetooth-pair with your smartphone. But here’s the considerable difference between the RescueMe and the InReach; once you buy the RescueMe, and register it, you’re done! Just keep it with you, the battery lasts about 6 years, and there are no additional costs. With the InReach, before you go out, you have to remember to activate it, pay for a monthly/yearly/seasonal subscription and keep it charged while you’re out. 8- FOOD If you intend the day hike to last the entire day, chances are you are already planning to bring food. However, you should still bring a few emergency rations to keep your energy up, just in case. There are a few brands on the market, but I prefer May Day. To reiterate, sleep is more important than food. Provided you have water, you can live for almost TWO MONTHS without food, so food is a LOW priority!! 9- NECESSARY PRESCRIPTIONS Again, you would think this is a no-brainer, but too many people assume they will only be out a few hours, then find themselves without their heart medication for days, or are essentially blind without their glasses, then lose them after they get lose their bearing. If you have ANY special concerns, pack for the possible BEFORE it's an issue! 10- THE FIVE ESSENTIAL STEPS Yes, number 10 is not a "thing" to be packed, but it weighs nothing, costs nothing, and unlike the other "essentials", this is more likely to keep you safe and out of trouble in the first place. This particular topic deserves a post of its own, so for now, The Five Essential Steps are: 1- Planning, 2- Preparing, 3- Proficiency, Backups, and 5- Basic Survival. Keep in mind, you can cut back on a few items IF you've been on that specific hike before, or if you'll be on a well-traveled trail, etc. Above all, TELL at least TWO dependable people WHERE you're going and WHEN you'll be back (give them a map showing your route and the area you'll be in AND, give them instructions to call 911 if you are more than several hours late and/or out of contact). Good luck... statistically speaking... you'll NEED it!!!

Hey Darwin, I understand you bring sunglasses and majority of the time you don't find the need to use them. If you enjoy taking pictures, play around with using those sunglasses as a quick make shift circular polarizing filter for your camera. It would increase the dynamic range of your photos and stop excessive brightness caused by the sun. I hope you are enjoying Southern California so far!