Essentials to Pack for a Hike. Hiking is the perfect pastime. Getting out and hitting the trails ensures you get a boost of endorphins from physical activity, vitamin D from the direct sunlight, and a chance to breathe and slip away from the rush and stress of daily life. But, unfortunately, although we would all love the opportunity to get out and enjoy ourselves, many aren’t sure where to start.
Why not start with what to pack?
Although you should wear your best sneakers, and some comfortable clothes: these other items are just as important.
Water.
Physical activity mixed with being outside and away from our usual resources means that we have to have water on hand. The best way to approach this is to fill your water bottle the night before a hike and freeze it. Then, as you hike, the water will thaw out while keeping calm and let you feel refreshed every step of the way.
Although you could also buy pre-packaged water bottles, it’s a better idea to use reusable bottles to ensure you’re helping the environment as you’re gleaning the rewards.
Snacks.
Hiking burns a lot of calories! So unlike sitting at home looking at Banff homes for sale, you need snacks that are calorie-dense to keep up the necessary energy to hike. Fantastic options are nut mixes with peanuts and cashews or fruits like bananas full of potassium to ensure your legs don’t cramp up.
You can also reach for more junk-food-oriented snacks, but it’s better if you reach for things that have a healthy balance of protein, fat, and salt. Sugar may temporarily energize you, but having a sugar crash during a hike will feel so terrible that you won’t want to hike anymore.
Sunscreen.
Even if you’re in a forest with a thick canopy, sunscreen can save you a lot of trouble. Blocking out harmful ultraviolet rays while still allowing your body to gain vitamin D is vital for a good hike. Your skin can still burn even if it’s overcast or even if you have more melanin than the average person who complains about burning. One severe sunburn can seriously increase your chances of skin cancer, so it’s better to avoid that risk.
Bug Repellent.
Mosquitoes are a pain, sure, but you need bug repellent for more than just those. Spiders, ticks, and other insects can cause severe damage that could harm you in the long term. Some types of Lyme disease can result in an allergy to the complex proteins in meat: avoiding bug spray isn’t worth that kind of trouble. Pack bug repellent, or if you can- use a combination product of sunscreen and repellent.
Simple First Aid Kits.
Accidents happen! You don’t need enough materials to build a cast, but a simple first-aid kit is a must. This kit should include bandages, gauze, antibacterial wipes, an extra phone charger, and anything else you think you might need in an emergency. In addition, if someone you’re hiking with has a bee or insect allergy, an epi-pen is a vital thing to bring along. All of these items may add a pound or less to your pack, but having them on hand in case of an emergency is vital.
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