My 10 Essentials

Navigation

The level of navigation when I go out on a trail depends where I am.

If I am on an Edmonton trail, I only use my phone. I will post a blog soon about the apps I use.

If I’m outside of the city, I bring two different things.

Garmin inReach Explorer+

This is the navigation tool I rely on the most besides my phone. I opted to go with this device because it has a few key features I was looking for. I wanted something that had interactive messaging, sharing my location with family, SOS capability, and route mapping. I wanted all of this on one device. Since I tend to hike solo, it was really important to me that I was able to navigate my route on the screen and communicate with my family.

Suunto MC-2 with National Geographic maps

Most places will tell you to bring a map and compass with you when you go out. Here’s the thing, IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO USE THEM, IT’S JUST ADDED WEIGHT. Please make sure you know how to use these tools. If I am going out on a solo adventure where I know there is spotty connection I make sure I brush up on my compass skills. Take a course, find a video, and practice! I personally like She Dreams of Alpine Backpacking Badass Program.

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Hydration

No matter what I am doing or where I am, I always have my water purification tabs and Sawyer filter. I will always bring a Nalgene bottle or my Gregory 3D Hydro 2L Reservoir already filled with water.

For safety, I also have a way of cleaning my own water in case of an emergency or if I need more water.

Water Purification Tabs and Sawyer Water Filter

If I am on a backpacking trip, I will use my Sawyer water filter to make sure I don’t get sick from the water. ALWAYS make sure you filter your water! Even though you want to drink that “clean” mountain water, you don’t know what has happened up stream. I like the Sawyer filter because it is small. It’s not the most efficient for time but it works well for me.

I like having a backup system. If I need water and my Sawyer isn’t working, I have Pristine water purification tabs (the picture is the old package, the link is the new packaging but same product). Keep in mind, these tabs DO add a flavor to the water. I am not a fan of that all the time so I bring Mio with electrolytes to cover the iodine tablet taste.

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Nutrition

I don’t have pictures for this category because it depends on what I have in my pantry at the time. Make sure you have food with you! I like to pack a few bars (fruit bars, granola bars, protein bars). These can last awhile so I don’t need to worry about them going bad in my backpack. Having extra food is essential in an emergency situation – you never know how long you might have to rely on yourself for survival.

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Extra Clothing

I always bring extra clothes with me. Depending on the season, the clothes I bring with change.

In the summer time I bring a rain jacket (WindRiver Women’s Downpour Waterproof Hyper-Dri 3 Rain Jacket) and an extra sweater (Eddie Bauer High Route Grid Fleece 1/4-Zip). Depending on the forescast and the location, I will sometimes also add a pair of rain pants (Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap Stretch Rain Pants).

In the winter I will bring an extra jacket (Eddie Bauer MotionLoft Hybrid Down Jacket), extra gloves, and the rain pants I mentioned earlier.

In the spring/fall it is really a mixture of the above clothing staples I have. It depends on the weather conditions and what I may experience where I am going.

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Sun Protection

One of my favorite articles to wear in the summer for sun protection is my Wind River Tick and Mosquito Repellant Hat. Not only does it keep my head, ears, and neck protected from UV rays, it also repels bugs from my face. It WORKS!

I also have a pair of athletic sunglasses from Amazon that I have been using. I like that they wrap around my face, are polarized and mirrored, have an adjustable nose piece, and little vents at the top of the glasses for ventilation.

Sunscreen is always important to have on you. It doesn’t matter the season, your skin can burn from the UV rays.

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Light

It doesn’t matter if you are hiking during the day, bring some sort of light source. In the mountains, it can get dark fast. You never want to be left without light. Please don’t rely on your phones flashlight for this! In an emergency you are going to want to keep your phone battery as charged as possible for communication.

Princeton Tec Fuel 4-LED Headlamp

This headlamp has been with me since 2014. It is battery reliant which means I have to keep spare batteries handy. It has served me well!

I also have the Energizer Headlamp in my backpacking kit.

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First Aid

This first aid kit has been with me since 2014. I love how small and compact it is. It has most of the essential components to get you out of a ‘scrape’. The other nice thing about this kit is that there is extra room for you to add personal touches. For example I added Tylenol, Reactine, a knee brace, tweezers, more band-aids, and duct tape. I also add my Epi-pen and inhalers on the day of my trip (those don’t stay in the backpack for obvious reasons).

Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight

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Fire Starter

I choose to carry matches in a waterproof container but I know some people who carry lighters instead to start a fire in an emergency situation. I don’t like the idea of a potential lighter fluid leak in my backpack so I opt for matches.

You should also do some research about the area you are going to. In Alberta, you are only allowed to start fires in designated areas within provincial and national parks (you can read more about wildfire management in Canada here). Also, take a look at fire bans from Alberta Parks here.

The matches I carry are only for emergency purposes.

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Shelter

I don’t have the space in my daypack to carry my tent with me (nor do I want to carry it every time I got out!) but I want to have some sort of protection from the elements and the cold should I have to spend the night outdoors. This blanket will reflect body heat back to you, is wind and waterproof as well as a bright color to attract rescuers.

Survive Outdoors Longer Emergency Blanket

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Tools

I started out with the Swiss Army knife. This was the perfect size for me to start with. I didn’t need anything fancier.

I was out hiking in Elk Island National Park one morning and found the Gerber Suspension Multitool on the path. I couldn’t find its owner so I use this tool in my pack instead now.

You don’t need anything this fancy. In a survival situation, I would like to be able to pull things apart or cut things to pieces. A basic knife would suffice for this.

Swiss Army Camping Multitool and Gerber Suspension Multitool

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Extras

Bug Protection

I live in Alberta. The mosquitoes and flies can turn any moment outdoors into a nightmare. I will put bug spray on but don’t like it on my face. If needed, I will put this head net over my hat to protect my face. I used this on a backpacking trip to Tonquin Valley and it changed my life! It’s lightweight, easy to use, reusable, and doesn’t leave a scent on my skin!

Coghlan’s No-See-Um Head Net

I also will carry my Wind River hat I mentioned in the sun protection section and a small bug spray.

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Kula Cloth

This is the newest addition to my hiking essentials! I haven’t used it yet but I’ve heard good things! Depending on where you are and how long you are gone for, you will have to use the bathroom. I hate bringing toilet paper when I have to pee. What is more disgusting than being on a trail and seeing left over toilet paper scattered on the forest floor?! This cloth is designed to fix that issue in a hygienic way.

Terracotta Rose Kula Cloth

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Hiking Poles

I usually always bring my Black Diamond Trail Cork hiking poles with me. I find them really helpful for going both uphill and downhill. They provide me with extra contact with the ground and help relieve some of the stress off my knees. It was a game changer for me when I started using them! Even if I don’t think I will need them, I like to have them strapped to my pack for emergencies.

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Bear Spray

Depending on the area I am going to, this is sometimes a must! Jasper National Park, Banff National Park, Kananaskis County are a few I definitely have it accessible. I even carry it with me when I go to Elk Island National Park. The likelihood of needing it there is slim but I prefer to have it handy.

As with the compass and map, you need to know how to use it! I know too many people who don’t know how to discharge it but carry it because it is recommended. Find a course, video, or demo to try! Some courses will have “fake” cans for you to try spraying. I was at a course that had a bear on a track and demo cans to spray. We would have the fake bear spray in a holster, our back turned to the “bear” and someone would play grizzly sounds. We would have to turn around, take the can out of the holster and spray the “bear” before it reached us. This was such a valuable experience! It showed me how to use the bear spray and where to aim. Having your bear spray accessible is essential in those situations! I have seen too many people with their bear spray in their pack or in a side pocket – you won’t have time to get it out in an emergency!

Do you have any essentials in your day pack that I haven’t listed?