Hiking Checklist

A hiking activity for a day to the mountains or woods or one involving overnight stay in a distant location, requires deep enthusiasm and love of nature. This is because, unlike a luxury cruise or a five-star stay, hiking involves the use of minimalistic settings, which are in harmony with the surroundings. This also necessitates the use of traveling equipment to carry along for convenience and use in emergency situations. But the checklist for the same varies tremendously, according to the needs of the hiker and the location. More often than not, you forget some important medicine or flashlight, and so on leading to slight discomfort. Therefore, you must include a list of hiking material that can be generally suitable for every type of hiker, in order to ensure a smooth, safe and a pleasant hiking experience.

Before the Excursion

A very important and mostly neglected aspect when you are on a hiking trail is, the knowledge of the activity you are pursuing. More precisely, knowing what you are about to set forth on, is the most crucial part even before making a hiking gear checklist. Very often, people get carried away at the prospect of overnight hiking or winter hiking, without understanding the nature of the activity at hand. If you happen to be a regular hiker, you can go ahead with the checklist analysis. But if you are a novice, knowing the details of the trail, the walk involved, the kind of terrain and more importantly your capacity and ability to make the trip is a mandatory need. Understanding the nature of expedition should be at the top priority for first-timers, especially before going forward to winter hiking checklist or an overnight hiking checklist. Knowing your limitations and strengths and acting accordingly, is absolutely essential to successfully complete and enjoy the hiking activity.

Usually, a day hiking checklist won't involve much of a trouble, and should be a nice and easy job, even for a first timer. The best way to plan for the activity is to get some advice from experienced people, who have been good hikers, preferably having gone through the trail, you are about to venture on.

Hiking Checklist

Always ensure that a copy of the detailed plan of the tour, especially in case of an overnight hiking trip, is available with some near or dear one, who is staying back or not accompanying you on the hiking trail. In case of emergency situations, which rarely occur, if proper precautions have been taken, it may prove handy. This includes, the tour itinerary, your contact details, the tour operator's detailed contact (in case you are hiring professional assistance) and that of fellow hikers. Your family or friends may not need and never use these details, but emergency preparedness like some rescue work plans require these details.

As mentioned earlier, the listed details are neither exhaustive nor absolutely compulsory. There might be a few additions and deletions from the list according to the time, people, place of hiking and the conditions. But most of the details provided can help on any type of hiking tour.

First Aid Checklist

• First aid handbook along with ready reference book for the area you visit.
• Scissors
• Pincers and disinfectants like hydrogen peroxide
• Antihistamine tablets, prescribed medications and lotions according to the climate of the place.
• Anti-venom and sting or bite protection apparatus
• Health drinks and glucose supplements
• Blister pads
• Medicinal tapes and coatings.
• Splints and thermometer
• Adhesives and different types of bandages
• Antiseptic creams and wrapping pads

General Items Checklist

• Water and/or filter in sufficient quantity
• Sunglasses, snow glasses
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Windbreaker, rain wear, poncho
• Swiss Knife/ pen knife
• Maps of concerned locations
• Insect repellent
• Matches/ Lighters
• Toilet paper
• Hats/Caps
• Compass
• Plastic bags (for waste)
• Camera (with batteries and memory devices)
• Binoculars
• Lunch and energy snacks (for day hiking checklist plan)
• Sketch pad, pen/pencil
• Journal/diary/notepad
• Hiking/trekking poles
• Extra clothing and pair of socks
• A bag to carry all these items

If you wish to have a safe, comfortable and a memorable hiking expedition make sure that most of the above items are included in your list. Have a really pleasant hiking tour!