The 10 Essentials of Hiking
video description
(It's always SO cute to watch NON-survivalists try to teach survival)
The 10 Essentials most often comes up when discussing day hiking, but day hikers are responsible for more Search And Rescue missions than ANY other outdoor activity BY FAR (about ONE THIRD of all SAR missions. However, whether you're day hiking, distance hiking, wilderness hiking or bushwhacking, ALWAYS follow The Five Essential Steps: 1- Plan (heavy on research, 2- Prepare (pack proper gear and supplies starting with a smartphone and water, 3- Proficiency (be PHYSICALLY ready and have the necessary knowledge, skills, experience, 4- Backups (tell at least two people where you're going and when you'll be back, take other reasonable precautions/gear starting with a smartphone, and 5- Basic Survival (understand the basic survival strategies and concepts. For good measure, also follow The Five Basic Skills: 6- Signaling, 7- Sheltering, 8- Fire, 9- Water, 10- Food.
The 10 Essentials is really just the beginner's Survival Kit, that's because beginners DON'T HAVE survival kits (another reason they need rescue more than anyone else. So to be clear, the so-called, 10 essentials, is a just quick-and-dirty guide on what to pack, but it is TOTALLY insufficient if we're talking about actually being PREPARED! But okay, what do you PACK? Start with.
1- Kits (First-Aid, including necessary med's, contacts and case, etc. ; Repair, needle and thread, duct tape, etc)
2- Communication (A smartphone in a waterproof-shockproof case and a spare batter or battery bank)
3- Illumination (A headlight and spare batteries
4- Navigation (Map on waterproof paper and a quality compass, but LEARN how to use them)
5- Clothing (Wear proper [layered] clothing, but include rain and thermal layers)
6- Sheltering (At least a Mylar bivy sack, but a regular bivy would be better)
7- Signaling (At least a whistle and a reflector)
8- Fire (At least a lighter, maybe some stormproof matches and fire starting tinder)
9- Water (for the day/duration)
10- Food (for the day/duration)
You should also follow a number of outdoor Rules, including:
THE TREKKING RULE
Rest before you're tired, drink before you're thirsty, eat before you're hungry, remove layers before you sweat, replace layers before you're cold
THE LOST RULE
Stop, sit, eat, drink, THINK. Then follow one of the 8 reorienting strategies.
THE PRIMARY SURVIVAL STRATEGY
Keep calm, keep thinking. Seek safety, be ready for rescue. The more you try, the better you're odds. Lose your hope, lose your life!
Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 9
Survival
EVERYONE IS A POTENTIAL VICTIM, NOT EVERYONE IS A POTENTIAL SURVIVOR. - John Lech, PhD
(It's always SO cute to watch NON-survivalists try to talk about survival) The so-called 10 Essentials is actually little more than a beginner's guide on what to pack. It is TOTALLY insufficient by itself if we're talking about actually being PREPARED! But okay, so what do you pack? START with.
1- Kits (First-Aid= including necessary med's, contacts and case, etc. ; Repair= needle and thread, duct tape, etc)
2- Communication (A smartphone in a waterproof-shockproof case and a spare batter or battery bank)
3- Illumination (A headlight and spare batteries
4- Navigation (Map on waterproof paper and a quality compass, but LEARN how to use them)
5- Clothing (Wear proper [layered] clothing, but include rain and thermal layers)
6- Sheltering (At least a Mylar bivy sack, but a regular bivy would be better)
7- Signaling (At least a whistle and a reflector)
8- Fire (At least a lighter, maybe some stormproof matches and fire starting tinder)
9- Water (for the day/duration)
10- Food (for the day/duration)
AFTER you have the essentials, then you can add a buff, sunglasses, etc, but you should also know a number of outdoor Rules, including:
THE TREKKING RULE
Rest before you're tired, drink before you're thirsty, eat before you're hungry, remove layers before you're hot, replace layers before you're cold
THE LOST RULE
Stop, sit, eat, drink, THINK. Then follow one of the 8 reorienting strategies.
THE PRIMARY SURVIVAL STRATEGY
Keep calm, keep thinking. Seek safety, be ready for rescue. The more you try, the better you're odds. Lose your hope, lose your life!
NOTE: Day hikers are responsible for more Search And Rescue missions than ANY other outdoor activity BY FAR (about ONE THIRD of all SAR missions. However, whether you're day hiking, distance hiking, wilderness hiking or bushwhacking, ALWAYS follow The Five Essential Steps: 1- Plan (heavy on research, 2- Prepare (pack proper gear and supplies starting with a smartphone and water, 3- Proficiency (be PHYSICALLY ready and have the necessary knowledge, skills, experience, 4- Backups (tell at least two people where you're going and when you'll be back, take other reasonable precautions/gear starting with a smartphone, and 5- Basic Survival (understand the basic survival strategies and concepts. For good measure, also follow The Five Basic Skills: 6- Signaling, 7- Sheltering, 8- Fire, 9- Water, 10- Food.
reply
EVERYONE IS A POTENTIAL VICTIM, NOT EVERYONE IS A POTENTIAL SURVIVOR. - John Lech, PhD
(It's always SO cute to watch NON-survivalists try to talk about survival) The so-called 10 Essentials is actually little more than a beginner's guide on what to pack. It is TOTALLY insufficient by itself if we're talking about actually being PREPARED! But okay, so what do you pack? START with.
1- Kits (First-Aid= including necessary med's, contacts and case, etc. ; Repair= needle and thread, duct tape, etc)
2- Communication (A smartphone in a waterproof-shockproof case and a spare batter or battery bank)
3- Illumination (A headlight and spare batteries
4- Navigation (Map on waterproof paper and a quality compass, but LEARN how to use them)
5- Clothing (Wear proper [layered] clothing, but include rain and thermal layers)
6- Sheltering (At least a Mylar bivy sack, but a regular bivy would be better)
7- Signaling (At least a whistle and a reflector)
8- Fire (At least a lighter, maybe some stormproof matches and fire starting tinder)
9- Water (for the day/duration)
10- Food (for the day/duration)
AFTER you have the essentials, then you can add a buff, sunglasses, etc, but you should also know a number of outdoor Rules, including:
THE TREKKING RULE
Rest before you're tired, drink before you're thirsty, eat before you're hungry, remove layers before you're hot, replace layers before you're cold
THE LOST RULE
Stop, sit, eat, drink, THINK. Then follow one of the 8 reorienting strategies.
THE PRIMARY SURVIVAL STRATEGY
Keep calm, keep thinking. Seek safety, be ready for rescue. The more you try, the better you're odds. Lose your hope, lose your life!
NOTE: Day hikers are responsible for more Search And Rescue missions than ANY other outdoor activity BY FAR (about ONE THIRD of all SAR missions. However, whether you're day hiking, distance hiking, wilderness hiking or bushwhacking, ALWAYS follow The Five Essential Steps: 1- Plan (heavy on research, 2- Prepare (pack proper gear and supplies starting with a smartphone and water, 3- Proficiency (be PHYSICALLY ready and have the necessary knowledge, skills, experience, 4- Backups (tell at least two people where you're going and when you'll be back, take other reasonable precautions/gear starting with a smartphone, and 5- Basic Survival (understand the basic survival strategies and concepts. For good measure, also follow The Five Basic Skills: 6- Signaling, 7- Sheltering, 8- Fire, 9- Water, 10- Food.
reply
dewey
These are the most straight forward, informative hiking videos on the Tube. Great nature shots, and all while being entertaining without fluffy side out stories. Really to the point- love it. I am catching up on your videos, and snuck a peek at Episode 15 of the CDT series. I live in Texas, but am working on a cabin I bought in Berthoud Falls, Colorado. You walked right past my cabin on US 40 where the Jones Pass cutoff is to the left, and the Berthoud Pass first switchback goes off to the right. I was even there in August when you were on your hike. Wish I knew then what I know now. It would have been great to say hi. Thanks for the videos, I am working up to day hiking the top of the 12, 343 mountain in Arapaho National Forest I see from my porch. Your videos will help me get ready.
Baron von Berthoud Falls
Dewey Warner
reply
These are the most straight forward, informative hiking videos on the Tube. Great nature shots, and all while being entertaining without fluffy side out stories. Really to the point- love it. I am catching up on your videos, and snuck a peek at Episode 15 of the CDT series. I live in Texas, but am working on a cabin I bought in Berthoud Falls, Colorado. You walked right past my cabin on US 40 where the Jones Pass cutoff is to the left, and the Berthoud Pass first switchback goes off to the right. I was even there in August when you were on your hike. Wish I knew then what I know now. It would have been great to say hi. Thanks for the videos, I am working up to day hiking the top of the 12, 343 mountain in Arapaho National Forest I see from my porch. Your videos will help me get ready.
Baron von Berthoud Falls
Dewey Warner
reply
Hiking
Great video, Dixie. I think my weakest links in terms of the essentials explained in this video is sun protection and repair gear. I rarely put on sunblock or wear sun protecting clothing. I think that is a bad idea because it can get me in the future but because I really don't burn, I rarely think about it. Gear repair has only been something I've recently got because nothing has ever happened to my gear but I'd rather be safe than sorry, right! Great video as always - if you're ever looking for a shorter thru-hike, my forest (Shawnee NF) has an easy longer trail that is a bit over 100 miles that many people try to do each year. Plus being a shorter trail, there is more time to see all the cool things our forest has to offer like a road closed two times a year for snake migration!
reply
Great video, Dixie. I think my weakest links in terms of the essentials explained in this video is sun protection and repair gear. I rarely put on sunblock or wear sun protecting clothing. I think that is a bad idea because it can get me in the future but because I really don't burn, I rarely think about it. Gear repair has only been something I've recently got because nothing has ever happened to my gear but I'd rather be safe than sorry, right! Great video as always - if you're ever looking for a shorter thru-hike, my forest (Shawnee NF) has an easy longer trail that is a bit over 100 miles that many people try to do each year. Plus being a shorter trail, there is more time to see all the cool things our forest has to offer like a road closed two times a year for snake migration!
reply
Dutch
Essential gear on any hike, even a dayhike, are basically what is referred to as 'survival items'.
You casually mention a knife as in the toolbox but basically any survival instructor will tell you a good sturdy (fixed blade) knife is your #1 item. #2 a loud whistle. #3 a fire steel/ferro rod. The list is longer but these are items you did not mention or did not emphasize enough. You carry these items on your person and not in your pack in case you loose your pack.
As somebody already mentioned most search and rescue missions are about dayhikers getting lost or wounded.
I suggest you talk to some survival instructors and search and rescue people before making a list like this.
The items you listed sure are useful but not all are essential for survival.
reply
Essential gear on any hike, even a dayhike, are basically what is referred to as 'survival items'.
You casually mention a knife as in the toolbox but basically any survival instructor will tell you a good sturdy (fixed blade) knife is your #1 item. #2 a loud whistle. #3 a fire steel/ferro rod. The list is longer but these are items you did not mention or did not emphasize enough. You carry these items on your person and not in your pack in case you loose your pack.
As somebody already mentioned most search and rescue missions are about dayhikers getting lost or wounded.
I suggest you talk to some survival instructors and search and rescue people before making a list like this.
The items you listed sure are useful but not all are essential for survival.
reply
SyoCoF
Thanks Dixie for all the tips.
I'm Leandro, from Argentina and I'm going to do my first hiking in winter. So I'm learning a lot with your videos.
I have one doubt, since I am hemophilic and I have to take refrigerated medication. Do you know any way to keep cold?
The route I'm going to take is 70 km, from San Miguel de Tucuman, we pass through Yerba Buena, to Tafi del Valle. What we plan to do in 5 or 6 days.
For what I need cold for 4 or 5 days. I was told that 1 or 2 days at low temperatures is resistant, so I am investigating different ways to maintain it.
Thank you very much for your videos, they are very specific and you are very nice to listen to!
reply
Thanks Dixie for all the tips.
I'm Leandro, from Argentina and I'm going to do my first hiking in winter. So I'm learning a lot with your videos.
I have one doubt, since I am hemophilic and I have to take refrigerated medication. Do you know any way to keep cold?
The route I'm going to take is 70 km, from San Miguel de Tucuman, we pass through Yerba Buena, to Tafi del Valle. What we plan to do in 5 or 6 days.
For what I need cold for 4 or 5 days. I was told that 1 or 2 days at low temperatures is resistant, so I am investigating different ways to maintain it.
Thank you very much for your videos, they are very specific and you are very nice to listen to!
reply
TheCasualHiker
Another awesome video. One thing that saved me on my recent overnighter hiking trip, my portable lighter flicker ran out of fuel, and luckily I had a flint rock spark to use to light up my fuel burner. Never used it before, especially for lighting a burner, and it worked great. What's so cool about the flint rock igniters, is they are so cheap. I found mine the size of a key chain for only 99 cents at a goodwill store, and it saved me, so I could have another hot meal on a very cold night. Always have back up.
reply
Another awesome video. One thing that saved me on my recent overnighter hiking trip, my portable lighter flicker ran out of fuel, and luckily I had a flint rock spark to use to light up my fuel burner. Never used it before, especially for lighting a burner, and it worked great. What's so cool about the flint rock igniters, is they are so cheap. I found mine the size of a key chain for only 99 cents at a goodwill store, and it saved me, so I could have another hot meal on a very cold night. Always have back up.
reply
Chris
Thank you for the video. It is good to remember these things, even on a day hike. (Went for a day hike last year in a well marked state park. Got to the back side of the park and discovered some of the signs had been removed. As suggested in the video, I downloaded a copy of the park map before the hike. So I was able to find my way back using the map and landmarks)
reply
Thank you for the video. It is good to remember these things, even on a day hike. (Went for a day hike last year in a well marked state park. Got to the back side of the park and discovered some of the signs had been removed. As suggested in the video, I downloaded a copy of the park map before the hike. So I was able to find my way back using the map and landmarks)
reply
BackOutside
in may, my 6 year old daughter and i start our first section hike of the AT. and plan to finish 1 state a year. its all thanks to you for giving me the drive to actually start doing it. wish i could do a thru hike. but 15 years of memories with my little one sounds just as good! thank you Dixie
reply
in may, my 6 year old daughter and i start our first section hike of the AT. and plan to finish 1 state a year. its all thanks to you for giving me the drive to actually start doing it. wish i could do a thru hike. but 15 years of memories with my little one sounds just as good! thank you Dixie
reply
Allen
Hey Dixie, I'm starting hiking. I'm going to follow your videos as my how to guide. I'm doing this full time. I've moved to the Rockies to start training. You have inspired me. I just wanted you to know.
reply
Hey Dixie, I'm starting hiking. I'm going to follow your videos as my how to guide. I'm doing this full time. I've moved to the Rockies to start training. You have inspired me. I just wanted you to know.
reply
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