Summer is in full swing and for outdoor enthusiasts that means heading out and enjoying nature. For those who are new to outdoor trekking or hiking, here are a few items that are essential to having a great time in safety and comfort:
1. Hiking boots: Quality footwear that provides ankle stability is a must for hiking more strenuous trails. If you aren’t sure if this is something you will want to do on a regular basis, than gortex trail running shoes is a terrific alternative. It will keep your feet dry, provide a nice grip, and is more lightweight than boots.
2. Raincoat: The weather can change quickly in the mountains and you never know when it may rain or snow. A quality raincoat will provide you with the necessary protection.
3. Blister pads: No matter how worn in your shoes might be, you will likely find yourself with at least one blister by the end of a long hike, so go prepared.
4. Bug Spray: While some may question the safety of DEET, if I am not wearing a mosquito repellent with at least 20% DEET, I get eaten alive. If you want to avoid the chemicals, citronelle is said to work fairly well and wear light colored clothing. Wearing long layers also helps protect against ticks.
5. Energy bars: Opt for energy dense foods and avoid fruits with high water content. That just makes them heavier to carry around. I love dates and cliff bars for any snack.
6. Dry fit shirt: A cotton shirt retains moisture and can take forever to dry out. If you shop around you can find a quality technical shirt at a reasonable price (no need to spend 70$ at Lululemon)
7. Head lamp: In the fall months, you may find yourself out later than expected and with the days getting shorter it may be dark by the time you finish your trek. Be prepared with a headlamp to light your way back.
8. Map and emergency numbers: The reality is you never know what might go wrong up in nature, so plan ahead of time to bring the phone numbers of the local patrol with you.
What items do you consider essential when playing outside in nature?
