What Comes First? (The Ten Essentials #1)
When it comes to the Essential Dame Necessities, the first thing you need is something to carry everything in. A small day pack is ideal. You don’t need anything fancy. In fact, you can steal your kid’s school backpack for the day and it will work just fine. You can even carry everything you need in a large fanny-pack or waist pack. The only thing that I suggest is that you make sure that whatever you carry either goes around your waist or over both shoulders. I have seen women show up for Trail Dames hikes with different shoulder bags and satchels. They do work, but in the end are very uncomfortable. There is nothing worse than having your shoulder bag sliding off of your shoulder every few steps. That is a miserable way to spend three miles!
As you hike more and more, you might want to invest in a true day-pack. They have extras that can make your hike more comfortable, like hip belts and pouches for a water bladder. But for the time being, don’t let the lack of a fancy backpack keep you from getting out on the trail!! I have several Dames that hike with poof-y, flower-dy backpack purses and they do just fine. It is what is in them that matters!
In Trail Dames, we pay close attention to being prepared because it can not only make a difference in your survival, but in your enjoyment. You want hiking to be as much fun as possible, so anything you can do to keep yourself comfortable is important. So with that in mind, what should you carry in your backpack? The next several blogs will list everything that you need, but let’s start with the basics. These are NOT in order of importance. You should carry all of them every time you step out of your car to do a little stroll in the woods.
Water
Always carry a couple of water bottles and make sure that they are full. I am sure that most of you know that you can survive for days without food, but you will not last long without water. On a three mile walk on a well-marked path, the chances of you getting lost for a week and ending up in a true survival situation is very slim. However, the chances of the hike taking longer than you think it will are excellent! Nothing can ruin your experience faster than true discomfort. And being hot and thirsty is truly uncomfortable.
Also, keep in mind that having extra water can often come in handy if your hiking friends run out. Remember that part about hikers always helping each other out? If your friend runs low, having enough to share will is an easy way to insure that you both have a great time on the trail.
Finally, consider investing in a portable means of purifying water. This can be as simple as iodine tablets. My own personal favorite is the Aquamira drops. You don’t need to carry a bulky water filter on your day hikes, but a small bag with tablets or drops is a smart way to stay prepared.
With all methods of water treatment you will find pros and cons. The most important thing to do is pick one and use it. The amount of critters in a beautiful, swift-moving stream would boggle your mind. No matter how much it looks like a beer commercial from Colorado, don’t drink it without purifying it.
Stay tuned for more…………
Anna aka Mud Butt