I recently watched this video by Dixie of Homemade Wanderlust. Dixie began backpacking several years ago with an AT thru-hike. Since then, she has gone on to complete the Triple Crown as well as many other trails in the US and abroad. She is quite a celebrity in the thru-hiking community.
Even with all those accomplishments she still enjoys occasional day-hikes. In the video linked above, she decided to test herself and her gear by staying out overnight with only her day-hiking pack. It was enlightening.
The Ten Essentials
As you know, experts always recommend that we bring the 10 Essentials on day-hikes. These are items which may save your life if you are ever injured or lost on the trail or otherwise end up being out longer than you planned. Most likely you will never need these items. However, no one ever sets out on a trail planning to need a Search and Rescue Team to come find them. Accidents happen.
Even in a non-emergency situation, some of the ten essentials would simply make life easier. I have friends who once found themselves unexpectedly hiking back to their car in the dark. It had been a hot day and their water bottles had been empty for hours. Thankfully, it was only a couple of miles, but a headlamp and water filter would have made a huge difference in their overall experience.
These items may also enable you to provide life-saving assistance to other hikers. For example I once encountered a hiker whose blood sugar had dropped unexpectedly and I had nothing I could offer. Now I make sure I do.
Dixie’s video helped me to evaluate the items I pack in my bag for each hike. It was also a great reminder to practice with that gear. Sure, I have a small emergency tarp, but I have not practiced setting it up lately. It is time to do that again.
If you are in need of medical gear, I highly recommend Medical Gear Outfitters, a small, Christian-owned company in South Carolina. They offer everything from booboo bags to full trauma kits. I am an affiliate of Medical Gear Outfitters. By using my link, you will not pay any more and I will receive a small credit which helps me purchase gear for our hiking group. See full disclosure here.
Summer Activities
For home educating families, testing your emergency gear (even if only in your backyard) would be a fun activity to do with the kids this summer. Furthermore, it would build confidence should a true emergency ever arise. (And yes, it ‘counts’ as an educational activity. But the kids don’t have to know that.)
Check out the printable day-hike packing checklist I created for our homeschool hiking group as well as the explanations of why each item is included.
Have you practiced using your emergency gear lately? How did it go?