Ten Essentials Every Backpacker Should Have in Their Pack
Packing the “Ten Essentials” whenever you’re planning a multi-day trip into the backcountry, or just a day hike, is a good habit. Yes, on a short day trip you may use only a few of them or none at all, but it’s when something goes sideways that you’ll thank yourself later for carrying these items that just might save your life!
The original Ten Essentials list was assembled in the 1930s by The Mountaineers (a Seattle-based organization for climbers and outdoor adventurers) to help people be prepared for emergencies in the outdoors. Back then, the list included a map, compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra clothing, headlamp/flashlight, first-aid supplies, fire starter, matches, knife and extra food.
Over the years, the list has evolved to a “systems” approach rather than including individual items. Here’s what my system contains today:
Navigation: Map, compass, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) and your smart phone ( the GPS will work in most backcountry circumstances)
Headlamp: Plus extra batteries (Petzl headlamps have a cool rechargeable battery pack)
Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
First Aid: Including foot care and insect repellent (as needed)
Knife: Plus a gear repair kit for your tent and pack.
Fire: Matches, lighter, tinder (stove for multi-day trips)
Shelter: Carried at all times (can be a light emergency bivy)
Extra Food: Beyond the minimum length of your trip
Extra Water: Or a filtration device like a Life Straw or Sawyer Squeeze
Extra Clothes: Beyond the minimum for the trip
The exact items that you take from this list can be tailored to the trip you’re taking. For example, on a short day hike that’s easy to navigate, you might choose to take a map, compass and your smart phone loaded with your favorite route tracking app like Trail Forks or All Trails. On a longer, more challenging outing, you might decide you want all those tools to help you find your way. When deciding what to bring, consider factors like weather, difficulty, duration, and distance from help.
For more information about each of the Ten Essentials, I’ll give my advice on the brand equipment I use in future posts. For help figuring out what else to bring with you, download and print out my checklist here.