By Corey Green, WNPF Creative Partner
Any time I hit the trails – for work or for my personal trips – the “10 Essentials” are always in my pack before I head out.
According to the National Park Service, “The 10 Essentials are a collection of first aid and emergency items that can help you in the event of minor injuries, sudden weather changes, or unexpected delays. The 10 Essentials are only the basic items you should have with you. You may need additional items depending on the activity in which you participate (e.g. life jacket, bug spray, personal locator beacon).”
Do you have big hiking plans in Washington’s national parks this summer? Let’s walk through each essential to ensure you’re prepped for your next outdoor adventure!
Navigation
It’s common for there to be little to no cell service in national parks, especially in the backcountry, so I don’t recommend relying on Google Maps for navigation needs! It’s best to download offline maps, as well as purchasing or printing out a paper map and bring a compass for the area you plan to visit.
💡 Pro tip: The National Park app offers downloadable offline maps and basic park information for your trip!
First Aid Kit
National parks – especially the ones in Washington – are very remote. If you get injured in the park, it may take hours for you to receive medical attention.
Plan ahead and pack a first aid kit that will meet potential injuries. The size of your kit can vary depending on the activity you do – i.e. a half-day hike vs. a 5-day backpacking trip.
Sun Protection
Getting too much sun in the park can quickly lead to a bad time – i.e. sun burns, heat exhaustion, etc. Sun protection can include sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, sun hoodie, and even gloves.
When I’m hiking, I have all of the above, plus long pants, which means I only need to put sunscreen on my face. While it may seem counterintuitive to wear long sleeves and pants in the hot sun, having a lightweight sun hoodie will keep you cooler and shaded.
Insulation
The weather in national parks – and the mountains in general – can change dramatically as you climb or drive to higher elevations. Even if the weather is sunny and hot when you start a hike, things could quickly change.
Packing an extra layer of clothing, as well as a rain jacket is crucial to having an enjoyable park experience. Insulation can include fleece sweaters, down jackets, or a combination of different layers.
Headlamp
Sometimes a hike can take longer than anticipated. Walking back to the car in the dark can be scary and even dangerous without a headlamp. It’s a lightweight piece of gear that can save the day.
Ensure the batteries are fully charged or have an extra set of batteries with you.
💡 Pro tip: use rechargeable batteries in your headlamp and charge them to 100% after each hike. Another tip is to hike with the batteries removed or switched so that it doesn’t accidentally turn on in your pack and drain the battery!
Fire
In case of an emergency, having the tools to start a fire can be the difference between a cold, unplanned night out or staying somewhat warm and dry! I recommend always carrying, at minimum, a lighter or waterproof matches.
Repair Kit
Is the sole of your boot falling off? Did you find a hole in your inflatable sleeping pad? Being prepared to fix gear in the field is crucial. Your repair kit might look different depending on the activity you’re doing outdoors.
I recommend bringing items like multi-tools, waterproof gear tape like raincoat patches, or duct tape wrapped around a pen or your water bottle.
Food
With hundreds of feet of elevation gain or multiple days on the trail, you may find that you need to eat more than usual to replenish the calories lost. Always pack more food than you think you would need.
At a minimum, tossing in a couple of extra granola bars in your pack can make a difference.
💡 Pro tip: Need trail snack suggestions? Check out WNPF’s staff picks on their favorite things to eat in the parks!
Water/Filter
Carry more water than you think you need! I drink a lot of water on trail and always carry a water filter everywhere I go.
I recommend identifying if there are any bodies of water at your destination that you could collect water from and treat using your filter or tablets.
💡 Pro tip: Use filters that don’t use batteries so it’s one less thing to worry about.
Emergency Shelter
Backcountry trips aren’t always perfect and things can rarely go as planned. It’s important to always have some sort of emergency shelter with you.
Forms of shelter include: a lightweight tarp, bivy sack, or an emergency blanket.
Remember, the gear you bring can look different for each trip. The more you head out, the more naturally it will come to you to remember these items. And don’t feel limited to just these 10 Essentials; I encourage you to bring additional items if it will give you peace of mind in the backcountry. Happy trails!
Interested in securing backcountry permits in the parks? Are you coordinating a large group of friends? Check out our other Backcountry Beginner blogs for Mount Rainier, North Cascades, or Olympic National Parks!
Cover photo: WNPF Climb for a Cause participants packing their gear for Mount Olympus, taken by Fred Hammerquist.
Corey Green, WNPF Creative Partner.