Ten Essentials, Wisconsin Trail Guide

Essential things to have when you hike.

1. Appropriate footwear.
For a short day hike that doesn't involve a heavy pack or technical terrain, trail shoes are great. For longer hikes, carrying heavier loads, or more technical terrain, hiking boots offer more support.

2. Map and compass/GPS.
A map and compass not only tell you where you are and how far you have to go, it can help you find campsites, water, and an emergency exit route in case of an accident. While GPS units are very useful, always carry a map and compass as a backup.

3. Extra water and a way to purify it.
Without enough water, your body's muscles and organs simply can't perform as well. Consuming too little water will not only make you thirsty, but susceptible to hypothermia in cooler weather.

4. Extra food.
Any number of things could keep you out longer than expected: getting lost, enjoying time by a stream, an injury, or difficult terrain. Extra food will help keep up energy and morale.

5. Rain gear and extra clothing.
Because the weatherman is not always right. Dressing in layers allows you to adjust to changing weather and activity levels. Two rules: avoid cotton (it keeps moisture close to your skin) and always carry a hat.

6. Safety items: fire, light, and a whistle.
The warmth of a fire and a hot drink can help prevent hypothermia. Fires are also a great way to signal for help if you get lost. If lost, you'll also want the whistle as it is more effective than using your voice to call for help (use 3 short bursts). And just in case you're out later than planned, a flashlight/headlamp is a must-have item to see your map and where you're walking.

7. First aid kit.
Prepackaged first-aid kits for hikers are available at any outfitter. Double your effectiveness with knowledge: take a first-aid class with the American Red Cross or a Wilderness First Aid class.

8. Knife or multi-purpose tool.
These enable you to cut strips of cloth into bandages, remove splinters, fix broken eyeglasses, and perform a whole host of repairs on malfunctioning gear.

9. Sun screen and sun glasses.
Sunscreen is essential to prevent sunburn, even on cloudy days. Sunglasses help protect your eyes from: the suns harsh glare, getting poked by low branches, and from pesky bugs hovering near your face and eyes.

10. Daypack/backpack.
You'll want something you can carry comfortably and has the features designed to keep you hiking smartly. Don't forget the rain cover; some packs come with one built-in. Keep the other Essentials in the pack and you'll always be ready to hit the trail safely.

Source: American Hiking Society. Please visit the AHS Website for more information.