Whenever you are heading out on a day hike it is really important that you carry the correct items to make your hike enjoyable and safe. Here are my Top 5 things to consider:
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Backpack
A backpack for day hiking should be well supported and small enough to carry all the things you will require on your journey. This can include sunscreen, snacks and enough water for your journey along with any medication you may need. I use the Blackwolf Tempo 30 Litre day pack as it has excellent airflow and good padded straps at the shoulders and waist.
- Water
Depending on the length of your journey you should aim to carry at least 1-2 litres of water as some walks will not have accessible water if you should run out.
- Snacks
It is always nice to have a little snack in your day pack in case you get hungry along the track. Fruit, nuts and chocolate are all excellent treats to enjoy while out on the trail and can you give that little burst of energy you require when you need it.
- Footwear
What you wear on your feet can determine whether you enjoy your hike or not. Cold wet feet definitely do not make for an enjoyable hike! Runners, hiking boots and trail runners are all suitable footwear for our upcoming hikes. The difference between runners and hiking boots is that hiking boots generally have some degree of water proofing which makes for a more pleasant hike especially if the grass is wet or there is mud on the track. Hiking boots will also offer more grip making them safer on slippery tracks. Most of the hikes we will be doing can safely be done in runners with good grip on them. The choice is yours.
- Weather
There is a quote that reads: There is no such thing as bad weather only inappropriate clothing. While we can plan for most things while hiking we cannot rely on the weather. It is important you check the weather forecast before hitting the trail and wear the appropriate clothing. Clothing for hiking is done in layers so if you get too hot or cold you simply add a layer or take off a layer to accommodate your bodies requirements. If the weather is hot you will also need to consider taking sunscreen, a hat or cap and extra water or alternatively if the weather is cold or rain is forecast you may need a beanie, a good rain coat and wet weather pants if you have them. While on your hike if the weather improves you can simply take off your extra layers and store them in your day pack.