1. Bring plenty of extra water
2. Bring plenty of food
3. First Aid Kit
4. Large trash bag or tarp
(for shelter)
5. Whistle
6. Lip Balm
7. Sun Screen
8. Signaling Mirror
9. Proper Clothing & Footwear
10. Flashlight |
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If
planning a day or overnight hike let someone know by either
word of mouth or a short note stating where you will be
starting your hike and what time you plan leave and return.
You can also register with the forestry service or sign
your name to the trail log.
As
an insurance policy, the smart hiker will leave a sample
of their foot print at home or with the forestry service
so that he or she can be tracked if necessary. This is accomplished
by taking ordinary piece of aluminum foil, placing it on
a folded towel and then taking a careful step on the foil.
This leaves a very nice impression of your shoe print that
the search and rescue team can use to find you. (Neat huh?)
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Tell Someone Where You Are
Going. A timetable, itinerary, vehicle description,
a list of outer clothing and tent colors, and a copy
of a map of where you are going should be left with
family friends, etc.
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Party Size. A party
of four is ideal. A party of two should be considered
the minimum. Soloists must understand the risks of "going
it alone." Make sure you have enough experienced
people along to manage a group of novices.
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Companions. Choose
them carefully. Consider experience, judgment, and physical
condition. Parties with members of similar abilities
usually perform best together. The slowest person should
set the pace for the group.
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Planning. A must.
Current information from maps, guidebooks, park and
forest service personnel and those who have been there
before can be helpful in trip planning.
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If you become lost. Stop and
think! Backtrack if possible, trust your
compass. Don't travel more than a short distance unless
you know where you are going. If a search is initiated
for you it will start at the point you were last seen.
If conditions make travel impractical, seek shelter.
Make your location visible with brightly colored items,
fire, smoke, stamping words out in the snow, etc. Make
noise. Use a whistle, firearm, shouts, etc. Three sounds
in a row (whistle blasts, gunshots, etc.) is recognized
distress signal. Shelter, warmth, and water are more
important than food.
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