For safety, survival and basic comfort, bring these on every hike:

1. Navigation

• Map (with protective case)

• Compass

2. Sun protection

• Sunscreen

• SPF-rated lip balm

• Sunglasses

3. Insulation

• See Clothing options, below

4. Illumination

• Headlamp or flashlight

• Extra batteries

5. First-aid supplies
• First-aid kit (see our First-Aid Checklist)

6. Fire

Fire-starting gear:

• A lighter or matches in a waterproof container

• Firestarting material

7. Repair tools and kit

• Knife or multi-tool

• Repair supplies

8. Nutrition

• Food for the day, plus extra food

9. Hydration

• Water bottles or hydration reservoir

• Water filter or other treatment system

10. Emergency shelter

• Tent, tarp, bivy or reflective blanket

Clothing

When packing, avoid cotton and adjust each layer based on the forecast; always prepare, too,
for the chance that conditions will turn colder, wetter and windier.

Wicking T-shirt or long-sleeve top

Wicking underwear or long-underwear bottoms (women’s, men’s)

Socks

Quick-drying pants or shorts

UPF-rated shirt

Sun hat and/or rain hat

Insulating hat or headband

Insulating fleece or soft-shell jacket or vest and pants

Bandana or Buff

Mosquito net clothing

Rain jacket

Rain pants

Footwear
Hiking boots or shoes

Gaiters

Watersport sandals

Toiletries

Toilet paper

Sanitation trowel

Menstrual and urinary products

Waste bag(s)

Hand sanitizer

Electronics

Multifunction watch

Cellphone and waterproof case

GPS

Came

Personal Health

As with any sport, before engaging in mountain climbing proper training and physical
preparation is needed. For beginners, an easy and inexpensive way to get in shape is to go
jogging 3 to 4 times a week before your scheduled outdoor climb. Another way to prepare your
leg muscles is to do stair climbing, and as you stair climb you can wear a backpack and loaded
with heavy books or liters of plastic water bottles to also target your shoulder, back, leg muscles
and knees. This way you can get accustomed to carrying a heavy backpack as well.

The harder the climb, the more physical preparation is needed. This is important to minimize
hiking related injuries and if you are physically prepared, you would fully enjoy the breath
taking views and not the other way around...which is you running out of or gasping for breath.

Clothing

While hiking, wear quick dry clothes and stay away from cotton fabrics and denim pants since
you will be sweating profusely during the climb. Wet clothes against your body can cause
hypothermia especially during the portions of the trail where there are strong winds. For your
headgear, wear a cap or a wide-brimmed bush hat for protection against the heat of the sun.

For cold nights at camp and for sleeping, you may use a jacket, bonnet, dry pair of socks, or
anything that would keep you warm through the night.

Every climber should also prepare for a rainy day even on summer months. It is good practice to
always have a waterproof jack.