BEGINNERS GUIDE To Hiking | What to Pack for a Day Hike
Summer is here in New Hampshire, which mean hiking season is in full force! The White Mountains are open again and calling, and while I haven’t done a ton of hiking/mountain climbing in the past, I decided that this was the year I would make the hiking lifestyle happen.
I have worked hard on pushing myself to get outside my comfort zone over the past few years, and have truly thrived. As women, we tend to let fear or self-doubt get in the way of creating amazing, adventurous memories, and I have made it a mission to always work hard on this throughout my life. Hiking a bigger mountain has been a goal for me, and while intimidating, I know that when I put my mind to something, I can do it. Anyone can! So this past weekend, I climbed my first 4000 footer in the White Mountains, and nothing can replace the pride that I have right now, knowing I accomplished something big!
That being said, one of the intimidating things that stands between you and hiking is just where to start. What sort of things do you need to prepare for a hike? What if you get it wrong and then are unprepared and can’t summit? These are questions that make something hard, look even harder. So I want to peel back the intimidation and give you all a comprehensive guide on what you need to pack for a solid Day Hike.
WHAT TO BRING ON A DAY HIKE
1.) Backpack.
It’s no surprise that this is number 1, since you want some place to stow everything you want to bring along. For me, I tend to bring camera equipment everywhere, so my backpack of choice would be the GoPro Seeker Sportpack or the Thule Covert DSLR Rolltop Backpack, both have which have a good amount of padding for camera equipment.
Something I highly recommend, is a backpack from Osprey Packs. The Osprey Womens Archeon 25, is a great choice, and can go up to 25lbs, perfect for the day hike! Also, side note: Osprey makes backpacks for both men and women, not just unisex, which is GREAT because a backpack that fits a man really isn’t going to fit us ladies very well, so remember that!
2.) Iphone
Another one that seems like a no-brainer, but I thought I would mention it because if you have google maps on your phone, you can download an offline map, which I like to do, and always makes me feel a little more secure when venturing into the mountains.
3.) Extra Layers
Even for summer, you really don’t know what kind of weather you will get, especially up in the White Mountains here in NH, so I always like to be prepared. I usually have a tee or tank with leggings or shorts as my base layer. If I choose leggings, I pack along the pair of shorts in case I get overheated and need to change.
Next I bring a long-sleeve tee.
Up from there a fleece or thick sweatshirt is great.
And from there a lighter weight rain jacket/windbreaker. In case it starts to rain, you want to be prepared for it!
4.) Footwear
My hiking boots are from Keen, and I love them! They are the Womens Terradora II Waterproof Boot. I recommend a hiking boot over a running shoe for hiking, because the ankle support is really what you need! The last thing you want is to roll your ankle halfway up and have to be carried down the mountain. Check out Backcountry for more great hiking boot options as well!
And for socks, go wool, not cotton. Smartwool socks are great! I paired the Smartwool Womens PhD Pro Approach Mini Socks with my boots! Don’t forget to bring an extra pair of socks with you!
5.) Food
Always bring more food than you think you will need. You will be surprised how hungry you are when you stop to eat. I love trail mix with M&Ms so I get a bit of sugar in me, and a bag of peanut M&Ms. I also like to bring a bag of baby carrots along, because they really fill you up nicely! And for the main meal I pack 2 PB&Js for the day!
6.) Liquids
I bring my Camelbak Chute 25oz Bottle filled with water, as well as another bottle in my bag, just in case. Also bring along a larger Gatorade, it’s a great option for getting the energy back up while on a hike!
7.) Extras
- Crampons. These are a good thing to be in the habit of bringing. Especially in the late spring/early summer, there may still be ice at the top, and you don’t want to slip and hurt yourself.
- Camera equipment. Nature is beautiful, share it!
- A Small First Aid Kit. Also I LOVE Johnson & Johnsons’s Hydro Seal Blister Bandaids! They are great!
- Whistle
- Insect Repellent
- Baseball cap
- Sunscreen
- Binoculars (optional)
- Headlamp
Hope this equipment list helps shed some light on how to be prepared for a mountain hike! Don’t forget to be safe and cautious always when hiking, especially when hiking alone. Comment below if you have any other questions about hiking gear!
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