Few states boast a topography as varied as Arizona’s. Elevations range from 70 feet along the Colorado River near Yuma to 12,633 feet atop Humphreys Peak, north of Flagstaff. And with stark deserts and dense forests, snowcapped mountains and colossal canyons, scattered springs and placid lakes, the state is truly a hiker’s paradise.
Whether you’re planning a half-hour stroll along a county park trail or a weeklong backpack across a trackless wilderness, it’s important to plan to make your trip a safe one.
Items you should carry vary depending on the length and difficulty of your hike, location of the trail, weather, and number of people in your group.
Essentials
Here are suggestions, based on the “Ten Essentials” list created by the Mountaineers, a Seattle-based hiking club, several decades ago:
- Water. For longer trips, plan on a minimum of 1 gallon per person per day. Even on a short day hike, every hiker should carry at least 1 quart of water. If you plan to take water from streams or springs, check ahead with the appropriate land agency to make sure your intended water source is flowing.
- Food. Snacks will help bolster your energy level, especially if your trip lasts longer than expected. It never hurts to carry extra.
- Boots or trail shoes. Sandals or thongs don’t provide enough ankle support and won’t protect your feet from the rocks, thorns or creepy-crawlies you may encounter along the trail.
- Hat. A wide brim shades not only your eyes, but your ears and the back of your neck.
- Proper clothing. Intuition to the contrary, long-sleeved shirts and long pants will keep you cooler than shorts and a T-shirt, and will protect your skin from brush and brambles, as well. Experienced hikers carry a lightweight rain jacket on all but the shortest hikes.
- Current map. U.S. Geological Survey maps are hard to beat for topographic detail, but most are decades old. New trails get built and old trails get rerouted, so your venerable topo may not contain the most-up-to-date information.
- Most parks provide local trail guides, and you can find a wide selection of maps at Wide World of Maps, REI stores and many outdoors shops.
- Compass and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. Compasses are simple, hardy and inexpensive, but you have to interpret landmarks to determine your location on a map. GPS units can tell you exactly where you are, but are more expensive, more fragile and require practice to use. And batteries do go dead.
- Cellphone. If you have service, there’s no better way to get help in an emergency. Additionally, most new cellphones have GPS functions.
- Flashlight. To help get you back to the trailhead when your day hike lasts longer than you planned. You also can use it as a signaling device.
- Spare batteries. If possible, use a flashlight that takes the same type batteries as your GPS unit, so one set of spares can back up both.
- Pocketknife. Swiss army-style knives have all sorts of useful blades and tools.
- Sunscreen. Re-apply regularly.
- Whistle. The sound carries much farther than your voice. This is something everyone, especially children, should carry.
- Emergency/first-aid kit. At a minimum, it should include bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, a booklet describing how to treat common injuries, a signal mirror, waterproof matches (with a candle or fire starter) and a lightweight emergency blanket.
Do the right thing
In addition to carrying the proper gear, there are things you should always do when embarking on a hiking trip:
- Let someone responsible know exactly where you are hiking, when you expect to return, and whom to contact if you’re overdue. Then make sure you notify that person as soon as you get back.
- When hiking in summer, plan to be on the trail early in the morning or late in the day, when you’ll find more shade.
- Wet your shirt and/or hat to keep cool in hot weather.
- Leave the wildlife, especially snakes, alone.
- Don’t overdo. A difficult hike will require a slower pace and more frequent breaks. Don’t push children, inexperienced or out-of shape hikers to do more than they’re able. Hiking is supposed to be fun.
As reported in the Arizona Republic by John Stanley – May 7, 2006
