What to wear:

Now that you know where you are going, let’s talk about what to wear! The most important thing is footwear. Back when I was just a visitor to the Pacific Northwest, a friend and I went on a hike that we did not plan for at all, beyond knowing which bus line would get us there. I was wearing Converse sneakers, which were OK, though they don’t have the best support. She was wearing Mary Janes, and she was miserable. So plan to wear athletic shoes. If you get into hiking, it is totally worth it to invest in a good pair of boots. You’ll want to go to a sporting goods store to get sense of what is comfortable. Read some guides like this one from REI and reviews from hiking and backpacking sites like this. Keep in mind that you always have to break boots in.

Another important thing when dressing for your hike is planning for the weather. My friend and I didn’t do this, either. It started to drizzle, and without water-resistant jackets, we became even more miserable. So look at the forecast. If it might rain, plan accordingly. (Living in the Pacific Northwest, I pretty much always go out prepared for it to rain.) If it is going to be sunny, bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. If it’s hot and you have a tank top or shorts that are moisture-wicking—wear them. In fact, even if it isn’t going to be super hot, consider wearing moisture-wicking clothes as your bottom layer so you won’t get as sweaty. (Hiking is a bit of workout.) Layers really are your best friend. I usually start my hikes feeling chilly, then work up some heat as I get moving; if I stop for lunch, I’ll cool down again. Leave room in your backpack for a sweatshirt or jacket, or plan to tie them around your waist.

What to bring:

  • A backpack. It is, by far, the easiest and most comfortable way to carry your stuff. Hiking with purses has always led to back and shoulder aches for me. So what do you put in it, aside from that map we already discussed?
  • Water. This is the most important thing. You do not want to get dehydrated out there, especially on a hot day. Bring more water than you think you will need. My dude and I always bring an 18- to 24-ounce bottle each. If we are going for a longer or more intense hike or it’s summer, we bring a third bottle. You may be passing streams and waterfalls, but you cannot assume that water is safe to drink. You only want to fill your bottle from water sources that are marked “potable” at trailheads. You can buy water purification kits for hiking, but when you are just starting out, it’s much easier to just bring plenty of water.
  • Food. This is right up there with water. You are going to need energy. Always bring plenty of snacks like energy bars, fruit, or trail mix, even for short hikes. One of my hiking books says that you should always have food left after your hike.
  • A first aid kit. I know this may seem overly cautious, but better to be safe than sorry. Especially because you can buy a basic first aid kit at a drugstore, or maybe your family already has one you can borrow. In addition to bandages, aspirin/acetaminophen, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide/iodine, tweezers, gauze, and a first aid manual, a good kit for hiking will also include Benadryl (for allergic reactions, though if you or your buddy has known allergies, please bring your meds or epi pen) and an elastic bandage for sprains. It can be good to carry a mylar “space” blanket if you can find one, so you can stay warm in case of emergency. Definitely bring a whistle as a way to signal for help, too.
  • Hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, and tissues. You want clean hands for eating, as well as for taking care of an injury if needed. Tissues are for nose-blowing, and they double as toilet paper. Another reason to hike with a buddy: They can be your lookout while you pee behind that tree. Just, yanno, look before you squat to avoid the aforementioned itchy plants.
  • A compass. Yes, there are apps for this, but you can get compasses on the cheap. If your phone dies, you’ll need one as backup.
  • A fire source. Bring a lighter or a pack of waterproof matches. I invested in this cheap fire starter. This is in case of emergency, but it’s a small thing easy to tuck into your bag. Other important emergency items that are small and nice to have: a flashlight and a small pocketknife or multi-tool.
  • Sun protection. This means sunscreen, lip balm with sun protection, and the aforementioned sunglasses and hat. You want this stuff with you even if it’s a cloudy day. More likely than not, you also want insect repellant.
  • A camera. To document your adventure, of course! You might want to bring a small notebook for these purposes, too. And if your camera is your phone and you have a portable charger, bring it!

Now get thee to a trail! I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, mind-clearing time. ♦