What to Bring on a Jaunt Adventure Group Hike

Jeff & son on Mt. Lassen 2012

I love how interest in our Jaunt Adventure Group is growing. It is my passion to get people out hiking, even if they've never hiked before.  The following things are what you should bring along with you in your backpack on day hikes with the Jaunt Adventure Group. 

1. Water Carry 2-3 Liters (8-12 cups) of water in your hydration bladder or lightweight bottles.  You should plan to drink 1-2 cups an hour to stay hydrated. 

LOVE Darn Tough socks, guaranteed for life, made in USA

2. Appropriate Shoes & Socks You don’t necessarily need special shoes, but a basic low-cut trail shoe will offer you traction.  As you grow into hiking, you may want a boot that offers support for going off trail more often and has waterproof qualities.  For our Jaunt hikes, make sure your shoes are comfortable and have been broken in.  Socks should be moisture wicking so your feet stay cool in summer and warm in winter.  They could be synthetic or my preference, wool.  Also, I suggest an extra pair of wicking socks so if your feet do get wet you can change.

3. Clothing Avoid cotton!  It gets wet from sweat, or if we have rain, and it will stay wet and heavy and you will lose precious body heat and feel cold.  Wear performance-type fabrics, like polyester, fleece, wool, even the older polypropylene because they will wick moisture away from your skin.  Wear layers to be prepared for weather changes.  You should have 3 top layers: a bottom layer, a mid layer like a fleece, and an outer layer jacket for wind or rain protection. Pants are usually better than shorts because you will have protection from sun, bugs, and scratches from trail brush.  Zip-off leg pants are ideal!

4. Headgear Think both sun protection and protection from cold – mountain conditions change frequently in a day.  You need a hat that has a brim, like a baseball cap or a brim all the way around.  But also bring a knit beanie for warmth. 

Jaunt's junior crew, Gaylor Lakes, Yosemite, June 2013

5.  Sunscreen & Sunglasses The sun can be more intense at higher elevations, so wear sunglasses and sunscreen, and bring a small tube of sunscreen along to reapply.

6.  Bug Repellant Don’t forget this, or it can be a miserable trip (not that I know this first-hand! Ha!)

7. Toilet Paper and Zip Lock Baggies While trailhead parking areas may have toilets, once we are on the hike it’s just trees and boulders.  Hiking areas require packing out your trash, so be prepared to put your wiping paper into a baggie in your pack to carry it out and throw it away in a garbage can.  That goes for all your candy and granola bar wrappers as well.  If you pack it in, then pack it out.  

Tuolumne Meadows, January 2012

8. Lunch A packable lunch should need no refrigeration for obvious reasons. (I don’t think you want to carry a cooler and heavy ice for miles.)  Here’s some ideas:  bagels (regular bread can get mushed in your pack), peanut butter, honey, fresh or dried fruit, trail nut mixes, beef jerky, salami sticks, cheese sticks (they don’t need the fridge), protein bars, or granola bars.  The web is full of homemade recipes for hiking foods such as wraps and energy balls.

9. Safety Essentials You may never use these, but if you ever need any of them at some point you will be glad you have them. 

 A knife or multi-tool.  I usually end up needing it once on every trip, if only for cutting my salami and cheese. 

 Light. A flashlight (with extra batteries) or headlamp is a must.  If you are ever out later than expected you don’t want to be in the dark without some light.

Matches/fire starter. I hesitate to include this after we just watched our precious Sierras burn up from an irresponsible hunter lighting a fire he was not supposed to light.  But a small, appropriately built fire can ward off hypothermia or be used as a signal fire for rescue.  A fire would only be lit in a true emergency, not just for ambience.   

First Aid Kit. Bandaids, wipes, gauze, butterflies, Advil/Tylenol, mole skin, etc. We sell these at Jaunt Adventure Gear.

Whistle. A whistle is much more effective than yelling in case you need to signal anyone of your presence. 

Afternoon thundershowers, summer, Yosemite

10. Optional Items 

• Camera I bet you want photos of your adventure.
• Trekking Poles Really nice to have along, as they help save your knees and provide balance
• Binoculars Can be fun to use for wildlife viewing, scouting the lay of the land from a peak, etc.
• Journal or sketchbook

Everyone is welcome to join a Jaunt hike, beginning hikers and advanced alike.  By being prepared with the items on the list, we can all help each other have a successful trip. 

And for all you experienced hikers, what's your take? Do you agree with my must-haves?  Did I leave anything out that you deem important?  I'd love for you to leave a comment.  

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