How do you explore the great outdoors when you’ve never stepped foot on a backcountry trail before?
How do you stay safe on hike in the mountains, the rain forest, or the desert?
The great outdoors offers spectacular scenery and terrain, exercise and solitude. You want to enjoy the trails while taking precautions to help ensure you return safe and sound.
The first precaution is what to take with you.
The original “Ten Essentials” are a list of ten items you should always have in your backpack on a backcountry hike, no matter how short or familiar the hike is to you. The list was first described by guides with a Pacific Northwest organization called The Mountaineers in the 1930’s. The items are basic, but essential: if you’re in the backcountry and you sprain an ankle or take a wrong turn, you may end up spending an unexpected night in the woods and you’ll be glad to have extra clothes, food and a flashlight. Sure, chances are you won’t need to use all of these items, but in case of an emergency you’ll be grateful to have them, and they may even help save your life.
This online guide to backcountry safety and know-how covers more than those original “ten essentials,” but we named it after the wisdom of those men and women who pioneered basic, smart preparation while recreating in the great outdoors.
Thanks for stopping by. Happy and Safe Exploring!