New To Hiking - Check List

[Appalachian89]

Hello, I am new to hiking. By new I mean new. I want to start out day hiking first until I get experience. I have a checklist and was wondering if anyone agrees/disagrees with it and if they have any suggestions.

- Backpack :silly:
- Water
- Food (Something simple)
- Map
- Cell Phone
- Bear Spray
- Watch
- Compass

Now if something bad happens like getting lost (hey best to go prepared right?) here are some other things I think would be good to take...

- Knife
- GPS
- First Aid
- Self Defense Weapon (for those solo hikes)
- Flint
- Light
- Some warm clothing (light clothing but to keep you warm and dry)

Then of course:

- Knowledge of the area such as wildlife, plants, weather, known areas of towns, etc.
- Letting someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back from the hike

Would it be a good idea to put a note on your car for a park ranger to let them know where you were going also or would that be a "hey go ahead and get in my car just do it before XX time!"

[bdavison]

I dont put any signs on my car. You can stop by the ranger station and tell them where you are going and when you will be back. There are some thieves around that love to break into cars at parking lots.

You forgot tent and sleeping bag...LOL
Day hikes are fun, but overnights are even more fun!!!

[JayMMM]

I'm guessing from your handle you're on the east coast. Do you really thing pepper spray for bears is necessary? It's not like we have brown bears to worry about here. And the bear spray I've seen is the size and weight of a small fire extinguisher.

Maybe insted of packing a lot of water just take some means of purfication (filter or chemical) if the water where you're heading is reasonably clean to start with.

Insted of a note on the car I leave a hike plan with my wife.

[swoosh]

agreed w/ the other guys about leaving a note on your car. invitation to a break in...

bear spray highly unnecessary but up to you (unless in alaska or certain parts of the rockies)

firearm highly unnecessary but up to you


welcome!

[Rogheff]

layered clothing. It might be cold when you start, but you'll warm up fast.

Don't forget your trusty hiking staff.

Good point about the water purifier. Less containers to carry. Although if you're new to hiking, you're not goin to start out with a 20 mile hike.

What about rain gear? Cell Phone?

[HeyDad]

Coffee?

[swoosh]

lol good point dad!

[sweadboy]

this is my first post!!!

but yea all those are good you can get lists online too! google it even REI.com has a lot of helpful tips and such but, just goin out is the best way to tell what you want and or need in the future..

[swoosh]

welcome swead

[natchez]

Hi Sweadboy, welcome here