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What you need for a trip to the mountains. What you need to take with you on a camping trip - a complete list of things. Drinks on mountain hikes

18.10.2023

Often, a novice tourist or a person who is going on a hike for the first time, even if it’s not a big one, finds it very difficult to navigate the questions: “ What should you take on a hike?», « What to wear on a hike?», « How to pack a backpack correctly?" After all, it is very important to understand that you will have to carry everything yourself and each thing seems to weigh 100-300 grams, but in the end you gain extra pounds. A backpack weighing 15-20 kg or 20-25 kg is all a very big difference, both in weight and in sensations stretched out over time. When you walk with a backpack, it seems that every hour the same 20 kg are getting heavier and heavier. And every time thoughts arise: what should have been left at home and what now definitely won’t be taken next time? Believe me, many people have such thoughts. And only professional tourists or tourists with very long experience have almost pre-prepared lists of their equipment, which change depending on the time of year and other conditions. And they know exactly how their clothes and equipment work. How it warms and protects from precipitation, and most importantly, how this equipment can be combined.

Ours this article is not for professionals, we will try to help just beginners, based on our personal experience and taking into account personal trial and error.

The success of any trip depends very much on planning. Unfortunately, without this boring part there is no way. And despite the fact that we are now going to talk about what to take with us and what to go with, or, more simply, camping equipment, then, in theory, we could provide a couple of ready-made lists for different occasions and that’s it. But without touching on such a part as general trip planning, will not work.

Questions to ask yourself before going on a hike

In order to correctly select clothes, equipment and make camping packing list, you must answer the following questions for yourself:

  1. Where am I going? Mountainous or forested areas, flat (or steppe, or desert). If mountainous, then what will be the maximum altitude that you will reach and at what maximum altitude you will spend the night. After all, in the mountains it is windy, the weather is often changeable, and with an increase in altitude the temperature drops (about every 100 meters of elevation gain by 0.6 degrees Celsius)
  2. How many days do I go? If the trip lasts 1-3 days, then you often don’t need to take a lot of spare things and most likely you won’t go far from the place where you started. And when going on a hike for 7-21 or more days, you should already understand that some of the basic things (on which your health and safety depend) must be duplicated: if things get wet, you need spare ones, until the main ones dry
  3. What time of year and what will the weather be like? It is clear that it will be impossible to predict the weather 100% (especially in the mountains), but you can still try to predict approximately the general trend. There must be protection from wind, rain and cold. And in the summer heat there should be protection from the heat (nobody needs sunstroke and sunburn). We are not taking on the topic of winter hiking now, since the equipment there is slightly different
  4. Where will I spend the night? Will it be shelters (houses), where you only need a mat and a sleeping bag, or will it be a tent—yours or your partner’s? If it’s a tent, then, returning to point number one, you need to understand the type of tent (lightweight, regular tourist, mountain). But let’s not delve into the choice of a tent for now; this is a separate topic; at this stage, it’s enough to think fundamentally about who will organize the overnight stay and how
  5. What will I eat and how (what will I cook with)? Everyone loves to eat good food, but no one likes to carry a heavy load. Therefore, the issue of food selection is very important. Here you need to maintain a balance between the weight/taste/nutrition of food. Again, this is a separate topic, but it’s also impossible not to think about it in advance. Plus, you need to think in advance whether you will cook over a fire, on burners, or whether there will be dry rations at all. How are things going with drinking water where you are going?

If you are not organizing your first hikes yourself, but are joining a group where there is a leader or a more experienced friend, then contact them for help in answering these questions. If the answers are not accurate (doubtful, or there are none at all), then this is a reason to think about the qualifications of such a leader and the possible unsafety of the trip.

Moving specifically to the list of equipment, it is also important to logically understand its structure, and here each person may have his own logic for arranging things into groups. Let's look at a couple of examples of how I formed my lists during my first independent hikes, and then a little later how these lists changed.

List formation can be approached from at least two approaches: based on activity or situation (go/rest) and based on the principle of layers of clothing . Let's start with the first one.

List of things to pack for a hike by activity, situation or category

It seems to me that initially it is easiest to divide things into 2-3 large groups. For example:

  1. Running clothes(and any gear or little things that might come in handy while we're walking along the route). Here you will need to answer the questions for yourself: what will I wear most of the time on the hike, depending on the expected weather? And what will I wear if the weather conditions change: strong and cold wind, rain? What will help me while I walk? (For example, trekking poles make walking with a backpack over rough terrain much easier)
  2. Camp (bivouac). Equipment and clothing for camp and recreation.
    Here you can list the following sub-items:
    • Sleeping equipment (tent, insulating mat, sleeping bag)
    • Spare clothes (for long hikes)
    • Sleepwear and camp wear (also leisure shoes)
    • Insulation (head, top, bottom, legs) for evening/night/morning when the temperature drops
    • Equipment for preparing and eating food (burner, gas, cooking utensils, dishes and utensils for eating, water containers)
    • Safety and navigation (maps/compass, navigator, extra batteries, power bank, spare phone, flashlight, first aid kit, etc.)
    • Personal hygiene

Let's consider, as an example, a list of equipment for an autonomous summer hike (excluding group equipment), for 14-16 days. In the list we will immediately provide explanations or justification for each position. The list is far from necessary to repeat and it is not ideal, someone can reduce it, someone can add to it, but with this example it is easier to explain the principles of selecting equipment for a hike. We consider it in this order: group, category, specific thing, why it is. At the end of each group there is a photo of an approximate view, so that it is easy to navigate.

Running clothes and equipment (useful little things on a hike):

  1. Top layer of running clothing
  • Windbreaker is lightweight and breathable (not membrane, just like a windbreaker in cool weather, since insulating layers such as fleece jackets are blown by themselves)
  • Synthetic breathable running pants – 1-2 pieces (main undercarriages, plus spare ones. Whether or not to take spare undercarriages is everyone’s business; some use membrane ones (more on them a little later) while the main ones are drying)
  • Shorts (possibly an extra element, here everyone decides for themselves whether to carry an additional approximately 300 grams or not. Walking in shorts all the time in the summer can be pleasant, as long as you don’t walk through tall grass or bushes, which will scratch your feet, and boots and socks will get in small plant debris, sand, pebbles. But during the day, during rest stops in the heat, or on the road before the main hike, shorts can be very useful)
  • Sun hat (protection from sunstroke and harmful ultraviolet radiation must be mandatory. Cap, Panama hat, wide-brimmed hat, whichever you prefer)
  • Warm hat (preferably windproof. In cold weather (especially in the mountains), a hat may be needed not only in the camp, but also on transitions).
  • Fingerless sports gloves (it’s convenient to walk in them with trekking poles, and when crossing ridges or rocks, belay yourself with your hands)
  • Buff (as a scarf and as a light hat, or you can roll it up and cover just your ears from the wind, in general a universal thing)
  • Gaiters/gaiters/flashlights (used when crossing snowy areas, muddy, and finely loose soils. Protects against small pebbles, sand and small vegetation getting into boots)
  • Rain protection
    • Membrane windbreaker-raincoat jacket (it will protect from rain, and in case of strong cold winds you need to supplement it with a layer of insulation, such as a fleece jacket, vest, warm thermal underwear. Membrane fabrics themselves do not warm)
    • Membrane rain pants (protect from rain, dress in heavy downpour or prolonged rain for the whole day. Moreover, during heavy and unexpected rain you can put it on directly over your walking pants, so that when the downpour passes, you can take them off just as quickly. Short-term rains are covered in ordinary synthetic pants, which dry quickly in the wind.An alternative to a membrane jacket and pants is raincoat-poncho . Disadvantage of a raincoat-poncho: legs are not completely covered, plus: much cheaper than a set of membrane pants + jacket)

  • Bottom layer of running clothing
    • Thin, moisture-wicking thermal underwear (long-sleeved T-shirt + long johns) – 1 set + 1 T-shirt (one T-shirt with sleeves for 2 days, during which time the second one is washed and dried, and so on in a circle. Since synthetic clothing quickly absorbs unpleasant odors, and go with a backpack and You won’t be able to avoid sweating. Cotton ones are not suitable, as they get wet quickly and don’t release moisture; they take a long time to dry.)
    • Synthetic tank top – 1-2 pieces (in warm and hot weather you can use them on transitions. The disadvantages of using them as the main running shirt are that your hands are not protected from sunburn and light damage from branches and tall grass. The sun in the mountains is more active and creamy in such cases, they don’t always help, since they wear off physically or come off with sweat. Therefore, the basis for a mountain hike is long-sleeved T-shirts. Well, short-sleeved T-shirts can be used at rest stops and in the camp)
    • Thin fleece jacket (from materials like polartec 100, polartec micro, polartec powerstretch and other not very thick insulating jackets. During cold weather on a hike, you will sometimes need to wear insulation under a windbreaker, and in the mountains at altitudes above 1500 m it is sometimes cold even in summer)

  • Shoes (feet)
    • Trekking boots (basic walking shoes, selected depending on the trail you intend to follow (or lack thereof), the time of year, and the weight of the backpack. Even excluding heavy mountain and mountaineering boots, there may be three options. Trekking sneakers (or low trekking boots ), hiking boots and standard trekking boots. We’ll talk in detail about choosing shoes for hiking a little later, but in short, if you choose your first hiking shoes, it’s still better to choose medium-sized classic trekking boots (not lightweight - hiking and NOT low in height). So that there is ankle support, a durable sole, fewer seams. This will be the most universal option)
    • Trekking socks NOT insulated – 2-4 pairs (2 or 4 pairs - this depends on whether you wear trekking boots, under the basic thick trekking socks, wear additional thin, so-called liners. Almost any trekking shoes are quite hard and will rub your feet almost in 100% of cases when using ordinary cotton socks or just thin synthetic ones. Trekking socks have special thickenings either in certain places or over the entire area, which play a shock-absorbing role and save from chafing and calluses. At the same time, despite their thickness, they use special threads (for example coolmax), which remove moisture rather than heat, and you will not be very hot)
    • Insulated trekking socks – 2 pairs (useful during marches on cold days or if you plan to travel through snowy areas for a long time, and will also be useful in the camp in the evenings)

  • Running equipment
    • Trekking poles (they greatly facilitate and speed up movement with a backpack both over rough terrain and along good trails. They help distribute the weight, removing excess load from the legs, plus they serve as insurance. By the way, when crossing fords, both self-insurance and additional belay are also very helpful insurance for your comrades (a must-have accessory on a hike)
    • Backpack + rain cover for the backpack (raincover) (choosing a backpack is a separate and large topic, but briefly we can say that a lot depends on the convenience of the backpack, almost the same as the comfort of shoes. Either your hike will turn into a hellish ordeal, or you will be surprised to notice that despite the weight and number of things, it is quite normal for you to walk, and perhaps it is generally easy to walk. And you will spend the saved energy on contemplating the nature around. This is why we go hiking. Comfort is influenced by the volume of the backpack, the quality and design of the harness system (back, belt, straps ), the number of settings for your back, the overall quality of materials and the weight of the backpack. But weight comes last, the main thing is that it is comfortable for you)
    • Bottle/flask/container for operational drinking – 0.5 l (operational container for water. This can be a regular 0.5 liter plastic bottle for water, it can be a drinking system (camel bag) or various special tourist flasks for water)

    Camp:

  • Spare clothes, camp clothes, insulation
    • Warm/thick fleece jacket or down sweater (in the evenings in the camp, especially in mountainous areas, it is quite cold, even in summer the temperature can approach zero, so in addition to a thin fleece jacket, you need to have a warm one made of materials, for example, Polartec Thermal Pro, Polatec High Loft; or a down sweater or instead of down - synthetic insulation like Primaloft, Climashield)
    • Insulated thermal pants (made of a material like Polartec PowerStretch or wool. May be needed in the evening at camp on cold evenings, plus on cold nights, if the sleeping bag is not warm enough, you can sleep in them)
    • Thermal underwear (T-shirt with sleeves) loose fit or cotton T-shirt with long sleeves (for relaxing in the camp and sleeping. You should always have a dry kit, what you will change into when you arrive at the camp site and take off your backpack)
    • Woolen sleep socks (warm trekking socks are not suitable for sleeping, as they are compression and will not allow your legs to rest. Therefore, ordinary woolen knitted socks are what you need)
    • Lightweight insulated gloves (from a material like Polartec PowerStretch. In the evening, even in summer, it can be cool, and if you take photos or videos, then gloves are required, since during operating hours (for photographers, operating hours are 30-40 minutes before and after dawn and 30-40 minutes before and after sunset) the temperature even in summer in the mountains can be about 0..+5)
    • HB socks – 2 pairs (it will be convenient to wear them at camp to rest your feet, for example, under a regular woolen sock)
    • Sneakers/sandals (replacement shoes for the camp and for crossing fords. Instead of sneakers, you can use sandals with non-slip soles and a protected toe. As a last resort - ordinary slates, but then you will have to ford rivers in boots, and use slates only in parking lots and in the camp. Rivers and streams should not be crossed, since in this case the leg is not fixed and there is a high probability of injury, which is unacceptable. There are two approaches to the fords. Someone crosses them in basic trekking boots, of course, after that they get completely wet. The argument goes like this positions - on a multi-day hike, the boots are still slightly damp from sweat, dew, small streams and the fact that they will be completely wet for some time makes no difference, and with intensive walking they semi-dry from a wet state again. The second approach is to have closed or protected sandals with a secure fit or sneakers with strong soles, synthetic uppers, quick-drying, and ford rivers in. Personally, I prefer the second option, since it’s still more pleasant to walk in more or less dry trekking boots. And if they have a membrane, then if they get completely wet, they will dry even longer than without a membrane. And constantly damp and wet feet are also an accelerated path to chafing and calluses)
    • Swimming trunks/swimsuit (depending on what area your hike is in)
    • Underwear (pants+spare)

  • Sleeping equipment
    • Sleeping bag (Comfort temperature +3, Comfort temperature limit -2, Extreme temperature -14) (on a multi-day hike, it is better to take a sleeping bag with a synthetic filler than a down one. On a multi-day hike, there is a chance that the sleeping bag will pick up moisture (during sleep, the body secretes up to 100 ml sweat), and down in such conditions stops warming, falls off and requires complete drying. Synthetics do not have these disadvantages, but with the same thermal capacity as a down sleeping bag, they are bulkier and heavier. Synthetic sleeping bags are cheaper than down sleeping bags. In general, down sleeping bags are recommended mainly for mountaineering, short winter hikes, for professionals who clearly understand how to handle it, or for extremely low temperatures. Almost all sleeping bags have a temperature range of use: comfort temperature, comfort temperature limit, extreme. In order not to go wrong, focus on comfort temperature (T-comf), and not at the comfort temperature limit (T-lim), and after walking a little with such a sleeping bag and testing it below the comfort temperature, you can draw personal conclusions. No one has ever died from heat, but hypothermia is critical. Therefore, if you know that you are colder than people around you at the same temperature, then still choose a warmer sleeping bag than everyone else. Only you know yourself)
    • Thermal insulation mat (foam mat, self-inflatable mat, inflatable mat. The choice depends on the expected temperature at night, budget and desired level of comfort. But thermal insulation comes first, that is, we focus on the night temperature)
    • Tent (the choice of tent again depends on the time of year, the altitude of the hike and the number of people per tent. This is the topic of a separate article. In general, usually for initial tourism a two-person, two-layer tent (with a separate awning without a skirt) of a dome-shaped design and an aluminum frame is enough)

  • Equipment for camp and recreation
    • Seat/pendal, butt support (almost a mandatory accessory, no matter where you sit, you will be warm, dry (well, except if you get into a puddle!) and a bonus - clean pants at the butt)
    • Compact microfiber towel (a microfiber compact towel weighing about 50 grams is much lighter and more compact than a standard cotton towel, plus it dries much faster)
    • Personal hygiene kit (soap, compact washcloth, wet wipes and wet toilet paper, regular toilet paper)
    • Insect repellent or mosquito net for cap (if you go above the forest zone in the highlands, then such things are not needed, and in the forest zone mosquitoes can ruin any evening)
    • Camera + spare batteries (optional, this is additional weight and considerable, so it all depends on the goals of the trip)

  • Cooking equipment
    • Mug, Spoon, Bowl, Penknife, Fork (in equipment lists you can often find the abbreviation KLMN (mug, spoon, bowl, knife). You can also add a fork here, sometimes it is combined with a spoon. The heaviest options are steel utensils, lighter ones are aluminum ones, even lighter ones are plastic or titanium (but titanium are the most expensive). Same with a cup and bowl: metal is reliable and can, in extreme cases, be heated over a fire; plastic is easy, but you can’t heat anything in them; titanium is easy, but expensive)
    • Burner (gas or multi-fuel) + saucepan (a container for cooking or heating food on a burner)
    • Gas (liquid fuel) for burner
    • Waterskin for water (A container into which you will collect water from a source or carry a supply of water over a distance if there is no water in the place where you plan to stand. If you don’t have a waterskin, and some models are very expensive, then simple plastic two-liter bottles will help out)
    • Matches, lighter, flint (in a moisture-proof bag)
    • Garbage bags (we all want to walk along a clean path and come to a clean clearing with green grass, but for this to happen, we need to take all the garbage with us and then throw it into a container, from where garbage is regularly taken out. And for this you need to take garbage bags with you and preferably stronger)

  • Safety and navigation + useful little things
    • Headlamp + spare batteries (classified in the safety section, because if twilight and night find you on the move, then this is an emergency situation and then the headlamp can already be classified as an element of safety. Well, in the camp it is an element of everyday life and comfort)
    • Tourist navigator + spare batteries (on light and short routes, instead of a separate tourist navigator, you can use a smartphone with navigation software (for example, maps.me or others). A separate tourist navigator has such advantages as: high protection from weather conditions and other influences (certain shock resistance and moisture resistance), longer operating time (plus you can use ordinary replaceable elements that can be taken with a reserve), more compact sizes, higher accuracy, in models with buttons - the ability to work in the cold and with gloves (not a touch screen), and most importantly - higher your safety, since the smartphone is not used as the main navigator and does not run out of charge and always remains just a means of communication or a spare navigation device. Cons: high price for a device that is not used most of the time in normal “off-camping” life)
    • Compass + map (should be an addition to electronic navigation, since in addition to the fact that the batteries may simply run out, you may forget spare ones or have some other problem with the batteries. In general, any electronic device, even a secure one, may someday fail. Therefore, there must be a spare plan. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with a paper map of the area in advance and understand which paths or sections you will follow, how it all relates to the cardinal directions, what are the main landmarks)
    • First aid kit (in addition to individual medications for the treatment of any of your specific diseases, there should be a standard set of remedies for most situations. The further you go and the more autonomous your hike, the more you need to think through your first aid kit. Even for one-day hikes, it is advisable to take at least a set of plasters)
    • Sunscreen (in the mountains the sun is much more active, and in the middle zone it can also be very hot during the day. Sunburns do not add health to anyone. And on top of everything else, mechanical abrasions occur faster on burnt skin, plus exposure to sweat and dust - all this can lead to very pleasant consequences)
    • Sunglasses (eye protection is a rather important point. If in the middle zone it’s just your comfort from an excessively high level of lighting, then in the mountains the sun is much more active, the level of ultraviolet radiation is higher, so sunglasses are simply a must. And if you know that the hike will be mountainous, then It is advisable to select glasses with a higher level of radiation protection).
    • Phone + powerbank (a powerbank battery will be useful for smartphone users; you can additionally take a push-button phone for emergencies - it holds a charge longer)
    • Waterproof case for documents and money (passport, money, basic contact information on paper must be securely protected)
    • A dry bag for a sleeping bag and a spare set of clothes (a modern backpack made of synthetic materials is lightweight and can easily withstand short-term rain; a cape on the backpack (raincover) should protect from longer rain. But if there is a long rain shower or a fall into the water, then a certain set of equipment should always remain dry. This is a sleeping bag and a couple of spare ones things (a T-shirt with sleeves, underpants, spare socks) in which you will change and climb into this sleeping bag to warm up)
    • Rescue thermal "blanket" (it won’t take up a lot of space or weight, but it might come in handy)
    • Nail scissors (in a secure package so as not to tear anything. In two weeks, your nails will grow back quite a bit, and an unsuccessfully broken nail is already a matter of health and even safety. And overgrown and long toenails will make holes in your socks, and worse, so you can even tear the membrane layer in the boot (in very advanced cases)
    • Needle and thread (such a repair kit is desirable on a long hike; sometimes a piece of clothing sewn at the right time will preserve it until the end of the hike)
    • Scotch (whether it’s necessary or not, everyone decides for themselves. But sometimes something needs to be tightly wrapped, repaired, or sealed)

    List of things to pack for a hike based on layers

    Another approach to packing for a hike is to create list of equipment based on layers. There is such a principle in modern equipment, its essence is that more layers are better with different characteristics and different levels of insulation, and worse fewer layers, for example, so that the top layer combines both insulation and protection from moisture. Instead of a set of thin thermal underwear plus a membrane jacket with permanent insulation, it is better to take the same thermal underwear, plus a separate thick fleece jacket, plus a separate membrane jacket. So that you have the opportunity to combine layers. The classic scheme is three layers.

    • Bottom layer (first)- base layer, its task is moisture removal, sun protection or light insulation (if the thermal underwear is insulated)
    • Middle layer (second)– an insulating layer, it can be a fleece jacket, a down vest (or made of synthetic insulation), an insulating vest
    • Top layer (third)– protection from precipitation (rain, wind) and mechanical protection (branches, bushes), these are various types of jackets and pants

    You can group clothes according to these principles, but then you must already mentally imagine that in the same group there can be clothes for different situations, despite the fact that they belong to the same layer.

    I also advise you not to be lazy and weigh all your equipment (every item) on scales (which show weight down to grams, for example an electronic kitchen scale 5-5000 grams) and enter all this information into a spreadsheet. Then, when compiling a list, you will immediately see the final weight. Of course, on your first hikes, these numbers won’t tell you anything, but as you gain experience, you will have a clear understanding of how you perceive a difference of 3-5 kg ​​during long walking.

    Let's give an example of a list of equipment that I used for a four-day hike in the Southern Urals, in, with climbing a mountain (absolute height 1582 m above sea level). Overnight stays were planned on a plateau with absolute height 1330 m. It was assumed that the temperature would decrease by 5-10 degrees Celsius relative to the settlement, which is located at an absolute altitude of 550 m. The time of year is the end of July. The forecasted weather in the village () at night is about 15 degrees Celsius. (the brands described in the table are not advertising, not recommendations, but simply what was available, maybe someone will be interested):




    In total, the weight of all my equipment for this trip, excluding what I’m wearing (items with weight = 0) is 14.7 kg. It seems to me that this is quite a lot. And this is without food. But I also assumed possible precipitation (which, by the way, there was, and the membrane clothing came in handy, as well as the trekking membrane boots, in which I actually kneaded the mud in places on the trails) and a possible cold snap at night. By the way, there was no cold weather and therefore a warm fleece jacket, insulated long johns, and warm trekking socks were not useful to me, but I was ready and calm, since weather changes in the mountains are a common occurrence.

    Drawing up such a table with weight, firstly, will show you the weight of each thing, and it will be possible to analyze whether it is possible to find similar things with less weight? You will see the strengths and weaknesses of your equipment. Secondly, when all your equipment is weighed and recorded, it is easy for you to choose from such a list, include or exclude some things, and immediately see the result of how much it will weigh in the end.

    Some of the gear on this list weighs more than I'd like, so I could lose about 4 more pounds on this list alone. How we see the section "The rest of the equipment" has the heaviest weight - almost 11.5 kg. And it contains the most difficult things: tent, sleeping bag, backpack, camera and tripod – 8.6 kg. And if you don’t take into account the camera equipment, then the weight tents, backpack And sleeping bag– 6.3 kg. If photographic equipment is optional and optional, then a two-person tent weighing 2.85 kg for one person is clearly overkill. A backpack can also be found lighter, but backpacks with a less comfortable and functional “back” and a suspension adjustment system (belt, straps) will be lighter. Here you already have to think about whether to reduce the weight of the backpack itself, sacrificing comfort or even health? If you don’t have a completely healthy back, perhaps an uncomfortable backpack (just for you), even one that’s lighter by one or more kilograms, will ruin your whole hike, as your back will hurt, you’ll get tired earlier and, as a result, the enjoyment of the hike will be significantly less (and also more harmful to health). Well, there are also sleeping bags that are lighter and with the same temperature ranges, but, however, they are more expensive.

    "Big Three". Tent, Backpack, Sleeping bag. The heaviest items in your hiking gear

    It was not for nothing that we focused attention on three positions - tent, backpack And sleeping bag. As we see in the example above, they usually have the greatest weight, both individually and together. In the tourist environment, especially in “light travel” (one of the areas in tourism where people try to reduce weight as much as possible, but only so that this does not threaten safety), these three positions are called "Big Three".

    Backpack


    As mentioned above, saving on the weight of the backpack to be justified, choosing a lightweight backpack can only be done when it is comfortable for you. Therefore, when choosing a backpack, the main thing is:

    1. Convenience. That is, how it sits on you loaded approximately to real travel values
    2. Volume. The capacity of the backpack should be adequate for the trip. Everything you want to take must fit in it. On average, a 75-95 liter backpack should be enough (someone may need a 90-110 liter backpack - it all depends on your tasks). If it’s more, it’s not scary, it’ll just be heavier and will need to be pulled down (however, let us remind you that excess weight does not bring joy on a hike)
    3. And only in third place - weight. Despite the fact that we want to save weight, if the first two points are incorrect, that is, the backpack is not comfortable and everything you need will not fit into it, then the trip will be ruined and unsafe. Your back will hurt, and hanging a lot of equipment outside is also inconvenient and unsafe. Certainly, weight important, but after the first two points.

    Sleeping bag


    Co sleeping bag It's not all that simple either. In the sense that you sleep in it, take a break from the day's work. Your next day, and the next, and so on for the entire trip, depends on how well you sleep. And your safety also depends on this: you should not allow hypothermia during sleep, this can lead to illness, and critical hypothermia can lead to death. Sometimes, of course, you can sleep dressed in a medium insulating layer or completely dressed, this will compensate for the lack of insulation of the sleeping bag. But a novice tourist should not take such cases as the norm, because you may not guess (but experienced tourists know their sleeping bags, their body, and how they can additionally insulate themselves for sleep from the clothes and equipment they have with them).

    Tent


    WITH tent a little simpler. It is logical that it is advisable to select a tent according to the number of participants in the trip. Of course, having 3-4 or even more tents is not cheap (and let’s face it, it’s very expensive). Therefore, there are often compromises. As in our example, a two-person tent is sometimes used for one person. Yes, it's overweight. But, for example, I don’t currently have a single-person tent, and the cost of such a tent is high (literally only 15-20% cheaper than the same model, but a double one and its weight is not 2 times less than a double one, but usually by 25-35%) and it makes sense to buy it if solo trips happen often. Well, the tent must be adequate to the conditions of the hike: you cannot take an ultra-light tent made of thin materials on a high-mountain or winter hike.

    Mistakes made by novice tourists when preparing equipment for a hike

    1. Took too much. The first and most common mistake is going overboard with the weight of the equipment. They either took unnecessary things that were not adequate for the hike (heavy books, teapots, heavy axes, a lot of electronics). Or he took a lot of everyday clothes instead of camping equipment (for example, jeans instead of synthetic hiking pants). Yes, travel clothing is not cheap. But there are inexpensive brands of domestic manufacturers, plus there are large chain sports stores that have equipment for beginners, but still suitable for the conditions of a hike, not a city.
    2. Gathering on the last day before leaving - leads to mistake No. 1 and to the fact that we generally forget to take something important, sometimes something very important.
    3. Take too little and freeze, get wet, etc. The opposite of the first point. Often the problem comes from point No. 2 and the unwillingness to think through the conditions of the trip in advance.
    4. Don't know your equipment. Don’t know how the equipment works: it warms, protects from rain, how much it weighs, how much it folds, how much gas the burner consumes and how reliable it is, etc. It is advisable to check everything in advance in the city, at home, during training (jogging), and walks.
    5. Don't wear your shoes in, do not guess with the size of boots. I got caught doing this myself and it was very unpleasant. With the first boots I didn’t guess the width of the last, after a couple of small hikes I had to sell them cheap. With the second ones, I didn’t distribute them in advance. It seemed that they were comfortable right when trying them on and advice on wearing them was not about them, and so it will go. It didn't work. On the third day of the hike, problems began that lasted for two weeks. They were heard just during the same two weeks during the hike (distracting from everything around). And on my next hike, I was only surprised - how comfortable my boots were, but how uncomfortable was it for me in them in Altai? But along with the beauty of the Altai lakes, I still remember the bruises in the Achilles tendon area.
    6. Be lenient with navigation and your positioning. Simply put, do not take a map or compass with you and go only with a phone (as a navigator) or without it at all. With the hope that the paths are obvious, marked, and “so why wander around there, because everything is simple and not far away.” This is how people get lost.

    What not to take with you on a hike

    1. Ordinary heavy and breakable household dishes.
    2. Excessive amount of electronics (laptops, tablets, players, etc.). By the way, you are also unlikely to get around to reading the book due to the lack of extra time and the presence of new impressions.
    3. A large amount of cotton clothing (gets wet quickly, becomes heavy, takes a long time to dry). This also includes jeans and canvas fabric.
    4. City shoes. It will quickly fail, unsafe, uncomfortable.
    5. Excessive amount of food (obviously excessive).
    6. Everything is camouflage. If the purpose of your trip is not hunting/fishing/photo-hunting, then from the point of view of passive safety you should choose clothes of bright colors, so they will find you faster if you are lost.
    7. Heavy axes, saws (after all, the lighter the backpack, the more fun the hike! Therefore, if we take it, it’s the lightest ax possible).
    8. Camping furniture (chairs, table). No matter how light they are, it is better to leave them for their intended purpose, namely camping. When you don't have to carry them on yourself.

    Well, the main thing you should definitely take with you on a hike is a good mood!

    It’s one thing to go out into nature, be it fishing, hunting or just an overnight picnic. As a rule, transport is always at hand, and the problem of moving cargo is solved by itself. On a hike, everything is different - no one except the tourist will carry his luggage. Therefore, even at the packing stage, compiling a list of things is one of the main points.

    Let’s figure out what you really should take with you on a hike, what to save on, and what you can do without, depending on all the features of the hike, and make a list.

    Things to consider

    Experienced tourists prepare carefully. The list of necessary things is compiled based on an analysis of all the nuances of the hike.

    • Season.
    • Duration of stay in nature.
    • Difficulty of the hike. This applies to the relief, the climate of the area, and its changes depending on the time of day. Everything is taken into account - temperature changes, humidity, direction of prevailing winds, altitude above sea level.
    • Composition of the group. Not only the number of tourists is taken into account, but also their age category, and whether the participants in the trip belong to a certain gender. It is clear that a woman and a child will not be able to carry large things, especially heavy ones. Consequently, the main burden will fall on the shoulders of men, and in the literal sense.

    Must-haves and accessories for a hike

    Change of clothes. No synthetics - only natural materials. The same goes for socks. Otherwise, the hike will turn into hard labor due to constant sweating of the feet, quickly developing shortness of breath and general fatigue. Spare pair of shoes There will also be no extra items on the list of things, especially for long hikes. As you know, in uninhabited areas there is a “great shortage of shoemakers,” and DIY repairs will take a long time. And how long will it last?

    Stock of underwear. In what quantity, everyone will decide for themselves. Backpack. Each group member should have one and is selected according to size, depending on age and physical development. About, . Sleeping bag. Even in the summer, when going on a hike, it is advisable that everyone has one. For some reason, many people believe that if you have a tent with you, then this attribute of a tourist can be neglected. But even the cheapest “sleeping bag” can level out uneven ground conditions and provide reliable thermal insulation. In addition, at night it will protect against various crawling, blood-sucking and so on, which one way or another will climb into the tent. Take it with you - definitely.

    You can take, for example, a “Camp bag” sleeping bag, which is an “envelope” consisting of a blanket with a headrest. The weight is small - just over 1 kg, and the price is not too bad, ranging from 980 to 1,000 rubles. Dimensions (stowed position) – 250 x 350 mm. If adults think that they can do without it, then they should definitely take it for the child.

    Those who are fundamentally opposed to all kinds of bags should pay attention to camping rugs. There are enough modifications of tourist models. The cost of the cheapest is about 375 rubles. At least in the future there will definitely be no problems with a cold back or aching joints. About, .

    First aid kit. Its configuration should be given special attention. On a hike, you don’t have to rely on anyone’s help, only on yourself. Bandage, cotton wool, iodine, brilliant green, plaster, rubber tourniquet - all this should be included in the list. The reader will add the rest himself. In addition, antipyretics and pain relievers. Activated carbon, noshpa or smecta is a must, as stomach problems cannot be avoided on a hike. Especially children have dirty hands and so on. As for ointments, it is advisable to have a traditional “star”. Full .

    Documents and a small amount of money. Many people don't think about this. But you never know what will happen on a hike, especially a long one. Therefore, at least one member of the group must have either a passport or any other document proving his identity. A must add to your packing list! Watch. You shouldn't rely on a gadget. How long will the battery last? And it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to charge it if this is really a hike, and not a banal “out of the countryside.” Swimwear. Even if there is no body of water nearby, no one will walk around the campsite in clothes, especially in the summer heat. Or shorts or swimming trunks. The well-known “family” is not an option. Although there are people who are quite happy with them. But how will your companions look at this, especially if the company includes people you don’t know well?

    Things for a child

    • Rubber boots and replacement shoes. At least one pair.
    • Spare clothing – at least 2 sets. Insulated pants and a sweater for inclement weather should also be on your list of essentials.
    • Jacket and pants made of waterproof material. Options - raincoat, polyethylene cape.
    • Headdress.
    • Something from toys. The practice of organizing trips with children shows that one ball is enough for them. It is advisable to take an inflatable one. It won't take up much space among your things. A good option is “flying saucer” or badminton. The child will choose for himself. But it should be immediately stipulated that he will have to bear it, since adults have enough things. Guaranteed that he will not take anything unnecessary on a hike.

    List of tools and accessories

    • Hatchet.
    • Knife. .
    • Lighting device. Mostly tourists use flashlights. In this regard, LED models are preferable. They consume less energy than their traditional light bulb counterparts, which means batteries will have to be changed much less frequently. In addition, the beam is more focused and hits further. Options for dies, candles or other sources of open fire for a tent are unacceptable. The reason is clear.
    • Matches.
    • Dishes. What exactly is needed, everyone can determine for themselves. There are travel kits on sale that are lightweight and compact. It is better to focus on stainless steel cookware. It is easy to wash even with cold water, does not burn and does not deform during the hike. Cheap aluminum products will not last long, given the malleability of the metal. And the oxide film that gets on food is another minus, and an important one.

    Additional to the list

    When hiking over long distances, and even in unfamiliar terrain, you cannot do without special tourist equipment and various means.

    • Compass.
    • Map.
    • Navigator. Some consider it a luxury, but those who know how to use it and put it into practice have the opposite opinion. For a camping trip, a model costing no more than 9,000 rubles is enough. The only thing you need to do is to choose the device wisely (in terms of range, communication stability, and so on). This is a separate topic, but a navigator will definitely not be superfluous. It's impossible to get lost with him. To the list!
    • Remedy for “blood suckers”. It’s hardly worth relying on folk ones. First, many of them are used in the form of prepared formulations. When to do this on a hike? Secondly, the necessary herbs still need to be found. Will it work? And various perfumes, colognes, oils, if they help, do not last long - it has been tested.
    • Means for water disinfection. Your supplies won’t last long, especially if you have to cook frequently while on a hike. And how much can you take with you, considering how much you need to carry? There are various drugs on sale, so purchasing them will not be a problem. The main thing is to calculate their required quantity.
    • Anti-burn agents. Creams, lotions and the like.
    • Sunglasses. Including for children.
    • Personal hygiene products, towels. Everything is clear here, but you should pay attention to wet wipes. Kids will have to constantly dry their hands, and wasting water supplies on this is hardly the right decision.
    • Dry fuel. Inexperienced tourists often have difficulty starting a fire. The problem is even more complicated if there was precipitation the day before and there is no moss or sufficient paper nearby. Therefore, a small supply of “flammable” tablets is definitely worth adding to the list.
    • Detergents and sponge. You will have to wash the dishes after eating - there is no escape from this.
    • Inflatable basin. If the trip is planned for several days, then you can wash small things and give your baby a bath. This accessory won’t take up much space, and there’s no point in talking about weight.
    • Inflatable seats. They are sold in different designs. The advantage is obvious - you don’t have to sit on wet grass or damp soil, especially early in the morning when the dew has not yet evaporated.
    • Sewing supplies. Here the most necessary things are threads with needles, a couple of pins.
    • Rope. It is useful, for example, for drying washed children's clothes. But you never know for what purposes.

    It is possible (and even more than likely) that the author did not take everything into account. Hiking, as you know, differs greatly in many ways. The rest is easy to figure out on your own. For example, if the route runs along a pond, a fishing rod or a children's inflatable ring will not hurt. Anyone who is accustomed to regularly enjoying the benefits of civilization can hardly do without a portable radio.

    In general, there is still something to think about, given the composition of the group and the inclinations (habits, preferences) of each of the participants in the hike. Don’t forget about your four-legged friend if you take him with you. Dry dog ​​food and a plastic bowl are a must.

    The practice of hiking shows that the main problems of inexperienced tourists arise due to improper packing of the backpack. It is carried out according to the principle: down - everything heavy, on top - the rest, as the weight decreases. But that's not all. After completing the configuration, you should put it on and make sure that it does not create inconvenience when moving. It is enough to walk around the room several times, and it will immediately become clear where there is pressure, bulging, rubbing, and so on.

    Additionally, you should also jump. Only such a comprehensive check guarantees that during the hike you will not have to constantly make stops and rearrange things, delaying the entire group.

    Matches should be immediately packed in moisture-proof material. For example, plastic bag. Otherwise, even if they don’t get wet in the rain, they will definitely get damp. It is unlikely that you will be able to start a fire with their help. The same applies to food supplies, especially salt, sugar and the like. In principle, most bulk materials absorb moisture most intensively.

    Only experienced tourists make hikes alone, and they do not need advice. Everyone else walks in groups. Some things and accessories can be rationally distributed among everyone. For example, for a small team, just one hatchet is enough. A couple of knives (“of different sizes”) will be enough. The same applies to other attributes - burners, pans, and so on. When compiling a list, you should consider what will be needed for all participants in the trip.

    Yes, a trip to the mountains is always unforgettable. Perhaps you also have a desire to push the work process aside, take a vacation for a couple of weeks, pack your things and... That’s exactly what I would like to write about the things.

    When I first thought about going to the mountains, the question for me was: collecting things needed for the trip stood up, as they say, “on edge.” Despite the fact that on the forum, experienced mountain hikers posted a list of what needs to be put in a backpack, it was only after experience in dealing with mountainous terrain that I realized that half of the things on that list can be safely crossed off.

    Moreover, in the mountains, every gram on your back is really important. First of all, your personal physical comfort, and as a result, the speed of movement, depends on this. I think more than one backpacker will agree with me.

    So, what should you take with you to the mountains?

    Important: passport, insurance policy and tickets to the place, as well as batteries in reserve for photographic equipment.

    1. . Of course, we need a backpack, we can’t carry our things in our hands :). We take a mountain backpack of 60-80 liters, no less (an ordinary school backpack will not work here), the tent and rug will be outside. Be sure to have aluminum inserts, thanks to which your back gets less tired, and don’t forget about many straps so that you can tighten and adjust the backpack to your body for greater comfort. Regarding manufacturing companies, I don’t see the point in writing, thank God, there are plenty of them now, you can choose to your taste, the main thing, I emphasize, the MAIN thing is that you are comfortable!!!

    2. Tent. The tent must be two-layer, because... with one layer the first rain will turn it into an aquarium. Another important indicator is wind resistance, especially for mountains where there are often strong currents. Frame sticks and pegs should be made of aluminum, which significantly reduces the weight of the tent, but, unfortunately, increases its cost. It would be nice if the tent has 2 entrances (exits) - this is convenient for ventilation and drying.

    3. Sleeping bag. In the summer, “comfort - 0C” will be optimal. In general, there are two types of sleeping bags: down and synthetic, both have their pros and cons. Down sleeping bag- light in weight, which cannot be said about synthetic; it will be three times heavier than the first one. It would seem that everything is simple, our option is No. 1. But there is a nuance: if a down sleeping bag gets wet (this often happens when it’s hot at night or there is strong air humidity), then you can forget about warmth and dryness. And here synthetic copes with this task perfectly even in high humidity. So here I leave the choice up to you, what do you consider a higher priority for yourself, choose such a sleeping bag.

    4. Foam. An ordinary tourist one, without it it would simply be impossible to sleep on the rocks. I advise you not to replace it with anything, because... it's cheap and the choice is huge.

    5. Be sure to take a hoba- this is a piece of foam with a strap (or elastic) for the “soft spot”. Why is it necessary? Imagine you have 20 kilograms on your back, and you have to walk 3-6 kilometers, I assure you that after a few hundred meters you will want to sit down. We look around and see that there are either bare stones or damp earth all around, and “Mr. Rain” is a frequent visitor to the mountains, and this is where the “hoba” comes to the rescue, since it is always in its place below the back.

    By the way, you can easily make it yourself: for this we need a small piece of old foam or packaging material from any household appliance (for example, a TV, now manufacturers often use it instead of polystyrene foam). Cut out your size, thread the elastic through, done!

    6. Wrist watch. Since there are no electrical outlets in the mountains (I checked), and it’s better not to rely on solar panels in capricious weather, there will be nowhere to charge your phone. So a wristwatch will come in handy (mechanical ones are even better).

    7. Dishes. It’s standard here: plate, mug, spoon (fork), knife - most importantly, no ceramics (leave the porcelain to grandma), only plastic or iron!

    8. Hygiene products. By default - soap, shampoo, washcloth, toilet paper and wet wipes. I don’t advise you to carry deodorants, lotions, perfumes with you: firstly, there will be no one to entice with the “aromas of France” except midges, and secondly, this is again excess weight that puts pressure on your shoulders.

    It is advisable to take protective equipment: a sun cap (preferably a wide-brimmed hat), sunscreen, sunglasses, moisturizing lipstick will also come in handy (at altitude the air is dry and very windy, lips don’t like it).

    9.Every little thing you need: headlamp (only this one, because your hands are always busy), raincoat, lighter (matches), always large bags (you should pack things in them before putting them in your backpack - this will save them from getting wet), first aid kit if necessary.

    10. Cloth. Let's talk about shoes for mountain hikes, it should be comfortable (important - worn in!), with high tops (hiking boots), combat boots are also good, sneakers and plastic slippers are a reserve for when getting wet.

    A light jacket, a sweater, sports pants (T-shirts, socks, underwear according to your needs, but I recommend 2-3 pieces, no more), swimming trunks/swimsuit, warm socks (required, because it’s cold to sleep without them), and if available, then thermal underwear.

    When there are temperature changes, you may need a light hat and gloves.

    11. Things that are needed, but not for everyone (can be distributed among the participants of the trip): pot, axe, gas burner (gas cylinders), compass or GPS, tape and rope (for drying clothes), tent (for example, double).

    12. Food. Since shops are tight in the mountains, you will have to carry food on your own. Here is a list of what I usually take:

    • for those with a sweet tooth, you can use a substitute instead of sugar;
    • “beach.pack” (porridge, puree);
    • candies (chocolate);
    • dried fruits (nuts);
    • powdered milk;
    • salt (spices);
    • cereals (pasta);
    • instead of bread, crispbreads work well (they are light and satisfying);
    • soy meat (carrying canned food will be difficult, so I don’t recommend taking a lot, they are always left along the way);
    • For water, a regular plastic bottle will do (you can replenish supplies from mountain streams).

    12. Optional things. Many people buy trekking poles on purpose; in my opinion, they can easily be replaced with any snags in the mountains. Although, if we talk about sharp ascents and descents, the poles relieve the knees well. Therefore, if you have problems with this part of the body, but want to go to the mountains, then it is better to buy sticks. A thermos, it would seem, is convenient, but, unfortunately, it is difficult (drink more from mountain springs, it will be healthier). An umbrella is generally a dubious pleasure in the mountains, especially considering the strong winds (foreva raincoat).

    Looks like everyone, I hope we haven’t forgotten anything. Read about how all this works in the following articles. So, stay in touch.

    Krasnoyarsk

    What should you take with you to the mountains?

    Lake of Artists

    Using the example of a hike in Ergaki, we will look at what you need to take with you on a hike in the mountains. It is prohibited to take condensed milk. Basic backpack. Volume 110-140 liters for men, 90-100 for women. It can be easel, anatomical or soft. It is advisable to have a waist belt that takes up to 90 loads, relieving the shoulders. The main backpack should weigh no more than 1.5 kg. It is also advisable to have a waterproof cape for your backpack, preferably in a bright color - red or orange. Assault backpack. Volume 30-50 liters. Used for radial walks. There we put a snack, an individual first aid kit, spare clothes, rain capes, and photographic equipment. The main requirement is light weight. Any additional bags are not allowed. The tourist's hands must be free. You can take an alpenstock or a stick - if desired. It is believed that the alpenstock helps to maintain balance on the ridge. Some tourists take two alpenstocks - they help relieve the load on their legs during steep climbs. If you are used to walking with alpenstocks, take them. If you don't have this habit, don't take it. Sleeping bag. In June and August you can take thicker ones, you can even take down ones. It gets so hot in July that we sleep on top of our sleeping bags. Some tourists also take sleeping bag inserts. It's up to you. Blanket sleeping bags have proven to be the best. The worst thing is the so-called “tourist death”, cocoons. Tents. Preferably light (3-seater up to 3.6 kg), framed and with a large vestibule. In other areas, it is possible without a vestibule at all, but in Ergaki it often rains. It is convenient to change clothes in the vestibule. Even if a tourist gets wet, he enters the tent dry and happy. CLMN- mug-spoon-bowl-knife. A mug of approximately 0.5 liters or more, light, unbreakable. The bowl is large enough, light, unbreakable. An aluminum spoon is better. Wooden ones break, steel ones are heavy. The knife can be folded, do not forget to sharpen it. Rug (karimat). For thermal insulation and softness. Polyurethane foam mats are sold in all tourist or hunting stores, are very light in weight, and cost 200-400 rubles. It is also permissible to take building thermal insulation materials with similar characteristics. There are also inflatable mats, also with a pump. Such rugs usually do not justify themselves: they are too heavy. In addition, air mattresses burst and do not fit with regular mattresses. Shoes. The best shoes are leather boots with thick, ribbed soles and high ones. I myself usually buy in military stores, the price is about 1,700 rubles. You can also buy ankle boots or leather boots in workwear stores, the average price is from 260 to 700 rubles. Boots should be taken one to one and a half sizes larger than usual. You can also buy regular rubber boots for 250-350 rubles. It is especially good to wear boots in June and August, but in July they can be hot. Don’t be afraid that your feet will get wet in your boots; usually we walk for no more than 20 minutes at a time, after which we stop and you can take off your shoes. Second pair of shoes- light sneakers or sneakers. Beach flip flops, which are very light, are suitable for walking around the camp. Do not try to consult a salesperson at a sports store about shoes. Most likely, the seller will sell you some very beautiful trekking shoes for 50,000 rubles, which will fall apart in three days. Good trekkings fall apart after 7-10 days. It's extremely rare to find truly durable tracking - I've only seen one like this once. In recent years, sports shoes based on membranes have begun to be sold. They say that moisture can only pass in one direction, outward. They say the foot will remain dry. In fact, the leg will still get wet, and so will the other one. But drying such miracle boots is a really difficult task. Therefore, I repeat - leather boots with Vibram-type soles are best. Boots must be broken in beforehand. It is useful to soak boots with hydrophobic lubricant. Socks. We wear three pairs of socks under our boots: first thin woolen ones, then thick ones, then synthetic ones. It's not always possible to wash and dry socks, so I usually take 10-12 pairs and just throw away the wet ones. Cloth. Two T-shirts, a vest, a vest, a windbreaker. Rain capes are a must, preferably long and colored. If you take thin, disposable capes, then 3-5 pieces are better. Thin capes are easy to tear. Pants, shorts. You can wear long pants, this way you will protect your legs from scratches. You can wear shorts, it’s easy and comfortable, your legs will get tanned, but will have scratches. The choice is yours. Sometimes you have to break through the bushes - if someone has soft skin on their legs, they need long pants. Any clothes should be comfortable to dry, perhaps by the fire. Please note that synthetics melt easily. Sunbathing and swimming are comfortable in a swimsuit. Those who are afraid of the sun's rays can take a baseball cap or hat. In June and August, a warm woolen or knitted hat will be useful. Outerwear should be bright colors, preferably red and orange. Head Torch. Will come in handy in July-August. In June the nights are usually light. Individual first aid kit. Elastic bing. Sunscreens Repair kit(thread needles, adhesive tape or electrical tape, laces, ropes, pins), as well as all sorts of garbage of unknown purpose. Toilet paper- pack tightly. Matches- several boxes, pack tightly. You can take additional means for starting a fire in damp conditions: birch bark, pieces of plexiglass, a candle, hunting matches, super lighters, dry fuel.

    You have decided to go hiking for the first time in your life and, of course, you don’t know: What do you need for the hike, what equipment will you need and what food to take? In general, there are a lot of questions, there is a desire to prepare thoroughly, and there are no clear answers yet.

    Let's try to understand the situation and find some answers.

    The most important thing to understand is the first trip should be simple, short-lived and not requiring any special equipment, the so-called PVD - weekend hike. It is best, if possible, to travel outside the city limits by transport and go for a walk 5-10 kilometers from this point. At the same time, we must remember that it will take the same amount of time to walk back and we will have to leave energy and time for the return journey. Plus, the more distance you walk today, the more sore your muscles will be over the next few days.

    It is better to go on your first hike in the warm season and in good weather. Otherwise, unfavorable weather conditions can ruin the entire impression of the walk and discourage you from going hiking for a long time.

    If you are going on a hike for the first time, then it is better to go not alone, but with a friend or friends. It's always more fun and safer together. If one of your friends is more experienced in hiking, then great.

    I also recommend subscribing to my free newsletter. It contains 5 videos about the most important aspects of preparing a beginner for a hike.

    Based on the conditions described above, you need to decide what to take on a hike.

    Hiking clothes

    Of course, you need to dress for the season. There is no need to get too warm - with active movement you will already warm up and even sweat. It is better to wear several thin layers of clothing than one thick one. This way you will have the opportunity to remove an extra layer of things if you get tired.

    In the summer, despite the heat, you should wear thin trousers that completely cover your legs and a light long-sleeved shirt, otherwise you can get very sunburned in a day due to unaccustomment. It's the same in spring. The spring sun is especially treacherous, and you can easily get sunburnt.

    Headdress is also required. Baseball cap, Panama hat, bandana, sombrero - anything as long as your head is covered. In hot weather you can get sunstroke, and in cool weather without a hat you will feel more cold.

    Hiking shoes

    The main rule for any hike is shoes should not be new. Be sure to break your shoes in a little before going on a hike, otherwise you will get blisters. Of course, it’s stupid to go hiking over rough terrain in patent leather shoes, but it’s also not necessary to buy special trekking boots for your first trip out of town. You can wear old, comfortable sneakers.

    Sun and insect protection

    Various ointments and protective creams have limited duration. Therefore, if you apply sun cream in the morning, then by lunchtime, when the sun is already at its zenith, the protective properties of the cream will be significantly weakened. The same goes for insect repellents. So if the weather is expected to be sunny, take sun cream with you. If there are ticks, mosquitoes and midges in your region, then take protection against them.

    Backpack for the first hike

    For your first simple trip out of town, you don’t have to buy a special backpack - it will do any backpack, which you have, even a school bag. The main thing is not to take bags and luggage that you will have to carry in your hands. After walking all day with your backpack, you will understand what its disadvantages and advantages are, and you will gain your own experience, which will help you when you are ready to buy a special tourist backpack.

    Dishes for the first trip

    I may disappoint you, but you don’t need to take any dishes for your first trip. It is better to take ready-made tea from home in a thermos and use its lid as a mug. This will allow you to avoid overloading your back with excess weight, and when you get hungry, you will have the opportunity to start eating almost instantly and not waste time on cooking. In addition, you also need to know how to cook over a fire.

    What food to take

    Any sandwiches, gingerbread for tea, kozinaki, boiled eggs (don’t forget salt) in general, anything that is filling, tasty and does not require cooking. In the fresh air, you are guaranteed to work up an appetite, and you will definitely not limit yourself to just one glass of tea. In addition, you need to replenish the energy spent during the transition.

    Be sure to take clean drinking water u. While driving, it is better to drink small portions of plain water rather than juices, lemonade or tea.

    Do not take perishable foods during hot periods. In half a day in the heat they will most likely spoil.

    Hiking route

    Before going on a hike, study the area on Google or Yandex satellite maps. It's better to print the map. You shouldn’t rely on memory, because everything seems simpler on paper than on the ground. You can print two copies of the map. Take one with you, and leave the second one, with a drawn route, at home with your family and agree on a control time for return. If you haven’t returned before this time or haven’t called, then the second card will help you quickly find you in case of trouble.

    Communication on the go

    There are still places where cellular communication does not work. Therefore, you should not completely rely on your phone, but before going on a trip you should have it 100% charged and with a positive account balance.

    Camping first aid kit

    On the first weekend hike ( PVD) you can take only what you need. Plaster for calluses or small wounds. BF-6 glue will help both seal the abrasion and disinfect it. Hydrogen peroxide, a small bandage and a few cotton pads. You can take an iodine marker, it is much more convenient than a glass bottle of iodine.

    If you take any pills by the hour, be sure to take your daily dose and a small supply in case of an unexpected delay. All this needs to be packed in a small bag or handbag and placed so that you don’t have to shake everything out of the backpack when taking out the first aid kit.

    Useful little things on a hike

    • Matches or lighter- It will be possible to make a fire.
    • Sunglasses- in the summer without them your eyes will have a hard time. In addition, they are required in dense thickets. You need to protect your eyes.
    • Knife- always needed. At least a small folding one or even a simple kitchen one, but it should be there.
    • Toilet paper- a city person can hardly do without it. Take a small roll.
    • Rope- several meters of thin rope, maybe clothesline. It weighs a little, but can be useful if you need to tie or tie something
    • Documents and some money- just in case. You can take a photocopy of your passport. All this should be put in a sealed bag with a Zip-lock fastener and put in the inside pocket of your clothes, but not in your backpack.

    I hope these simple recommendations were useful to you and now the question is: “What to take on a hike?” - doesn’t seem so difficult anymore. Don’t carry a mountain of things with you “just in case”, go hiking lightly and enjoy it.

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