The 10 Essentials are the elements necessary to survive in an emergency situation in the wilderness. I recommend carrying them even on short hikes. It’s amazing how quickly – even in relatively urbanized hiking areas – you can be off the grid and totally on your own.
According to the classic text book Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, the ten essentials are:
- Map
- Compass
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Extra food
- Extra water
- Extra clothes
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Fire starter
- Knife
There are a number of updated 10 Essentials lists. Here’s the GearGuide version that works for us:
- Navigation (map, compass, GPS device)
- Communication (mobile phone, walkie talkie, emergency beacon)
- Protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent)
- Insulation (clothing, space blanket or other emergency shelter)
- Illumination (headlamp, flashlight)
- Nutrition (food)
- Hydration (water)
- Cumbustion (matches, lighter, flint/steel, magnesium bar)
- First-aid (bandages, antiseptic, hand sanitizer)
- Tools (knife or multitool, paracord, duct tape)
What’s on your 10 Essentials list? Let us know by leaving a comment below.