Hiking Travel
If you have been hiking travel for a long time already, there are a few things you might want to pack in your gear the next time you head on out. Not only will these items make trekking through nature trails a lot more fun, but it also helps you develop more skills as a serious hiker. Naturally enough, you should never dispense with the basic items that all hikers — no matter what their skill levels are — should be carrying at all times. However, if you are indeed planning on going all out on your next hiking travel, you might want to consider bringing these:
1. Tissue, paper towels, wet wipes, gauze and extra washcloths. A lot of people assume that these would only be great if you have to do an impromptu #2 behind the bushes. But the truth is: these are great for wiping away sweat, bandaging, cleaning wounds, filtering water, creating slings and can even be used as dust masks or head protection when the occasion arises. Make sure that you have several of these in your pack especially if you are hiking long distances.
2. Extra pair of socks, waterproof slippers, extra footwear and powder. One of the most basic rules that hikers go by is to take extra care of their feet. This is the part of your body that will take the most force while traveling. Wearing socks will help ease the pain when trekking, while extra footwear would help keep your feet dry at all times. Sprinkling powder on your feet whenever you can would not only help ease some of the aches from the day, but may even keep bad smells from becoming too obvious. This is especially true if the area you have been trekking in is extremely humid or wet.
3. Insect and animal repellents. You really never know what you might find waiting for you next to the trails when you are traveling. Insect repellent sprays and lotions can keep troublesome gnats and mosquitoes away. Products like snake and bear repellent would come in handy if you are within these aforementioned animals’ territories. Mind you, these products are not 100% guaranteed to ward off possible attacks, but using these might give you enough time to get away and move out of range. If you are worried about unwanted human interaction, packing a pepper spray or taser gun in your bag may put your mind at ease. Make sure though, that you know how to use these products safely and that these are still in great working condition before you set out.
4. Camera, binoculars, video cam and basically anything else that would help you capture the moment. You can bring these items if you really intend to enjoy the sights while hiking travel. However, if you plan on simply moving from point A to point B, you might want to dispense with these instead. As stated above, these are considered as luxury items and are really not part of the essentials wares a hiker must have.