most people, the pleasures of hiking make carrying water a relatively minor price to pay to remain healthy. If you’re tempted to drink “found water,” do so only if you understand the risks involved. Better yet, hydrate before your hike, carry (and drink) 6 ounces of water for every mile you plan to hike, and hydrate after the hike.
Alpine vistas abound along Nannie Ridge en route to Sheep Lake (see Hike 5).
Clothing
THE OUTDOOR-CLOTHING INDUSTRY has carved out a hot, trendy market, and trying to put an outfit together for a day in the backcountry can be downright mind-boggling. Fortunately, there are just a few things you need to keep in mind when figuring out how to stay warm, dry, and happy in the woods—how you look on the trail is entirely up to you.
Two basic kinds of materials are used in today’s outdoor clothing: natural fibers and synthetics. Cotton, a natural fiber, is best left for the car ride home. When wet, it can even kill by absorbing moisture and robbing the body of heat. Wool, on the other hand, is an amazing natural fiber that insulates when dry, works when wet, and doesn’t absorb odor nearly as easily as synthetic materials. If the thought of it makes you itchy, you haven’t tried today’s wool products, which are much softer than their predecessors.
The latest and most diverse materials used in today’s outdoor clothing, synthetics range from those made of hollow fibers that trap air and heat to supertight weaves that allow vapor to pass through but resist water saturation. Gore-Tex, soft shells, and polypropylenes are just a few of the names and words you’ll see in discussions of synthetic clothing.
Because both synthetic and natural fibers work only as well as your ability to manage them, it’s extremely important to layer properly. Make sure that you pack enough cool layers that you don’t leave a trail of sweat when climbing to a pass and enough warm layers to enjoy an afternoon sunset from an alpine ridge.
Most important, be prepared for the full range of weather. Lightweight, breathable raingear is an essential piece of your layering system when it comes to hiking in the great Northwest. Even if it doesn’t rain, a lightweight shell can block chilly wind, trap in heat, and be a lifesaver against swarms of bloodthirsty mosquitoes.
Equipment
KEEPING UP WITH THE LATEST AND GREATEST ultralight gizmos and gadgets is not my cup of tea. My husband, on the other hand, can spend hours researching gear before he even sets foot in a store. No matter where you land on the technology spectrum, a few essentials should accompany you on every outdoor adventure.
Footwear
This is the most important piece of equipment that you’ll use on the trail. A 4-mile day hike can quickly turn into a blister-filled torture-fest if you don’t have the right shoes for the job. Many shoe companies are now making low-top hiking shoes, which are a little stiffer, have beefier tread, and are more water-resistant than the typical running shoe. These shoes work great for long day hikes with a light pack.
If you need a little more support, try a lightweight hiking boot, which is a good option if you’re hiking with a heavy pack, you have weak ankles, or you plan to explore off-trail. Regardless of the footwear you choose, make sure that you test it around town or on local trails before you head into the backcountry.
Backpack
If you’re in the market for a new backpack, you’re in luck. You have probably 100 different styles, colors, and sizes to choose from. Although the task may seem a little overwhelming, the number of options out there allows you to find a pack that meets your specific needs. A pack that fits well won’t leave you standing in your living room debating whether or not you should save an ounce by leaving that extra chocolate bar at home. Spend a little more time and money to find a pack that works.
Essential Gear
Today you can buy outdoor vests that have up to 20 pockets shaped and sized to carry everything from toothpicks to binoculars. Or, if you don’t aspire to feel like a burro, you can neatly stow all of these items in your day pack or backpack. The following list showcases never-hike-without-them items—in alphabetical order, as all are important:
EXTRA CLOTHES Raingear (for the occasional rainy day), a change of socks, and depending on the season, a warm hat and gloves
EXTRA FOOD Trail mix, granola bars, or other high-energy snacks
FLASHLIGHT OR HEADLAMP For getting back to the trailhead if you take longer than expected. Also bring along an extra bulb and batteries.
INSECT REPELLENT To ward off ticks and other biting bugs
MAPS AND A HIGH-QUALITY COMPASS GPS is great technology, but don’t rely on it as your sole navigational tool.
POCKETKNIFE and/or multitool
SUN PROTECTION Sunglasses with UV tinting, a sunhat with a wide brim, and sunscreen
TOILET PAPER and a zip-top plastic bag to pack it out in
WATER Again, bring more than you think you’ll drink. Depending on your destination, you may want to bring a container and iodine or a filter for purifying water in case you run out.
WHISTLE It could become your best friend in an emergency.
WINDPROOF MATCHES AND/OR A LIGHTER For real emergencies—please don’t start a forest fire.
A Few Extras
Some items that might be worth the extra weight:
TREKKING POLES OR A HIKING STICK A great way to save your knees
REPAIR KIT Safety pins, duct tape, extra shoelaces, and the like
FLIP-FLOPS, SANDALS, OR CLOGS When you’re hanging out at camp, casual shoes create less of an impact on fragile vegetation than heavy boots or hiking shoes—and nothing feels better than airing out your feet after a long day on the trail.
Shelter
For most people, tents are a necessity when it comes to backpacking in the Northwest. Not only do they keep you dry and warm in foul weather, they can also save you from mosquitoes and biting flies. July and August are about the only months in Washington when you can toy with the idea of leaving the tent at home. If you do, bring some type of emergency shelter or bivy sack and a bug net for hanging out and sleeping.
Even if you’re just out for the day, bring some type of shelter to keep you out of the elements if something should go wrong. Building a shelter out of twigs and limbs may sound romantic, but in an emergency you want something that will keep you relatively warm and dry on the shortest notice. Emergency blankets weigh next to nothing and don’t cost that much.
First Aid Kit
A TYPICAL FIRST AID KIT may contain more items than you might think necessary. These are just the basics. Prepackaged kits in waterproof bags (Atwater Carey and Adventure Medical make a variety of kits) are available. Even though there are quite a few items listed here, they pack down into a small space:
