Mountain hiking - what should be in your backpack?
Hiking with a backpack
The component of a vacation has always been and always will be hiking. A beautiful hiking tour in the great outdoors is a unique experience for both the body and the soul that can be enjoyed in any season with the right equipment.
You can plan a hiking trip in a variety of ways, such as:b over green and flowering meadows, through romantic and green forests, next to rivers, lakes or other sources. The stages can be planned as short or long depending on your endurance and athleticism.Of course, you also have to prepare accordingly for the trip.
Hiking means having a long way to the city and maybe even spending the night all alone in the great outdoors. Therefore, there are some insurmountable tools and gadgets that you should definitely carry in your backpack.
What kind of backpack should you take?
A person with a medium figure can easily carry up to 25% of their body weight for a few hours. Of course, this is the upper limit and we therefore recommend an ergonomic backpack with a maximum weight of 12kg.
What goes in the backpack?
What needs to be in the backpack? You simply can't imagine going on a hiking trip without a backpack. It's just part of it. But what should I actually take with me? Which tools should I definitely not forget?
Your checklist
You should do this a few days before the trip Create a checklist on which you have written down everything you need beforehand. After completing this checklist, you can then pack your backpack in good time and, if something is missing from your checklist, you can make up for it. Your checklist should look something like this:
Personal things:
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Cash and ID
You never know what you might experience in everyday life. You should be 100% prepared for unexpected events. You should be able to identify yourself everywhere and, in case you need assistance, you should also carry enough cash in your pocket. Better safe than sorry!
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Sunglasses
Hiking in the great outdoors also brings with it the free sun. Sensitive eyes can be damaged by the rays of the naked sun. Therefore, it is always good to carry sunglasses with you.
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UV protection (sun cream and sun protection for the lips)
As mentioned with sunglasses, the naked sun can harm us. The head, face or bare skin should also be protected from strong UV rays. You should also have a good sunscreen and sunscreen for your lips with you.
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Mobile phone (charged and with power bank included)
A cell phone or You always have a smartphone with you anyway. But before embarking on such a trip, you should make sure that you have enough energy with you for emergencies. Therefore, you should fully charge your cell phone shortly before your trip and also take a fully charged power bank with you. Here too, you should think about unexpected events or unwanted emergencies.
Clothing and accessories:
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Clothing for all weather
It may be sunny, but showers later. It can be rainy but then sunny afterwards. Or it may even snow on high railings. That's why you should definitely think and take precautions beforehand. If you have enough warm clothes with you, you will be glad that you have good clothing with you during the cool days of spring and fall.
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Hiking shoes (suitable for all terrains)
Our feet are the main supports while hiking. Our hiking shoes are therefore one of the most important things to pay attention to. The hiking shoes must be comfortable, but also stable and offer good support. And they should be waterproof. We will eventually walk over roots, stones, damp grass and muddy paths.
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Socks & Gloves
You should have thin and thick (warm-keeping) socks with you. You can never rely on weather forecasts at mountain heights. Gloves are also included. Even if the sun shines all day long. You should have them in your backpack.
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Rescue blanket
You should take a rescue blanket with you as a prevention and as an aid in the event of hypothermia or overheating.The emergency blanket also serves as shade.
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Sleeping bags
In the event of a planned or even unplanned overnight stay and also as an emergency bivouac, you should also have sleeping bags with you.
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Seat cushion (inflatable or foldable)
- Shield cap
Food:
- Food and sufficient water
- Drink bottle
- Energy and muesli bars in a provisions tin
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Isotonic drinking powder
They always say that when you hike in the great outdoors, you quickly get hungry. If you leave the house very early, you can eat a piece of fruit or something similar. During the ascent, you may be able to eat a handful of nuts or an energy bar so that you still have enough energy.
When you arrive at the summit you can then have lunch. This is of course the normal plan. But you should also be prepared for cases that appear unexpected and result in short or long delays. That's exactly why you should have more than enough with you.
Useful items, and tools:
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Headlamp (with spare batteries)
It's very easy to get a headlamp. It is small, light and often cheap. It is extremely helpful in certain negative situations. You can be a very good tour planner and have never experienced delays. However, you should never rule out these cases. You can have a longer break with a summit snack or want to photograph the many beautiful motifs along the way. Therefore, one can definitely say that everything can never be predicted. In cases where you are out and about for a longer period of time than you expected, you can use the headlamp as an emergency light. Even if it's already evening, you can still find your way. If you e.g.b If you also have the option of wearing the headlamp on your head, it becomes much more practical.
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Binoculars
Binoculars are not only useful for animal fans, but also for mountaineers and hikers if necessary. You can use this tool to look out for many details, e.g.b find an unknown path or see the hut you are looking for.Binoculars are a tool that complements all others and provides you with a lot of help.
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Pocket knife
As an outdoor gadget, the pocket knife is always a good friend for everything.You can use it to carve the sausage on the fire or use it as a can opener. Modern pocket knives have a lot more to offer and have become more compact. They have practical tools and you can do a lot of tasks with them, such as opening bottles, using them as toothpicks or as scissors. They are small and can be carried in any pocket.
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GPS device
In the event that you can no longer be positioned, there is GPS. The Global Positioning System (GPS) uses over 20 satellites located at an altitude of 20.000 kilometers above the earth's surface. The functions of the GPS device can be used to determine your location in the event of an emergency.
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Compass
In case our GPS device doesn't work or if we want to have the ability ourselves To find your way with a compass, the compass should also be there. You rarely need it during the day because of the sun. But in the unexpected event that one needs it at night, it would be of great use to us.
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First Aid Kit
You should have a first aid kit with everything Everything you need, just have it untouched in your backpack. Something can always happen during your hiking trip. On the other hand, you can quickly get professional help in the city, which looks completely different outside in nature. If you are prepared for an emergency, you can save lives when in doubt!
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Reep cord / cable ties
Cable ties should definitely be in your hiking backpack. The practical plastic poles can be used in a variety of ways on the mountain. They can be used universally everywhere. They cannot be replaced by another tool. You can use it to mend a tear in your backpack, repair a broken zipper, or use it as shoelaces or buckles. You should leave room in your backpack for these connection aids. Because your equipment problems will be solved quickly. A cord can also be an alternative. A 2 to 8mm thick rope would suit this.
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Necessary medicines
A small first aid kit should also be included in your backpack, especially on longer hikes. These include bandages and blister plasters, a gauze bandage, injury ointments, an iodine tincture, tweezers, painkillers, for example paracetamol or ibuprofen in the form of tablets, an anti-nausea and diarrhea medication and, for high-altitude mountaineering, specific medication against altitude sickness. In the event that you suffer from certain chronic illnesses for which you have to take medication regularly, you should of course not forget them.
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Hiking stick
Many sports require a hiking stick of a certain length. The length is different for each sport. Of course, the hiking stick (as can be seen from the name) is also very useful for walks or hiking trips. It must be selected precisely to the body, otherwise it will become a torment instead of a help.
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Hiking map
Although a very legible hiking map is very difficult to find, you should still choose one from the few and carry it with you. It can be of great help in rare cases.
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Insect languagey
Free nature, free life for everyone. Also for the animals and for the insects. Finally, the insects are also looking for food sources. It can be a flower, but also our blood. To avoid unpleasant surprises, you should spray the open skin areas with an insect spray. This protects us from all the itching.
Did our article help you? Or do you have questions or suggestions about our topic? Please feel free to leave your comment below. We welcome your questions, criticisms and comments and we will be happy to answer them.
