Nowadays, camping and hiking has become a very popular sports activity in our lives. More and more people like to go out for camping and hiking. To protect our safety and comfort during the camping and hiking, we need to have a good preparation before we start to go out.

In this article, we would like to share you the most comprehensive guidance for outdoor camping and hiking preparation.

First, you have to know, three hour hiking through alpine meadows is different from a week long hiking through equatorial rainforest. They are also different from a staged expedition across the Antarctic plateau. So, it all depends on the duration of hiking and the expected environmental conditions.

No matter what distance, environmental conditions is, there are always 10 to 12 items are always needed in the preparation list. For example:

1. Navigation
2. Sun protection
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire
7. Repair kit and tools (including knife)
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency shelter

Or:

1. Map
2. Compass
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra clothing
5. Headlamp or flashlight
6. First-aid supplies
7. Firestarter
8. Matches
9. Knife
10. Extra food

Actually, whether these things are needed for your camping and hiking, you need to determine it. Make sure you need and will use it when you go into the mountain or forest. Otherwise they will become a burden and heavy your camping bag during the hiking. For example, if you only go out for a three hours walking, you only need to take little things, most of the above items are not needed.

Actually, there are still some items are needed no matter it is a 3 hours short distance walking or a multiple days hiking. These items including your wallet, your ID, some cash and credit cards, keys and smartphone.

If it is a 3 hours (or less than 10 miles) walking/hiking, you will need the following items bringing with you:

• 1. map, maybe not need if you have been previously and know that place already
• 2. water/hydration pack, maybe you will need about 2.5L
• 3. headlamp, depending on when you set out, when you can come back, and time of sunset/season, (if there is any chance you might be coming back after the sunsets, you will definitely need to take a headlamp)
• 4. sunglasses
• 5. maybe some trail mix or gummy bears or a Snickers
• 6. trekking poles
• 7. maybe rain shell and stocking cap, depending on season
• 8. backpack
• 9. camera

Normally, the total weight of these items is less than 5-6 lbs. This is the amount of gear you should take with you for a nice long walk in the park. With these items, there will be very little danger of being seriously lost, hurt, or stranded overnight. This list is stuff primarily for comfort/convenience. If you do not bring any of it you'd probably be just fine.

If it's an ambitious 8+ hours (or 18+ miles) hiking you have never done before, the followings are needed:

• 1. good map and maybe compass (if in a heavily wooded area with no clear landmarks)
• 2. water/hydration pack
• 3. headlamp
• 4. sunglasses
• 5. lots of trail mix, energy bars
• 6. trekking poles
• 7. rain shell and stocking cap
• 8. Swiss Army knife or Leatherman
• 9. mylar space blanket/poncho
• 10. disposable Bic lighter
• 11. First Aid kit
• 12. saline solution and contact lens case/spare glasses
• 13. slightly bigger daypack
• 14. camera

Totally, these items are normally less than 12lbs. This is assuming that this is a long route you are not familiar with but looks easily to finish it on the map. Still, there may be some unexpected things happen during the hiking -- you could get lost or injured and have to bivouac somewhere unfamiliar in the dark. Hopefully the worst that could happen is that you get lost for an hour or two. And you finally straggle back to your car after sundown. So headlamp is absolutely necessary during the hiking. Notice, the safety/precautionary things start showing up on this list now.

If it is multi days camping and hiking in the backcountry, then there will be more items you need to prepare.

• 1. map and compass
• 2. water/hydration pack
• 3. water filter
• 4. headlamp with spare batteries
• 5. sunglasses
• 6. trail mix
• 7. trekking poles
• 8. maybe solar rechargeable LED lantern
• 9. rain shell and stocking cap
• 10. Swiss Army knife and/or Leatherman
• 11. mylar space blanket/poncho
• 12. bic lighter
• 13. First Aid kit including iodine tablets and moleskin and sunscreen
• 14. esbit stove for 3days, SVEA123 stove for longer
• 15. pots--single Ti pot for 3day; SiggTourist for longer
• 16. soap, scouring pad, and utensil/spork
• 17. plenty of food, orzo, couscous, ramen etc--in bear canisters if needed
• 18. spare socks
• 19. tent with fly and groundsheet and stakes
• 20. sleeping bag
• 21. sleeping bag liner
• 22. sleeping pad
• 23. lil' paperback book or two
• 24. underwear/sweater/thermals
• 25. extra water bottles
• 26. multivitamins
• 27. extra ibuprofen and aspirin
• 28. 55L backpack bag
• 29. safari cap
• 30. kerchief/camp towel
• 31. camera with extra batteries and memory stick

These items may totally weight about 32 lbs. This is for trips away for a few days camping and hiking. During this time you will need to eat, defecate, sleep, stay warm and dry, etc. What’s more, you have to be prepared for any emergencies that may arise (fall down a ravine, get mauled by a bobcat, get seriously lost in the backcountry, etc.). So the amount of gear increases dramatically.

In addition, this list disregards the climate conditions and terrain during the camping and hiking. You may also need to prepare the followings according to the place you will go to:

• 1. an ice axe
• 2. crampons
• 3. snowshoes
• 4. rock climbing gear/tackle
• 5. gaiters
• 6. mosquito repellent
• 7. galloshes (if there's a lot of muddy terrain and streams to ford)
• 8. winter clothes
• 9. winter tent
• 10. winter bag
• 11. snow shovel
• 12. bear bell and spray if in bear country
• 13. skis
• 14. sledges
• 15. kayaks
• 16. generator
• 17. satellite phone
• etc, etc, etc

If you check out the Annual American Alpine Accident Report, you will find that the most common cause of accidents is inadequate protection. Therefore, a comprehensive preparation for your camping and hiking, a good plan will help you a lot during your camping and hiking. This is not only protecting you from dangerous, but also making sure you can have fun during the camping and hiking times.

(At The End If you think this article is good and helpful to your future outdoor camping and hiking preparations, you can bookmark the link of this article so that you can read it again at any time in the future. Also, if there is any hiking gears we have miss to mention in this articel, you can leave us a comment, so that we can make this article the best and most comprehensive guidance for outdoor camping and hiking preparation)