Australian Hiking
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The 10 Essentials

The ten essentials have evolved over the years but the main theme is that you should carry these on every hike, even day hikes, and they will help you in an emergency.

I take these items on each and every hike I do, even short ones with friends. I have also added two bonus items of i) have a safety number back home who has your trip details and will report you missing if you don’t return and ii) ensure you do proper trip planning (workout the route, what possible hazards, suitable equipment to deal with the environment).

The 10 essentials are:
  1. Navigation equipment: map, compass, GPS and know how to use them. Have both don’t risk your life on an item with batteries  
  2. Sun protection: sunnies, hat, sunscreen, long clothes
  3. Insulation: look up the most extreme weather conditions in that area for that time of year from the bureau of meteorology. Take insulation in the form of mat, bag and clothes.
  4. Light: headlamps are great with extra batteries and my iphone in an emergency
  5. First aid kit and survival kit
  6. Fire: waterproof options and take backup methods (lighters and waterproof matches)
  7. Repair kit/tools: Knife needle, floss, duct tape
  8. Nutrition: take one days extra food 
  9. Hydration: take a couple of methods to treat your water in case one stops working. I take platypus treatment and emergency tablets
  10. Emergency shelter: plastic bags and space blanket may do but I will often take my tarp if going on a more difficult day hike
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  • Home
  • Gear
    • Gear - Overview
    • Packing List
    • Weight - Classifications
    • Weight - How to lighten the load
    • Shelter Systems - Tents
    • Sleep Systems - Bags Mats
    • Backpacks
    • First Aid and Survival
    • Water Treatment and Storage
    • Cooking Gear
    • Food
    • Clothes
    • Rain Protection
    • Footwear
    • Personal Effects
    • The 10 Essentials
    • Navigation Gear
    • Chargers
  • Skills
    • Filter water on the trail
    • Go to the toilet
    • Pitch a tent without pegs
    • Dehydrating your own hiking food
    • Delicious hiking food
    • Hiking food menu for 7 days
    • Coffee on the trail
    • First Aid Thinking
  • Adventure
    • Great South Coast Walk
    • Shoalhaven River Rafting
    • Bungonia Gorge Slot Canyon
    • Shaolhaven River Wineglass tor
    • Nadgee Wilderness
    • Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk
    • Kangaroo Island Wilderness
    • Jatbula Trail
    • Larapinta Trail
    • Great South West Walk
    • Cape to Cape
    • Budawangs and Ettrema
  • About
    • One-on-one Hike coaching