What’s in your backpack? To prevent emergencies from happening while you’re hiking, and to deal with any that might arise, it’s important to include items from the Ten Essentials list. The National Park Service encourages all hikers to know what the Ten Essentials are, and to carry some version of them in their backpack. In this episode, we’ll discuss each of the ten categories, and give suggestions about what we like to carry with us on day hikes. 

Some of the topics we discuss in this episode include:

What forms of navigation you could bring in addition to a paper map

What first aid items we’ve used the most

What a ferro rod is and why you should practice using it

Why you should carry duct tape

What the 3-in-1 tool is that Karen never leaves home without

Why we always pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

What are some ways to sterilize water along a trail

What items we pack that are not on the Ten Essentials list

What is Karen’s 11th Essential


Links to more information:

The National Park Service Ten Essentials


Where to learn more about our books and travels


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