The abilities and needs of hikers and hiking groups vary. The purpose here is to assist each hiker to consider each item on the list, include the most important items, and exclude only those items the hiker can rationally and responsibly determine to be unnecessary for him or her on the hike and date in consideration.

While the most crucial items generally necessary are included, we cannot claim the list as a complete and exhaustive list. Each hiker needs to determine what to take and what to leave out—whether that item is on this list or not.

Superscript numbers (^123...) refer to explanatory notes below the list.

¹ Clothing: It is not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars on the latest sporting fabrics to be well-protected against the elements while hiking. It is important, however, to understand the layering system of keeping warm and dry.

At cooler times of the year, and that may include overnight hours during the summertime, clothing is layered as follows:

1) The inner layer, next to the skin is of a fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin. That excludes cotton but may include common fabrics such as polyester and even a polyester-cotton blend.

2) Intermediate layers are of material that provides insulation even when wet, such as wool or fleece and other synthetic fabrics. In dry conditions, goose down is still the most lightweight insulation.

3) Outer layers shield against water and wind, but may to some extent still need to be breathable so that moisture beneath is not trapped there.

We are not climbing Mount Everest, nor are we racing in the winter Olympics. If we are perspiring heavily in the wintertime, the solution is not to simply wear clothing that wicks away that moisture. The loss of hydration is a problem in itself. We are wasting body fluids that will need to be replaced. To replace those fluids, we will need to carry the extra weight of more water in our packs.

And eventually our perspiration will need to escape the outer layer of our clothing. That increases the need for breathability (vapor permeability) in the outer layer and decreases its value as a wind and water barrier.

The solution to staying warm and dry involves balancing body-heat production against heat loss.  Failure to do that is what causes perspiration. We maintain that balance by adding or removing a layer of clothing and by adjusting our pace. With that, we find that there are many inexpensive fabrics available to us that perform the task without the illusions of expensive brand-names.

While dry insulation is essential upon hands and feet, these extremities will be kept warm primarily through blood circulation.  Fabrics which are efficient at wicking away moisture, defeat their own purpose if they constrict blood circulation. One-size-fits-all, stretch-to-fit, water-proof gloves can be worse than damp cotton at keeping the hands warm.

See more tips on clothing.

² Toilet paper: Neither scented nor colored.

³ Lighter: We still occasionally see water-proof matches listed by some hikers, but we suspect them to be obsolete.  It is illegal in the Black Hills to build fires outside established campgrounds and picnic areas.  A lighter is a utility item used to repair nylon cords and ropes, seal frayed fabric, and perhaps light a camp stove.  We pack it in and pack it out.  A small Bic lighter can survive a thousand miles of juggling in a pack and is a convenient place to wrap a foot or so of sport tape.  We doubt that waxed matches are that durable or useful.

⁴ Rain parka of bright color: This can be purchased for about one dollar at many shopping centers.  It is lightweight and folds into a pocket-size baggy.  A virtual necessity during periods of summer rain, it also protects the hiker under melting snow and sleet.  The bright color (yellow or orange) provides an injured hiker a means to identify his position from a distance for rescuers.

⁵ Space blanket: This may cost a couple dollars or so.  It looks like a bed-sheet sized piece of "plastic aluminum foil."  When wrapped around a hiker, it reflects his or her body heat, helping the hiker to stay warm.  The "blanket" is also water-proof and (like the bright-colored rain parka) highly visable to a search party. 

⁶ Water purifier: Iodine tablets or very small squeeze bottle of unscented Clorox.  Some tests have demonstrated these to be effective even against giardia under certain conditions.  Some hikers use one of these methods when backpacking long distance or when an emergency source of water is needed. See our discussion on bad water.

⁷ Small rope: Braided nylon of 3/16" to 1/4" diameter, 25 to 50 feet in length.  Uses in case of emergency are too numerous to mention.  The rope is best carried hand-braided into a long series of slip-knots.  That way, it never tangles and is easy to string out.

⁸ Plastic whistle: Used as a signaling device in case of emergency, it is very light-weight. The distress call is generally given as three clear blasts.  A search party may answer with three clear blasts.  If a searcher calls with three blasts, the hiker is to answer each occasion with three blasts.

⁹ Small mirror or foil: Also used as a signaling device when the hiker can access the direct light of the sun. The mirror is used to reflect the sunlight and direct it toward possible rescuers such as aircraft overhead or foot traffic on a nearby trail.  Rather than foil, a hiker might use the inside of a metal lid on a wide-mouth water jar.  (A Kretschmer wheat germ lid is both water tight and reflective on the inside.)

¹⁰ Ear plugs: See our discussion of the crouching position during thunderstorms.

¹¹ Small magnifying glass: These used to be found in Cracker Jacks boxes. Lightweight examples can also be found in old or disposable cameras and in some shopping center or sporting goods stores.  A magnifying glass can be used to read details in maps, find slivers in skin, or under dire circumstances, start a fire.

¹² Pepper spray: When, if ever, this might be used in the Black Hills is beyond our substantial experience.   Though perhaps effective against a mountain lion, the chances of the spray being available and, at the same time, the lion being close enough to be affected, are exceedingly remote.  Against a stray dog? The chances may be somewhat greater near human settlement.  Against a male stalker or uncivil hiker?  If any woman hiker has reason to suspect such an eventuality, we include this item in our list.  But we doubt such men frequent the trail systems.  Perhaps for an overnight campout, the spray would be a source of some security. We hope it won't be used upon curious and peaceable animals of the forest.

¹³ Safety glasses: Bushwhacking may be discouraged by Leave-No-Trace principles in wilderness areas.  However, in other areas of the Hills, some of us have practiced scrambling off-trail and over animal trails where random eyeball stingers are a hazard.  Clear safety glasses also may be useful on night hikes in forested areas.

¹⁴ Cell phone: This may be a quick source of rescue in areas where there is coverage, if the right phone numbers are known.  We are aware of one group of lost hikers who were found after calling out.  If taking a cell phone, the hiker needs to also take emergency phone numbers for the area in which they are hiking.  Dialing 911 is not often the quickest solution.  Who knows who will answer?