• Hike with a partner, or inform someone of your planned route and expected time of return.


• Stretch. Stretch well, before and after activity. You'll regret otherwise, believe us.
  
• Bring water for any excursion longer than a half-hour. Your body uses water to cleanse acids from your muscles during and after exercise. Carbonated softdrinks full of acid will do the opposite, causing cramps and stiffness.
  
• Dress in layers, and bring a backpack to carry them incase you do not need all of the layers.
  
• Check the weather forcast the day of your hike for best accuracy.
  

• Decent shoes with appropriate ankle support and firmness to suit planned excursion. Flip-flops, skateshoes, and ugg boots don't apply.
  
• Water.
  
• Snacks: a good mix of snacks or light food.
  
• Map of the area, preferably with trails clearly located.
  
• Compass: if keeping a point of directional reference is difficult.
  
• GPS: if maps are difficult.
  
  
  
  • Good, full batteries, or replacements
    
  
  
• A warm layer, and a waterproof layer of clothing.
  

• A good backpack to fit the following of your choice:
  
• Camera
  
  
  
  • Again, batteries. Know your equiptment.
    
  • Tip for good nature shots: when purchasing, choose a camera with a large diamater lens to collect more light, therefore better detail.
    
  
  
• Cellular phone: check from time to time where you get reception if in a remote area for future reference incase of emergency.
  
• Two-way radios
  
• Wistle: good for communication between separated parties, emergency signals, and bear protection.
  
  
  
  • The S.O.S. signal consists of three individual blows, a break, then three more. Repeat as necessary.
    
  • The high-pitch sound of a decent whistle will carry for kilometers, yelling in desperation will not.
    
  
  
• Flashlight/headlamp
  

• Lavatory/facial tissues
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Insect Repellant
  
• Hat
  
• Wet wipes
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Pocket knife
  
• Garbage bag
  
• Ziplock baggies
  
• Gloves
  
• Binoculars
  
• Walking stick
  
• First-Aid kit
  
• Matches/lighter
  
• Flairs
  

Please refer to our cougar section for some information on the unlikely event of contact with a cougar.