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Summer Backpacking Essentials

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Sunny days are here again and the summer backpacking weather is just about ready to kick off. Whether you’re a weekend warrior out for an overnight, or marching down the miles of a thru-hike, I’ve gathered together the essentials you’ll need to safely and enjoyably hit the trails this season.

First Aid
Safety first, a good first aid kit is a must all year round and that doesn’t change just because the weather is warmer. A solid kit should be able to handle the bumps, scrapes, and pains that can happen on the trail. Bandages, sterile gauze, blister treatment, personal medications, and small tools like tweezers are a must. Sunscreen is often overlooked, but critical to happy hiking in the summer. A small tube in a ziploc bag will make a big difference, especially for faces. Aloe offers refreshing relief if you do get burned, and small packets are an easy add to your kit.

Sunscreen
Speaking of sunscreen, the best defense against the sun is actually your clothing. UPF-rated fabric does more to protect you than any lotion or spray. You can protect your face with a proper wide-brimmed sun hat that will also keep your neck covered. While it may be tempting to strip down to shorts and a tank top, long-sleeves and pants of lightweight tech materials are actually a wiser choice. Not only do they protect against the sun, they also reduce chafing under your shoulder-straps, and reduce your risk of ticks. With the recent rise in Lyme disease in warmer months, appropriate clothing can go a long ways towards protecting you. Be sure to do a quick tick-check each night before climbing into your sleeping bag as well.

Repellent
Bug spray is a must on summer trips, especially if camping near a water source. From black flies to mosquitoes, and everything in between, a good spray can make your experience much more pleasant. Pre-treating your clothes with permethrin sprays before your trip adds an extra layer of defense against the biting horde.

Hydration
As temperatures rise, dehydration becomes increasingly likely. One way to encourage yourself to drink more is to keep your water deliciously cool. Insulated camelbak bladders and tubing or insulated water bottles come in handy to keep your water chilled and tasty. Always pack along some form of electrolytes to keep your body in balance after a sweaty day. There are numerous yummy options on the market now. Taste-test at home before your trip though. You’d hate to be stuck with a flavor you don’t like in the backcountry. As always, some sort of filtration or water purifying device is highly recommended year-round.

Foods
Choosing the appropriate foods as fuel is another way to help stay hydrated. Consider packing along salty nuts and trail mix to keep your sodium and potassium levels up. Dense foods like jerky and energy bars give you the caloric punch necessary to maintain energy, especially when you don’t feel like cooking in the warm weather. Dried fruit makes a perfect dessert, in addition to providing much-needed carbohydrates. TowelsTo cool off after a long day of hiking, alpine lakes and roaring rivers are just the ticket. A lightweight camp towel is an simple solution for drying off after your swim. Hung from the outside of your pack, it can dry quickly in the sun while you walk. Good microfiber is a nice soft choice for toweling off, unlike cotton which can stay heavy and wet long after you’re asleep in your tent.
Of course, on any adventure into the outdoors, no matter how short, I highly recommend bringing the ten essentials. Always remember to tell a friend at least a rough travel itinerary. It’s also a good idea to go over a proper response if you are late or miss an expected return time. Though highly unlikely, having a plan in place can save hours of search and rescue time and potentially save your life.

Every backpacker has their personal preferences for the trail, but I feel confident that these summer essentials will keep you smiling on your hikes. Is there something you feel is required for the hotter months? What are your go-to summer backpacking items? I’d love to hear about it in the discussion below.
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fhood
715
Jun 28, 2018
Summer or not, I am going to start bringing umbrellas with me when I go backpacking. Slot it into the hiking pole slot on my backpack or something. I am sick and tired of trying to dry clothing in a tent, and sometimes rainproof gear just doesn't cut it.
Cbslc
69
Dec 11, 2019
fhood I love my poncho for keeping us dry. It covers everything - me, the pack and hangs low enough to keep all but my knees dry.
JamesDrop
14
Jun 25, 2018
"Of course, on any adventure into the outdoors, no matter how short, I highly recommend bringing the ten essentials. "
What are the ten essentials? I don't see that in the article
VanessaBall
56
Jun 28, 2018
JamesDropGreat question! The ten essentials are the items that are recommended for any outdoor adventuring. They can help prevent you from getting lost, and are useful in an emergency. Here's a handy list for reference: 1. Navigation aid (map, compass, gps): make sure you know how to use the system you choose 2. Sun protection 3. Light source (ex. headlamp) 4. Warm layering clothes 5. First aid kit 6. Fire starter (lighter, waterproof matches) 7. Extra food 8. Repair kit (tape, sewing needle/thread) 9. Extra water 10. Emergency shelter ( can be as simple as an emergency blanket)
Hope this helps!
Zexall
45
Jun 7, 2018
All great reminders, so I thought I'd add some extra backpacking recommendations!
First Aid - When going ultralight, my first aid consists of a couple sterile alcohol wipes, 2-3 bandaids, ibuprofen, 1-2 small packets of antibiotic ointment, and ducktape (wrapped around poles), and a small ammount of paper tape which I like for covering hot spots if I get one on my feet. Carry a small knife - you probably don't need that half-lb multi tool!
Sun protection - Check out Columbia's UL shirts. Good sun protection and super breathable. roll on sunscreen is nice to keep your hands clean as well.
Hydration - Don't get super fancy. It's easy to save weight by just using something as simple as a smartwater bottle. Nalgenes are cool for walking around town, but save the weight when you're backpacking. I also love cnoc water containers if you need the extra capacity for a dry area.
Food - Certainly true you need to replace salts lost through sweat, but don't go overboard on salty snacks. In the end over consuming is bad as well - find your recommended daily amount and make sure you're getting potassium - yay dried fruits.
VanessaBall
56
Jun 7, 2018
ZexallGreat suggestions! Thank you!
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