The following items should be included
or worn:
- Sock liners
- Socks (high quality wool or synthetic blend)
- Boots, properly fitting and treated to be waterproof, with
good support and traction
- Gaiters, to keep debris and water out of your boots
- Hat
- Bandana
- Wind/rain jacket
- Wind/rain pant
Essentials for any
trip in any season:
- First aid kit
- Area trail map (plus guidebook if possible)
- Compass
- Flashlight with spare bulb and batteries
- Matches in waterproof case
- Candle or candle lantern
- Food and water
- Sunglasses
- Knife
- Extra appropriate clothing
- Shelter (a tarp or space blanket is fine)
- Watch
- Toilet kit, (soap, tissue, etc.)
- Repair kit (duct tape, needle & thread, etc)
In winter, the rules change
and the contents of your pack should reflect the seriousness
of the venture. As with the above list, the items below are the
minimum recommended.
- Overboots or super gaiter
- Mittens
with windproof/waterproof overmitt
- Liner gloves
- Balaclava or face mask
- Goggles
- Chemical handwarmers or footwarmers
- Ensolite, or sleeping pad or camp chair
- Stove w/fuel
- Snow shovel
- Water bottle insulators
- Bivouac sack
- Warm insulated parka
- Insulated or fleece pants
- Wool or fleece sweater
- Extra headlamp batteries
- 50 - 100 feet of 4 millimeter cord
- Crampons
- Ice axe (or ski poles if not going above treeline)
- Snowshoes (for deep snow)
- and, of course, plenty of warm non-cotton clothing
And remember, neither quantity
or quality of equipment can substitute for sound judgment, experience,
and common sense.
Be sure to check out New Hampshire
Fish and Game Department's web site to get more tips for safe
hiking.
The following items should be included
or worn:
Mittens
with windproof/waterproof overmitt