It's hiking season...time to get your kit in order!
We hope that the crisp weather and blue skies may have inspired you to get outdoors or even take up hiking as a hobby in 2024! Your next thought might be (and rightly should be), what hiking essentials will I need to bring in my backpack when out on a hike?
We are very passionate about getting people outdoors at Outwest but it's important to do so safely. It's always surprising how often people head out without the proper gear. Having the proper footwear, outerwear and essentials in your backpack is a non-negotiable when it comes to hiking. A little bit of planning goes a long way!
Shane has kindly put together a little packing essentials vid for you guys here to give you guys a steer on how to be prepared and comfortable for any hike.
Shane's Backpack essentials include:
1. Water - Always the number one thing to have no matter what the conditions are. Staying hydrated is so important! Make sure you have your water bottled filled up at the start of a long walk or hike.
2. A First Aid Kit - Some terrains can be slippy or uneven so the likelihood of falls or scrapes is not unusual. Make sure you bring some essentials such as support bandages, plasters, antiseptic/sanitiser in case somebody needs them.
3. A spare pair of socks - With the right pair of hiking boots your socks should stay dry but you just never know when out hiking and there's nothing worse than being at the start of a hike with wet feet!
4. Food - It's always a good idea to have a banana or a cereal bar packed with you. Keep your energy levels up and pack something to snack on, especially when out exercising for multiple hours.
5. Head Torch / Torch - Hiking can sometimes mean early starts and late finishes. So at this time of year with the darker mornings and evenings, it's important to keep a torch with you just in case the sun sets sooner than you might have anticipated.
6. Layers - It's always a good idea to pack extra base layers and outer layers, including waterproof gear, for when the temperature changes (which can often happen in Ireland). So best to be prepared for all eventualities.
We hope this list is useful to you and feel free to share it with a fellow outdoor lover! We also recommend reading our Beginners Guide to Hiking which has lots of useful tips to set you on the right path for a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.
Enjoy and stay safe,
Bec and Shane