Even if I’m doing an easy 5 miler in the wilderness, I always carry the 10 essentials and MORE! After having to almost spend the night in the Lassen National Park wilderness completely unprepared after a short hike to a lookout tower, I learned a hard lesson! I now carry items to sustain me in the wilderness until help arrives. This could be hours or even days!
Disclaimer: This is what I carry. You may have different ideas! I’d love to hear them!

Here is the link to the fiasco I was involved in a few years ago where I almost had to spend the night in the freezing cold forest!

The Story about my (almost) night in the mountains!  

My Day pack is an REI Trail 40 and Here’s what’s in it! (NONE of the links are affiliate. All  are non-sponsored)

• First Aid kit:  Put together what you like. I also add Leuko tape for blisters.
• Fire Starting Materials (Cotton Balls soaked in Petroleum Jelly work great)  Don’t forget the lighter or waterproof matches. Even though a fire could save you from freezing to death, you could possibly start a devastating forest fire, even in winter so be very careful!  Learn how to start, maintain, and extinguish a life-saving survival fire.  There are many videos on Youtube!
• Compass & Maps: https://amzn.to/2t2yoQ4    My REI Compass Class Video https://youtu.be/iMaSsgeEHno?si=V5iI963sQcyIt_Nc
• Signal Mirror: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=signal+mirror&ref=nb_sb_noss
• Whistle and Air Horn
• Emergency Bivvy Bag: https://amzn.to/2ykuwyS
• Emergency “space” Blanket (Amazon): https://shorturl.at/YR3jO
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: https://amzn.to/2tbtCyV
• Water Collection Bag (Amazon): https://rb.gy/r1rkil
• Water Purifying Tabs in case your water filter fails.  Shop on Amazon
• Small Gerber Knife: https://amzn.to/2t0wTlz
• Neck Knife https://mtknives.net/
• Light folding Saw (sometimes-depending on conditions): https://amzn.to/2HSFVWj
• Tyvek Sheet (5×5 ft) :  https://rb.gy/arbnl5 This is super light (weighs nothing), waterproof, and can be used as a ground sheet, wind block, shelter, etc. I’ve used this to sit in the snow!  
• Inreach Mini with Subscription: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/592606
• Bug Head Net: https://rb.gy/c8q42f
• Bug Spray with Deet.  Good luck using the foo foo kind with no Deet. These mountain skeeters mean business and laugh at your feel-good perfume as they bite the living hell out of you.  Trust me, I’ve tried everything! 
• Anker Charging Station (20,000 mil Amp) https://amzn.to/2l9Nwa5
• Butt pad: https://amzn.to/2t1aS5Y
• Cooling towel: https://amzn.to/2LPw2Lt
• Paracord (Amazon): https://rb.gy/5tc3c1 About 15 feet will do
• Rain Gear (Amazon): https://rb.gy/sqwjep   This rain gear is super light and works! Mountain thunderstorms are real and can really dump water!
• Salt Tabs and Electrolytes 
• Extra socks and long sleeve top 
• Down Jacket –  In case I have to spend the night in the woods. Temps drop dramatically at night at high elevations. 
• P-Style (This one’s for the girls.  Guys… you have one built-in)  Amazon https://rb.gy/7vxv3w
• Day Pack Rain Cover or Garbage Bag
• Fanny Pack: This is the one I have and I love it! https://www.thrupack.com/
• FOOD!  Pack extra in case you get stuck for a while!

A word about navigation apps and what I use:

I rely on a few essential navigation apps, tested and trusted by hardcore mountaineers and thru-hikers. These apps provide reliable navigation and have been field-tested by the toughest adventurers. Here are my go-to  primary choices:

1. Gaia GPS is a powerful app offering detailed topographical maps, weather data, fire information, private property boundaries, and many other useful layers. It’s widely used by serious backcountry hikers. While the free version offers many features, the paid version is highly recommended for those who frequently venture into remote areas.

2. FarOut: FarOut is particularly valuable for the three long trails: the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and Appalachian Trail (AT). A one-time fee allows you to download the trail you hike most often—for me, that’s the PCT.

These are my secondary apps:

1. AllTrails: AllTrails is excellent for researching and finding hiking trails. The paid version includes a cool 3D animated feature, plus up-to-date trail data from recent hikers, which is especially helpful during the spring thaw. However, be cautious with the navigation feature, as it has been known to be unreliable on backcountry trails.

2. Wikiloc: Wikiloc is another useful app for researching trails and discovering new hiking destinations.

3. PeakFinder: PeakFinder can be hit or miss when identifying peaks. It’s great when it works, but don’t rely on it in a moving car. The app is free.

Other Things I take:

Hiking Umbrella – Trekking Poles- Water Bladder-Cell Phone- Hat- hiking gloves- roll of duct tape wrapped around chapstick, garbage bag, toilet paper (pack out used!), Hand warmer, Smart water bottle, it fits the water filter, and A FRIEND! Don’t hike alone!

Here is what’s in my multi-night (backpacking) bag!

https://lighterpack.com/r/fxk0s3