Wilderness First Aid Kit

It’s not as easy as you would think to make a wilderness first aid kit. Usually you don’t know everything you’ll need until you don’t have it unless you use some valuable resources like this article to help you build your wilderness first aid kit. As you go through this article, keep in mind that you should have personal protection, protection against possible muscle or skeletal injuries, and something convenient to carry it all in.

Before starting, think about your hike. How many people are going to be using your kit? How long is your trip? What will you be doing on your hike? Do you have the training necessary to handle certain situations? If you’re going with a group of people, consider packing a lot of supplies. Same thing goes for if you’re going on a long trip. Plan according to days. If you’re going for a day or two, don’t pack more than you need to. In the event that you’re going to do something that involves water, bring waterproof supplies. If you’re going to partake in a strenuous hike, for example, bring supplies for any possible musculoskeletal injuries. Basically, pack according to your activities. Training is also a huge consideration. Don’t bring things you don’t know how to use. Or, at least make sure you know how to use everything you plan on bringing. Now, let’s get packing!

Personal Protection

Injuries can and will happen may they be small cuts, bruises, or broken bones. There a few items that are a must for your wilderness first aid kit.

1. Nitrile Gloves – Vinyl gloves are porous and some people can be allergic to latex, so always get nitrile gloves. Also, bring as many as you can because you’ll need a fresh pair for every wound you tend to. Don’t bring old gloves. Buy new ones. Your old gloves can be contaminated, have degraded in the heat or cold, or have worn some damage, leading to tears where bacteria and other microorganisms could climb in.
2. CPR masks – CPR masks are cheap, and you can even find some for your keychain. They typically have a short life span, but it’s great in a pinch. Just make sure you know how to use one before you try using it.
3. The Basics – The basics are your gauze, dressings, and adhesive bandages. Gauze and dressings come in many different sizes and forms. Some adhere and others don’ These are good for burns or scrapes. Adhesive bandages are your typical bandaids. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Buy a few of each to be truly prepared.
4. Equipment – Your fingers cannot do everything when it comes to cleaning and dressing wounds. This is why we have tools like tweezers, magnifiers, syringes and trauma shears. Tweezers are cheap, take up little room, and are fantastic if you get a splinter. Same thing goes for a magnifier. Splinters can be quite small. A magnifier goes a long way. Then there are syringes. Syringes are great for irrigation. For those cases where you receive a large wound, a syringe is helpful in irrigating it, basically, cleaning out your wounds. Finally, trauma shears come in a variety of sizes and are pretty low cost. You’ll appreciate it when you need it and have one.
5. OTC meds – Injuries are typically painful and are breeding grounds for pathogens. Keep a bottle of ibuprofen or acetaminophen with you. They’ll reduce your pain and make your hike more manageable. To keep pathogens away, topical antibiotic cream is useful. It kills all the bacteria and nasty microorganisms that would otherwise cause infections. Other good OTC meds to keep on you are gastrointestinal meds and antihistamines. If you accidentally consume something you shouldn’t or drink contaminated water, you’ll likely come down with a nasty case of diarrhea. Rid yourself of that problem with gastrointestinal meds like calcium carbonate or loperamide. Antihistamines are essential for allergic reactions. They can save your life if you have a deadly allergy. For example, if you are allergic to bees and are stung during a hike, you’d benefit from an epinephrine injector.
6. Other – Some other things you should bring include aloe, throat lozenges, lip balm, sunscreen, insect repellant, and your personal medications. Aloe is really good for burns and any potential bug bites. It soothes any burning or itching sensations. Throat lozenges are good for your throat to soothe any soreness. Lip balm is helpful if you’re hiking somewhere cold or really hot where chapped lips are common. Sunscreen is helpful in those sunny areas. No hike is worth the threat of skin cancer. Wear your sunscreen! While you’re protecting your skin, get some insect repellant. Not only are insect bites uncomfortable, but depending where you hike, they can be lethal. Finally, personal medications include anything you need to function, daily. For example, if you have asthma, bring your inhaler.

 

Muscle and Skeletal Injuries

If you’re hiking and trip over something, you may sprain an ankle or break a bone. If this happens, you’ll need a cast, buddy split, SAM splint, compression wraps, or triangular bandages. These items will provide you with support if you should get some sort of musculoskeletal injury. They will typically last you long enough to get to help or your destination. However, if you receive one of these injuries, you should make getting help your top priority. If it’s a break or fracture, infections may occur. If it’s a bad strain, they have a habit of getting progressively worse.

Carry It All

Now that you have all your supplies for your wilderness first aid kit gathered, you’ll need a bag of some sort. This doesn’t need to be fancy. Think compact, waterproof, and durable. You can choose something made of nylon that has organizer pouches or see-through dividers. See-through dividers are nice when you’re trying to dress a wound and don’t want to go digging around to find what you need. Or, you can buy dry bags or dry cases if you intend to be doing something in water. If you’re worried about water getting in there, you can even vacuum seal your kit.   It’ll keep the contents dry. Or, there are simple waterproof zip top bags for those who like to hike ultralight. Regardless, choose things with compartments that make sense to you.

First thing’s first: get your medical bag, and make your list of supplies. Let this guide help you start your wilderness first aid kit. If you have any other suggestions on things to add to this list, please let us know!

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Hiking With Pets

Hiking with your pets makes the journey all the more interesting and less lonely. If you’re not planning on going with a friend or family member, a pet can make a great substitute. However, it’s not as easy as taking another person. Hiking with pets is a challenge all in itself for beginners and advanced hikers alike. Keep reading to find out how to hike with your pets, specifically, cats (Yes, cats!) and dogs.

CATS

Training

How the heck do you train a cat to go hiking? Believe it or not, you can and should train your cat to wear a harness, walk on a leash, and respond to your commands. For training on a leash, it can be quite detailed, but we’ll keep it simple. First of all, get a harness that fits your cat comfortably. Then introduce it to him or her positively. You do this with food. Lay it next to their food dish or give him or her treats after they sniff the harness. Then, let them try it on and attach a leash. Start by walking your cat around the house then transition to longer walks outside of the house.

As for responding to commands, cats are intelligent pets. They already know you’re calling them when you open their feed bag or when you drop something on the floor in the kitchen and say “oops!” Take control of that and use the knowledge to your advantage.   Decide how you want to call your cat and make it specific. Then, associate your call with a treat. Eventually, your cat will associate your call with something positive, and before you know it, you’ll be calling out a command, and they’ll come running.

Gear

There are a few things you’ll need on your hike for your cat. Cats, like you, need food and water. Keep in mind that you’ll be carrying their supplies and yours, so only bring necessities for your feline friend. Don’t expect your cat to be able to lap up water or catch their own food. They’re also susceptible to waterborne disease, and letting your cat run wild to catch food isn’t the best idea. So, for water, bring your purifying tablets or water filter. For food, bring lightweight yet nutrient rich food that your cat will eat.

Next, think about what if your cat gets lost. In this case, you’d need to make sure your cat has identification tags and a collar. You’ll also need a recent photo of your cat. The tags should include your name, address and phone number. The recent photo is important in the event that your cat gets lost. You can show a picture to other hikers on the trail to get some help in finding your furry friend.

Finally, think about poo. Your cats don’t need toilet tissue, but it’s courteous of you to other hikers to make sure your cat doesn’t leave a fresh one on the path for them to step on. Not to mention, cat feces can harbor some nasty parasites like T. gondii. Bring poop bags or a littler box and litter.

Terrain and Weather

Not all cats can handle any terrain. Think about your cat’s age and fitness when deciding on a trail. Older cats may have medical conditions or just not be able to cover long distances or rough terrain. Plus, if your cat is used to hiking for a few short miles, don’t expect him or her to take a 10 mile walk without a problem. While you’re at it, check out the weather forecast. You wouldn’t like hiking in the rain. Your cat won’t like it even more than you won’t. If you need to hike in the rain, get your cat a coat. Same goes for cold days.

DOGS

Training

Dogs need to be trained too for hiking. There are a few key things to keep in mind. First, your dog should behave well around others on the trail. Second, your dog should respond to verbal or physical signal commands. Third, your dog should be able to control his or her impulses as there’s a lot on the trail that can be distracting.

It’s not easy training a dog. There are a number of ways to accomplish this. You can hit the books, invest in some classes, or rely on good old YouTube. Regardless, be consistent. You’ll need to maintain strict rules and do it routinely. Then make sure to reward your dog for good work with treats.

Some important commands for your dog to know are to come when called, stop, leave something be, stay, watch, heel, and drop it. Clearly you want to be able to get your dog to come to you when you need him or her just as you don’t want your dog chasing after something. Drop it is a really good command on that list. Why? Dogs will put anything they can in their mouths. Some of which can be dangerous or full of parasites. Make sure your dog will put it down without swallowing.

Gear

Dogs need gear too! They would benefit from a first aid kit and medications along with zip ties for maintaining their health. Dogs can relieve injuries to their paws or trip and scrape something. The zip ties are for emergency splints. For consumption, a portable dog bowl, water, and dog food are important. They need to eat and drink, too. Again, just like with the cats, they can obtain nasty parasitic infections from drinking contaminated water. So, purifying tablets would do some good.

Finally, an extra leash, attachable LED light, and dog backpack are really helpful on your hike with your pet. Dog leashes can break or get lost. You don’t want to be that person who has to carry your dog around or micromanage his or her behavior because you forgot to bring an extra leash when yours broke.

The attachable LED light is super helpful for your dog to see in the dark. Just as it’s helpful for you to know where your dog is should you get caught in the dead of night out in the outdoors. Similarly, a dog backpack is helpful for you and your pet as it takes some of the strain off of you and allows your dog to help carry some supplies too.

Terrain and Weather

Just like cats, dogs need protection in various weather conditions. They aren’t waterproof, so they’ll appreciate something to protect their coats during a heavy rain. Also, during times of cold weather, your furry friend would benefit from a dog coat. Now, not all dogs will need this. If your dog already has a heavy coat of fur, don’t worry about a coat. Again, check the weather beforehand, so you may prepare accordingly.

It’s a lot of fun to hike with pets. I enjoy doing it with my dogs. Bring the right supplies and train your animals right for a truly enjoyable experience.

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Hiking With Horses

Aging hikers would benefit from hiking with horses. In-fact, anyone who cannot walk for extended periods of times or up to certain elevations but would like to experience hiking could do so with horses.   These people may include disabled, young or aging hikers. No, hiking with horses isn’t a painless experience: stiffness and pain are normal side effects. However, if you’re recovering from a hip replacement and want to make it up that mountain you’ve always wanted to hike, horses are the way to go.

1. What supplies are needed?

When planning for your journey, think about the typical horse riding supplies, but also consider what you’d need on a typical hike. The benefit of hiking with horses is that you can rely on him or her to help carry everything. You’ll need to think about what you’ll need for your horse, your clothing, cooking equipment, repair equipment, medical items, and other things you’d typically need on a hike.

First of all, your horses will need a few things. This includes stuff to fulfill their needs and yours during horseback riding.

1. Saddle and Halter – This is part of the basics. When horse riding, unless you plan on an uncomfortable bare-back ride, you’ll need a saddle. Get one that fits your horse and you comfortably. Halters are also a necessity. Make sure it fits snuggly but not too tight as you horse will be wearing it for the duration of your hike.
2. Lead rope, panniers, and tie down ropes – These are also necessities. It’s likely that you’ll want to walk for at least a small part of your journey. A lead rope will allow you to walk and guide your horse at the same time. Panniers are definitely a necessity for carrying supplies that your horse or you will need during your hike. Make sure it fits your horse comfortably and is balanced. Finally, tie down ropes are for helping you mount, dismount, and guide your horse.   Tie it just right to allow you better control while allowing for a comfortable experience for your horse.
3. Bridle – If your horse is a true bridle horse, get a good bridle that your horse is comfortable with. This gives you more control during your journey and helps for guiding.
4. Cinch – A cinch or girth is a piece of equipment that helps keep your saddle in place on your horse. It typically passes under his or her barrel and attaches to the saddle on both sides of leather straps known as billets.
5. Containment System – A good containment system will keep your horse safely in camp. When you’re ready to rest and relax, you don’t want your horse taking off. So, think ahead and bring along hobbles or a picket rope. OK, I know hobbling a horse sounds awful, but it really isn’ All it requires is a rope tied around two or more of your horse’s legs which keeps them from taking long strides away from camp. A picket line is another good option. In this, you stretch a line between two trees which you then tie to your horses. Just make sure your halters, lead ropes, picket-line ropes, and knots are all strong and durable.
6. Hoof pick and shoeing kit – Your horse won’t appreciate rocks and other debris getting stuck in his or her hooves. This is what hoof picks are for! They’re little hooded tools made of metal which are used to clean hooves. While we’re on the subject of hooves, a good shoeing kit wouldn’t hurt if you brought that along. In the event that something happens to his or her “shoes,” you can put new ones on or fix the old ones.
7. Grooming supplies – If you’re hiking in the woods or a field with a lot of briars, your horse might end up coated head to hoof in a mat of things you don’t want stuck to your clothes. Save yourself the discomfort and bring some good grooming supplies to get your horse cleaned up.
8. Food and water – Horses like to eat and drink too. They aren’t real picky and will probably eat a lot of the vegetation on your hike. But, if you’re visiting a spot where there is little vegetation, your horse would appreciate some store-bought horse food. Also, your horses can pick up a lot of the same nasty parasites you can from drinking contaminated water. So, bring a water bowl and purifying tablets.
9. First aid kit – Sometimes horses stumble, get into a patch of nasty and painful thorns, or receive some sort of life threatening injury. This could leave you without a ride. Prepare for the worst: prepare a horse first aid kit. This may include large gauze, tape, bandages, salve, antibiotic ointment, and more!
10. Insect repellent – If you own horses, you likely know how prone they are to being bug magnets. Nor do they appreciate it. Bring along some insect repellent for your horses, and they’ll appreciate it.
11. Repair Kit – No matter what quality items you purchase, you might need to repair a few things. So, plan accordingly. Bring along a kit with leather, laces, a leather punch, sewing needle, dental floss, duct tape, vice grips, bailing wire, and extra parts for your stove which I will mention later.

Things you’ll need include your clothing supplies, first aid kit, food and water, and other hiking equipment.

1. Clothing – Dress appropriately for hiking with horses. This means wearing an inner layer, insulating layer, and protective layer, depending on where you’re going. Inner layers include synthetic underwear, wool socks, or a swimsuit. Insulating layers include jackets, vests, wool shirts, sweaters, pants, t-shirts, wool socks (MULTIPLE PAIRS), stocking hats, and gloves. Protective layers include windbreakers, ponchos, and, of course, a cowboy hat for protection from the sun!
2. Food and Water – You’ll need to eat and drink on your hike. Bring food that is light, nutrient-rich, and won’t degrade quickly. While you’re at it, bring a water purification system, water container, and clean water if you can. Some things you might want to bring to cook include a small stove, matches, fuel, funnel, pots, pans, cups, spoons, and corkscrews.
3. First Aid Kit – A good first aid kit will allow you to tend to every simple injury and then some. It should include gauze roles, chapstick, sunblock, bandages, anti-acid tablets, ace bandages, butterfly closures, safety pins, aspirin, first aid tape, first aid book, and any personal medications.
4. Other – Other things you’ll need on your hike include a sleeping bag, tent, compass, matches, fire starter, knife, whistle, cord, map, and any miscellaneous items you see yourself needing on the trail (i.e. axe).
5. Where could you hike with horses?

Unfortunately, your horse cannot hike just anywhere. You’ll need to find trails that are, first of all, allowed to be traveled by horses. Not all trails are free for horse use. Check your trail’s regulations before planning your journey. Places that are typically available for equestrian use are rail trails, bridle paths, and long-distance trails. But, also think about the path itself when planning a trip. Don’t take your horse where you’ll find erosion, invasive plants, lots of hikers, or plenty of wildlife.

2. When should you hike with horses?

You can hike with your horses year round depending on the weather and the terrain. Of course, the ideal weather is preferred yet not realistic. Check out the weather and plan accordingly. Think about if you’d like to hike in the pouring rain, deep snow, or blistering heat. If you would say no to any of these, your horse would probably say the same if he or she could speak.

Hiking with horses can be extremely rewarding if you do it right. You’ll need the right supplies for both you and your horses for a comfortable experience Just as it’s best to plan your trip for the right time and terrain. Anyone can hike whether it’s on two legs or horseback.

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Tips For Choosing A Headlamp

What makes a good headlamp? There are a few key features of a headlamp that you should be looking out for. Identify why you need it, what you’ll need it for, and what about headlamps matters the most to you. It’s not as simple as you would think, but I’m here to help you make the choice easier!

First of all, why do you want to buy a headlamp? Clearly, headlamps have some advantages over flashlights, lanterns, or your smartphone light. First of all, it’s hands-free. To be able to have control over a light while having your hands free is a major advantage. This is nice when you’re cooking outside in the dark or climbing. Simply around the campsite where you can turn your head and the light goes with it is super helpful.

Second, beam distance is an asset. Some of the more expensive headlamps will provide you with an impressive beam distance similar to that of a spotlight. This is helpful on those poorly marked trails that might take you back to your car or campsite.

Finally, consider the structure of a headlamp. It’s compact, lightweight and durable. They can fit in your book bag or pocket and generally weigh less than a few ounces. And if you’re not afraid of spending a few extra bucks, you can get a really high quality headlamp that will even be water resistant. Some are good in storms and others can handle up to one meter of water. If you plan on going hiking where the weather is unpredictable, this may appeal to you.

When you’re picking the right light for you, think about how it can help you when things go wrong. For example, if you’re looking for something to help you find your way around the campsite, a cheaper light will do. However, if you’re looking for something that’ll take you through challenging terrain in the dark, a more expensive headlamp will be worth it.

Again, a huge advantage is being able to use your hands at the same time. For example, if you’re caught out in the middle of nowhere and a friend of yours gets injured, it’ll help for you to have both your hands and a focused light at the same time. Instead of trying to figure out how to get a light on the affected area so you could tend to it, save time by having a good headlamp that could make all the difference. It may even save your friend a nasty infection. Overall, you’ll be more prepared to handle bad weather, cold temperatures, finding trails, injuries, and broken equipment.

Now, consider the types of headlamps. No, they’re not all the same. In-fact, there are many types that are all different.

1. Floodlights cast a very wide beam at dim settings. This is good if you want to see things nearby in a wide range. These situations might include preparing meals, finding things in a tent or reading. With the dimmest settings, you may even avoid blinding those around you every time you turn your head which can quickly become a problem.
2. If you want a headlamp that will cast a good beam of light across a distance, the spotlight headlamp is the way to go. These are typically more expensive, but some good quality ones will shine across an entire football field length! If you need to see trail markings far ahead, this is awesome!
3. Red light. LED redlight headlamps can come in handy. They last a long time in terms of battery life, and they help you see at a great distance. Furthermore, they’re convenient in an emergency situation. Sometimes they can even blink red if you need emergency help. A lot of people will actually use them to preserve night vision. This is really helpful for star gazing to help your eyes adjust. Even some hunters find these to be helpful as to not spook the animals.
4. More expensive headlamps are waterproof. If you plan on going out into the water or out in the rain, a waterproof headlamp is priceless.

Now that you’re narrowing down your search, think about performance. Every product differs in performance according to lumens, hours, and range. Lumens vary with manufacturer. It’s a measurement obtained from an integrating sphere which measures the total light energy emitted from a device. It doesn’t tell you if the product is useful or not, but it tells you how intense the light is. However, just because it’s high on the scale doesn’t mean it’s better. Sometimes, the ones with the higher lumens can have poor quality beam patterns.

Beam range is another important performance quality. It relates to the brightness of the light and the ability of the lens to focus this light. They will tell you the exact distance on the product, and you just need to choose according to your needs. If you will find yourself in the middle of nowhere at night, beam distance is important. You need to see far ahead to avoid getting more lost. But, if you’re just using it for short range activities, this may not be an important parameter to you.

Finally, hours of light is generally important to everyone. Unless you’re okay with bringing heavy packs of batteries as a backup, it’s helpful to know about how long your light will last on a pair of batteries. Look for the Black Diamond Icon during your search for a headlamp if you want something that’ll last all night on the highest setting. It’ll be a life saver if you need it to operate all night long. Other lights will allow you light all night long if you keep it on low. Cheaper ones won’t provide you much light for extended periods of time. But, if you’re just staying near your vehicle with backup batteries, this might not be such an issue for you.

Everyone looks for something different in a headlamp based on their needs. If you’re a runner needing something that you can just strap on and go, a long rang durable light with good battery life may be ideal. On the other hand, if you’re traveling remotely, you may not care so much about battery life, and short range light may be acceptable. Or, if you’re a climber looking for something light to bring along, the biggest issue may be weight. If that’s the case, you’ll want to invest in something lightweight while ignoring a lot of the other details. Luckily, there’s a headlamp out there for everyone!

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Packing Tips For A Long Hike

If you enjoy long hikes, then you should know how to pack accordingly. Usually, it’s like going on vacation; you learn every time you go what you need to bring the next time. However, there are a few necessities that you should just have with you by default. Don’t make these items part of your learning lesson!

To start, here are some things you should bring with you on ever hike.

1. Good shoes. On a short day with a light pack and easy terrain, trail shoes work, but on longer hikes, everything is different. You’ll be carrying heavier loads on more difficult terrain. With that in mind, you should invest in some good hiking boots. They don’t have to be fancy, but they should provide you plenty of comfort and support. Keep in mind that when you hike, you’re on your feet for long periods of time.
2. Map and compass. Yes, a GPS is great, but a compass and map should be on you at all times. Make sure you know how to use it, as well. The purpose of this secondary measure to not getting lost is to provide you with something that you can use anywhere and without a power source. Let’s say your GPS dies and you lost your batteries in the creek, now what?! Lucky for you, you brought your map and compass!
3. Water and purifier. It’s great to bring a lot of water, but you have to keep in mind that water is heavy in your pack, takes up room, and no matter what you bring, it probably won’t be enough. Your body needs water to function, so keep it supplied. If you have a water purifier, you can skip worrying about bringing enough water, and just clean up your water on the way. Never drink water straight from the outdoors if you can help it. Almost every time you’ll end up sick and more dehydrated than you were to begin with.
4. You need food to feed your body with energy. Not to mention it keeps you focused with good morale. Bring light food that is rich in protein and calories.
5. Rain gear and more clothes. Never just go hiking with the clothes on your back. It’s inevitable that you’re going to get sweaty or muddy or wet. None of those cases are really enjoyable if you only have the clothes on your back. Furthermore, if it rains, to avoid hypothermia, rain gear helps.
6. Safety items. Safety should be a top priority. Don’t be that person who goes out into the woods alone with no safety items that you may need in a pinch. This includes items for defense, in the event that you get lost, light to find your way and stuff to start a fire. Pepper spray is always good for defense against bears and any people with ill intent. A weapon of some sort like a gun or knife works well too. If you get lost, you’ll want a good whistle or a beacon or something. A flashlight is a must. And, you should have matches or a lighter or both to start a fire. While we’re on the subject of safety, make sure you have a first aid kit in case of emergencies.
7. Knife or multipurpose tool. I cannot stress the importance of a knife enough. It allows you to cut things may that be material or wood. It allows you help in removing splinters, fixing broken glasses, and repairing a number of gear that may be malfunctioning.
8. Sunscreen and eyewear. Whether you’re hiking in the snow, the mountains, or the desert, the sunlight can prove to be a terrible enemy. If you’re not protected, you can get severely burned by sunlight, and your eyes can get damaged easily. So, protect yourself with sunglasses and sunscreen.
9. A good backpack can make the difference between a good hike and a bad hike. If you’re looking for something to allocate the majority of your hiking fund in, invest it into your book bag. You won’t regret spending money on a great quality book bag that will provide you room for your items while being comfortable on your back. Some backpacks even come in with a built in rain cover. That’d be helpful!
10. A second pair of glasses. This is overlooked by many, but for those who wear glasses, you should always carry a second pair of glasses. Your glasses may get smacked off by a branch, scratched, or broken. If you cannot see without them, then what do you do if they break? Your best option is to come prepared: bring a backup.
11. Emergency shelter. If you’re going on a long hike, most likely you’re staying the night or a few nights. Bring something sturdy to stay in. This may be a tent, tarp, or reflective blanket.   If you bring a hammock to sleep in which is a good idea to keep your pack light, a tarp is a necessity. You cannot predict the weather on a hike, so come prepared. A sturdy tent will go a long way. With a hammock, a tarp is a necessity.
12. Don’t forget the toilet paper! Yes, food and water are the two most important things on this list, but I’d like to argue that toilet paper is right up there with them. Unless you’re comfortable with wiping with leaves, toilet paper will make you much happier. In keeping with that, don’t forget waste bags and hand sanitizer. If you’re hiking in an area where a lot of people go, waste bags are important to keeping things clean.
13. Other things you might not think about but are just as important include drinking cups, cutlery, insect repellent, binoculars, trekking poles, and a guidebook. Bring metal drinking cups (stainless steel for safety), forks and spoons for your meals, and really good insect repellent to keep those spiders and mosquitoes away. The binoculars will be helpful for spotting animals or seeing from afar. Trekking poles relieve pressure from your body during your hike. A guidebook just makes finding your way around the terrain all the more easy while pointing out the highlights.

Pack these items according to your needs and length of stay. Don’t let yourself find out what you need next time the hard way!

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Your Compass And You

No hiker should be without his or her compass. Even more importantly, every hiker should know how to use one. They can be a little confusing if you don’t know how to use them, but they sure can get you out of a pinch if you get lost. A global positioning system or GPS is great, but it needs power. A compass does not. So when those batteries run out in your GPS, you may be wishing you’d have brought a compass and know how to use one.

The very first thing you need to know are your directions. North is the most important when it comes to a compass, but you should also know that in a clockwise fashion, the order is North, East, South, and West.

There are a few types of compasses. There are the kind that attach to a map and the kind that you hold. The kind you hold are used for people who want to go fast. It contains a compass needle, compass housing, orienting lines, and an orienting arrow. The compass needle has a red part and black part (or it may be white). The point is that the red part always points towards the earth’s magnetic north pole.

If you don’t want to go north, you’ll need to rely on the compass housing which has a scale. The scale goes from 0 to 360 or 0 to 400. These are degrees. If you want to go between them, you use a mix of directions. For example, if you want to go between North and East, you say you want to go Northeast. In that case, you’d find where on the compass housing northeast is then turn the compass housing so that northeast on the housing goes exactly where the direction of travel arrow meets the housing.

Then you’ll hold the compass in your hand, flat, so the compass needle cannot turn. Then turn the compass so that that the needle is aligned with the lines inside the compass housing. Be sure that the red part of the compass needle always points north. If it points south, then you’re going to go the exact opposite direction. Also, be sure you’re not carrying something magnetic that will throw it off. If you’re carrying something like iron it may disturb the arrow. Literally anything metal could mess it up. Even the soil can be a problem, but that’s rare.

As soon as you feel confident about where you’re going, walk in that direction and keep watching the compass. Also, if you feel like you’re going in the wrong direction, look for the sun. At noon, the sun is in the South if you’re in the north, so if you want to head north and you see the sun, there’s a problem.

You don’t always need to be hiking to need a compass. If you have a map, and you’re lost, a compass can save your life. You at least have to know a general direction that you must go to get there. As soon as you know what general direction it is, use the compass housing so that the direction you want to go in is where the travel arrow meets the housing. The only issue is that it’s not a very accurate way of finding your destination. If you want to find a general area and you know how to use a compass, you’ll get there every time. However, if you’re looking for a particular spot, that’s another story.

Now, your compass is only as good as your map. If you can use them both, you’ll be able to navigate in any new terrain safely and efficiently. Here’s how it works. Suppose you’re trying to go from A to B. You’ll put your compass on the map where you are so the edge of the compass is there at point A. The edge you use is the edge parallel to the direction of travel arrow. The direction arrow has to point from A to B. Keep the compass on the map steady then align the orienting lines and the arrow with the lines going north on the map. When you have the edge of the compass aligned from A to B, turn the compass housing so the orienting lines in the compass housing are perfectly aligned with the lines on the map going north. When you feel good about your compass housing, take the compass away from the map and read your direction off the housing where the housing meets the direction arrow. Make sure the housing doesn’t turn before you get where you need to go!

Now, all you do is hold the compass flat so the needle can turn, then turn yourself and your hand until the compass needle is perfectly aligned with the lines inside the compass housing. Again, don’t let it point South. The red part has to point north. As you walk, hold the compass in your hand with the needle aligned with the orienting arrow. Then simply aim in the direction that the travel arrow is pointing and keep aligning it to some object you can reach. Then walk there, and keep choosing a new object to reach until you get to your destination.

There is something called magnetic declination that occurs when the compass points towards the magnetic north pole but the map is pointing towards the geographic north pole. Those are not the same places. Then in other cases, on hiking maps, there are UTM grids. This type of grid doesn’t actually have a north pole. However, the lines are usually pretty close to other norths. So, just be weary of which type you’re using, and make sure everything lines up.

The most important thing for you to do is practice, practice, practice! Don’t choose to start practicing midway on the Appalachian mountains. Start by practicing out back, and then move up to some woods you are well acquainted with. And always keep in mind that you won’t always hit exactly what you’re looking for. Plan to go a little off course. Aim for a general direction, and use your intuition alongside of your compass to get you where you need to go!

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How to Grow Your Hiking Blog Audience through Keyword Optimization in 2018

As a hiker, you face a lot of challenges on trips. Steep slopes, chilling water, sudden temperature changes, dirt, insects, – discomfort is at every turn. All of that lets you gain priceless experience that you can further share on your blog. Not only will you help rookies that way, but will also make up for your pains after monetizing it.

However, if the only readers you have are your parents and a few college friends, that much-anticipated moment of monetization will never come. It’s possible only with a large blog audience. And a surefire way to grow it is through keyword optimization.

There are probably zillion articles on keyword research strategies out there, but the problem is a lot of them don’t work anymore. A striking example is word-for-word keyword stuffing. That’s because Google never stands still. Their team is constantly trying to improve the search experience, thus changing the game of content optimization.

Learn what keyword research strategies can help you create Google-friendly content in 2018.

1. Figure out how to help your readership.

Results-driven keyword research starts with problem solutions. Your readers don’t care about affiliate products you’re desperately trying to sell to pay for your next trip. What they need is your practical advice on how to make their outdoor activities less stressful.

First, brainstorm problems people face in the wild and use them as your primary keywords. A how-to pattern is ideal in this case:

● how to hike on budget;
● how to dispose of waste while backpacking;
● how to treat camping injuries.

When you run out of ideas, visit Quora, forums, and social media communities. You’ll find a lot of hikers’ concerns there, that’s for sure. If you see the same question in many threads, the chances are no one has given a helpful answer yet. Take it as an opportunity to be the first.

Google also lifts the veil on keywords that users search for. The engine has two features for this – Autocomplete at the top and Related Searches at the bottom.

Autocomplete. With this feature, Google shows different variations of the phrase you are typing.

Related Searches. In this block, you can see more suggestions related to your target keyword.

Besides hikers’ problems, you can brainstorm your affiliate product features. Let’s take this hiking daypack as an example.

Here are its main features and purposes they serve, which you can turn into keywords.

● lightweight – how to pack light for long hikes;
● water-resistant – how to stay dry while hiking in the rain;
● tear-resistant – how to prevent scratches while hiking.

2. Make generic product names more specific.

Some hikers already know how your affiliate products can help and use their exact names in search. They usually expect to find an overview of similar items compared by features, prices, customer feedback, etc. If you write blog posts of this type, feel free to optimize them for product names.

As competition is too high for generic product names, focus on more specific terms. They are called long-tail keywords and get around 40-80 searches per month. Don’t let such a low search volume confuse you. When people look for the same content, they use different wording. And today, Google is smart enough to understand and equate synonyms. Check it out yourself. For a query “hiking equipment,” the engine returns results optimized for “hiking gear.”

The bottom line is you can optimize your post for one long-tail keyword, and it will rank for hundreds.

When you choose long-tail keywords, set a filter of up to 80 monthly searches, as shown below. For example, a generic phrase “hiking backpack” can have the following specific variations:

● hiking backpack with a laptop compartment;
● metal frame hiking backpack;
● best hiking backpack for photographers.

3. Use generic terms that are easy to compete for.

Being a hiker, you are most likely adventurous enough to take brave actions. One of such actions in SEO is the use of generic phrases that have a lot of monthly searches and naturally cut-throat competition. If you play it smart, you can drive traffic with them too. Use these metrics to make the right keyword choice.

Keyword Difficulty

This metric shows how difficult it is to reach the top 10 for a specific keyword. Obviously, you won’t outrank popular hiking blogs using terms with a sky-high difficulty score. Pick keywords that are relatively easy to rank for.

For example, “camping chairs” gets around 14K searches per month, but its difficulty score is only 8. It’s very low, so you should give this keyword a try.

Keyword Clickability

Next, check how many clicks your target keyword can generate. Not all searches become clicks in the end. That’s because users can see answers to some queries right on the results page. There’s no point in clicking on any result. It happens thanks to Google’s SERP features like Knowledge Graph.

Let’s say you want to find out the Grand Canyon depth. Here’s what you’ll see on the results page for such a query.

It’s pointless to scroll down and click on organic results. You can see the Grand Canyon depth at the very top. That’s why 82% of searches remain unclickable for this query.

Before you choose a promising keyword, double-check Google doesn’t give an instant answer for it. Type it into the search bar and see how the results page looks.

Keyword Seasonality

Some blog topics are in demand only during a specific period. As you can see, the interest for winter hikes starts growing in October and reaches its peak during Christmas holidays. With the coming of spring, the interest drops to a minimum and doesn’t increase until the next October.

High season is the only period when you’ll get a lot of visits to your blog. For the rest of the time, your traffic will be miserable. Always check your target keyword seasonality in Google Trends before writing an article around it.

4. Optimize your content for competitors’ keywords.

Top hiking bloggers already know all the niche goldmines and efficiently use them in their keyword strategies. The good news is there are SERP tools revealing this insider information. With their help, you can see the top 10 posts ranking for your target keyword, their traffic, and keywords that generate it. Choose phrases that are easy to rank for and optimize your content for them. It will give you an opportunity to drive competitors’ traffic to your blog.

5. Find keywords that none of your competitors use.

To become recognizable in your niche, you can’t be a clone of the top hiking bloggers. You must offer readers unique content. That’s an efficient way to keep your blog bookmarked in their browsers. You can find original keyword ideas using Answer The Public.

This free keyword generator shows the data in large, visualized groups. For example, the tool gives over 900 suggestions for the “hiking” keyword:

● 180 questions;
● 136 prepositional phrases;
● 100 comparisons;
● 500 alphabeticals;
● 20 related keywords.

On click, you’ll go to the results page for the chosen keyword. It will show you whether there are blog posts or only questions on forums. In the latter case, you can become the first blogger to write a detailed post on the given topic.

6. Get rid of very similar keywords.

As a result of in-depth research, you will get tons of keyword ideas. I got over 3K long-tail variations for a single search term “camping food.” That’s too much for your blog, even if it’s all about the food for campers.

The thing is a lot of phrases are pretty similar. They only differ in endings, prepositions, word order, and other minor issues Google doesn’t care about anymore. Today, the engine puts more focus on the user intent rather than exact keyword match. Here’s a list of things Google’s ranking algorithm equates.

● Word Form: KEEP food cold while camping = KEEPING food cold while camping
● Prepositions: how to keep food cold WHILE camping = how to keep food cold FOR camping
● Pronouns: how to keep food cold while camping = how to keep YOUR food cold while camping
● Synonyms: how to KEEP food cold while camping = how to STORE cold food while camping
● Word Order: how to keep food cold CAMPING = CAMPING how to keep food cold
● Question Words: HOW to keep food cold while camping = WHAT will keep food cold while camping

If Google treats these keywords equally, you should do the same.

7. Group keywords into categories.

Once you weed out all the similar phrases, start grouping the rest of keywords by categories. They can relate to hikers’ problems, product prices, quality, timing, anything. I got 15 categories for “camping food.” You may find even more for your topic.

Food Type canned food for camping, dry food camping meals, non-perishable camping food
Nutrition Facts gluten-free camping food, low-carb camping food, high-protein camping food
Special Diet vegetarian food for camping, diabetic camping food ideas
Cooking Method camping food just add water, food to grill while camping
Cuisine Indian food for camping, best Japan camping food, Mexican camping food
Quality delicious camping food menu, quick but healthy camping food
Weather camping food for hot weather, food to pack for camping winter
Location food to bring backcountry camping, desert camping food ideas
Type of Meal camping food for breakfast, dinner food to bring camping
Protection bear-proof food containers camping, rodent-proof food storage camping
Problem no heat camping food, camping food no refrigeration, food for camping no fire
Timing long-term camping food, camping food for a week, food for overnight camping
Consumer camping food for large groups, camping food for one person
Equipment portable food warmers camping, camping food gas stove, food barrels for camping
Cost camping food on a budget, cheap food for camping, average camping food cost

Afterword

Your hiking pains can be rewarding if you blog about the lessons learned on trips. Just make sure you take into account all the ins and outs of modern keyword research. Some random phrases won’t bring your blog to the top 10. Also, you’ll need to combine your keyword strategies with link building. Keywords and backlinks are the two major signals Google’s ranking algorithm reads.

P.S.: If you know some other tips on keyword research, feel free to drop a comment below. Your voice matters!

Nick Campbell is a content creator and marketer at Ahrefs with passion for technology, SEO, and copywriting. Work up every idea from chaos to clarity is his motto.

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