Taking a 12 hour Hike, what to bring?

[TheDefaultHuman]

My girlfriend and I did a 14 mile hike in about 5-6 hours. That was with us taking our sweet time and stopping at a deserted beach for a nice picnic.

I don't see how 5 miles can possibly take you 12 hours? Not even if its 5 miles in and 5 miles back. On a trail that shouldn't take you more than 6-8 hours tops. If there is no trail then you better cut that distance in half and have LOTS of ways to find your way back. You can mark your own trail with some BRIGHT orange tape. Take a compass and make sure you have at least an extra 2 hours of daylight "left over" your expected travel time. Being in the woods at night is not fun. All the critters come out. It feels like spider city in some places.

Definitely take 2 flashlights (1 headlamp), a GPS if possible, some snacks and 2 meals, 2 liters of water per person, a knife, and some sort of signaling device (whistle, flare gun, etc.).

I was mostly just guesstimating. Its forest, and 1/3 of my time would be screwing around.




Maybe I'd start out with 4-5 hours or less sure, sounds good, but still I've gone 4 hours exercise without water, its not pretty but its manageable. I don't see why everyone needs GPS's and fancy gizmo's. I would fancy trying my luck with a fat bag of trail mix, a half gallon of water, and an energy drink for food. I would bring pocket knife and blade knife, maybe a machete, theres lots of trees.

But honestly as a kid, I would explore the woods like crazy, but its just scary the farther you go out. Same with the ocean. My main concern is big animals and stuff, I am pretty cautious when it comes to not dieing by a stick falling on me, or falling myself or any everyday risk I take walking down the sidewalk, the woods isn't that different.

Yes I would definitely need a map and compass, I know that for sure. Maybe I should get a dog? They make a good companion when all your friends are feeling too lazy.

I'm sure I could build myself a backpack for $1000 or less to survive in the woods forever (assuming the authorities wouldn't screw with me), because as an animal/organism of earth you have the genetics to survive off the land without money/help. So a walk in the woods shouldn't be that hard right?

Don't worry, I'm not gonna be like those few people that claim to be a crazy natureman, then go into the woods and die from starvation or hypothermia.

[oregonchick]

Maybe I'd start out with 4-5 hours or less sure, sounds good, but still I've gone 4 hours exercise without water, its not pretty but its manageable. I don't see why everyone needs GPS's and fancy gizmo's...

My main concern is big animals and stuff, I am pretty cautious when it comes to not dieing by a stick falling on me, or falling myself or any everyday risk I take walking down the sidewalk, the woods isn't that different...

As an animal/organism of earth you have the genetics to survive off the land without money/help. So a walk in the woods shouldn't be that hard right?

Don't worry, I'm not gonna be like those few people that claim to be a crazy natureman, then go into the woods and die from starvation or hypothermia.

This is why you sound like the idiots my uncle winds up having to spend most of the summer tracking down in the woods around here (he's on the local search and rescue group). There are SEVERAL big things that you need to remember that make the woods different from a sidewalk:

• Lack of other people around if you need help, and without gizmos, no way of contacting them
• Extremely long distances to walk or be transported if you are physically injured or medically in need - distances that your dog won't drag you
• No upkeep and maintenance in the woods (unless on certain trails) to ensure that the ground is stable under your feet and what you touch/walk under/lean against won't give out
• Plants you've never encountered that can be toxic/cause allergic reactions
• Animals you've never encountered that can be dangerous (and not just bears and cougars)
• No provided shelter if the weather changes quickly
• No street lights if you can't make it home by dark
• You never once mention bringing appropriate clothing or any means of taking shelter should you run into difficulty, which is exactly how people wind up dying of hypothermia while on a simple walk in the woods

Yes, most people could just put some water and trail mix in a bag and have their little hike and be just fine. And many people can overnight - even without supplies - and be fine, too. But hello, you're talking to a bunch of preppers here. People who actually PLAN for contingencies and try to make SMART and realistic decisions. Isn't that your natural tendency, too? I did not misspeak to say that someone who doesn't take potential risks into consideration is an idiot, and frankly, the people who are ill prepared and run into trouble out in the forest make me angry because they endanger all of the people who then have to go out and retrieve them (or their corpses).

My question is, what do you think it will prove if you head out with inadequate supplies? And why wouldn't you take a few extra steps to ensure that you can handle whatever comes your way, instead of placing yourself needlessly at the mercy of nature, which is indifferent to your survival at best (and may be actively working to ensure you don't survive a la Darwinism)?

[Capt Bart]

I was mostly just guesstimating. Its forest, and 1/3 of my time would be screwing around.

Maybe I'd start out with 4-5 hours or less sure, sounds good, but still I've gone 4 hours exercise without water, its not pretty but its manageable. I don't see why everyone needs GPS's and fancy gizmo's. I would fancy trying my luck with a fat bag of trail mix, a half gallon of water, and an energy drink for food. I would bring pocket knife and blade knife, maybe a machete, theres lots of trees.

But honestly as a kid, I would explore the woods like crazy, but its just scary the farther you go out. Same with the ocean. My main concern is big animals and stuff, I am pretty cautious when it comes to not dieing by a stick falling on me, or falling myself or any everyday risk I take walking down the sidewalk, the woods isn't that different.

Yes I would definitely need a map and compass, I know that for sure. Maybe I should get a dog? They make a good companion when all your friends are feeling too lazy.

Default,
Not needing the GPS is great. Of course, I never needed my Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) either. That didn't mean I didn't carry it!

When you NEED it and don't have it, you'll sing a different tune. - Burt Gummer Tremors 2

Don't use it, learn not to need it but NEVER be without the guaranteed to get you home tools. The key to EVERY drill is to make absolutely certain that the drill does NOT become the real thing.

Just my not so humble opinion, but if you don't have the modern tools, just in case you're not quite as ready as you think, the drill is 'no drill' and you're playing 'you bet your life' you know what you think you know.

[juzcallmesnake]

12 hours take your whole BOB field test carrying it.

If you need something and it is not in your BOB then you know what your missing

Are you new to GPS this would be the time to test it {with backup} take the instructions.

Take protection pepper spray or weapon whatever is legal.

foul weather clothing for your area

toilet paper and a shovel

scenario:

2 leave on a 12 hour hike at the end of out leg someone is injured and you cannot carry them
all the way back what would you need to leave for them to protect themselves and you need
for protection to return and get help.

did you leave a plan with a couple of responsible people of where you were going your start position
what direction expected route and when you expect to return.

do you have a way to signal if you have to stay with your injured partner or if you get separated.
air horn, whistle, etc.

have you considered all the possibilities flood from up hill from fire have you checked for fire warnings
your local game warden or forest ranger will know if any warnings or dangers exist like an escaped
convict people targeting left vehicles hey it is a scary world out there.
do you have the emergency numbers for these folks they would be the fastest first responders
and have first hand knowledge of the area.
leave a plan in your vehicle on the seat face down others may just want your vehicle.


do you have lights extra batteries

All I can say when I was young all in my pockets was
a sod buster knife
a zippo lighter kept it full, had a can of lighter fluid in the truck inside the lighter 1/2 dozen flints
and a 38 special model 10 S&W and a pocket full of shells, extra box in the truck
old web belt holster and a few pouches for odds and ends.
a pair of binoculars
military poncho and a wool blanket denim jacket leather gloves
always had a couple tubes of crackers and some potted meat and some hard candy
some mustard sardines and can of coffee
A carton of cigarettes would take 2 if I left the truck.
a flask of crown royal bottle behind the seat.
bull whip, rope, and a rifle 22 bolt winchester shells behind the seat.
was 15 and did not have a license.

[awake]

Exit,
Some good recommendations. I prefer to ALWAYS have a whistle - I can puff on that thing a lot longer than I can yell!

FYI the international signal for distress is 3 short blasts on a whistle. What i carry.http://www.storm-whistles.com/?gclid...FSdjTAod1CA2jg. put your fingers in your ears if you blast it.

[Mudbass7]

Take your BOB and test it out...

[Partsman]

(1) I think everyone has made some good comments....it would be prudent to keep them in mind.
(2) Considering there are more accidents in the house and within 5 miles of home than we want to think about, it is wise to have OH SHIT supplies on hand when we are out in the middle of no where. We certainly hope not to need them, but having them could mean the difference between minor inconvenience and being carried out in a body bag.
(3) Prepare for the worst, hope for the best and enjoy the moment.

[Capt Bart]

FYI the international signal for distress is 3 short blasts on a whistle. What i carry.http://www.storm-whistles.com/?gclid...FSdjTAod1CA2jg. put your fingers in your ears if you blast it.

Awake,
thanks for the link. I'll have to try one of these.

[Capt Bart]

(1) I think everyone has made some good comments....it would be prudent to keep them in mind.
(2) Considering there are more accidents in the house and within 5 miles of home than we want to think about, it is wise to have OH SHIT supplies on hand when we are out in the middle of no where. We certainly hope not to need them, but having them could mean the difference between minor inconvenience and being carried out in a body bag.
(3) Prepare for the worst, hope for the best and enjoy the moment.

Partsman,
True. When I fell in the backyard and shattered my heel, had I been alone I'd have been in real trouble. I'd left my cell phone inside. My mother fell and broke her hip in the yard and was there for almost 2 hours before she was discovered. Always have your cell with you. Always have a plan B because Plan A won't work and Murphy was a bloody optimist.