Required Clothing and Equipment for a Day Hike

  • 1 daypack or backpack with a capacity to hold all the items below
  • Lunch and snacks for the trail
  • 1 wool or pile hat
  • 1 pair gloves or mittens
  • 1 wool sweater, wool shirt or a fleece jacket
  • 1 light weight short or long-sleeved shirt.  Polyester is best.
  • 1 pair pants (wool or fleece are best)
  • 1 polypropylene long sleeved top
  • 1 pair polypropylene or similar fabric (most comfortable) or lightweight-wool long underwear bottoms.  Again, try and avoid cotton if possible.
  • 1 pair shorts - lightweight nylon is best (preferably not cotton)
  • 1 pair heavy socks (extra pair is nice if the first pair gets wet)
  • 1 pair sock liners: thin wool, polypropylene, or other synthetic (not cotton)
  • 1 pair underwear (shorts with liners can work great)
    • (Suggestion for women: athletic/jog bras are the most comfortable to wear) (again, preferably not cotton)
  • 1 rain top: jacket, anorak, or cagoule with hood.
    • As this is a crucial item it is important that it be made either of coated nylon or Gore-tex (or equivalent) fabric.  Don't bring vinyl (too heavy) or plastics (rip easily).  Bring a poncho (coated nylon) only as a last resort.
  • 1 pair rain pants: again only coated nylon (recommended) or Gore-tex.
  • 1 pair sunglasses (100% UV protection).
  • 1 small bottle of sun BLOCK, 25 SPF or greater
  • 1 small flashlight or head lamp with extra batteries
  • 1 small pocket knife
  • 1 small Bible (pocket size, with Old Testament and Psalms preferred)
  • 1 small notebook and ball-point pen or pencil
  • 1 baseball cap or sun visor
  • 1 pair boots.  Day-hiking boots or sturdy shoes you don’t mind getting muddy will be adequate
  • 1 quart water bottle at least, 2 is better.  Often there is no water available on the trail.
  • Ziploc bags or plastic bag. Great for waterproofing paper materials and clothes

Optional Equipment

(These items are not essential)

  • Sandals or old, lightweight sneakers
  • Insect repellent
  • Bandanna
  • Camera and film
  • Lip balm
  • Small package of moleskin, mole foam, or other foot protection such as athletic tape
  • Gaiters
  • Toilet Paper and plastic bag to pack “it” out
  • Map (copy of topo-map provided)
  • Compass

No Walkmans (iPod's) and no pets please.

version 2012-04-29