Day & Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Washington. Adrienne Schaefer

and a zip-top plastic bag to pack it out in

      WATER Again, bring more than you think you’ll drink. Depending on your destination, you may want to bring a container and iodine or a filter for purifying water in case you run out.

      WHISTLE It could become your best friend in an emergency.

      WINDPROOF MATCHES AND/OR A LIGHTER For real emergencies—please don’t start a forest fire.

      A Few Extras

      Some items that might be worth the extra weight:

      TREKKING POLES OR A HIKING STICK A great way to save your knees

      REPAIR KIT Safety pins, duct tape, extra shoelaces, and the like

      FLIP-FLOPS, SANDALS, OR CLOGS When you’re hanging out at camp, casual shoes create less of an impact on fragile vegetation than heavy boots or hiking shoes—and nothing feels better than airing out your feet after a long day on the trail.

      Shelter

      For most people, tents are a necessity when it comes to backpacking in the Northwest. Not only do they keep you dry and warm in foul weather, they can also save you from mosquitoes and biting flies. July and August are about the only months in Washington when you can toy with the idea of leaving the tent at home. If you do, bring some type of emergency shelter or bivy sack and a bug net for hanging out and sleeping.

      Even if you’re just out for the day, bring some type of shelter to keep you out of the elements if something should go wrong. Building a shelter out of twigs and limbs may sound romantic, but in an emergency you want something that will keep you relatively warm and dry on the shortest notice. Emergency blankets weigh next to nothing and don’t cost that much.

      First Aid Kit

      A TYPICAL FIRST AID KIT may contain more items than you might think necessary. These are just the basics. Prepackaged kits in waterproof bags (Atwater Carey and Adventure Medical make a variety of kits) are available. Even though there are quite a few items listed here, they pack down into a small space:

       Adhesive bandages

       Antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin)

       Aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Advil)

      This well-prepared crew hikes along Cady Ridge (see Hike 23).

       Athletic tape

       Blister kit (moleskin or an adhesive variety such as Spenco 2nd Skin)

       Butterfly-closure bandages

       Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), in case of allergic reactions

       Elastic bandages (such as Ace) or joint wraps (such as Spenco)

       Epinephrine in a prefilled syringe (EpiPen), typically by prescription only, for people known to have severe allergic reactions to hiking mishaps such as bee stings

       Gauze (one roll and a half-dozen 4-by-4-inch pads)

       Hydrogen peroxide or iodine

      Hiking with Children

      NO ONE IS TOO YOUNG FOR A HIKE. Be mindful, though. Flat, short, and shaded trails are best with an infant. Toddlers who haven’t quite mastered walking can still tag along, riding on an adult’s back in a child carrier. Use common sense to judge a child’s capacity to hike a particular trail and always anticipate that the child will tire quickly and need to be carried. See Recommended Hikes, for hikes that are suitable for kids.

      General Safety

      TO SOME POTENTIAL MOUNTAIN ENTHUSIASTS, the deep woods seem inordinately dark and perilous. It’s fear of the unknown that causes this anxiety. No doubt, potentially dangerous situations can occur outdoors, but as long as you use sound judgment and prepare yourself before hitting the trail, you’ll be much safer in the woods than in most urban areas of the country. It’s better to look at a backcountry hike as a fascinating chance to discover the unknown rather than as a chance for potential disaster.

      If you’re new to the game, I’d suggest starting out easy and finding a person who knows more to help you out. In addition, here are a few tips to make your trip safer and easier.

       ALWAYS LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU’LL BE HIKING AND HOW LONG YOU EXPECT TO BE GONE. It’s a good idea to give that person a copy of your route, particularly if you’re headed into any isolated area. Let him or her know when you return.

       ALWAYS SIGN IN AND OUT OF ANY TRAIL REGISTERS PROVIDED. Don’t hesitate to comment on the trail condition if space is provided; that’s your opportunity to alert others to any problems you encounter.

       DON’T ASSUME THAT YOUR MOBILE PHONE WILL WORK ON THE TRAIL. Reception may be spotty or nonexistent, especially on a trail embraced by towering trees.

       ALWAYS CARRY FOOD AND WATER, EVEN FOR A SHORT HIKE. And bring more water than you think you’ll need. We can’t emphasize this enough.

      Signs warn hikers and horsepackers of precarious trail conditions below Old Snowy Mountain (see Hike 6).

       ASK QUESTIONS. Public-land employees are on hand to help. It’s a lot easier to solicit advice before a problem occurs, and it will help you avoid a mishap away from civilization when it’s too late to amend an error.

       STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS. Even on the most clearly marked trails, you usually reach a point where you have to stop and consider in which direction to head. If you become disoriented, don’t panic. As soon as you think you may be off-track, stop, assess your current direction, and then retrace your steps to the point where you went astray. Using a map, a compass, and this book, and keeping in mind what you’ve passed thus far, reorient yourself and trust your judgment on which way to continue. If you become absolutely unsure of how to continue, return to your vehicle the way you came in. Should you become completely lost and have no idea how to find the trailhead, remaining in place along the trail and waiting for help is most often the best option for adults and always the best option for children.