| What it is | A 10-category safety checklist |
| Examples | Navigation, food, shelter, first aid |
| Origin | The Mountaineers |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
The Ten Essentials are a checklist of categories of gear hikers should carry to stay safe and self-sufficient in the backcountry: navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first aid, fire, repair kit and tools, nutrition, hydration, and emergency shelter. They guard against the unexpected on any hike.
The list
Navigation (a map and compass), sun protection, extra insulation, a headlamp, first aid, fire, repair kit, extra food, extra water, and emergency shelter.
Why carry them
They turn a mishap — an injury, a wrong turn, a weather change — from an emergency into an inconvenience. Carry every category even on a day hike.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Ten Essentials?
The modern, systems-based list is: navigation, sun protection, insulation (extra clothing), illumination (headlamp), first-aid supplies, fire, a repair kit and tools, extra food (nutrition), extra water (hydration), and emergency shelter. Each is a category, not a single item.
Who created the Ten Essentials?
The list was originated by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based outdoor organization, in its classic instructional book Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. It has since become a standard taught across the hiking and climbing world.
Do you need all ten on a day hike?
Yes — the point is preparedness for the unexpected, like an injury, a wrong turn, or a sudden weather change that turns a short hike into an overnight. You scale the quantity to the trip, but every category is worth carrying even on short hikes.
Sources
- The Ten Essentials — The Mountaineers