11th Essentials

There will be times in your hiking "careers" when you'll see a piece of gear or a way of doing things that just makes so much sense, you'll wonder how come you never thought of it before. In CHS, you'll have lots of those "aha" moments! We hike in all weather conditions, and rarely turn back early from our destination. So it helps to be flexible and pack some extra gear -- so-called "11th Essentials" -- to keep yourself comfortable and safe. If the conditions look benign at the trailhead, you may be able to leave some items in the car, but if you don't bring 'em in the first place, you can't use 'em on trail! Here are a few extras that Kelly and I have found useful:

• Snow traction devices (such as Yaktraks, MicroSpikes or Stablicers) make walking on snow a little easier. They’re so light that it’s not a hassle to bring them along on every hike. And yes, you are likely to encounter snow right up through your graduation hikes.
• Hiking poles or a staff help steady you on uneven and snowy trail, and take some of the stress off your knees on the descent. I resisted poles for years, until my knees convinced me that I was being silly.
• Gaiters help to keep water, mud, sand and snow out of your boots and protect the cuffs of your hiking pants. Also, consider waterproofing your boots each spring to help keep your feet nice and dry.
• A compact travel umbrella keeps rain off you and supplements your rain gear so you don’t have to wear a full rainsuit while you’re hiking uphill. Most people end up drenching themselves in their own sweat when they wear full rain gear, and this robs them of body heat when they stop for breaks.
• Hand warmers ("Little Hotties" are one popular brand) slip into your gloves or socks to help keep your hands toasty and dry.
• Hats and caps appropriate for cold and heat, rain and sun will help regulate your body temperature.
• A small thermos of hot soup, coffee, tea or hot chocolate will warm up your insides on breaks or at lunchtime.
• A dry shirt to change into at the turn around point can make you feel like a new hiker for the descent. You'll be warmer, dryer and possible less stinky! You can tie the wet one to the outside of your pack for the return.

And for the drive home:

• A tote bag with a towel, socks, shirt and shoes to change into back at the trailhead will make you much more comfortable and presentable if you go out for a group meal.
• A boot brush removes mud and dirt from your boots and gets them ready for the next hike. Cleaning the soles of your boots thoroughly also reduces the risk of transporting invasive species across the state.
• A plastic garbage bag to contain your wet or muddy boots keeps your carpool driver's trunk clean.

Remember, you are responsible for your own wellbeing on a hike. You need to bring the Ten Essential Systems (yes, all ten on every hike) and other gear that will keep you comfortable, found, fed and hydrated. Your hike leaders will alert you if a particular piece of gear is suggested, but they are not responsible for checking your gear or clothing. So take a look through your pack and think of what extra items you might want to bring to make your next trip—regardless of weather—a safe and happy one. Cheers!