Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Lifestyle

8 Items To Bring On A Summer Hike

Hiking season is in full bloom.

Bella Coronado

Jul 24, 2019

Western Washington University

Unsplash

If you live in Washington and haven't taken advantage of the nice weather and beautiful hiking options, then you are truly missing out on one of the best summer activities. Hiking is fun, but it is vital to be smart about what you bring.

1. Pack multiple water bottles.

Trust me, one water bottle will not be enough. It is important to be hydrated while hiking, and it is good to have a backup, and maybe even a backup for your backup. In addition to your cold water, a thermos with hot water is also nice to have on hand. Throw some tea bags in your bag or some instant coffee and you can have a warm drink at your viewpoint.

2. A portable charger.

Keeping your phone charged is necessary in cases of emergency. You will probably also use your phone a lot to take pictures and check maps. A charging block takes up little space and most of them can give phones a full charge.

3. A hammock.

Although this may not be necessary, bringing a hammock on a hike is a fun way to relax in nature, under a canopy of trees, or even at a viewpoint with open space. Chilling in a hammock can be a nice addition to any hike. You can pack a book to read or a music speaker to use. Hammocks also make nice places to have lunch, instead of sitting on the ground of tree stumps.

4. Wear a watch.

It is important to keep track of time while you hike. You should keep track of how far you've gone, how long it's taken, and how much daylight you have. This is especially important while on less crowded trails or solo hiking excursions, as time may escape you and there may not be many people to ask.

5. Sunscreen and bug spray.

You should always remember to protect your skin while you are hiking. This means wearing the right, breathable clothing, using a good sunscreen, and an environmentally friendly bug spray. Sun rays can still shine through trees and even cloudy days, and mosquitos can be annoyances on trails.

6. A variety of snacks.

This is probably an obvious one, but it is a good idea to bring food that will give you energy. Things like sandwiches, trail mix, and protein bars are good. Just like packing extra bottles of water, it never hurts to bring more snacks than you think you'll need.

7. First-aid and safety.

It's good to always pack first-aid equipment even if you don't think you will need it. Anything could happen while hiking and being prepared is smart no matter what. Packing pepper spray, a whistle, or some other communication device is also a good thing to do.

8. A good source of navigation.

Whether it is a physical map, trail marks, or an app on your phone, always follow some sort of trail navigation. You probably shouldn't begin a hike without knowing how many miles it is roundtrip. Alltrails is a trusty source of navigation that helps you track how long and far you have been hiking, and also catalogs a variety of hikes around you. You should also always take a photo of any maps you see at the trailhead, just in case.

Knowing what you need and being prepared for hiking will ensure a fun and safe trip up any mountain trail. Make a checklist so you don't forget anything, then grab your daypack, a friend, and get outside!

From Your Site Articles

Hiking In The Pacific Northwest ›

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

University of Dayton

228

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less

library

Student Life

26 Things to Thank Our Roommates For

Who knows where we would be without them.

Michigan State University

171

StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less

roommates

Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Butler University

6436

Disney magic kingdom castle on new years

StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less

disney movies

Recommended for you

8 Items To Bring On A Summer Hike

Hiking season is in full bloom.

1. Pack multiple water bottles.

2. A portable charger.

3. A hammock.

4. Wear a watch.

5. Sunscreen and bug spray.

6. A variety of snacks.

7. First-aid and safety.

8. A good source of navigation.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Subscribe to our
Newsletter

Hairbands, Clips, and Bobby-pins