Do you know the 10 Essentials of Hiking?

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – The Carolinas offer a variety of hiking options. You can hike a mountain or near water, but the key to hiking is to be prepared.

“Start local. You have Parris Mountain State Park nearby and Croft State Park nearby. Get on the South Carolina Parks website, start finding out research about your state parks. Then make sure to have fun, carry the ’10 Essentials,’ get good shoes and just be honest with yourself,” Matt Herzog, employee at The Local Hiker, said.

At The Local Hiker in Spartanburg, you can find pretty much anything you need to get outdoors. So, I wanted to know: what do you need to get the most out of your hiking experience?

The gear table for the 10 Essentials of Hiking

Herzog suggested new hikers familiarize themselves with the “10 Essentials” needed for hiking. Those include:

Navigation: Compass, map, GPS
Comfortable shoes/socks
Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, etc.
Water (or a way to purify water)
Food
Rain gear/extra clothes
First Aid Kit
Safety items: Flashlight, whistle, a way to start a fire
Knife or Multi-tool
Shelter

Herzog said when you think about the essentials, you start from the ground and work your way up.

“You definitely want to feel comfortable, and you want to make sure you’ve got the right gear. So, shoes is a good place to start,” Herzog said.

Herzog explained hiking boots offer more ankle support and are better for rocky terrain.

Planning and preparation are key. Always dress for the weather where you plan to hike.

“If you’re going to be out there in the sun more often, skin cancer can be an issue. You want to make sure you are protected from that,” Herzog explained. “If you’re going to be out there for longer periods of time, maybe past 8 p.m., make sure you’re carrying that headlamp.”

The last thing Herzog said you need before hitting the trail is knowledge of the area and wildlife. Watch out for snakes and bears!

“Just leave them alone,” Herzog said. “What’s a good rule of thumb is actually The Rule of Thumb. You want to be far enough away that you can cover one eye and you can cover the animal up with your thumb. Make sure you have about a 50-foot distance and respect wildlife.”