Me and my wife are planing to do a lot of hiking and camping in 2025. Starting off with just the trails around Austin, TX and expanding as we go.
Got the basics:
- Hiking Boots
- light day pack w/ bladder
- simple first aid kit
- downloaded maps
I used to go all the time when I lived near a trail head, but I would never go much further than 4 miles in before turning around. We won’t be that far from civilization most of the time, nothing too intense.
Thanks y’all!
Edit: thank for the advice y’all!!
Can’t believe I forgot hats, definitely picking up some. Will also pack my leatherman too.
And I agree hiking boots are probably a little overkill for most the trails we’ll be doing at first. But we want to get used to them and break them in for longer and rougher hikes we’re planning later this year.
In the west/southwest, you want a bladder for the volume. Even a half gallon is insufficient for a day hike. I wouldn't go out without 1.5-2 gallons per person for a day, typically by having a 1.5 gal bladder and a couple bottles. Lack of moisture in the air means more sun exposure and greater water loss just breathing.
And you quickly lose cell coverage in the west once you leave a city. So any phone will eat battery unless in airplane mode, which also shuts off GPS. I just turn my phone off in such places, and save it for emergency use. I also carry a small external battery.
A compact GMRS radio (and knowing the local channels/repeaters) would be a great thing in the hiking world. Lots of volunteer folks use them when they're out hiking/4 wheeling, and can provide a link to emergency services. There are even Android-based units with GPS and data capabilities (for sending your location over GMRS) today.
Really good points about the first aid kit/compression bandages. You need the kinds of things that will get out out of a bad situation, not necessarily as much for minor things (tape will do for most cuts).
I think too many people step into longer hikes before doing shorter ones, where you'd get a chance to work out your boots and gear. Though my day pack is on the excessive side, but I see it as a "rucking" opportunity - it's only a day, so it's good exercise for me.
I haven't spent a lot of time in hot desert... Six weeks in the Atacama though, but it is rarely above 25C there. The rest of my hot weather experience is in humid climates. So I'm not really sure what my water churn would be for a day hike near Austin.
Based on OPs provided info: For a day hike under ten miles, provided you aren't "rucking" or pushing the pace to much, you can get by without measuring in gallons most of the time. If it's super hot, schedule your hike early or late.
Also, mirroring the other comment: phone GPS definitely works in airplane mode.
Bonus photo: mineral exploration in the Atacama.
I see where you're coming from with a lot of this, but I want to clarify a few points that i think are more about personal style.
I hike with two random 1l water bottles in my backpack's side pockets and a 2l pouch / flexible bottle inside that can be ignored or filled depending on how much water is in the area. I have another 2l pouch to add for longer/dryer trips. It's a great system for me because I can always track what I use by knowing what's left on the outside and whether there's a full refill or two inside.
I think you're wrong on phone use. I use Garmin Explore because I have an Inreach, but Gaia, Alltrails, Caltopo, BCNav, etc. all let you download maps to use offline, then use with your phone in airplane mode but with the GPS on (yes, you can do that).