Before going on a hike you must make sure you have all the essentials you may need for the long journey ahead. Before thinking of essentials do you have a backpack big enough, waterproof enough and durable enough to carry these things with you?
Waterproofs - Do you have a lightweight waterproof jacket you can roll up and put in your backpack. A water resistant coat is not the same thing as a waterproof coat. Water resistant coats can take a light shower but will eventually soak through. When going on a hike you must make sure you have a waterproof you can at least put over your coat. This will keep you warm if the weather decides to work against you. It may also be worth looking into getting waterproof trousers just incase. I don't own waterproof trousers myself, my partner on the other hand does. I have been on hikes in things such as leggins and jeans and when it rains it can get very uncomfortable. I'm sure I'll be looking into getting some in the future the more hikes I do.
Coats, Jackets & Jumpers - In my experiences it's better to have things you don't end up needing rather than needing something you didn't bring. When I go on a hike I usually wear a lightweight top, a jumper, my big puffy yellow coat (Which is only water resistant) and I'd carry my waterproof jacket in my backpack to put over the coat if it rains. I know my partner wears thermals under his clothes to keep him warmer (I should really look into getting some). My temperature changes a lot on a hike, I can be freezing one minute and then suddenly really hot. The last hike I went on I forgot to take a jumper. I was too hot with my coat on, but too cold without it on. A jumper would of been the perfect balance. Always take a variety of options with you just incase, better to have more layers you can take off than not enough layers to put on. If doesn't just stop at Coats, Jackets & Jumpers though, do you have a Hat? Gloves? Scalf? Proper Walking socks? all of these things I'd think about taking.
Water/ Drink - ALWAYS take enough water with you for both the hike up the mountain and the hike down. There is nothing worse than getting to the top of the mountain and realising your out of water and you still have the hike down. I'm not a big fan of water I will admit but I will always take a bottle or two of flavoured water or squash to keep me going.
Food - How long are you hiking for? Hiking can be hungry work and you will tire and run out of energy pretty fast if you're not used to it. Always have a source of energy on you, weather it be light snacks or a sandwich for when you get to the top.
Medical Supplies - Make sure you have EVERYTHING you may need, I suffer from asthma and I can't express the importance of having my inhaler on me. I wouldn't usually need it on a regular day but because my body is not used to hiking yet I do have to take it occasionally while on a hike. Plasters may seem like a small thing but your feet will be thanking you if you start to get blisters because you're not used to walking so far.
Navigation tools - Make sure you know where you're going. You may be thinking I'll just use my phone! There is no wifi in the middle of nowhere and you may have no signal. There are apps you can download that have trail maps you can still use when you have no signal. If you know how to use a compass GREAT! That makes one of us, or if you have a map to take make sure you always know where you are and how far you have to walk before setting off. All of these things I would say are essential and you shouldn't set off on your journey without them. I have learnt the hard way and would of happily set off on a hike not thinking about any of these things. Lucky for me my partner worked in a hiking shop so knows how things tend to go (I still never listen though)
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