Hiking is an excellent hobby that lets you experience nature, see amazing sights, see wildlife and get a great workout. If you are setting out for a hike, you probably know the importance of a comfortable backpack and good hiking shoes. However, there are some other important items that you should pack before you go on your next hike. Below you will find my list of 17 Top Hiking Essentials that can help you survive if you have an accident, or find yourself in adverse conditions.
Flashlight
A flashlight, lantern or headlamp is an absolute essential. It can get very dark at night and you will need something to light your way. Headlamps are a good choice because they keep your hands free. Most headlamps have different light modes including a strobe mode that can be used to signal for help in an emergency.
Map
You might have all the apps or GPS devices you can imagine, but you need to have a real map with you. Technology can fail and your devices can run out of power. Often, the signal strength is not good out in the mountains or remote areas, so you need to have something to rely on. Topographical maps are the best choice.
Compass
In addition to a good map, you need to have a compass you can rely on as a backup if those sophisticated GPS devices and apps fail you Compasses don’t need a power source or batteries, and some come equipped with a sighting mirror that can be used to flash sunlight to signal a helicopter or rescuer in an emergency. Technology is great, but don’t underestimate the importance of tried and true navigation devices.
Sunscreen
Out in the elements, you need to protect yourself from the damaging UV rays of the sun. Don’t forget to pack the sunscreen, and remember to apply it. A sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is recommended. Check that the sunscreen you choose blocks UVA and UVB rays.
Sunglasses
A good pair of sunglasses are essential. Make sure you choose a quality pair because your eyes are worth it. A key component in a quality lens is the ability to block 100% of ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB). Did you know that UVB rays have been linked to the development of cataracts? Protecting your eyes is very important for your health. Be wary of cheap sunglasses that may put your eyes at risk.
First Aid Kit
Purchasing a ready-made kit is best, because they are designed to have supplies for a variety of issues, and save you the time of building your own. There are specialized first aid kits made for hiking and camping. A well stocked first aid kit will have all types of supplies including a snake bite kit.
Power Bank
High capacity power banks are perfect to pack along to use if you need to charge your phone or other devices. You may think your phone has a great battery life, but you need to prepare for the unexpected. Power banks can be life-saving if you have an emergency or encounter conditions that cause delays.
Solar Charger
A solar charger can be used to power your smartphone and other electronics if you run out of battery power and deplete additional power banks. Using a solar charger can help you call or message for help if you have a signal. Many solar chargers include a flashlight and even a compass.
Tools
A good knife and multi-tool are great to use for repairs, food prep, cutting branches or to use in emergency situations You can find all kinds of knives and multi-tools on the market. Choose one that is durable and lightweight.
Hydration
When you are hiking, you need plenty of water. Hydration packs and water bottles are a good way to make sure you have a supply of clean water to drink. There are personal water filters that can be used to turn stream or other water into safe drinking water. Carrying one of these filters can give you peace of mind that you will have life-sustaining water to drink if you are stranded or run out of water.
Emergency Shelter
Even if you are not going on an overnight hike, you should still pack an emergency shelter. You may feel confident that you will not get lost or injured, but it is best to be prepared for the unexpected. Something as simple as a space blanket or lightweight tarp can protect you from wind, rain, snow or sleet while you wait for help.
Safety Whistle
A loud safety whistle should be in your gear. If you need to signal for help, this will be heard a lot farther than your voice.
Insect Repellent
Carry a spray or lotion to protect yourself from biting insects, spiders, ticks and more. Many insects such as ticks can spread deadly disease so, be sure to protect yourself with an insect repellant that works well for the area you are hiking in.
Matches
Waterproof matches stored in a waterproof container can help you build a fire. Whether you need them to start a campfire on an overnight hike, or to light a fire to keep warm or signal for help, dry matches are essential. You pack a butane lighter to use as a backup.
Firestarter
A Firestarter like some dry tinder, candles or special wood soaked nuggets should be kept in a waterproof bag. These items will allow you to quickly get your fire to ignite. Even household dryer lint can be used.
Food
Don’t forget to pack extra food even on day hikes. Food items that are light but have good nutritional value are dried meats, nuts, protein bars and dried fruits.
Extra Clothing
Weather conditions can change rapidly, so pack an additional layer of clothing to protect yourself from the elements. Choose your clothing based on the season and the worst weather conditions you could face.
Hiking and camping are fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Preparing for emergencies and adverse conditions will give you peace of mind, and help keep you safe if you encounter trouble. How do you prepare for a hike? Do you have any important tips to share? I would love to read them in the comments.
When I saw Mystery Tackle Box subscription boxes, I thought they were a great idea. They have 2 different kinds of boxes, the MTB Regular or the MTB Pro. In addition to the boxes, you can opt to give a gift certificate, which can bring your favorite fisherman months of excitement. The boxes come with free shipping. and you can cancel at any time.
MTB boxes are a great value, the regular box is only $14.99 and contains about $25 in products. The MTB Pro box gives you about $40 in gear for just $24.99. Below I recorded a very short video of what we received in our MTB Regular Box. My son is going to do a more in-depth video about the products. I will share it with you soon.
Mystery Tackle Box also provides Happy Learning on their website in the form of expert tips and tricks to help you catch the big one! Let me know what you think of Mystery Tackle Box in the comments, and #HappyFishing
That means proper helmets for biking, the right type of hiking shoes, water bottles to keep us all hydrated, safe sunscreen and more. When thinking about safety gear, we cannot dismiss the need for a way to keep us all connected and to receive important weather alerts.
That is why we love our Motorola Talkabout T260 two-way radios. We have the three radio set, but they also have a two radio set. The set has everything we need, it comes complete with belt clips, NiMH rechargeable batteries, Y cable charging adaptor with dual micro-USB connectors to charge 2 radios and a single micro-USB connector to charge a single radio.
I like that I can walk around the lake we live on which is over one mile around, and at any point check in with my husband or family at home. The connection is clear as a bell and that says a lot because we live in the mountains and get sketchy cell service. Having a radio with a clear connection makes me and my husband feel better when I am out walking alone.
Our kids love using them too! They can communicate from the dock or boat up to the house or use them when they are playing around our property to contact each other. They are easy to operate, lightweight, compact and durable. The radios have essential features like NOAA weather channel and alerts as well as iVOX/VOX hands-free communication making it easy to stay in touch no matter your location or situation.
They cover a long-range of up to 25 miles which really makes me happy. If we were ever separated on a hiking or cycling trip, the long-range gives me the peace of mind that I would be able to contact a member of our family.
You can check out our unboxing and review video below:
Know the Weather In Advance
Keep updated with real-time weather conditions by turning on one of 11 weather channels or initiating weather alerts. NOAA radio service may not be available in all areas. Check with your local weather office for frequency and details, or visit www.weather.gov/nwr (Canada: www.msc.ec.gc.ca/msb/weatheradio).
Be Hands-free
With iVOX/VOX acting like a speakerphone and allowing hands-free communication, you can keep on moving without stopping to answer a call.
22 Channels Each with 121 Privacy Codes
With 22 channels and 121 privacy codes, totaling 2,662 combinations, it’s easy to find an available channel.
Compatible with Any Radio
You can communicate with other FRS/GMRS radios regardless of brand by being on the same channel and privacy code.
Power Through Your Adventures
There are two ways to power your Talkabout T260 radio: use the included NiMH rechargeable batteries for up to 12 hours or use 3 AA batteries for up to 29 hours. To recharge the NiMH batteries, choose from one of three ways: connect it to your vehicle adaptor or your computer, or plug the micro-USB cable into an outlet.
20 Call Tones
A call tone is what people calling you can hear instead of the normal default ring. It grabs the attention of your family and friends before you start speaking.
Eco Smart
Most of the energy wasted when using a mobile device occurs during the charge. This radio consumes less power during its idle condition.
Quickly Find a Channel
Use the scanning feature to see which channels are currently in use.
Low Battery Alert
Low battery alert reminds you when batteries are running low.
Keypad Lock
The keypad lock prevents your personalized settings from being inadvertently changed.
T260 Packaging Includes:
• 2 radios
• 2 belt clips
• 2 NiMH rechargeable batteries
• 1 Y cable adaptor with dual micro-USB connectors
• 1 user guide
Mommy Ramblings thinks that the twin or triple pack of the T-260 Motorola Talkabout make a great gifts for those active people and families on your holiday gift list. We have added the T-260 Talkabout to Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide. The twin pack has a MSRP of $64.99 and the triple pack has a MSRP of $89.99. Right now these sets are on sale on Amazon! You can pick up the 2 pack for just $41,22 and the 3 pack for only $69.99. Hurry though, Amazon prices change quickly, so you never know how long they will last.
You can stay in the loop with Motorola Solutions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Motorola Solutions is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a Motorola Talkabout T-260 Twin Pack! Thank you to Motorola Solutions for the review T-260 Triple Pack and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US residents.
Motorola Talkabout T-260 Twin Pack 2-Way Radio Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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Watching the birds brings me a lot of joy and provides me with thousands of photo opportunities which is something this hobby photographer loves. These are my 8 favorite bird feeders:
The No/No Red Ball Feeder by Perky Pet
This fun-shaped feeder comes in red and green. I use the red but red and green would be perfect for Christmas since they look like ornaments. They are low maintenance and supposed to be squirrel and small animal proof. They are better, but not foolproof. I have some pretty smart squirrels and frankly, as long as they do not break the feeders, I don’t mind them coming in for a snack. Even if they do manage the tough task of removing the top, this feeder has not broken. That is a huge plus as plastic feeders don’t stand a chance!
It is easy to fill and holds 6 cups of black oiled sunflowers very well. I have a few of these and they are out all year-long in the frigid, snowy winters of Upstate New York and hold up well. The birds really like them and they are one of my most flocked to feeders in my yard. I just noticed Amazon has the green feeder on a super sale now for only $5.98. I am picking up a few more because I like color and I can always find more places to use them on my property. I think they would make a nice gift for teachers at the end of the school year. I guess I should get a few more.
Ladybug Mesh No/No Feeder by Perky Pet
This feeder is one I bought when shopping with my young sons in our local garden center. It adds a whimsical touch to our yard. It does not hold as much as the ball feeders and it is a little harder to fill, but not terrible. The birds really like this feeder and I think it might be the contrasting colors that make it stand out. The little legs add a perching area for the birds coming in for a snack.
No/No Bronze Tray Bird Feeder by Perky Pet
This is a feeder with a huge capacity of 2.5 lbs. I like this feeder because of its large capacity, if I have to be away for a day or two, I know the birds can count on this feeder. It can feed many birds at once which is great, because we have many birds that dine at our house.
I love these metal feeders almost as much as the birds do. I like the colors, they remind of colorful houses in the Caribbean. I hang them off my porch which may occur for my only issue. The squirrels can, with a lot of work, pop out the plastic seed guard and perch. They are very tough and I have been able to pop them right back, but I think if they were not in such an easy area for the squirrels to reach them, it would not be an issue.
They are so easy to fill, the red and blue hold a nice amount of seed. I just love the look of the bright colors among my home and gardens. Red is the largest, then blue and yellow is the smallest.
Wildbird Care Vertical Cedar Bird Feeder
I like this feeder because the seed guards and perches are screwed in Even though we have squirrels dropping or flying by for a treat, they cannot remove them and happily snack from the tray on the bottom. It is very attractive and is a beautiful addition to our yard. This is another feeder I will be buying a few more of.
Droll Yankees New Generation Finch Flocker
Along with black oiled sunflower seeds, I like to put out Nyjer or thistle seed and since they are so tiny, they need a special feeder. I have used sock feeders, but they are hard to refill and can get moldy. I wanted something better. I found the Droll Yankees New Generation 8″ Finch Flocker fit my needs.
This feeder is very well made and allows for several of our colorful finches to eat at the same time. An internal seed baffle directs seed to an additional seed port located at the lowest level of seed to ensure that the feeder empties completely without allowing seed build-up. It is easy to fill and holds 1/2 lb. of seed. It has a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty against squirrel damage.
This feeder is perfect for filling with dried mealworms that our Bluebirds love!
Stokes Select Double Suet Bird Feeder with Metal Roof
If one is good, two is better, right? My birds seem to think so! The Stokes Select Double Suet Bird Feeder has a metal roof and room for two suet cakes. It looks nice and gets a lot of traffic. Stokes also makes a larger cylinder style that I may give a try. If you feed suet, check these out!
I will not get into hummingbird or oriole feeders now, I will let you know about those in an upcoming post. Let me know what your favorite bird feeders are.
As an added incentive My readers get to save! Use coupon code “USFAM” for $5 off + Free Shipping! Click HERE to get your coupon!
The Monkey Mat was seen on Shark Tank and comes in different colors and prints. This is a mat I would not want to be without!
For all ages, all places, all year long.
We love to be outdoors when the weather is nice. We are planning a lot of outdoor projects and enhancements to make our yard, deck, porch and gardens more of an outdoor oasis for family, friends and entertaining.
We will be re-staining our deck as soon as the weather is consistent enough for that. So once the deck is all revitalized we thought since it is so large, it would be nice to have a shady area since it gets a lot of sun.
That was when I started looking for a shade type gazebo awning. I found one I liked from Abba Patio and it was available right on Amazon. that was nice since I have Amazon Prime and it would be shipped to my house quickly and for free.
It is very nice quality and was not hard for my husband and I to put together. We set it up on the lawn since we have to stain the deck but we will update with photos when we have it set on the deck. The nice thing is you can secure it through the feet so you don’t have to worry about severe weather causing it to topple or get thrown around.
It is heavy-duty and the canvas top provides UV protection and is fade resistant. The light color works well to reflect heat and it provides a large enough space for a patio table and chairs or an outdoor seating group underneath. We are really looking forward to having everything set up on the deck and entertaining with our family and friends this spring and summer.
Product Features:
Check out the video below of how we assembled it and to see more of this great portable, tent gazebo by Abba Patio.
Would love to know what you have planned for your home and garden spring and summer projects. Let me know in the comments. Enjoy the season!
Kids have a blast camping out and you will make memories to last a lifetime. If you are looking for a nice 3 season tent for 2-3 people, you might want to take a look at the Semoo lightweight, waterproof, 3 Season Tent. This tent has a fun, vibrant orange color scheme. It is easy to set up. We put a tarp under ours. It comes packed in a duffel bag so that it is easy to transport.
The tent has a large front door with a screen window and the back of the tent features a screen window too! There are interior pockets on the left and right side of the interior of the tent. These pockets are great to hold your wallet, smartphone or smaller items.
Check out our video below to see all the great details. If you want to take a closer look there is a link at the end of the post to the Amazon listing.
I hope you and your family have some great adventures this summer.
As a parent I am concerned about protecting my Children’s eyes from sun damage. Our kids have been wearing Real Kids Shades for several years and they are eye protection I trust and one that gives this mom peace of mind. Many times parents are diligent in using sunscreen on their children but forget to protect their eyes. Real Kids Shades works in partnership with Prevent Blindness America to educate parents on the importance of protecting their children’s eyes.
Children’s eyes are at special risk from the harmful effects of UV rays because their eyes are still developing. Their young eyes are much more vulnerable to sun damage. Real Kids Shades are designed to provide serious UV protection. Real Kids Shades is the leading maker of premium quality, 100 percent UV protective eyewear for infants and children up to age 12. Their award-winning design, intensive product testing, and patented construction makes their children’s sunglasses the best available on the market today.
Recently I ordered 2 pair of Real Kids Shades for my boys. They arrived with their own protective neoprene case and my little guys were thrilled. Ordering from the website is so easy and you can shop by age and there is a wide selection of styles and colors for boys and girls. We think Real Kids Shades make a perfect holiday or Christmas Gift so you will find them on Mommy Ramblings 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
Real Kids Shades is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a pair of sunglasses of their choice (subject to availability). Thank you to Real Kids Shades for the review sunglasses and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US and Canadian Residents. Good Luck!
Real Kids Shades Sunglasses Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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When we were shopping for a swing set 6 years ago our kids were super little. one was not even 2 months old when I started shopping for the set. I scoured everything I could find, looking for the best materials, quality construction, adaptability, large number of activities and play areas. I spent a many weeks of painstaking research. I knew we wanted 100% cedar construction, a climbing wall, swings, clubhouses, slides, monkey bars, horse glider swing, picnic table, tire swing and a quality construction that would stand up to cold winters and allow adults to play too. I found what I was looking for at Eastern Jungle Gym. I even hit a spectacular sale that made the set I purchased a tremendous value for the money. I am not saying it was cheap, but when I tell you 6 years later that our set is still going strong and still something our kids play on daily, we are definitely getting more than our money’s worth out of it.
We chose the Fantasy wooden swing set which is the most popular of their Multi-Deck Series. Two of the clubhouses are covered with canopies. The third clubhouse takes the place of a walkway and acts as an uncovered bridge between the two. Beneath the two higher clubhouses the kids will discover a set of double-wide monkey bars, large enough to not interfere with the nearby tire swing.
We started big with our set but one of the things I love about Eastern Jungle Gym is their sets are able to be expanded with new accessories. This way, no matter what size set you have, you can add additional features or structures to expand your child’s play options. They also have replacement tarps and accessories so you can easily renew your set as needed. After 6 years and two active boys our set is going strong. The only things showing any wear were the 2 clubhouse tarps and it needs some touch up on the wood stain. We also wanted a few extra rock grips for the climbing wall as our 6-year-old was needing some that were closer and filled in a few large gaps. I called Eastern Jungle Gym and spoke to Ashley who was so pleasant and helpful. I explained what I wanted and she directed me to what I needed. We even discussed color options for the tarps to really change the look. In the end we decided on the green and yellow striped tarps and 8 extra rock grips for the rock wall. Next year we plan to get the stain to touch up the set since we were moving into colder weather, we will take care of that in the spring. Easter Jungle Gym graciously provided the tarps and rock grips and had them shipped out promptly to us.
My husband was able to easily change out the tarps and add the rock grips.
So next spring we plan to power wash all the wood and re-stain and we should be all good to go for more years of fun!!! Eastern Jungle Gym is having a HUGE SALE Now! Check out their website where prices are slashed to move out their current inventory. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
This 18 inch fan has some great features that make it perfect for keeping you cool and refreshed on even the hottest days. All you need to do is connect it to a garden hose and it adds a refreshing cool mist to the cool breeze it emits. We have never had a fan like this and are really impressed, it is so refreshing when it is hot out and you need a quick cool down. Our kids loved it too. Perfect for entertaining on our porch and deck, this fan really is something special!
The fan has 3 speeds and you can adjust the oscillating fan head to tilt it so you have the perfect angle for optimal coolness. You can adjust the fan from oscillating to stationary. The fan covers a large area, nearly 500 sq. ft.! It is so easy to adjust this fan so that you have the right angle and direction for optimal coolness.
The fan has a stylish, sleek design and the black color blends with most patio decor. This fan is designed for long-term durability. The 3 prong GFCI plug means you can use it safely, the highest quality materials are used in construction so you can count on this fan for years to come. The safety features are really important to us because wherever you have electricity and water, you want to make sure you have the best safety features to prevent anyone from getting a shock or worse. The base is super sturdy and all of the components feel and function like the high-end, quality you would expect in a fan of this caliber.
If you are looking to stay cool and comfortable outdoors this summer check out the NewAir AF-520 B 18″ Outdoor Misting Fan. See it in action in our video below. You can follow NewAir on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and YouTube. You can purchase this fan on Amazon, Home Depot, Air-n-water and Newair, Let me know if you have this fan or plan to purchase one.
I received a NewAir Outdoor Cool Misting Fan to facilitate my review, as always my words and views are 100% my own.