As people's living standards improve, more and more individuals are choosing outdoor adventure travel. However, while the excitement and entertainment increase, so does the risk level. Common issues during outdoor adventures include (1) late return, (2) exhaustion, (3) severe weather, (4) night marches, (5) injuries or illnesses among team members. These situations often occur in sequence — for example, severe weather may lead to exhaustion or getting lost, resulting in late returns or forced camping. Regardless of the route taken, some equipment is essential and should never be overlooked. It can ensure your safety during emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. It’s important to carefully consider which gear qualifies as essential, because bringing too much will increase the weight of your backpack and slow you down. For instance, there’s debate over whether a sleeping bag is essential — some argue it’s only necessary if you expect to camp out frequently.

List of Essential Items

Sunglasses

High-altitude skiing can damage the eyes. In terms of ultraviolet rays, snow at 10,000 feet reflects over 50% more sunlight than the sea, and unprotected eyes can easily suffer damage, leading to extreme pain known as snow blindness. Sunglasses can help reduce this harm, but don’t be fooled by cloudy weather — UV rays can penetrate clouds. Harsh glare can cause headaches, and sunglasses should block 95–100% of UV rays. Glacier glasses should have a 5–10% light transmission rate, while general-purpose sunglasses need around 20%. When shopping, check in a mirror — if you can easily see your own eyes, the lenses are too light. Gray or green lens colors are ideal if you want true color perception. For cloudy or foggy conditions, yellow lenses enhance visibility. Regarding infrared rays, unless you’re staring directly at the sun, regular sunglasses can block IR rays and protect your eyes. Make sure your sunglasses have side protection to reduce sun entry, but ensure there's proper ventilation to prevent fogging — or use anti-fog lenses or sprays. It’s wise to carry a spare pair in case of loss, or improvise with cardboard or fabric strips over your eyes. Many climbers prefer contact lenses since glasses can slip down the nose, improving visual acuity and eliminating water spots. However, contacts still have downsides — intense sun, wind, sand, or dirt can cause eye irritation, and they’re harder to clean and maintain outdoors.

Map

      Reading a map essentially means understanding the information it presents. Using the data on the map to deduce real-world terrain is a vital skill. While no map is perfectly accurate, reliable, or current, you can assess reliability by checking details like the survey and revision dates.

      Familiarize yourself with the standard colors used on maps and what they represent.

1 Blue: water features like rivers, lakes, and oceans

2 Green: vegetation such as forests, grasslands, and farmland

3 Brown: landforms like beaches, sand, and contour lines

4 Red: major roads and other vehicular routes

5 Black: trails, bridges, railways, overhead cables, etc.

6 Gray: buildings, cliffs, boulders, rocks, etc.

Emergency rations

Carrying one day’s worth of food is necessary in case of bad weather, getting lost, injury, or other unexpected situations. These types of rations are non-cook, lightweight, easy to digest, and have a long shelf life—such as nuts, jerky, dehydrated fruits, and candy. For certain climbing activities, some simple-to-prepare foods like cocoa, instant soup, or tea may also be included. A hearty breakfast can provide energy and stamina for the day, which for a short mountain hike is often enough to last until it’s time to head back. In any case, bringing some food can supply much-needed endurance and strength for unpredictable delays. Timely eating can provide sufficient energy and a psychological boost. Suitable food for short hikes includes sandwiches (with moderate moisture content and filling), fruit, and biscuits. Of course, emergency rations such as chocolate, dehydrated fruit, nuts, and sweets are also recommended.

Swiss Army knife

A knife is essential for cooking, starting fires, first aid, and even climbing. A good knife should have at least two blades, a can opener, a screwdriver, a awl, a bottle opener, and scissors. It should be made of stainless steel, and it’s best secured to your belt with a thin cord to prevent loss.

Extra clothing

This includes a pair of inner and outer socks, camp boots, underwear, outer pants, a T-shirt, a sweater or pile jacket; a hat, gloves, and rain gear. These items are suitable for any temperature range. Extra clothing helps prepare for unexpected overnight stays. Ask yourself if you’re truly prepared to face bad weather and be forced to sleep outdoors.
There’s no fixed rule on what kind or how much extra clothing to bring. For general summer mountain hikes, it’s best to carry a sweater or fleece. Spare socks can replace wet ones if you accidentally step into mud or a puddle.
Climbing involves a lot of sweating, so extra underwear is a must and won’t add too much weight. Wearing long-sleeved shirts or zippered high-collar jackets can protect your neck and head. Adding a headscarf or a thick hat over a sweater is also helpful. For your hands, polyester or pile gloves work well, and in winter, it’s best to bring a seat pad to preserve body heat. Most climbers carry a lightweight bivy sack weighing about one pound with cushioning.

First aid kit

First aid supplies can only treat minor ailments. Serious cases still require professional medical treatment. We can only handle minor injuries or stabilize the patient’s condition to evacuate them from the mountains as quickly as possible. First aid supplies should be stored in a waterproof, sturdy box. Typically, the most useful supplies are for: (1) blisters, (2) sunburn, and (3) abrasions. For more serious issues like severe bleeding or fractures, it’s best to wait for a doctor.

Fire-starting materials and lighter

Matches or lighters should be stored properly to avoid getting damp and becoming unusable.
In emergencies or when dealing with wet wood, fire-starting materials are essential—for instance, to boil a drink to warm up. Common fire-starting materials include candles or solid chemical fuel.

Precautions

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