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Why the ten essentials
The ten essentials are a list that grew out of mountaineering club courses in the United States in the 1930s and has been updated since as a list of systems rather than specific items. The idea is simple: if something goes wrong, can you stay found, stay warm and dry, deal with an injury and get through a night out?
Most of them weigh little. A headlamp, emergency bag, small first aid kit and spare layer together add less than a kilo, and they are the items people most often wish they had brought.
How much water
There is no single figure. A common starting point is about half a litre per hour of moderate walking in mild weather, rising to a litre per hour or more in heat or on steep climbs. Check whether there are reliable water sources on the route and carry a way to treat it if you plan to refill.
Keep the weight down
Share group items: one first aid kit, one stove, one repair kit.
Repackage food and toiletries into smaller containers.
Leave the extras that are not on the list. Each "just in case" item adds up.
For overnight trips, a loaded pack around a fifth of your body weight or less is a widely used comfort guideline. The multi-day guide has more on cutting weight.
Print this page for a paper copy. The checklist prints with your current day or overnight selection.
