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In no order of precedence, the following items need consideration as the top ten essential items for a backpacking trip:

1. Sturdy footwear and wool socks. Keeping your feet in good condition will make the trip far more pleasant, and will reduce your susceptibility to blistering. Ensure your hiking boots are snug and well fitting. It is advisable to wear boots that provide additional ankle support, and do not wear loose fitting or open footwear on a hiking trip this is an invitation to trouble.

2. Comfortable backpack. Choose one that is suitable for your build, and that offers sufficient lower-back support. Check the quality and style of clips and fasteners to ensure security, and that your pack will not work loose halfway through your hike.

3. First Aid Kit. Essential basics need to include bandages, slings, bandaids, scissors, tweezers, and saline solution to flush eyes or foreign objects from cuts, antiseptic and some cotton balls.

4. Spare clothes. Sudden weather changes may take you unaware. Inclusion of at least a warm jacket, gloves, a wool hat and tracksuit pants may be important if caught in a sudden change, or you become lost and darkness falls.

5. Matches. An essential for emergency situations. Hikers do not plan on getting lost but if the worse happens, you will be prepared to deal with the elements, reduce your risk of exposure and perhaps even signal searching aircraft if you are in heavy foliage areas. Ensure matches are packed in a watertight container and do not rely on a lighter.

6. Ground sheet. If you at least have a ground sheet, you have an emergency shelter, a means with which to fashion a stretcher if necessary and of course something comfortable to spread out and sit on for your break periods.

7. Ration pack. It is a very good idea to purchase a military style ration pack and leave it permanently packed for emergency use only. These packs last for years, are lightweight and packed with sufficient foodstuffs to keep you going long after your own supplies run out. Try not to get tempted to eat the contents unless you have no choice besides, they usually taste horrible, but they will sustain you.

8. Map and two compasses. A second compass is highly recommended in case you drop or loose the one you are using to navigate. Keep your navigation tools in a plastic sleeve to protect from water and weather, and have someone else in your party carry a spare.

9. Water. Regardless of your knowledge and experience, water is not always guaranteed, and that stream you rely on may be contaminated or dry when needed. Ensure you carry your own water, and some purifying capsules to protect from any contaminants that may not be obvious in ground water sources.

10. Torch or flashlight with spare batteries. Caught out after dark without a torch in the middle of nowhere is a very unpleasant experience.

Planning ahead and for the worse possible situations may save you from an unpleasant experience, or even yours or someone else's life! Ensure you advise authorities of your plans, anticipated return time and location. Make sure someone is available to confirm your arrival or report an overdue party and rescue teams will have the best chances of locating you rapidly, and without wasting valuable time and resources searching over wide areas. Enjoy your trip.

Learn more about this author, Ian Loft.
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