New Mexico Mountain Club

Ten Essentials

Yucca plant
Beautiful and vulnerable, ladybugs thrive in the
high summits of the New Mexico desert.

For fun and safety, make sure you observe the ten essentials when hiking.

  1. map of the area you are in, at sufficient scale to show terrain features
  2. compass, set for current, local magnetic declination
  3. sunglasses & sunscreen
  4. extra food & water (plus water purifier if re-filling from field sources)
  5. extra clothing layers (rain gear, wind gear, neckwarmer, gloves)
  6. headlamp & extra fresh batteries & extra bulb (headlamp is preferred over handheld flashlight)
  7. first-aid & hygiene supplies: bandages and pain relief, blister treatment, splinter removal, toilet paper, & personal, must-have, prescriptions
  8. matches in waterproof container and/or cigarette lighter fire starter (candle, paraffin-soaked cotton balls)
  9. a loud whistle for signalling, Storm or Fox-40 style
  10. knife, sharp, a multi-tool with a blade is even better