≫ What Hiking Gear Do You Need for Bushwhacking?

Hiking Gear for Bushwhacking

Bushwhacking is a form of off-trail hiking that usually involves hiking through forests and densely vegetated areas. It’s called bushwhacking because the bushes whack back, often tearing up your clothing and drawing blood from exposed portions of your hands, arms, legs, or face. The purpose of bushwhacking, other than self-flagellation, is to reach a destination, usually, one you can’t see, by using as little energy as possible to get there. This involves planning a route using topographic maps, navigating the landscape, and making real-time judgments about the easiest way through, over, or around obstacles.

Most people carry a slightly different set of gear for bushwhacking than what they use for day hiking or backpacking on well-marked trails. This includes navigation tools, old clothes, durable gear, sturdy footwear, protective clothing, and a healthy sense of humor.

A compass on a lanyard, which you can quickly refer to on the move without falling on your face.
A second compass if you lose your first one.
A topographic map in a ziplock plastic bag or waterproof map case.
A backup map, in case you lose the first one.
A GPS Smartphone navigation app or a GPS device to track your route so you can backtrack if necessary.
Plastic safety glasses
Loud whistle, so you can find your bushwhacking partners in dense vegetation even if you can’t see them.
Gaiters to keep forest duff out of your shoes and protect your shins
Long sleeve shirt
Long pants
Gloves
Bug dope
Brimmed or billed hat
Old raincoat
Old rain pants
Most people wear boots to protect their feet although it’s not always necessary
Heavy-duty backpack with a minimum of external straps that can catch on vegetation
First aid kit
Water filter and bottles or a reservoir
Satellite messenger, in the event of a medical emergency.
Blaze orange clothing, during hunting season.

Many trailless mountains have logbooks where you can record your summit — Many trailless mountains have log books where you can record your visit.

Contenidos ocultar

1 Gear You Don’t Want to Bring Bushwhacking

2 See Also:

3 Relacionado:

Gear You Don’t Want to Bring Bushwhacking

Trekking poles – you need your hands free to protect your face
Ultralight backpacks – easily ripped to shreds.
Any clothing you value

Philip Werner has hiked and backpacked over 8500 miles in the United States and the UK and written over 3000 articles as the founder of SectionHiker.com, noted for its backpacking gear reviews and hiking FAQs. A devotee of New Hampshire and Maine hiking and backpacking, Philip has hiked all 650+ trails in the White Mountains twice and has completed 10 rounds of the 48 peaks on the White Mountains 4000 footer list with over 530 summits in all four seasons. He is also the author of Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers, a free online guidebook of the best backpacking trips in the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Maine. He lives in New Hampshire. Click here to subscribe to the SectionHiker newsletter.