AVANA + MY OTHER HIKING ESSENTIALS

Avana + My Other Hiking Essentials

This post was written in partnership with Avana. As always, all opinions and expressed thoughts are my own.

I’ve had my fair share of hiking trips where I completely winged it and waited until the last possible minute to pack. This has often resulted in hanger, dehydration, and overall crankiness. Now that I road-trip around California and hike often, I’ve come a long way and entirely understand the importance of proper preparation. Often times, it ends up being a huge contributing factor in the duration and the quality of the overall trip.

Another tip: checking the weather and keeping up with the forecast beforehand is important to adjust plans accordingly as well.

I like to segment my packing essentials into two categories: Essentials and Non-Essentials

I fill my backpack (preferably one that is durable and functional) with the following essentials:

1. Navigation: Assuming there is going to be minimal to zero service at the hiking location, I like to download the map on Google Maps beforehand so that I can utilize the GPS offline during my hike. A hiking navigation compass is always a great advantageous tool to have as well.
2. Hydration: This is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of effective preparation. The amount of water that you require is contingent on both the length and level of difficulty of the hike. If I know that a hike is going to be more than 4 hours, I will pack all 3 of my Avana water bottles: the Beckridge, the Makai, and the Ashbury. This ends up being a total of 75 oz of water. I also make sure to pack Iodine Tablets so that if I find a water source to refill my water bottles with during the hike, I can ensure that the water is purified and safe to drink. {For more information about each water bottle, please refer to the second half of this post}

1. Food/Nutrition: I like to bring calorie and nutrient dense food with me. This usually includes protein bars, sandwiches, and trail mix. Anything that is high-protein is ideal.
2. First-Aid Kit: Everyone has individual medical needs, so you should definitely cater to those first and foremost. For me personally, I have arthritis in my knees, so I’m always sure to pack my knee brace. A basic first-aid kid is imperative as far as preparedness goes. You can purchase a first-aid kit at any Pharmacy store. Be sure that the kit includes the following:

• Bandages and gauze
• Medical tape
• A pair of small scissors
• Antibiotic ointment
• Anti-inflammatories + painkillers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Tweezers
• Antihistamine creams or tablets (for bee stings or bug bites)
• Antiseptic wipes
• Safety pins
• Multitool set
• Skin rash cream such as hydrocortisone
• Eye drops + eyewash
• A card with all contact information for each individual hiker in the group
• Bear spray (if hiking in an area with bears)
• Snakebite kit (if hiking in an area with poisonous snakes)
• Any personal medications or epi-pens

6. Hiking Attire + Gear: A heavyweight fleece or pile jacket (depending on the weather), Rain-jacket, fleece hat, hiking boots, thermal socks (I like to pack two extra pairs of socks should any water permeate my shoes), comfortable pants, and a hiking pole.
7. Sunscreen: Even if it’s an overcast, cold day – most hikers still get a decent amount of UV exposure. At higher altitudes, the atmosphere is thinner which in turn filters less UV radiation. It’s also important to note that on a sunny warm day, snow can actually reflect up to 90% UV radiation.
8. Flashlight: It’s always a good idea to have a flashlight handy. Should you get lost or your phone die, you’ll be happy you chose to bring one. Make sure to choose one that has all-weather reliability and is ideally compact.
9. Portable Phone Charger: I’m always taking so many photos when I hike that I often drain the battery. No hiker ever wants to be in the middle of wilderness with a dead phone, so definitely bring an external charger.

Non-Essential Packing List

1. A notebook: there is something so cathartic to me about being in nature and journaling my thoughts down. I usually feel these random surges of creativity when I’m hiking and I often accredit it to being immersed in the moment.
2. Camera: I’m always so captivated my the drastic landscapes I encounter during a hike. I love to memorialize those moments by taking photos along the way.
3. A book: Sometimes I just want to get into some long overdue reading. I find it incredibly peaceful to read a book while I’m listening to the sounds of the wilderness.

Being out in nature has deepened my gratitude for our planet and all that it provides us with – which is why I’m so excited to be partnering with Avana. Over the last year, I’ve become a far more conscientious consumer and have improved my sustainability efforts. I’ve significantly reduced the amount of plastic I use – which is why I love taking my Avana water bottle with my on-the-go. They’re perfect for my every-day adventures and even my faraway travels.

The Makai is my favorite everyday water bottle. I bring it with me to the gym, during errand-running, and everything in-between. It has an all-glass spout – and it has a wide-mouth top that unscrews for easy cleaning or adding ice. I think the design is super sleek and I often get compliments on it. It’s available in 4 different colors.

The Ashbury bottle has a patented FreeSip ^TM  Spout, stainless steel construction, and double-walled vacuum insulation. I love the fact that the integrated straw allows me to sip casually – and I have the choice to open it/remove the straw feature for easy swigging as well. It keeps hot liquids hot for 12 hours and cold liquids cold for 24 hours. It’s available in 9 different colors (including a Terrazzo design which I’m absolutely obsessed with).

The Beckridge also contains the patented FreeSip ^TM  Spout, stainless steel construction, and double-walled vacuum insulation. One of my favorite features of this bottle is that it contains a retractable carry loop which is super convenient for carrying it around by hand. It keeps hot liquids hot for 12 hours and cold liquids cold for 24 hours. It’s available in 4 different colors.

Not only does Avana care about the planet – but they’re passionate about offering aid to humanitarian organizations. They actively support a variety of water projects all around the world. For every Avana bottle purchased, they provide safe water to communities in developing countries by funding wells, dams, rainwater catchments, and more. If you’re curious about exploring this more after your Avana purchase, each bottle contains a unique donation code that allows you to track actual water projects.

I can’t recommend Avana enough. I am incredibly grateful to partner with a brand that not only am I wild about their products – but I feel so aligned with their ethos and compassion towards humanity!