Items to Consider for a Dayhike

My hiking life consists mainly of "dayhikes". I'm not much of a backpacker or an overnight camper. There are certain things I believe everyone alone should have, for yourself and if fellow hikers need your help. Believe it or not, I think the most important thing to have is a cellphone. I can not tell you how many times one of these have helped a hiker out. The next thing I always carry these days is a handheld GPS unit (my current one is a Garmin 60cx). There is no way I could have explored the areas I've explored without my GPS. I received my first GPS as a gift from a very good friend in 2003. Her gift has been a Godsend to me. Once you master the basics of a GPS unit you will never get lost, that is a guarantee! Now for the other things I use/need -

• Hiking Boots - A good pair of boots or shoes designed for day hiking
• Breathable boots when hiking in dry areas
• Gore-Tex waterproof boots when hiking in wet area
• Light Weight Socks - Get socks made for day hiking
• Hiking Pants - Always wear long pants - bugs can be brutal
• If doing a lot of bushwhacking, consider brier proof pants
• Breathable T-Shirts - I have found that the new "moisture management T-shirts" are great for "sweat management" 
• If going to do some wading, consider portable hipwaders or other boots which can be put on over your hiking boots
• Water/liquids of course - I actually drink 32 ozs of water before I start a long day of hiking. If it is going to be a hot day, I freeze a Gatorade and take that with me for the boost of it!
• Sunscreen - I use SPF50 to protect me as much as possible
• Bugspray - I carry towelettes with 29% deet in my pack just in case
• Walking stick - I use a lightweight wooden stick with a rubber tip - this depends on what you prefer. You also can use it as a weapon if attacked by a wild armadillo ;-}
• Bandaids and alcohol rubs - just in case of cut or scrap
• Blister pads - just in case you or anyone gets a mean blister
• Snack/powerbar - something to give you a boost
• Camera - To capture that "Kodak" moment
• Flashlight - Small LED light source just in case
• Hand Sanitizer - I use towelettes, other people use the stuff in a bottle
• Camp Stool - This is handy thing to have to take a rest, eat lunch or just sit and enjoy nature (I use a Walkstool Comfort 45)
• Good hat - I have a few I like, what I wear depends on the weather
• Whistle - If you need to summon help, this will do the trick (yelling just doesn't work)
• Plastic Bag - This can be used for your trash or "trail trash" found along the way
• Advil or pain pill - Never know when one of these might come in handy
• Fanny Pack or Backpack - To hold all the stuff 
• Pepperspray - I carry it just in case I should encounter that animal who really doesn't like me or might be have rabies
• Snake Gaiters - I do a lot of off trail exploring, so I have run into a far amount of snakes (I use TurtleSkin SnakeArmor's snake protection gaiters)
• Personal Locator Device (PLD) - I have one of these just in case I get out of cellphone range
• Sweatband - Put it under my hat, seems to just keep me a little dryer
• Camp Toilet Paper - Never know when this might come in handy

Some things other people need/use -

• Camelbak Water Bladder - Allows drinking of water any time
• Hiking poles - Like ski poles, great for taking the strain off the back
• Compass - If you can read one they are great to have

Some suggestions from readers

• Umbrella - this can be a great thing to have - I do use one when the sun gets brutal and on those same days, to use in a thunderstorm

I carry a variety of other items, not worth mentioning here. I also like a good, cold Gatorade when I get back to the car. If nothing else, it just tastes good!