Let’s go on a hike: what is sure to have in your backpack and phone

21 March 2025

A hike in the mountains or in any landscape area is a great opportunity to escape from the work routine, to ‘get away’ from the monitor that draws you into virtual life, to change urban landscapes for the beauty of nature and to discover new horizons. For some people, a hike is a challenge to themselves, for trekking enthusiasts it is a common thing, for beginners it is an interesting adventure. But for absolutely everyone, it starts the same way – with preparation. It does not start from the first mark on the map, but much earlier. Perhaps, from the very moment the idea of hiking in the mountains and the idea of how it should be done.

Most travelers on the Internet share only positive reviews about hiking in the Carpathians, without specifying details. And you will need them for a hike in the mountains, which is why you should give up what to take with you and without which it is impossible to stay in the mountains. It is steady to have experience in this, however, if you first choose derivatives and worry about taking the mountains, and you do not know at all where to start the meeting, let’s try to understand together.

Definition of conditions: season, duration, composition of group, route

In terms of seasonality, there are only two options for hiking for beginners – in summer and autumn. Spring conditions are similar to autumn, but you should take into account the snowiness of the peaks and the risk of avalanches and melted snow during this period. And hiking in the mountains in winter is the most difficult of all, requiring good physical fitness, a specific list of equipment and gear, which you may not need at all if you don’t choose the path of an avid mountaineer-tracker. 

From rational views, consider two options:

1. Summer hiking. Things for hiking in warm weather should be lightweight and reflective, as most mountain routes in the Carpathians (including Hoverla) run through open countryside. You can get heatstroke in the forest and tundra, so you shouldn’t neglect the rules. However, summer mountains are not always hot. At the foot, the temperature can reach +20°C, and at the top it can be a little colder, windy, and precipitation is possible. Shorts, T-shirts, and sandals are definitely not the association that should arise when you dream of climbing Hoverla in summer. Rains, fogs, gusty winds are also possible, so a backpack with equipment should contain everything you need and nothing superfluous. What to take with you to the Carpathians in summer? We will talk about this in more detail below.
2. In the fall, preparation for the hike should be taken into account with colder weather. That is, a tent, sleeping bags, clothing, and shoes should be chosen for a specific weather forecast without excluding its variability in the mountains.

When planning your first hike in the mountains, you should definitely choose a guide to climb the peaks. Without experience and knowledge of the terrain, a dream adventure can become a struggle for survival in conditions for which a person was not previously prepared. Therefore, the calmness, safety and confidence that you will get only positive impressions from a trip to the mountains depends on an experienced professional at your side.

Depending on what type of ascent is planned (group or individual), the guide calculates what to take on the hike on the number of travellers who go with him.

Most of the vertices in the Carpathians have several routes of varying complexity, but the group should decide the best option so that each member of the tourist association has the strength to conquer it and not delay all persons. As they say, the strength, potential, opportunities, and wishes should be negotiated “the shore”

The duration of the route may also be different. For example, Hoverla can be conquered in the day of lift and descent, but camping lovers can remain in the charm of the Carpathian nature for a long time. Accordingly, the list of things on a hike, a set of food, water and all necessary changes from its duration.

Choosing appropriate equipment

The first thing you need to decide is what you are going to wear, and then what you are going to take with you. Since no one but you, apart from your efforts, your strength, confidence, perseverance and endurance will ‘overcome’ the chosen route, you should take care of your own comfort, safety and security.

Clothes and shoes

The first thing you need to decide is what you are going to wear, and then what you are going to take with you. Since no one but you, apart from your efforts, your strength, confidence, perseverance and endurance will ‘overcome’ the chosen route, you should take care of your own comfort, safety and security.

Most modern hiking clothes have thermoregulatory properties and are made of high-end synthetics that ‘breathe’. They perfectly resist the main enemy of a hiker in autumn and summer – moisture. The same things made of cotton retain moisture, and high-quality thermal clothing allows the body to breathe.

Dressing for a hike is worth three layers:

1. Thermal clothing. A set of underwear that may consist of thermal T-shirts, thermal pants, thermal underpants, socks, and a neck buff. For sleeping, you should take an additional clean set of clothes: a cotton T-shirt and woolen socks.
2. Fleece for the season. Believe me, you will need fleece for hiking in the mountains even in summer. In warm weather, you should wear thin fleece, and in autumn and spring, it is better to choose a thicker fleece.
3. The third layer is outerwear. It can be a membrane jacket that does not allow water and wind to pass through, trekking pants, a warm hat, a panama hat or a cap.

The choice of shoes should be given special attention. This must be closed with high leather or synthetic shoes that fix the ankle stones to prevent dislocations. The sole in the shoes should provide reliable clutch with the surface, and in the mountains it can be soil, stones, and wet leaves, sand, clay, or even water.

A good idea is to take a couple of lightweight shoes or emergency replacement.

What additional accessories should I take with me to the mountains? It can be:

• polarising sunglasses;
• special shoe covers for hiking in the forest when you need to walk on dew;
• gloves;
• reusable membrane raincoats, which are lightweight but greatly increase the comfort of hiking in the mountains and take up minimal space in your backpack.

There is no need to take things about the stock. Special clothing and shoes are designed for long wearing without washing. Therefore, two sets of clothing will be enough.

Equipment

Hiking equipment and its choice are based on the ‘three pillars’ of a comfortable and trouble-free hike in the mountains. Let’s take a closer look at them:

1. Backpack. High-quality, comfortable, ergonomic, with emphasis on the correct distribution of weight across the back, most of which should be placed on the lower back. To do this, the backpack should have a wide waist belt and a rigid frame. Only a third of the weight should be on the shoulders. It should be chosen taking into account the height, weight and physical strength of the tourist. The optimal size is from 50 to 100 litres. It should be completely filled with things so that the centre of gravity does not shift. Only when you try on a backpack in a store with the weight inside, you can understand whether it suits you or not.
2. A travel mat or futon. To sit down on the pass, lie down comfortably at night, put things and even food on the ground – a mattress will always come in handy as a universal assistant. Choose a two-layer one, as dense as possible, weighing no more than 500 grams. It is better to fold it in an accordion rather than a tube.
3. Sleeping bag. A royal quiet sleep in the mountains is also possible if your list of things to take to the Carpathians includes a cool, high-quality sleeping bag. It is selected according to individual preferences and the minimum permissible temperature. For summer hikes on the plains, it can be +8°C, and for the mountains -2°C.

From the additional equipment that hike in the mountains, you will need:

• a waterproof organiser for documents, phone, power bank;
• a flashlight (preferably a headlamp);
• trekking poles to relieve the load on the knees in particularly difficult terrain;
• a drinking system as an alternative to plastic bottles, convenient because it does not need to be taken out of the backpack to quench your thirst;
• awning or tent – single-layer ones are suitable for the warm season, although for the changeable charismatic Carpathian mountains it is better to take a two-layer one at the rate of one and a half places for one person.

The choice of a tent should be taken carefully, because it is it that serves as a conditional “house” in the mountains, where tourists hide from rain, wind, cold and spend the night. It must be resistant to precipitation and not be blown.

Personals

It is especially difficult for women to deal with the priority of personal belongings that take with them to hike in the mountains. However, keep in mind that it is on the mountain aesthetics that you go hike, so just be natural, natural without unnecessary “decorations” Men and women should put miniature versions of the following tools in the cosmetic bag:

• moisturiser for the face;
• hand cream;
• sunscreen;
• dry shampoo, if necessary.

From personal hygiene products:

• soap;
• toothpaste and toothbrush;
• personal hygiene items for girls.

For any cosmetic and hygienic waste, special PAPs should be taken to dispose of garbage at the end of the route.

Remember: you should only take the minimum you need! This rule applies even to a first aid kit. In most cases, the guide has a full-fledged first aid kit. Discuss its fullness and add to your mini-kit the medicines that are right for you: antipyretics, painkillers, stomach remedies, remedies for chronic diseases, sedatives, antihistamines. A bandage, tourniquet, and antiseptic are a must-have for a group of tourists.

 

Food and kitchen

How to arrange a gastronomic hike in the mountains, what to take and where to cook? This is an important point! Although tourists do not go to the top for food, the simple process of eating or cooking in the bosom of mountain nature is an unforgettable culinary experience and aroma.

Restoring energy and water balance is also an important mission that foods have to fulfil at the top, so calculate the amount of water for the entire duration of the hike and the approximate calorie content of the food. If you stop at natural springs, it’s a great idea! Most of them are marked on the map, so you can plan your route with a break near them.

Of course, when you’re going to a group for 3-4 days or more, you should plan a menu, buy products that will comfortably “feel” in a backpack and will not be spoiled, especially in the summer under the sun.

What to hike from food? Will fit you:

• dry porridge and cereals in blisters;
• bread or breadcrumbs;
• nuts, dried fruits, bars;
• stew in vacuum packaging;
• dry or dried meat;
• cheeses, sausages in vacuum.

Fresh sausages, fish, meat will not be suitable for hiking. 

On average, with significant physical exertion during the hike, 500 g of products in dry form for one person per day is sufficient.

As for the utensils that hike to the mountains, it should be compact, and metal. One person will need: 1 bowl, 1 cup, 1 spoon, a small knife. For a cauldron and a kettle, mostly responsible guide.

Navigation and safety

Definitely, you will need to take a card and a compass. Yes, they can be in electronic format, but it is the classic compass that is best to have on hand. And it is better to download and view the maps of the area before the hike so that they do not affect the group and do not get lost. Moreover, in the Carpathians it is not possible to connect to the Internet everywhere, so coating the card is also the right idea!

Professional guides always do professionally. On the day of the campaign, they report the nearest rescue service about the exit of the tourist group in a certain quantitative composition on a certain route. This is important! The mountains are even severe in the summer. Thunderstorms, hurricanes, storms and protracted showers can interfere with comfortable climbing, and sudden snowfall in the fall and generally“block” access to laid routes. When rescuers, as well as your relatives and loved ones, clearly know the program of actions of restless tourists, it protects you from many problems.

Useful little things

Are there any ideas to bring with you to the mountains additionally? We have it!
It can be:

• a powerful but not bulky power bank for travelling;
• a sealed bag or backpacker’s backpack;
• insect and tick spray;
• a lighter and matches (preferably in vacuum packaging);
• rope
• multitool;
• paper and antiseptic;
• spare carabiners and straps;
• spare flashlight;
• a burner or gas cylinder (or, before the hike, find out whether it is possible to make a fire on the ground).

Determine the number of things and what to take the mountains you need to start from the needs and queries that may arise, for example:

• “Hungry!”;
• “I will want to drink!”;
• “I worry that I get wet!”;
• “He dreamed of roasting meat in the mountains!”;
• “I want to drink coffee on top!”;
• “I am afraid to freeze in the summer in the morning!”;
• “I want to take a lot of beautiful pictures!”.

Tourists lead to the mountains not their feet, but the call of the soul!

However, in the Carpathians to be warm, comfortable, and safe now you know what to hike! Mountains like to check tourists for endurance and courage. They will not allow you to get to the top with excess luggage, and not just about the physical weight of things or body. The mountains will “drop” from you and get to your essence, and those who can go alone will rise to the top!

Mountains are a separate life philosophy that is given to be studied precisely through organized trifles. Do not lose this opportunity to get to know the Carpathians closer! Maybe it’s your life?