Me and my wife are planing to do a lot of hiking and camping in 2025. Starting off with just the trails around Austin, TX and expanding as we go.

Got the basics:

  • Hiking Boots
  • light day pack w/ bladder
  • simple first aid kit
  • downloaded maps

I used to go all the time when I lived near a trail head, but I would never go much further than 4 miles in before turning around. We won’t be that far from civilization most of the time, nothing too intense.

Thanks y’all!

Edit: thank for the advice y’all!!

Can’t believe I forgot hats, definitely picking up some. Will also pack my leatherman too.

And I agree hiking boots are probably a little overkill for most the trails we’ll be doing at first. But we want to get used to them and break them in for longer and rougher hikes we’re planning later this year.

  • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
    3·
    2 days ago

    Try different hiking boots, given it’s the southwest you’ll probably want the lighter, goretex kind. Break them in first by wearing them around town occasionally.

    For even short day hikes in the west/southwest, it’s hard to carry too much water - when I’ve hiked the west, I’ve rarely come home with leftover water, and I have a large camelback.

    Don’t hike in shorts or short sleeves, sun exposure is brutal in the west. There’s a reason western hats and sombreros have large brims - find one you like.

    Think about what’s needed if you have to stay out overnight. There are stories every year of people needing to be rescued because they couldn’t get back for relatively minor reasons (e.g. Twisted an ankle). Having a little gear for that, just in case, can make a real difference.

    A compact GMRS radio (and knowing the local channels/repeaters) can also help where cell coverage is spotty (the west in general, especially hiking areas).