Yemane Abraham - Essential Hiking Gear

Yemane Abraham is an enthusiastic hiker. He has hiked some of the most challenging trails in the United States, including the Appalachian Trail and Glacier National Park. His experiences on the trail have taught him many things about hiking that he never hesitates to share with less-experienced hikers.

There is some essential gear that he carries on every single hike he goes on, even if it's on a trail that he is familiar with and comfortable on. He is always sure to bring a map of the area and a compass, even if he doesn't plan to get off the main trail. You never know what might happen, he says, and you have to be prepared for any possibility. He has a compass app on his smart phone, but says he still brings a real compass with him in case there is a situation where he cell phone battery runs out. He says, though, that a cell phone is another critical piece of gear, although it is only for emergencies. One of the points of hiking is to get away from daily distractions like cell phones.

Yemane Abraham also brings sun protection with him whenever he hikes. That includes a good had, sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses.

Other essential gear, says Yemane Abraham, includes a jacket (even in summer) and a flashlight with extra batteries. He would never dream of hiking without a first aid kit, even if it's just a hike of a few hours. He always brings a pocketknife with multiple tools like a can opener, and matches that he keeps in a watertight zip lock baggie. All of this gear is stored in a study backpack.