September — Hiking & Backcountry
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Theme of the Month — September
Hiking & Backcountry
Cool air, low bugs, big views — and hunting seasons underway.
REC Safe Hiking
Our R.E.C. Tenets, applied on the trail:
- R — Ready
the Ten Essentials, every time - E — Educated
know the lost protocol - C — Considerate
trail etiquette, sharing the woods with hunters
Top 10 Hiking & Backcountry Safety Tips →
September Weekly Content Calendar
What to Bring — The Ten Essentials
- Navigation — map and compass
- Headlamp
- Sun protection
- First aid kit
- Knife or multi-tool
- Fire starter
- Emergency shelter (bivy)
- Extra food
- Extra water or a filter
- Extra clothing layers
Related Terrain
- Backcountry
- Alpine — high-elevation trails
- Forest
Related Activities
- How to use a compass
- Wildlife
- Camping (June)
Test Your Knowledge
How many items make up "the Ten Essentials"?
Ten — navigation, sun protection, insulation, light, first aid, fire, repair kit, extra food, extra water, and shelter.
Why should hikers wear blaze orange in September?
Hunting seasons are underway and overlap with hiking trails.
What size temperature swing should hikers layer for in September?
About a 40-degree swing between morning and afternoon.
What foraging activity is suggested as September's alternate, tied to peak fall fungi season?
Mushroom foraging.
Why shouldn't a group split up on the trail?
Splitting up is how single hikers become search subjects.
Alternate Activity
Not into hiking? Try Mushroom Foraging instead — peak fall fungi season in many temperate regions, slower-paced and closer to the trailhead.