Ten Essentials

The Ten Essentials are survival items that hiking and Scouting organizations recommend for safe travel in the backcountry.

[3] Many regional organizations and authors recommend that hikers, backpackers, and climbers rigorously ensure they have the ten essentials with them.

However, personal preferences and differences in conditions may dictate otherwise and with experience most adventurers add and subtract from the list depending on the situation.

[4] The ninth edition of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, published in 2017, defines the Ten Essentials as: The first five items are intended to prevent and respond to emergencies, the second five to safely spend one or more nights outdoors.

[10] Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association promotes the 12 Essentials, which includes Signaling Devices and Personal Items.