Flash light:

Compact light weight and spare batteries.  I strongly recommend headlamps from Black Diamond or Perlz Trail finders

Multi-purpose tool/knife:

Always carry a small knife or a multi-purpose tool like a letterman

Water treatment system:

Depending on your budget and trip, you could use various water treatment systems such as*:

Water Pumps:  Consider weight and maintenance when purchasing one

Purifying Pills: They work just fine

Purifying Drops:  Strongly recommended

* Note:  Whatever you chose, I strongly recommend that you test them, drink at least 32oz and see how your body reacts.  Some people I know they had stomach issues after using purifying pills, but they are fine with Drops…Go figure, so try them at home….

Dry Food (Trail Mix):

Have additional food, other than the planned.  Power bars or the kind are great.  You could make your own by mixing Almonds, Raisings and Dark Chocolate in a zip bag.

In addition to the trail mix, other stuff that I always have is Sports Gue, it does not taste good, but when running out of energy they work miracles, I also carry Sport Beans, they are great.  I eat them as I walk.

Map:

Get a map of the area and become familiar with major landmarks, usually you could purchase them at the Park Ranger station or any outdoors store.

Compass:

A compass is a great combination to your map.  REI and Other outdoor stores offer courses on how to use compasses and maps, I highly recommended.

Fire Starter:

Not you are going to be starting fires in the wilderness, but in an extreme emergency you might need to start a fire.  Tools that you might need include:

• Windproof matches
• Lighter
• Kindle or anything else that you might find

BIG NOTE:  If you don’t know how to build a fire pit or controlled fire, please read the section of camp fires and be aware of the Park/Wilderness regulations.

Whistle:

Is useful  to make distress calls – Remember 3 long ones, also to communicate with the members of your party and lastly to make noise to scare wild life -.  I found this thing at EMS that has a whistle, compass, small led light and a place to store matches very handy.

Rain Gear:

Depending on the area and the season, it always a god idea to have a rain jacket, some people also wear pants, but I don’t like them they make me sweat too much.

Any waterproof jacket would do it, make sure is breathable.  A poncho will work too, but if you are at high altitude I do not recommended due to the wind.

*  The total weight of these items should not exceed more than four pounds