3 Everyday Household Items To Bring On Any Hike. Your Life Might Depend On It

To the rest of the world, Los Angeles is all about the beaches. To some of us tried-and-true LAists, the mountains are our temples. They're the place for quietude, where you get inside your head, and in the best way possible — get a little lost.

But we can all imagine how dangerous it can be, how one false step or a small lapse in judgment can quickly put us in a jam. Those kinds of scenarios are not just theoretical to Rob Klusman, president and a member of the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team, one of eight officially sanctioned mountain rescue outfits in L.A. County.

Klusman said his team on average conducts 100 or so operations each year. "Safety is relative," he said. "But you can always be prepared."

For starters, Klusman pointed to a checklist of 10 essential items that you should always have with you on a hike, which you can read below.

Klusman also notes a few everyday things you can easily pick up for your next mountainous adventure:

1. A whistle

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"You blow a whistle, it doesn't take very much energy," Klusman said. "The sound from a whistle carries a very, very, very long way. It can be heard from hundreds and hundreds of yards away. A shout probably can't be heard over a running stream or over the wind, or over more than about 20 or 30 yards."

2. A mirror

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"If you can reflect the sunlight off of a mirror, [it] can be seen from six, eight, 10 miles away from the air quite easily," said Klusman. "On a search and rescue operation, I was able to signal a National Guard helicopter with a little simple mirror. And they came straight to where we were because they're like, 'Oh, we see the flash.'"

3. Bright color clothing

Waterproof warm clothing for extreme weather. Woman hiking in mountains and wearing yellow raincoat or jacket

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"You know, people are very small and some of these big mountains you can blend in and not be seen on the ground or from a helicopter," Klusman said. Wearing bright color clothes could get your noticed more easily.

Bonus

Klusman said it's vital to always tell someone — a friend or a family member — where you plan to go and when you plan to return, so that they can get help if you don't show up.

"There's a misconception that people have that you have to wait 24 hours before reporting somebody's missing. That's not true," said Klusman. "If somebody's overdue and it's been four or five hours since they were supposed to come home, notify the authorities right away and we can initiate a search and rescue for them."

A word of warning

Hiking in the mountains always comes with danger, and in winter those risks can grow exponentially. Since just 2020, 10 people have died on Mt. Baldy alone. The body of a missing solo hiker who went out in the recent record-setting storm was found this morning. And this month, three people were rescued by Klusman's group after they were able to camp overnight in terrible conditions because they had the right equipment. That group carried a whistle and had left a detailed itinerary with family members.

Before making any trip, be sure to check conditions where you plan to go and the skill level you need to trek in the area you're visiting.

Essential safety tips

Always plan for the worst and hope for the best. Carrying a few extra items can save your life. At a minimum, always carry the "10 Essentials":

1. Extra food and water (more than you think you'll need)
2. Extra clothing (more than you think you'll need)
3. Map and compass (know how to use them)
4. Flashlight or headlamp (plus extra batteries)
5. First-aid kit
6. Fire-starting kit
7. Pocket-knife or multi-tool
8. Signaling device (mirror or whistle)
9. Sunscreen and sunglasses
10. Emergency shelter (emergency blanket or bivy sack)

MORE TIPS

• Before you leave home, always tell a friend or family member where you plan on going and when you plan to return. Leave them with instructions on what to do if you don't return on time.
• In case of an unexpected problem or emergency, always have a back-up plan for escaping the area safely. Also provide this back-up plan with your friends or family before you leave.
• Although it's sometimes nice to be alone in the outdoors, it's always safest to go with at least one or two partners, especially if you're a novice or unfamiliar with the area.
• Have the appropriate level of knowledge and experience for the adventure you plan to have. If you are a novice, please rely on a professional guide or at least a highly knowledgable and experienced partner.
• As much as possible, study and become familiar with the area you plan on exploring. Gain a thorough understanding of the terrain and its potential hazards.
• Review the local weather forecast in the area you plan on going and take the appropriate clothing and equipment. During winter-like conditions in mountainous terrain, check the current avalanche report in the area.
• Be healthy, safe, and smart. Know your limits, don't over-extend them, and don't take unnecessary risks. It's advisable not to go hiking with an existing injury, as it could become unpredictably worse during activity.
• While in the backcountry with young children, always keep them within sight. If your dog is with you, be courteous and keep it leashed in areas that require it. Doing so will keep you, your dog, other people, and the wildlife more safe.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are many objective hazards in the wilderness, and they aren't always obvious. Keep a keen eye out for deteriorating weather, dangerous trail conditions, avalanche risks, and wildlife.