Are you prepared for what you will encounter on your hike?

Read these travel tips to help prepare for your trip.

Ten Essentials
These items are considered to be the minimum that should be carried on any trip into the wilderness. Augment this list based on the location, time of year and length of your trip.

1. Extra warm-when-wet clothing
2. Extra food
3. Topographic map of the area
4. Compass (know how to use it!)
5. Flashlight with extra batteries
6. Sunglasses and sunscreen
7. Pocket knife
8. Matches in waterproof container
9. Candle or fire starter
10. First aid kit

Map and Compass
Before hiking in the park, obtain a detailed topographical map for the area you plan to visit. Custom Correct topographic maps are for sale at the WIC or call the Northwest Interpretive Association.

Magnetic declination: The compass needle does not always point toward the North Pole. Magnetic North is located about a thousand miles southof true north in the Canadian Arctic, and slowly moves its location each year. The difference between true north and magnetic north is called magnetic declination. At Olympic, each year the magnetic declination moves westerly by 7.5 minutes. The current declination is approximately 18.5 degrees east.

For any hike off-trail, or when snow obscures the trail, map and compass navigation skills, and route-finding skills are a must. An altimeter can be helpful. Please note that Global Positioning System (GPS) units may not receive signals in many of the deep valleys or heavily-vegetated areas of the wilderness.

Glaciers
Learn and practice safe mountaineering skills before you attempt any glacier travel. (see Climbing Tips)

Safe glacier travel requires specialized mountaineering skills, including knowledge in the use of ice ax, climbing rope, hardware and crampons. The presence of hidden crevasses is a serious hazard. No one should attempt glacier travel alone. Self evacuation from a deep, steep-walled crevasse is nearly impossible if you are solo. When the snow surface turns icy, the potential for a long fall is an additional danger. Foul weather can also make route-finding a challenge, or trap a party on an exposed mountain. Before traveling on Glaciers, seek training in mountaineering skills.

Most river crossings along park trails have bridges. However, bridges can washout and there are a few trails where the crossins do not have bridges. Some minor creeks must also be waded or forded.

Snow melt becomes rapid with early summer warmer weather. During and shortly after warm weather and heavy rain storms, creeks and rivers without bridges can become much more difficult to cross. A creek which you easily crossed in the morning, or when you began your trip, may not be so easily crossed later that day or week. Don’t be afraid to turn back or search for a more suitable crossing.

Several hiking routes require you to ford major rivers.

• The Ozette River must be crossed at low tide and is generally not fordable during winter months or periods of heavy rain.
• The Queets River can generally only be forded safely during the summer months. Even then, watch the weather! A summer rainstorm can raise the river quickly, making return travel hazardous.
• The Hoh and Quillayute Rivers cannot be forded where they enter the ocean.

When crossing rivers and deep creeks:

• Unbuckle the waist belt of your pack and loosen the shoulder straps.
• Carry a pair of sandals or athletic shoes for wading rivers and creeks, rather than crossing in bare feet.
• Use a walking stick or lock arms with a buddy for balance.
• Cross diagonally, yielding to the current.