The best and most rudimentary form of exercise is a good, long hike. It’s easy to lace up your shoes, step out of the door, and wander into the woods. Some trails are easier than others, and some are more secluded. One of the reasons that anyone would want to hike is for the seclusion and to silence the outside world for a long morning afternoon.

However, weather can turn, you can twist your ankle, or get dehydrated easily depending on how hard you’re hiking or how dry the weather is. While it’s tempting to leave everything behind as you walk into the outdoors, there are a few things you can bring along to aide in your journey without bringing too much of the noisy world with them.

As always, a compass is a hiker’s best friend. Some trails dwindle and disappear and it’s easy to get lost in the woods. If you get lost, you can spend hours walking in circles without knowing it. If you know where your roads are and which direction is ‘out,’ then a compass get you out of an otherwise sticky situation.

Equally as important is remembering to bring along some water. Fill up a canteen and strap it around your shoulder, or invest in a backpack-style water bladder, which makes it easy to drink and easy to carry. If things get rough, you need to be able to think clearly, and staying hydrated is key.

Finally – and people don’t often consider the usefulness of this – bring a whistle. Say you’re hiking, you twist your ankle, and fall into a small ravine. You’re fine, but your leg is too hurt to crawl out. Yelling repeatedly can harm your throat and dry you out. You need to conserve energy and water incase someone doesn’t come by for a while. Whistles are louder than your shouts for help, and while they may annoy you, having one could possibly save your life.

Hiking can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. Preparedness is key for enjoyment.