Among the important items every hiker or trekker needs is a functioning compass for safety and security. The best type compass for most people is an analog compass, which is correctly calibrated and perfectly balanced. An expensive compass does not necessarily mean good quality. Analog compasses are in an encased round case. Sometimes the glass has beveled edges and under the glass is the compass needle.

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There are certain unpleasant things that can be ignored when on a long hike. The biting insects, the sweaty heat, or the heavy backpack weighing you down as you struggle up the hill are just a few things that can make a long hike feel even longer. The worst though is when you have wet feet. Not only is the big “F” words (Foot Fungus) an imminent threat, but the squishy, squeaky sound can reverberate throughout the wild like a belch in church. There are several perils to hiking with wet feet and any man or woman should be well prepared before making that decision to trek through the swampy marshes wearing nothing but ankle socks and running shoes.

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