Essential 10 - These are the ten things you should bring along with you as you adventure outdoors. They will make your day go a lot better should you ever find yourself in an emergency. 

Bring a map and compass at minimum. You can also utilize navigation apps like All Trails or Gaia, but know the risks of using technology in the outdoors. (dead battery, broken screen etc)

You might be spending extended time in the outdoors, and it is wise to protect your skin with sun screen and long sleeve clothing. Don't forget your sunglasses. They are important in general, but especially in the snow. 

Most people just bring a pocket knife and call it good on a day hike. As you think about longer trips, do consider zip ties, duct tape, cordage, and gear specific repair kits for your tent, sleeping pad, stove etc. 

Again, if you are caught in a bad emergency situation, this could literally save your life. ultralight tarp and bivy sacks are great options. ORP has emergency bivy sack you can rent at free of charge as long as you bring it back in one piece. 

It is important that you have access to clean water. Even on a day hike, it's not a bad idea to carry water filter/purifier. If you want to keep your weight low, at least bring chemical treatments (water purification tablets).

Always keep a headlamp or flashlight in your emergency pack.

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No Surprise here. Make sure you know how to use everything in your kit. At the bare minimum, have something for blisters, minor cuts, over the counter pain med/allergy meds, sanitized gauze pads, and tape. You should also have gloves, just in case. 

In case of a bad emergency, you might have to build fire. Bring weather proof matches or lighter with you. 

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Always bring more food than you need. We know it adds weight, but you will thank yourself in an emergency. Don't bring food that requires cooking. Stick to high calorie items like energy bars, nuts, and jerky. 

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Bring extra layers of clothes. If you are caught in a bad weather with all your clothes soaked, it could spell a bad night. Store your clothes in a garbage bag or dry sack to ensure they are dry when you need them.