Then they get to "Carry ten essentials." Their suggestions are not terrible. However, as a public service, here's the slide from that section of the course for Search and Rescue teams.
You can use your judgement about the helmet. Bugs really are a big deal, though; and having a fire starting kit, which WaPo recommends, is a great idea if you're hiking just in case you get lost. It's a good way to stay warm and a good way to signal rescuers. Proper clothing against the weather is important. And, yes, light but calorie-dense food and a two-liter supply of water is a great addition to your kit.
Really, not a terrible article. It's a great time to get out and see the beautiful world. Just, you know, take responsibility for your own affairs.
And know your proposed environment. Two liters is a start from where I live west. When I hiked the Colorado Plateau on a regular basis, I'd carry three liters, plus had another gallon in the vehicle, and something with salts and minerals in the vehicle as well. The high desert takes more out than people realize, since it doesn't feel as hot as in more humid places. Four-footed problems were also greater than back farther east (1980s-early 2000s).
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Yes, excellent point. I was thinking of our standard water ration for SAR technicians in North Carolina, but plainly it's different elsewhere.
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