Pack Smarter, Hike Better: First Aid, Hydration and the Must-Haves

Stare long enough at advertisements that tout the outdoors as the great American place to be, and you’ll notice a trend among the people featured in those videos or print ads. What’s that trend? They all look fit, grinning from ear to ear as they hike a trail, paddle a canoe across a lake, kayak a river, fish a mountain stream, or tend to a campfire after a day in the wild.

Greg Sakowicz, a veteran in the outdoor industry and Director of Acquisition Marketing for MyOutdoorTV at Outdoor Sportsman Group, recognizes this advertising theme all too well. But, unlike the CrossFit models in those ads, Sakowicz isn’t the typical outdoors enthusiast you see in commercials. In fact, he doesn’t just smile when he sees the guy looking back at him in the mirror, he actually chuckles a little bit.

“Do you notice anything about these people?” he said. “That guy? Fit. Her? Fit. That couple? Beyond fit. And then there’s me.”

If you’re getting the impression that Sakowicz is an outdoors enthusiast who isn’t afraid to poke a little fun at himself, that would be correct. And he confirms that with his own uniquely branded website.

“I’ve been described as a lot of things over the last few years, but fit wasn’t one of them,” he says with a bit of a mischievous grin. “But that’s okay… just ask the readers of my website… fatmanlittletrail.com.”

If you chuckled a little bit after reading that, that’s exactly what Sakowicz is looking for, even if it means a little good-natured and humorous self-deprecation along the way. One of the lessons Sakowicz wants people to take away from his outdoor experiences is that preparation and safety are essential for everyone, no matter their fitness level.

“The outdoors is for everyone,” he said. “And just like how I’m not your typical camping adventurer, pickles and pickle juice aren’t your typical tool for hydration and nourishment. But as the cliche goes, I’m living proof (that you) don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Planning Your Hike: Preparation Is Key

Part of that idea in Sakowicz’ mind—beyond his love for trail snacks and the nourishment provided by SuckerPunch Pickles—is that sometimes, it’s actually a good thing to go by the book. Especially when you’re not exactly waiting for an invitation to the CrossFit Hall of Fame. Everyone—from Sakowicz to the most ultra-fit outdoors athlete anywhere—should do several things right for a safe and enjoyable day on the trail and at the campsite.

What kind of things, you ask?

“For starters, you need to plan your hike,” said Sakowicz. “That can consist of many things, (including) researching the trails you’ll be hitting and taking note of the difficulty level. You’ll also want to check the weather forecast so you can pack rain gear, sunscreen, etc.”

Must-Have Gear: First Aid and Safety Essentials

First-aid gear is another must-have for your backpack, according to Sakowicz. And don’t ask how he knows that. Eventually, everyone on the trail will find themselves around an evening campfire, digging through their backpack for a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, and hydrocortisone, to name a few essentials.

“A whistle isn’t a bad thing to bring along either,” said Sakowicz. “No matter how loud you are, a whistle is louder and can be used to call for help if necessary.”

Again, Sakowicz isn’t opening up the floor for any questions here about how he knows all of that, just asking that you trust him as a humble tour guide with a few good stories to tell.

Let Someone Know Your Plans

If packing away a first aid kit is one form of successful pre-trip preparation and planning, then another is to make sure that someone knows where to send any rescuers should the need arise.

“Make sure you let a friend or family member know what trail you are hiking and how long you plan to be gone,” said Sakowicz. “It is important that a loved one knows where you are should you not return by an expected time.”

There’s got to be a great campfire story behind that statement, right? If so, Sakowicz isn’t spilling the beans. But one thing he will share is one of the little secrets he relies on to keep his energy up and his hydration levels in check while burning calories throughout the day.

Hydration: The Power of Pickle Juice

“Even on a cloudy day, it is easy to become extremely dehydrated when on a hike,” said Sakowicz. “When one is dehydrated, they can experience headaches, fatigue, dizziness and muscle cramps. And while most people think of sports drinks as the first thing to chug, most of those are high in calories and don’t have probiotics, which will aid in your gut health. That’s why pickle juice is a game-changer for your hiking adventures.”

As Sakowicz points out, athletes, the real ones, in this case, have discovered the benefits of drinking pickle juice during a game or match—it helps replenish electrolytes and glycogen. He also notes that the vinegar in pickle juice triggers a reflex that helps stop muscle cramps, the same kind you might experience on a football field or a hiking trail in Colorado’s 14ers country.

And that’s why Sakowicz is such a big fan of pickle juice.

“By keeping a SuckerPunch Shooter in your pack, you will have instant access to beneficial ingredients such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, helping your body absorb water and keeping your fluids balanced,” he indicated. “And since these Shooters come in 2-oz. bottles, you can throw a couple in your pack without giving up valuable real estate needed for other necessities.”

In addition to the 2-oz. bottles—available in either Classic Dill or Spicy flavors—there’s also a 1-gallon bottle of SuckerPunch Hydration Pickle Juice, so you can enjoy the benefits of pickle juice on the trail, in the gym, on the treadmill, or at home after a hot day of mowing the backyard. You know the kinds of activities that real people do each week. Including Sakowicz, by the way.

Sakowicz practices what he preaches about packing the first aid kit, notifying his relatives and next of kin, and making sure that his backpack is adequately stocked with SuckerPunch pickle juice products. Because when it is, he’s finally walking out the back door and heading for the mountains and another camping adventure.

“Now, and only now, am I ready to hit the trail,” he says with a smile. A smile that every camper in America understands, especially as the Great Outdoors beckons us once again on a fine spring or summer day!

• Related: Packing for Wilderness Camping

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