Day Hiking Trails: Consider bringing pocket mirror on hike

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Consider bringing pocket mirror on hike

Should you need help when hiking, a pocket mirror can help
attract attention. Photo courtesy of eyeliam / Photoree.

When hiking with kids (or even when not!), a small 2x2 inch pocket mirror can be useful if lost.

By reflecting sunlight off it, you can signal aircraft and attract the attention of other hikers on distant trails should you need help.

Sometimes a first-aid kit comes with a reflective mirror or a space blanket can be folded to serve the same purpose, however.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Meet the Author

My name is Rob Bignell. I'm a long-time hiker, journalist and editor. My son Kieran and I have been hiking together for the past decade. Before Kieran, I taught middle school students in New Mexico and Wisconsin, served as an infantryman in the Army National Guard, and worked in newspapers. I've won several journalism awards, from editorial writing to sports reporting. In 2001, The Prescott Journal, which I served as managing editor of, was named Wisconsin’s Weekly Newspaper of the Year. Currently I own and operate an online editing business, Inventing Reality Editing Service. After spending several years in Southern California, my son and I now live in Wisconsin on the scenic Red Cedar River.