The 10 Essentials: Oregon search and rescue on being prepared for the elements

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- After two hikers were found dead from exposure in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Saturday, one of the agencies involved in the recovery effort is cautioning prospective adventurers in how to be prepared.

Desiree Harper, with Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, said there are 10 essentials anyone should have with them when venturing on a hike:

• Navigation, whether in the form of a GPS or a handheld topographical map.
• Sun protection, as sunburns can occur when the sun's UV rays radiate off of snow.
• Basic insulation, which includes a base layer, a mid layer - either fleece or wool - then a weatherproof outer layer. Jeans and anything cotton are not recommended, according to Harper.

"We see a lot of individuals hiking in jeans because they are a rough and durable material, but most of the time, most jeans are denim, which is 100% cotton, so once those get wet, then third, going to dry, and they're actually going to make you colder."

• A light source.
• A first aid kit that's packaged and personalized to your specific needs.
• A fire source, which could be either matches, a lighter or flint. However, Harper cautions against using BiC lighters at higher altitudes.
• A knife, but preferably one with a fixed blade. A pocket knife would be adequate, Harper says, but should the bracket break, you'd be left with an exposed blade.
• Nutrition and hydration, including a water filtration system. This could be with tablets or any other options on the market.
• Emergency shelter, such as a tarp or "bivvy."
• A signaling device, such as a whistle. Because, according to Harper, even if you're yelling as loud as you can, you may not necessarily reach anyone - especially near a body of water.

"If you've made your way to a creek for some water, it is very easy for the water to drown out the sound of your voice," she said. "So we recommend carrying an emergency whistle with you, which has a higher decibel, which will carry further. Any kind of noise is great noise, but if you give three blasts on your whistle, that is the universal SOS with whistling."

Another bonus item Harper stressed is a backup battery or portable charger, mostly since batteries drain quicker in the cold winter months.

For anyone who believes these may be a lot of supplies to shoulder on your back for an extended period, Harper says they are called essentials for a reason and there are ways to strategically downsize.

"It sounds like a lot of things. But the navigation, that's your phone, but that can also be a light source as well," she said. "And the portable chargers are getting smaller and lighter. So I would strongly recommend that, yes, we want to keep the weight down, but your ten essentials are not the place to do it."