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Backpacking ten essentials: the first ten items in this list are the selections of essential backpacking gear which The Mountaineers refer to as The = Ten Essentials and promote as critical and essential items which belong in yo= ur pack as insurance against the unexpected. Although you may not use all the backpacking ten essentials every day, they can be life savers in an emergency. Also, if you shop with prudence, these essential gear items can be lightweight, as well. As a supplement to the ten essentials, I have added four additional backpacking essential gear items which are pretty important to our health= and welfare in the wilds, as well as suggest some small, lightweight, purchase options for many of the "essentials". The most important essential , however, is not on the list--"Common Sense". Having the r= ight gear is one thing, knowing how and when to use it is quite another. Most often, it's not a person's equipment that saves their bacon. It's their experience, know-how, and good judgment. Conversely, it is generally inexperience and lack of= good judgment that gets people into trouble. Not only must we have the proper equipment -- including the ten essentials plus four -- and know how to use them, but we must also cultivate knowledge and wisdom related to the backcountry activities that we engage in--thru self-study, courses, and leveraging off the experiences of others. |
11. Water / Filter / Bottles |
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1.
Map:
Always carry a detailed map of the area you will be visiting. If alpine scrambling or otherwise navigating cross-country cons= ider the 7.5 minute USGS maps--they reveal considerable detail. For traveling = on trails, the 15 minute series Green Trails is a good choice, among others.= The point is to carry a map appropriate for the area you will be in and the activity you will be undertaking--and know how to use it ! 2. Compass:=
Carry a compass, at all times, in the backcountry--a= nd know how to use it ! Some features to look for:
The following compasses are lightweight and would be the minimum you w= ould want to carry. They probably would suffice as an emergency gear item while backpacking entirely on trails.
For serious backcountry travel where map and compass= will be used for navigation, the following compasses are recommended:
3. Flashlig=
ht /
Headlamp:
Flashlights and/or Headlamps are important even on d= ay trips. You never know when you might need to spend the night or make that last m= ile or so after sunset. Here's some features to look for:
It's a good idea to carry a small lightweight hand-held light in addit= ion to a headlamp. In the hand held light use a regular bulb which requires l= ess battery juice than the bright-beam bulbs. Use this light for simple around the camp chores, to conserve batteries. In the headlamp, use a halogen (or other bright-beam bulb) and use this light when you are path finding or otherwise require a bright beam. Suggestions for a small, lightweight, high-quality hand held light:
Suggestions for a small, lightweight, high-quality headlamp:
4. Extra Fo=
od:
Whenever you go out, even for a day trip, bring extr= a food in case you are delayed by emergencies, foul weather, or just get lost. T= he mountaineers suggest a one-day supply. At the very least, bring one good = meal more than what you need. The food should require little or no cooking. If your extra food will require cooking, make sure you also carry extra fuel= for your stove. 5. Extra
Clothing:
In addition to the basic layers you would normally t= ake on an outing, bring extra clothing which would get you through an unplanned bivouac through the worst conditions you might come up against. Extra clothing means a little extra beyond what you would normally carry, just = in case of emergencies. In addition to the extra clothes, carry an emergency shelter such as a waterproofed tube tent or mylar Space Bag (or blanket). The Space Bag only weighs about 2.5 ounces but will completely encase you and keep you warm = and dry. Another option is a VBL (vapor barrier liner ) like the Western Mountaineering "Hot-Sac" VBL. The= VBL can be used on a regular basis to add warmth to your sleeping bag as well= as serve as an emergency shelter. It's a little heavier than the Space bag – approx. 6.5 ounces. 6. Sunglass=
es:
Your eyes can experience damage from the intensity of mountain skies, ultraviolet rays, and light reflecting off of snow. As elevation increases so does the intensity of ultraviolet rays. Adequate e= ye protection is a must! Bolle' makes a lightweight pair of glasses with a virtually indestruct= ible polycarbonate lens. They are optically correct and have emerald green lens for true color. They are rated 100 % UV protection. Cost is about US $40.= 00. For traveling on snow, get a pair of glacier glasses with side shields which reduce reflective light reaching the eyes. Good, quality glacier glasses typically cost in the $50 to $150 range. Nikon makes some nice on= es with polycarbonate lens. They are very lightweight, cost is about $110. There are many other brands of sunglasses and glacier glasses which are less expensive and provide adequate protection. Shop around, but be caref= ul. Try to stay with reputable brand names. Your eyes will know damage, long before you feel discomfort. 7. First-Ai=
d Kit:
Carry first-aid supplies for minor injuries. In particular, carry plenty of adhesive band-aids and sterilized bandages, because they can't be easily improvised in the woods. What to carry ? A g= ood book to reference is "Mountaineering First Aid" 3rd edition, by Lentz, Macdonald, and Carline, published by The Mountaineers. This booklet was used as a text when I took the Mountaineers' MOFA (Mountaineering Oriented First Aid) course. I use it now to refresh my memory. It is easy reading, small ( 5 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches ), brief ( 95 pa= ges ) and inexpensive ( $8.95 ). It identifies what items to carry, as well as what to do in emergency situations. Once you are familiar with the supplies you need, you can purchase a k= it or make your own. If you purchase one, you'll most likely need to add to = it ( items like CPR mask, rubber gloves, etc. ) since most commercially prepar= ed kits are inadequate. Also, If you spend any time in the backcountry, it would be a good ide= a to enroll in a mountaineering first aid course. 8. Pocket K=
nife
& Tools:
Your basic backpacking tool kit. A good example of a single piece of gear which has multiple uses. For example, a Wenger "Master" Swiss Army Knife has a locking blade; "slip-joint" pliers/wire crimper/wire cutters; springless self-sharpening scissors; wood saw; nail file/cleaner; corkscrew; awl/rea= mer; can opener; cap lifter; tweezers; and toothpick--all at a weight of about= 6 ounces. Swiss-Army knives are available with more and less features. At a minimum, knives are useful for first aid, food preparation, cutti= ng moleskin strips, cutting rope and making repairs. However, scrutinize your needs before you go out and buy a honker like the Victorinox Swiss Champ = which has many tools you probably don't need and weighs 1/2 pound ! If you don't actually use a feature, then you probably don't need to be carrying it around. 9.
Waterproof Matches:
Carry matches which have been waterproofed or wind a= nd waterproofed, or else carry extra strike-anywhere matches--along with something to strike them on-- in a waterproof container. Keep these match= es separate from your regular match or butane lighter supply. Keep them available for emergency situations. There are many commercially prepared waterproof/windproof matches available, e.g., "Hurricane" and "Cyclone" brands of = wind & waterproof matches and Coghlan's waterproof safety matches. 10. Firesta=
rter:
Fire starters are useful for quickly starting a fire, especially in emergency situations. They are also useful for igniting wet= wood. There are several commercial fire starters available: magnesium blocks w/striking flint; chemically-treated fire sticks, etc. In addition, numerous home-made fire starters work just fine: plumber's candles (wax); compressed balls of dryer lint mixed with or covered with melted paraffin; small strips of waxed cardboard (from old produce boxes); small flammable containers--individual egg-carton cups filled with mixtur= es of wood shavings, wax, & lint; etc. 11. Water /
Filter / Bottles:
Carry plenty of fresh water. If you are familiar wit= h the area in which you are traveling, and can be sure that water sources are availa= ble, carry enough water to get you there. If you aren't bringing your water from home or a public source, treat = the water you draw from the backcountry, regardless of the source. These days, everything is suspect. Use water filter, purifier, chemical tablets, or boiling to treat the
water before consuming. |