- Joined
- Sep 5, 2006
- Messages
- 1,342
I am interested in what other people carry in their Geocache Pack when Caching in remote or "less than Urban" environments.. I have a rather unique perspective, having served on a local Search and Rescue Team for the better part of the last decade. After having had to go out at 3 in the morning looking for a Cacher who was hypothermic and disoriented, I am determined to NOT be part of the problem.
Our pack weighs in at a whooping 15 lbs. This includes almost everything we might need in the event of a sudden weather change, or accident. Granted, if we have to stay out overnight, we won't be super-comfy, however, we will be able to survive.
So, here is our Pack..
Firmly attached to the outside is a dual-tone whistle.
Also in outside pockets are the compasses we use on those pesky multi-caches where SOMEBODY thinks it's cute to use Cardinal Points.. They also help keep us oriented, since the GPS Compass is a little un-reliable under the dense old growth canopy.
In another side pocket, we have the goodies! Nobody likes a cache that was picked over with nothing cool left for the kids, so we have all sorts of toys and an assortment of Geocoins.
On the back pocket (front pocket??) We have a note pad for doing the Math on the dang Multi's the wife loves, as well as water-proof pens, a film canister with CITO bags, and a large pill bottle with money.
ABOUT THE PILL BOTTLE..
We carry about $20 in cash and change. It's amazing how some parks remain open and function with the littering and vandalism that goes on. Many parks have instituted "Day Use" fees that can range from $3 - $8 per vehicle. Having a little cash set aside JUST for Caching means you'll always be able to get in when they're open! We carry change too, because Parking meters don't take cash!
In the top pocket, we have a Chem stick, small first aid kit, couple of flash lights and 2 head lamps, plus extra batteries for EVERYTHING! This is set up for our family of 4, so yours may vary.
AND on the inside.
We have a Extra large space blanket, 50 ft of nylon rope, 2 pairs of leater gloves, a QUALITY knife with a blade about 4 - 5 inches long (ours is a Busse Badger..), a matchcase full of Vaseline and cottonballs, a seasoning container with pitchwood sticks, and a meatl match (flint and magnesium rod). All of these fit nicely into 2 Zip-loc bags for organization..
Lastly, we always carry a couple of extra large ziplocks and an Altoids can for replacing any wore ones we find in a Cache.
When we leave, we always have a half dozen granola bars, trail mix, and animal crackers for the kids, as well as a quart of water for each person.
This may sound like over-kill, and perhaps it is for the Urban Cache. However, there have been a couple of times I have been happy to have the First Aid kit for Stinging Nettle or the Space blanket when a quick Shower ambushed us.
So, what do you carry when out tromping through the woods?
Our pack weighs in at a whooping 15 lbs. This includes almost everything we might need in the event of a sudden weather change, or accident. Granted, if we have to stay out overnight, we won't be super-comfy, however, we will be able to survive.
So, here is our Pack..
Firmly attached to the outside is a dual-tone whistle.
Also in outside pockets are the compasses we use on those pesky multi-caches where SOMEBODY thinks it's cute to use Cardinal Points.. They also help keep us oriented, since the GPS Compass is a little un-reliable under the dense old growth canopy.
In another side pocket, we have the goodies! Nobody likes a cache that was picked over with nothing cool left for the kids, so we have all sorts of toys and an assortment of Geocoins.
On the back pocket (front pocket??) We have a note pad for doing the Math on the dang Multi's the wife loves, as well as water-proof pens, a film canister with CITO bags, and a large pill bottle with money.
ABOUT THE PILL BOTTLE..
We carry about $20 in cash and change. It's amazing how some parks remain open and function with the littering and vandalism that goes on. Many parks have instituted "Day Use" fees that can range from $3 - $8 per vehicle. Having a little cash set aside JUST for Caching means you'll always be able to get in when they're open! We carry change too, because Parking meters don't take cash!
In the top pocket, we have a Chem stick, small first aid kit, couple of flash lights and 2 head lamps, plus extra batteries for EVERYTHING! This is set up for our family of 4, so yours may vary.
AND on the inside.
We have a Extra large space blanket, 50 ft of nylon rope, 2 pairs of leater gloves, a QUALITY knife with a blade about 4 - 5 inches long (ours is a Busse Badger..), a matchcase full of Vaseline and cottonballs, a seasoning container with pitchwood sticks, and a meatl match (flint and magnesium rod). All of these fit nicely into 2 Zip-loc bags for organization..
Lastly, we always carry a couple of extra large ziplocks and an Altoids can for replacing any wore ones we find in a Cache.
When we leave, we always have a half dozen granola bars, trail mix, and animal crackers for the kids, as well as a quart of water for each person.
This may sound like over-kill, and perhaps it is for the Urban Cache. However, there have been a couple of times I have been happy to have the First Aid kit for Stinging Nettle or the Space blanket when a quick Shower ambushed us.
So, what do you carry when out tromping through the woods?
There's Plenty of good plastic Sacks!!!!
