-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Gear for day hikes
- Thread starter Lobo103
- Start date
Somewhere in the dim past I remember reading about the "10 essentials" when hiking/camping.
If I remember correctly, these were, and not in any order:
1) compass
2) map
3) water
4) knife
5) firestarter
6) first aid kit
7) extra food
8) extra clothing
9) sleeping bag/pad
10) flashlight
If that's not the true list, it's pretty close.
Everything should be self-explanatory. The extra food, clothing, sleeping bag and flashlight are there for when your day hike suddenly, and without expectation becomes an overnight hike.
Map and compass go together so you can tell direction and know where you are and how to get to where you're going.
Obviously, if you're hiking where it's very warm, you might be able to get by w/o a sleeping bag, but even if you're in the desert it can get cold at night.
Extras like sunglasses and insect repellant are dependent on when and where you hike.
If you travel in a group with other people, every adult, and teenager should also carry a duplicate of the above items. In case someone in the group gets separated, everyone still has a compass, flashlight, food, water, etc.
Doesn't make sense to have a map and not know direction because someone else had the compass and you got separated, does it?
If I remember correctly, these were, and not in any order:
1) compass
2) map
3) water
4) knife
5) firestarter
6) first aid kit
7) extra food
8) extra clothing
9) sleeping bag/pad
10) flashlight
If that's not the true list, it's pretty close.
Everything should be self-explanatory. The extra food, clothing, sleeping bag and flashlight are there for when your day hike suddenly, and without expectation becomes an overnight hike.
Map and compass go together so you can tell direction and know where you are and how to get to where you're going.
Obviously, if you're hiking where it's very warm, you might be able to get by w/o a sleeping bag, but even if you're in the desert it can get cold at night.
Extras like sunglasses and insect repellant are dependent on when and where you hike.
If you travel in a group with other people, every adult, and teenager should also carry a duplicate of the above items. In case someone in the group gets separated, everyone still has a compass, flashlight, food, water, etc.
Doesn't make sense to have a map and not know direction because someone else had the compass and you got separated, does it?
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2002
- Messages
- 3,291
I don't carry a sleeping bag or pad on day hikes and besides the items listed above I carry;
Easy light tinder
2 methods of getting it lit
A fixed blade
SAK w/saw.
pair of gloves
25' of cordage
plastic squeeze dropper bottle of bleach
coffee filters
bandana
55 gal. drum liner
1 gallon freezer grade ziploc bag
small food kit
It's all pretty much on my belt or stuffed into pants and shirt/jacket pockets. If it's cold with possible rain, I carry a stove w/fuel for a hot cup and a USGI poncho. I'll also stuff the gear into a belt pouch or shoulder bag w/small amount of food and coffee/tea/hot chocolate.
Easy light tinder
2 methods of getting it lit
A fixed blade
SAK w/saw.
pair of gloves
25' of cordage
plastic squeeze dropper bottle of bleach
coffee filters
bandana
55 gal. drum liner
1 gallon freezer grade ziploc bag
small food kit
It's all pretty much on my belt or stuffed into pants and shirt/jacket pockets. If it's cold with possible rain, I carry a stove w/fuel for a hot cup and a USGI poncho. I'll also stuff the gear into a belt pouch or shoulder bag w/small amount of food and coffee/tea/hot chocolate.
the following a list of items that I always have with me while hiking. I might add more based on the season and location, but other than the bug dope(which only comes in bug season), it all comes wherever and whenever.
top pocket of pack (multi-tool is often on my belt though):
multi-tool
lighter
flashlight
pencil/pen/marker
waterproof paper
lip balm/sun block lotion
in a poutch inside my pack:
water tablets
bug dope
lighter
fire tinder
space blanket
cord ( 10 m, 2 mm)
power bars
survival cards
toilet paper
duck tape
flagging tape
whistle
in my pack:
rain shell
water bottle
1st aid kit
map/compass
-Will
top pocket of pack (multi-tool is often on my belt though):
multi-tool
lighter
flashlight
pencil/pen/marker
waterproof paper
lip balm/sun block lotion
in a poutch inside my pack:
water tablets
bug dope
lighter
fire tinder
space blanket
cord ( 10 m, 2 mm)
power bars
survival cards
toilet paper
duck tape
flagging tape
whistle
in my pack:
rain shell
water bottle
1st aid kit
map/compass
-Will
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
Oh so many years ago, I was on a search-and-rescue team in California. Most of the lost folks we searched for were just out on day hikes. (Those doing serious backpacking were more likely to plan and be equipped.)
Most of those in real trouble were in it due to cold or sun/lack of water. Plan accordingly.
You have good advice above. Whether it's by 10's or dozens, it covers:
>shelter (clothes/rain gear/largeplastic bags/cordage/sleeping bag/pad/fire stuff [same function as shelter if it's cold]/knife and saw [to make fire or shelter]) Shelter may be from drying wind or baking sun. Depends on the where and when.
>signaling (fire stuff/flashlight/whistle/paper/flagging tape/bandanna/and writing implement) [Are you in open country where a mirror would work? A cell phone may work or not. Don't depend on it too much.]
>food and water (including zip-lock bags/emergency rations/water bottle/water tablets/fire stuff again/bandanna [water first filter])
>navigation (map/compass/flashlight/signaling tape again/MARK I eyeball); and
>first aid (kit/bug dope/sun screen/lip balm/sun glasses/knife/bandanna)
Take a walking stick. Tripods are more stable than bipods. It's a tent pole and signal flag pole (with signaling tape or bright bandanna attached) already at hand.
Things sometimes don't go right.
Things rarely go wrong as planned.
Leave detailed word about your route and schedule with two responsible people, each of whom will stubbornly raise a fuss if you don't turn up. It speeds up the process if a SAR team goes looking.
Have fun.
Most of those in real trouble were in it due to cold or sun/lack of water. Plan accordingly.
You have good advice above. Whether it's by 10's or dozens, it covers:
>shelter (clothes/rain gear/largeplastic bags/cordage/sleeping bag/pad/fire stuff [same function as shelter if it's cold]/knife and saw [to make fire or shelter]) Shelter may be from drying wind or baking sun. Depends on the where and when.
>signaling (fire stuff/flashlight/whistle/paper/flagging tape/bandanna/and writing implement) [Are you in open country where a mirror would work? A cell phone may work or not. Don't depend on it too much.]
>food and water (including zip-lock bags/emergency rations/water bottle/water tablets/fire stuff again/bandanna [water first filter])
>navigation (map/compass/flashlight/signaling tape again/MARK I eyeball); and
>first aid (kit/bug dope/sun screen/lip balm/sun glasses/knife/bandanna)
Take a walking stick. Tripods are more stable than bipods. It's a tent pole and signal flag pole (with signaling tape or bright bandanna attached) already at hand.
Things sometimes don't go right.
Things rarely go wrong as planned.
Leave detailed word about your route and schedule with two responsible people, each of whom will stubbornly raise a fuss if you don't turn up. It speeds up the process if a SAR team goes looking.
Have fun.
Lobo,
A real basic kit I recommend to my survival students for basic and frequent hikes Ie; I walk my dog in the woods daily etc.. is:
Bic lighter large full
Bandana or triangular bandage (first aid group a million uses and still counting)
whistle
Large Swiss army knife with saw
Bottle of water
As far as med supplies go I would say blister treatment with a few quality fabric bandages is about it for a pocket kit. The bandana takes into consideration heavy bleeding and immobalization etc..
Take a wilderness FA course as you will be more confident in your abilities and require less equipment. Much can be improvised with materials at hand as well.
This is the minimum I would recommend, it is small and covers a lot and because it is compact and relatively light it won't be left behind as it will fit in any pocket.
If you are willing to carry more I would say add:
A couple large heavy duty garbage bags (shelter, heat retention etc..)
Cell phone
Waterproof matches and tinder (vaseline cotton balls work great)
larger water bottle
Micropur water purifier tablets.
Couple power bar type snacks
compass (if you know how to use it, virtually useless once lost)
signal mirror
wooly or fleece hat
This second group coupled with the first will fit in a fanny pack and is still relatively portable with ease.
I personally carry only the first group only when walking my dogs or out for a stroll but I ALWAYS carry my small tin survival kit 24/7 when I am awake.
Learn more about the mini tin kit here:
http://www.equipped.org/drperskit.htm
When I am purposely out and taking more risks in the bush I carry a more complete kit in a backpack like others have mentioned but find it very unweildy and inconvenient for daily strolls. I favor heavily in the signalling category because that is the point isn't it? to get rescued.
Most important is to notify someone as to your destination and return time as survival starts with preparation before you embark.
Skam
A real basic kit I recommend to my survival students for basic and frequent hikes Ie; I walk my dog in the woods daily etc.. is:
Bic lighter large full
Bandana or triangular bandage (first aid group a million uses and still counting)
whistle
Large Swiss army knife with saw
Bottle of water
As far as med supplies go I would say blister treatment with a few quality fabric bandages is about it for a pocket kit. The bandana takes into consideration heavy bleeding and immobalization etc..
Take a wilderness FA course as you will be more confident in your abilities and require less equipment. Much can be improvised with materials at hand as well.
This is the minimum I would recommend, it is small and covers a lot and because it is compact and relatively light it won't be left behind as it will fit in any pocket.
If you are willing to carry more I would say add:
A couple large heavy duty garbage bags (shelter, heat retention etc..)
Cell phone
Waterproof matches and tinder (vaseline cotton balls work great)
larger water bottle
Micropur water purifier tablets.
Couple power bar type snacks
compass (if you know how to use it, virtually useless once lost)
signal mirror
wooly or fleece hat
This second group coupled with the first will fit in a fanny pack and is still relatively portable with ease.
I personally carry only the first group only when walking my dogs or out for a stroll but I ALWAYS carry my small tin survival kit 24/7 when I am awake.
Learn more about the mini tin kit here:
http://www.equipped.org/drperskit.htm
When I am purposely out and taking more risks in the bush I carry a more complete kit in a backpack like others have mentioned but find it very unweildy and inconvenient for daily strolls. I favor heavily in the signalling category because that is the point isn't it? to get rescued.
Most important is to notify someone as to your destination and return time as survival starts with preparation before you embark.
Skam
MelancholyMutt
Doggy Style
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- Messages
- 3,906
skammer said:
Not true...
Even if you can't use two distinct landmarks to triangulate your position, you can use it to keep from walking around the woods in circles...
MelancholyMutt said:
Dissagree its Absolutely true.
Triangulation first off is a skill 99% of people can't do and you need a map to do it unless you know the area intimately but then again you probably wouldn't be lost in that situation. Second knowing a direction after you are lost only allows you to get more lost in a straight line. This begs the question, what direction do I travel? A question one can't answer unless one knows where they are in relation to an intended destination.
I did say virtually useless.
Travelling when lost is not recommended unless basic materials are not at hand and more often than not puts the individual at greater risk for injury. Stay put and set up camp is a safer proposition.
Skam
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2001
- Messages
- 328
For Day hikes:
My WSK & Mean Street
32oz Nalgen; full
My Katadyn filter
Any food stuffs I might want i.e. trail mix, protien bars & the like.
Longer hikes:
The above list plus:
Sleeping bag
Tent or tarp depending on weather
A little more food depending on how long I'll be out.
There are guys doing the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) with less the 20lbs
packs. All they are taking is a sleeping bag, a tarp tent, a change of cloths, a little food, fishing equipment, water bottle, filter and not much more.
I think the record lightest pack so far is just under 15lbs. So a day hike should be pretty easy to cut down weight. Don't you think?
Ric
My WSK & Mean Street
32oz Nalgen; full
My Katadyn filter
Any food stuffs I might want i.e. trail mix, protien bars & the like.
Longer hikes:
The above list plus:
Sleeping bag
Tent or tarp depending on weather
A little more food depending on how long I'll be out.
There are guys doing the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) with less the 20lbs
packs. All they are taking is a sleeping bag, a tarp tent, a change of cloths, a little food, fishing equipment, water bottle, filter and not much more.
I think the record lightest pack so far is just under 15lbs. So a day hike should be pretty easy to cut down weight. Don't you think?
Ric
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2003
- Messages
- 2,373
I won’t give a list because the ones already posted are good. I don’t think there is anything like a no risk day hike. I’ve been on enough of them that went bad for one reason or another to be wary of them.
The typical day hiker carries some lunch and snack food, camera, 500 – 1000 ml of water or a drink or two. They usually have an extra garment; maybe some rain gear if that is a possibility. Their plan is to set off after sunrise and return before it gets dark.
Thomas Linton hit the nail on the head with this one “Leave detailed word about your route and schedule with two responsible people, each of whom will stubbornly raise a fuss if you don't turn up. It speeds up the process if a SAR team goes looking.” The sooner the SAR people find you the better your chances of survival.
To that I would add, check your local weather and write it down. The various internet sites for this are great. You can even get it printed out hour by hour on some of them. Dress/Prepare for the worst possible weather in the prediction no matter how small the percentage of probability is.
People tend to overlook carrying the means to signal. A cell phone, signal mirror, and whistle are essential and lightweight. Check you cell phone signal along the way and make it a frequent habit. That way you will know where your last strong signal was in case you need to make a call.
Plan to be out past dark. It is common to miscalculate how long it will take to get back the car. One hour spent on the wrong trail or falling asleep can leave you in the dark. Take a flashlight. One AA mini-maglight saves you loads of trouble. Most “day hikes from Hell” only turn nasty after the sun goes down. People tend to conclude that they are in trouble only after they have very little light left.
Plan to survive the night. Have the means to light a fire. Carry some means to make a waterproof shelter and conserve your body heat. I think it is impractical to carry the means to be COMFORTABLE overnight on a “day hike”. Loosing a nights sleep is not a serious problem, hypothermia is.
Plan to collect and treat your own drinking water. The most common problem that day hikers face with water, aside from not being able to treat more of it, is not having the carrying capacity necessary to stay hydrated. This is especially true for groups of teens. A two-liter Platypus bag is a great way to have the ability to carry and treat enough water. Everyone needs to carry water and a refillable container. Mac
The typical day hiker carries some lunch and snack food, camera, 500 – 1000 ml of water or a drink or two. They usually have an extra garment; maybe some rain gear if that is a possibility. Their plan is to set off after sunrise and return before it gets dark.
Thomas Linton hit the nail on the head with this one “Leave detailed word about your route and schedule with two responsible people, each of whom will stubbornly raise a fuss if you don't turn up. It speeds up the process if a SAR team goes looking.” The sooner the SAR people find you the better your chances of survival.
To that I would add, check your local weather and write it down. The various internet sites for this are great. You can even get it printed out hour by hour on some of them. Dress/Prepare for the worst possible weather in the prediction no matter how small the percentage of probability is.
People tend to overlook carrying the means to signal. A cell phone, signal mirror, and whistle are essential and lightweight. Check you cell phone signal along the way and make it a frequent habit. That way you will know where your last strong signal was in case you need to make a call.
Plan to be out past dark. It is common to miscalculate how long it will take to get back the car. One hour spent on the wrong trail or falling asleep can leave you in the dark. Take a flashlight. One AA mini-maglight saves you loads of trouble. Most “day hikes from Hell” only turn nasty after the sun goes down. People tend to conclude that they are in trouble only after they have very little light left.
Plan to survive the night. Have the means to light a fire. Carry some means to make a waterproof shelter and conserve your body heat. I think it is impractical to carry the means to be COMFORTABLE overnight on a “day hike”. Loosing a nights sleep is not a serious problem, hypothermia is.
Plan to collect and treat your own drinking water. The most common problem that day hikers face with water, aside from not being able to treat more of it, is not having the carrying capacity necessary to stay hydrated. This is especially true for groups of teens. A two-liter Platypus bag is a great way to have the ability to carry and treat enough water. Everyone needs to carry water and a refillable container. Mac
As most of my day hikes are not truely 'backwoods' I tend to not worry about being lost or spending the night comfortably. I know my limits at climbing cliffs and dealing with dangerous animals so first aid is not overly a concern. I have sustained several 'life threatening' wounds and still got to help though I don't recommend hiking with a hairline fracture or seeping gashes for most people. 
My kit usually starts with an old Boy Scout backpack. Basically a bag with straps. In that goes my canteen. This bag stays mostly empty as I tend to collect rocks and odd bits of wood, bone or antlers. I may have a longsleeve shirt and /or a poncho here also. Occasionally I carry walkietalkies.
On my belt is an old Army cartridge pouch containing my firekit, a red bandana, a mini-maglite, a few bandaids, about 50' of heavy nylon twine (trot-line), a Buck 110, some toidy-paper in a sandwich ziploc and a couple of grannybars.
Also on my belt is my cell-phone, my trusty 7" bowie and a Vic SAK Champ.
Pockets contain my car keys (whistle attached), a Bic, wallet with ID, a Spydie Endura (serrated).
That, in addition to my hiking boots, jeans, tan or OD green tshirt, sunglasses and hat or cap get me gone for the day.
...and I ALWAYS carry a walking stick.
My kit usually starts with an old Boy Scout backpack. Basically a bag with straps. In that goes my canteen. This bag stays mostly empty as I tend to collect rocks and odd bits of wood, bone or antlers. I may have a longsleeve shirt and /or a poncho here also. Occasionally I carry walkietalkies.
On my belt is an old Army cartridge pouch containing my firekit, a red bandana, a mini-maglite, a few bandaids, about 50' of heavy nylon twine (trot-line), a Buck 110, some toidy-paper in a sandwich ziploc and a couple of grannybars.
Also on my belt is my cell-phone, my trusty 7" bowie and a Vic SAK Champ.
Pockets contain my car keys (whistle attached), a Bic, wallet with ID, a Spydie Endura (serrated).
That, in addition to my hiking boots, jeans, tan or OD green tshirt, sunglasses and hat or cap get me gone for the day.
...and I ALWAYS carry a walking stick.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
skammer said:
There were more than a few times that I wished that a subject of our search would just stay put. The overwelming consensus is that you should find a safe place and stay there if you are lost. We probably don't trust subjects to know when they are truly lost.
However, navigation gear may prevent getting lost in the first instance.
And there are times (one search was near a fire) that the subject was wise to move -- in a straight line.
RokJok
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2000
- Messages
- 4,310
Thanks for all the tips guys. Lots of good lists and items posted so far.
As mentioned above, trouble doesn't seem so dire as long as the daylight lasts. So adding a long-lasting light to your dayhike kit is pretty imperative for organizing your hunker down site after dark. But IMHO swap out the Maglites listed above with LED flashlights, unless the Mag's have LED modification kits in them, for added runtime & durability.
I like Inova Mini-LED lights because they are about the size of a US quarter-dollar coin, weigh next to nothing, are relatively waterproof, are cheap ($7 ea with white, red, green or blue LED from Brigade Quartermaster website), and have long runtime on a pair of 2016 lithium coin batteries. They are easily kept handy on hikes in pockets, as zipper pulls, on a neck chain, or stashed in kits, including Altoids size kits. However, their single LED can offer less than desired amounts of light, especially as the batteries run down (no different than other lights).
For those "need more light" scenarios, I use an Inova X5 or X5-MT light. Their 5 LED's are powered by a pair of CR123 camera batteries and yield commensurately more light for up to 20 hours. Their waterproof & grunt-proof indestructibility is a plus.
Petzl and other brand headlamp LED lights leave your hands free, which can be a HUGE advantage, especially if you are using the wisely-recommended hiking staff in dim light. Plus, most headlamps use AA or AAA batteries that are easier to find than the lithiums for the Inovas.
The inclusion of duct tape is a "must have" item with tons of uses in first aid remedies and gear repair if a dayhike goes sideways on you. Duct tape -- carry lots. A whistle for signalling is one of the 10 Essentials to never leave home without it.
Another item I keep in my dayhike pack is a Sportsman Space Blanket for field expedient tarp shelter. It's the heavier one with a ripstop type grid of reinforcing as the middle layer, not the super lightweight 3 oz single-layer emergency space blanket which is IMHO too short on durability. The heavier one has tape reinforcing and grommets along the edges for tie-downs with the 50 ft of paracord I likewise keep in the pack. I get the Sportsman's Blankets from Cabela's for about $10 each in OD or red.
As mentioned above, trouble doesn't seem so dire as long as the daylight lasts. So adding a long-lasting light to your dayhike kit is pretty imperative for organizing your hunker down site after dark. But IMHO swap out the Maglites listed above with LED flashlights, unless the Mag's have LED modification kits in them, for added runtime & durability.
I like Inova Mini-LED lights because they are about the size of a US quarter-dollar coin, weigh next to nothing, are relatively waterproof, are cheap ($7 ea with white, red, green or blue LED from Brigade Quartermaster website), and have long runtime on a pair of 2016 lithium coin batteries. They are easily kept handy on hikes in pockets, as zipper pulls, on a neck chain, or stashed in kits, including Altoids size kits. However, their single LED can offer less than desired amounts of light, especially as the batteries run down (no different than other lights).
For those "need more light" scenarios, I use an Inova X5 or X5-MT light. Their 5 LED's are powered by a pair of CR123 camera batteries and yield commensurately more light for up to 20 hours. Their waterproof & grunt-proof indestructibility is a plus.
Petzl and other brand headlamp LED lights leave your hands free, which can be a HUGE advantage, especially if you are using the wisely-recommended hiking staff in dim light. Plus, most headlamps use AA or AAA batteries that are easier to find than the lithiums for the Inovas.
The inclusion of duct tape is a "must have" item with tons of uses in first aid remedies and gear repair if a dayhike goes sideways on you. Duct tape -- carry lots.
A whistle for signalling is one of the 10 Essentials to never leave home without it.Another item I keep in my dayhike pack is a Sportsman Space Blanket for field expedient tarp shelter. It's the heavier one with a ripstop type grid of reinforcing as the middle layer, not the super lightweight 3 oz single-layer emergency space blanket which is IMHO too short on durability. The heavier one has tape reinforcing and grommets along the edges for tie-downs with the 50 ft of paracord I likewise keep in the pack. I get the Sportsman's Blankets from Cabela's for about $10 each in OD or red.
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2002
- Messages
- 661
For 1/2 Day hikes:
One or two Doziers (usually one)
SAK (Trailmaster)
32oz Nalgene Bottle
Iodine tabs
Food of some kind, even if it's only a couple of Mainstay Biscuits
Compass / GPS
-- I mostly use the GPS for marking sites I want to remember or come back
-- to, but I ALWAYS mark where I park.
Lightweight Poncho
Flashlight
Firearm
Walking Staff
Fire Kit & Aluminum Foil
Parachute Cord
Whistle
Full Day Hikes:
The Above, minus the Water Bottle
100 oz Hydration Pack
Jacket / Warm Clothing Layer
The larger of my two PSKs
The Second, Larger Dozier (or sometimes a Becker BK-7)
Katadyn Filter
More Food (generally 1 MRE)
Cut down highway flare
Mini First Aid Kit
Tarp / Heavy Emergency Blanket / Contractor Bag
Longer trips:
The above list plus
Sleeping Bag
Tent or tarp depending on weather
A little more food depending on how long I'll be out.
(Wow, this part of the list sounds a lot like Ric's, doesn't it? )
Socks
A belt-sized PSK that stashes nicely in my pack or coat pocket.
GI Canteen, Cup and Stove
A small flask of good scotch or brandy.
A map
One or two Doziers (usually one)
SAK (Trailmaster)
32oz Nalgene Bottle
Iodine tabs
Food of some kind, even if it's only a couple of Mainstay Biscuits
Compass / GPS
-- I mostly use the GPS for marking sites I want to remember or come back
-- to, but I ALWAYS mark where I park.
Lightweight Poncho
Flashlight
Firearm
Walking Staff
Fire Kit & Aluminum Foil
Parachute Cord
Whistle
Full Day Hikes:
The Above, minus the Water Bottle
100 oz Hydration Pack
Jacket / Warm Clothing Layer
The larger of my two PSKs
The Second, Larger Dozier (or sometimes a Becker BK-7)
Katadyn Filter
More Food (generally 1 MRE)
Cut down highway flare
Mini First Aid Kit
Tarp / Heavy Emergency Blanket / Contractor Bag
Longer trips:
The above list plus
Sleeping Bag
Tent or tarp depending on weather
A little more food depending on how long I'll be out.
(Wow, this part of the list sounds a lot like Ric's, doesn't it?
)Socks
A belt-sized PSK that stashes nicely in my pack or coat pocket.
GI Canteen, Cup and Stove
A small flask of good scotch or brandy.
A map
To make sense of all the gear possibilities in a PSK or dayhike or ten essentials kit, I use this scheme:
- medical
- shelter
- fire
- signals
- water
- food
- tools
Note that I include navigation in the signals group. I just make sure I've got all these areas covered in a way appropriate to my journey.
There are other schemes out there, but the idea of using a scheme -- whichever one you like -- helps you choose gear.
Also... Here's the latest incarnation of my Ten Essentials list, many thanks to Chris Kavanaugh at ETS for posting his list, which I muckled onto.
01 Knife and hone
02 Fire: spark, tinder, and kindling
03 Shelter: tarp or poncho plus cord
04 Billy can or big metal mug
05 Mirror and whistle
06 Compass
07 Flashlight
08 First aid kit
09 Woolens
10 Food and spices
Bear
- medical
- shelter
- fire
- signals
- water
- food
- tools
Note that I include navigation in the signals group. I just make sure I've got all these areas covered in a way appropriate to my journey.
There are other schemes out there, but the idea of using a scheme -- whichever one you like -- helps you choose gear.
Also... Here's the latest incarnation of my Ten Essentials list, many thanks to Chris Kavanaugh at ETS for posting his list, which I muckled onto.
01 Knife and hone
02 Fire: spark, tinder, and kindling
03 Shelter: tarp or poncho plus cord
04 Billy can or big metal mug
05 Mirror and whistle
06 Compass
07 Flashlight
08 First aid kit
09 Woolens
10 Food and spices
Bear
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
Fraser said:
More good stuff.
At least a couple dozen times we heard, "I knew I could make it back to my (car/cabin/tent) before dark. Then I (sprained my ankle/got blisters/got lost)." This was offered to explain the total lack of any gear to deal with night at 6000-9000 feet. Other teams had occasion to find people who would never be able to offer any explanation.
MelancholyMutt
Doggy Style
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- Messages
- 3,906
Thomas Linton said:
That's under the big assumption that the subject is being searched for... if no one's looking for you, you can sit in the woods for months before being noticed.
Here in the United States, if you walk in a straight line, you will eventually hit a river or a road... if you hit a river, you can follow the river and eventually hit a road. Once you've hit a road, you'll hit civilization.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
MelancholyMutt said:
Yes, sometimes you have to move. The types that get lost typically didn't leave word as they should have done. Yet, there we were, looking for them 'cause they didn't show up for work on Monday, etc. Usual LEO's or rangers found the car -- a place to start.
But as for always being able to walk out, Mutt, there are areas -- and situations -- where the distance to civilization is fatally far -- IF you can walk. (Why do I think of that map of "The U.S. as seen from New York City"? You know, the one that shows Philly on the edge of the known world.) One night, I bought a box chicken dinner in Green River, WY. (The "Green River" in "Green River Ordinance enforced"). I stopped east of town on the interstate to eat. No vehicles passed me - going either way -- for over half an hour. Lovely sunset. The Big Empty. Or two miles may be "too far" in a blizzard in a New York park.