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The Ten Essentials: An Annotated ListBy far, the best known outdoor equipment list is the so-called list of Ten Essentials. The list was first suggested in the 1930s in an article which appeared in the newsletter of the Mountaineers, a Seattle-based outdoor club. Since then it has been reprinted in various forms and is used often by outdoor educators as a teaching tool.The original ten items, along with helpful notes, are listed below. Even though the Ten Essentials list is revered by many in the outdoor field, it shouldn't be taken as gospel. It is a good starting point, but you should add to the list depending on circumstances: where you are going and what you will be doing. Suggestions for additional items are included at the end of the list. Click on each item for more information:
Also important: The most important essential , however, is not on the list--"Common Sense." Having the right 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 his or her life. It's experience, know-how, and good judgment.
Other EssentialsHere's some other important items that you'll want to consider in addition to those listed above.Water. Carry plenty of fresh water. If you are familiar with the area in which you are traveling, and can be sure that water sources are available, 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. Whistle. Not included on the original list, but an item that should be seriously considered, is a whistle for signaling purposes. You can continue to signal with a whistle much, much longer that you can by yelling for help. Remember, three blasts on the whistle or three puffs of smoke from a signal fire or three signals of any kind are a cry for help. Search parties signal with two blasts of noise to indicate you have been heard and they are coming to the rescue. Shelter. When all is considered, the best way of surviving wet or snowy nights is have some type of roof over your head and a dry floor under you. One of the best shelter options is a combination of a lightweight nylon poncho, nylon cord and a lightweight space blanket. The poncho can be tied to trees or placed over a rudimentary snow shelter to keep out wind and weather--and in a pinch it doubles as a rain jacket. Use a nylon poncho or tarp. Avoid plastic ponchos and tarps. They rip easily and become brittle in cold weather. For a dry floor underneath you, a lightweight space blanket is a good choice. They are inexpensive, light, and aren't much larger than the size of a bar of soap. Since such lightweight space blankets, however, can tear easily, they are best used as a floor and not depended upon as a tarp over your head. Insect repellent. Three ways to deal with the biting flies, mosquitoes, gnats, etc. are to (1) let them eat you (2) use repellents or (3) wear clothing. Since the first option doesn't cut it, there are numerous commercial repellents on the market. Most of them are DEET based. Sunscreen. Remember, the higher the
elevation, the greater the intensity of the sun. Although each of us has a
different capacity for withstanding the sun's rays, the message is the same--the
penalty for underestimating your need for protection is severe.
Winter Travel Considerations. For winter travel, make sure you have adequate extra clothing. You'll also want to carry enough repair supplies to be able to fix a broken snowshoe or ski. A headlight is doubly important in the winter since days are short and night comes quickly. It's hard to get to water in the winter--lakes are frozen and streams are under a deep layer of snow--and you'll need a metal cup to use for melting snow. A portable shovel is an important winter survival tool. With one you can dig snow caves or snow trenches in which you can survive a bitter, cold night. Moreover, in avalanche terrain, a shovel is a must. It is nearly impossible to dig someone out of an avalanche without a shovel. Lastly, in avalanche country, always carry an avalanche transceiver along with your shovel. Walk-up Mountaineering. If you enjoy climbing mountains without using technical equipment, it is still good practice to carry at least 50 feet of lightweight rope for emergencies. Lakes and Rivers. For water-related activities, a life jacket is a must. Hypothermia is always a concern and you'll want plenty of high energy food, rain gear and synthetic clothing. Carry a throw rope rather than a coiled rope. They are far easier to use and are less apt to get tangled. And, of course, no self respecting river rat ever leaves home without a roll of duct tape. |
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