Day Hike Essentials: What Should I Take?

If you are only planning to spend a few hours on the trail or in the woods you can get by on a lot less gear than if you were planning to spend the night or the weekend on the trail. With that said, you should still plan to pack the “10 Essentials”. They are your protection from the unexpected. Let’s start by reviewing them and move on from there.

1. Navigation: even if you are taking a GPS you should still carry (and know how to use) a map and compass.
2. Sun / Bug protection: sunscreen, bug repellent, hat, sunglasses. You can find the small, trial size sunscreen and repellent which take up less room and cut weight.
3. Insulation (extra clothing): you never know when the temperature will change, or if you will get cold during a rest so throw in a fleece jacket to take off the chill.
4. Illumination: even if you do not plan to be in the woods after dark you should still throw your headlamp or a small flashlight into your pack for emergencies.
5. First-aid kit: including blister care items, pencil an a few pieces of paper, an “Ace” wrap in case of a sprained ankle, pain killers, a space blanket, and any medications you would normally take.
6. Fire starter: any combination will work, but you want more than one way to start a fire. You could pack a disposable lighter, matches in a waterproof container, a fire steel, and a dry tinder source.
7. Repair kit & tools: It does not have to be all inclusive, but it’s always helpful to have a few feet of duct tape, a couple plastic zip ties, a needle and thread, and a multi-tool at a minimum.
8. Nutrition: in addition to your trail snacks you should have some extra food in case you end up lost and spending the night in the woods.
9. Hydration: I am not referring to coffee or soft drinks but good old water! If you prefer something with some taste, there are several flavorings on the market that help improve the taste as well as aid in the replenishment of electrolytes. You should also carry some way of treating water, a filter pump, iodine tablets, boiling, etc.
10. Shelter: This could be just about anything that will shield you from the elements including clothing, a tarp, space blanket, bivy sack, etc.

Ok, you have the 10 Essentials…. Now what?

I like to include the following 10 items as well:

1. Para Cord (or small diameter rope): a 50 foot hank of it takes up very little space in your pack and is very useful if you need to replace a boot lace, build a shelter, lash something to your pack, or splint a broken leg / arm.
2. Rain gear: If I know it may rain I will take a rain jacket / pants, but it is a good idea to keep one of the emergency rain ponchos in your pack for the times you get caught on the trail when it is not suppose to rain.
3. Hand warmer packets: the disposable type. They only add a few ounces and take up almost no space but provide extra warmth if you get lost and have to spend the night.
4. Garbage bag: in addition to the obvious use, you can use it as a rain cover for your pack, or sit on it if everything around you is wet.
5. Plastic Zip Lock bag: one of the gallon size bags is all you need. It gives you a place to put any trash you generate or find, that can be sealed and thrown out when you get off the trail.
6. Socks: never underestimate your feet. When they get damp or wet blisters can form and make the hike back very unpleasant. If you have a dry pair of socks you can help eliminate some of this.
7. Additional tools: a watch, pocket knife (I have always been an advocate of the Swiss Army Knife), a folding or wire saw (strictly for emergency use)
8. Camera: you may want to record your hike to share with friends and family.
9. Cook kit: if you plan to take lunch or wish to have a hot drink when you take a break a small cook pot and light weight stove will be an asset.
10. Day Pack: it goes without saying that you will need something to carry your gear, but you don’t need a full sized pack if you do not plan on spending the night. A decent pack around the 2000 cu/in – 3000 cu/in size works well. After you have went on few day hikes and tweaked your gear a bit you may choose to go with a higher capacity pack or something under the 2000 cu/in size. It is up to you and what you are comfortable with.

It may seem like a lot of gear for just a few hours on the trail but you never know when that few hours could turn into an overnight or multi-day stay in the woods due to getting lost or injured. So with that in mind the most important item you can take with you anytime you are going onto the woods is knowledge! The best gear on the market can not save you if you do not know how to use it and are comfortable using it. With knowledge comes confidence, and when you are confident that you know what you are doing it can greatly reduce the chances of an unexpected emergency from happening. Follow the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared”!

Get out there and have some fun! Take lots of pictures, and encourage someone else to share your adventure with you!



Picture is of the Superior Hiking Trail (www.shta.org)

I Want To Go Backpacking!

We are half way through the month of February and the doldrums of winter are weighing heavily on me, so it is no wonder I find my thoughts drifting to lazy days at the lake, my line in the water, just enjoying the panoramic vistas of Gods wild places. Walking quietly down the trail surprised to see a few deer standing proudly 30 or 40 yards down the trail in front of me wondering why I am in their woods, or sitting by the fire in awe as I watch the majesty of the stars above me, thinking of how small I am in comparison.

This is also the time of year that I like to start planning the camping, hiking, and backpacking trips that will fill my summer days. The way I like to start is by going through my gear checking to see if any of it needs to be repaired or replaced. It is a sinking feeling when you are packing for a trip and realize that you forgot to repair the shoulder strap on your pack when you got home from that trip last fall. This is also a good time of year to make up grades to your gear. A lot of manufactures are bringing out their new gear lines and discounting the previous year’s items. The end result for you could be drastic savings on those items. Sure they are not the latest and greatest for this year but they are the ones that you wished you could buy at this time last year, if it would have been an up grade to your gear last year it will probably still be an up grade this year, just at a cheaper price.

After I am satisfied that my gear is ready it’s time to hit the internet and surf the forums to see which trails I want to venture out on this year. Since my kids are still relatively new to hiking their abilities are a driving force in those plans. We have to plan shorter trips, more rest breaks, easier terrain, and take items that will help fill those down times in camp that are bound to happen. The last thing you want is to be trapped in a tent with your kids for a whole day due to heavy rains with nothing to occupy their time.

When planning a trip, one of the things I like to do is split trails in half. We will do one half of the trail in one trip and the other a few weeks later. This helps kids get use to backpacking, gives you the time on the trail you want, gets all of you outside doing something as a family, and makes memories for your family that will last a lifetime. Even if you don’t have kids a good way to get extra time on the trail is to split trails into sections. A trip that would normally give you two nights can be split into two one night trips. You’re spending the same amount time on the trail but instead of taking one or two trips a month it is allowing you to get out there every weekend.

How ever you decide to do it get out there and live a little, make some lasting memories, have fun, and be safe!

Pictures are from Yahoo images.

Is Your Family Prepared For An Emergency? (part2)

One of the biggest lessons we can learn in life is that no matter how good an idea is, it can always be improved upon or added to. Such is the case here. The last post I made was on putting together a 72hr emergency kit for your self and your family. After posting it I was watching an emergency preparedness video on Youtube when I realized that I left out some commonly overlooked, but very important, areas of the home that need to be addressed in any type of emergency from a common power outage to a full fledged natural disaster. Thank you to, Youtubes Mizooch70 for reminding me of my error and being gracious enough to let me borrow parts from his video for this post. Before we go any farther lets discuss the areas of concern I overlooked before.

What I failed to address was the need to be able to locate and shut off (if needed) your central water valve, your main gas valve, and the main breaker in your electrical panel. Let’s face it, every year hundreds of people across the country experience costly repairs and replacements to their homes when lightening has caused a power surge that damaged the electronic devices in your home, or your water pipes freeze, break, and flood some part of your home after a winter storm has caused the power to go out for several days. In an ideal world we would all have a generator that we could use during these times of crisis, but as we know we do not live in an ideal world, so we have to prepare for those times in advance. If you do have a generator, remember to service it regularly and to run the old gas out from time to time. At a minimum I change the oil in mine annually (even if it would not have been used), and try to run the old gas out every 6 months (Spring and Fall) to make sure it will be ready for the time it is needed. If you are like me your generator will be used several times a year on camping or hunting trips that keep everything fresh.

If using a generator at your house please remember to turn off the main breaker before you start it so you are not sending power onto the lines that a service person could be working on. Many unfortunate injuries and deaths have occurred because someone accidentally left their main breaker on. The best way to solve this is to install a transfer switch (double pole / double throw switch) and a sub panel. This will allow you to shut off the main panel and only electrify the circuits that need to be powered (furnace, well pump, refrigerator, some lights, etc), it also allows you to use a smaller generator to supply power which means less gas to keep on hand. Don’t forget a heavy gauge extension cord, some of the lighter gauge cords can over heat when used for extended periods.

In regards to the main gas valve, it should go without saying that you would want to stop the flow of gas into your home during some types of disasters (i.e. during a wild fire in California or after a hurricane like Katrina). With that said most of the time you are going to want to have that gas to heat your home, hot water, etc (if using a generator) and will need to leave it on. When it comes to shutting your water off, follow the same guidelines as you would for shutting your gas off.

When adding these steps to your emergency plan, it is helpful to take a picture of the valve location, and a second of what it looks like when it is shut off so in a time of crisis there is no confusion about it being on or off. The same can be said of the location of the electrical panel and its main breaker of fuse block. A handy tip from Mizooch70 is after taking those pictures, paste them on a sheet of paper with the directions for shutting the device off, the location in or around the home where the valve or panel is located and what tools, if any, are needed to shut it off.

The time to learn how and when to find and shut off these devices is when it is not needed. Take a few minutes seasonally, or at least annually, to run through this with your family so when the confusion of an emergency happens they will know what to do or at least where to go to find out.

Thanks again to Youtubes Mizooch70 for his words of wisdom, if you haven’t done so before check him out at Mizooch70 on Youtube.

Is Your Family Prepared For An Emergency?

Now more than any other time in history we need to be prepared for a disaster. The last few years have seen earthquakes, floods, tornados, wild fires, record amounts of snow, and many other natural disasters in parts of the country and world that have not seen them in the past. You can add to that the chance of a man made disaster like oil spills, terrorism threats and wars the world over. It can be overwhelming to think that it could happen where you live, I’m sure it was for the people of New York before September 11, 2001 or the people of New Orleans before hurricane Katrina in 2005. But if it were to happen would you be prepared for it?

I am not advocating food hoarding or going to your local gun shop for a couple shot guns & automatic rifles, but I do suggest that we follow the example set by those living in areas that have frequent natural disasters, like earthquake prone California, and keep enough supplies on hand (and dedicated) to last about 72 hours (3 days) per person in the home. If you can, or want, to store more by all means do it. Just make sure you are rotating the food and water you have stored every few months to keep it from going out of date.

“It sounds like a lot, where do we start?”

To start you probably have a lot of the stuff you need already on hand. If you enjoy spending time in the outdoors it’s a good bet that you already have some type of white gas or propane stove to cook on, just keep some extra fuel on hand for it. The same can be said for other equipment like tents / tarps, chairs, sleeping bags, or lanterns (though I would recommend one of the hand crank varieties, it eliminates the need for extra fuel or batteries). It’s always better to have gear dedicated to the purpose of your emergency kit but to start use what you have and swap it out as you find the time and money to do so. If you don’t have any gear to start I would recommend hitting garage / moving sales, EBay, Craigslist, or end of season sales at your local department and sporting goods stores. You can also find some great deals if you want to take the time to search the internet.

Remember, all the gear and supplies in the world will not help you if you do not keep it together in one place where it can be accessed or if you don’t know how to use it. I know people who store their stuff in plastic tubes with labels on the outside to keep it organized, people who store their stuff in 5 gallon pails with lids so everything is watertight, and people who just keep it all in a closet or on shelves in the garage were they can get to it quickly. After you decide were and how to store it, try to plan a couple times a year that you get everyone in the house together to practice how to use the gear you have. It’s important that every family member know how to use the kit you put together.

“What should we keep on hand?”

Wow, there are as many answers to that as there are things to keep on hand! Let’s take it one step at a time and see if we can at least get the basics covered here. To be prepared for the unexpected you need to have a family communication plan with at least two different places for your family to meet if an emergency occurs. The first can be the home, but if you can not reach the home then a second like a park or civic location close to the home should be used. Make sure everyone is aware of the locations. It’s also a good idea to keep copies of important family documents like insurance policies, identification, etc, in a waterproof, portable container such as a large Zip Lock bag that can be taken with you, remember that your kit can and should change with the seasons. Setting up your kit for a summer emergency will not help much if it is -5°F and there are about 10 inches of snow on the ground.

OK, before we get to the kit its self there are a few things you will want to decide before we go any farther. Like how much space do you have to store your kit in? If you have enough items to fill a small room but only have a closet to work with you will have to rethink your kit. How much money are you willing or able to spend? You don’t have to drop $400 on an expedition quality tent (especially if it is to be dedicated to your emergency only kit) when a sturdy tent can be purchased from a local department store for a quarter of the price. Sure you may have to waterproof it after a couple of years but the cost savings is worth it. Lastly, what “special” items need to be included? Does a family member wear glasses; have asthma or some other health concern that requires medication? Do you have an infant that requires formula or diapers? Where are you going to go to the restroom at? It may sound funny, but anyone of these could be detrimental to your well being in an emergency. Don’t worry too much, you can find everything from a toilet seat that snaps onto a 5 gallon bucket to specialized composting toilets to take care of that last one!

So onto the kit! Let’s start with food and water. A general rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. If you choose to add dehydrated or freeze dried foods to your kit you will need to add more water to re-hydrate them. How you store the water is up to you, you can purchase refillable water jugs (usually in 2 ½ or 5 gallon styles), or the pre-filled 1 to 2 ½ gallon varieties sold in most stores. The food needs to be kept in such a way as to keep rodents or pests out of it while it is being stored (another good use for those 5 gallon pails with lids). Try to choose foods that your family will eat and that have a long shelf life. I also recommend clearly marking the dates on all items with a permanent marker so you can keep them rotated.

For starters you can consider:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits & vegetables
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruits and nuts
• Crackers
• Canned juices or brick pack milks
• Ramen noodles or ready-to-eat soups
• Hard candies
• Instant coffee, tea, powdered drink mixes
• Vitamins
• Infant food (if applicable)
• Instant oatmeal
• Freeze dried meals or military style MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat)
• Non-perishable comfort / stress foods

Try to avoid salty foods as they tend to make you thirsty, frozen foods or foods that require refrigeration, and remember to pack a manual can opener and some cooking utensils. There are several options on the market for eating and cooking utensils, I recommend the Light My Fire and Guyot Designs sporks and the plastic bowls with screw on lids (ex. Zip Lock 2 Cup Storage bowl) for a good all around mess kit. Both are light weight, take up little space, but are still sturdy.

We touched on the basic gear above but let’s go over it again.
• Shelter – this could be a tent, large tarp, large sheet of plastic (4-6 mils), rain gear (ponchos or rain suits), and/or extra clothing.
• Plastic – it’s a good idea to keep a roll of plastic (4-6 mils) with your kit, you will find a use for it. Also you will want to keep a box of heavy duty garbage bags for refuse, a small box of the quart and gallon sized zip lock bags for storage.
• First Aid Kit – make sure there is room to add any personnel medications that you may need and check the dates from time to time. You may want to add some Latex gloves, eye wash, tweezers, thermometer, and scissors if they are not already included. Keep first aid reference materials with the first aid kit.
• Tool Kit – small to medium zippered tool bag, hammer, slotted and Phillips screwdrivers, utility knife with extra blades, pliers (slip joint & channel lock varieties), pry bar, pipe wrench, work gloves (preferably leather) for each person, 25’ tape measure, 1 roll duct tape, 1 roll of electrical tape, miscellaneous sizes of zip ties, small knife sharpener, folding or bow saw, hatchet / small axe (optional).
• Cooking – stove and fuel (use it to figure out how much fuel you will need to keep on hand), a family sized cook kit or a couple of pots with lids and a frying pan, cooking utensils (large spoon, spatula, 1-2 sharp knives), sponge, scrubbing pad, dish towels, dish pan, bowl, plate, cup, and eating utensils for each person.
• Lighting – at least one lantern (battery, crank, propane, white gas, kerosene, candle, or lamp oil), several packs of emergency candles, a flashlight or LED headlamp per person (the crank or shake style lights do not require batteries), if you have kids it is nice to throw in a few of the 12 hour light sticks. It saves on batteries and helps them feel more in control of their surroundings.
• Hygiene – a bar of soap (anti bacterial), hand sanitizer, wet wipes, towel & washcloth, toilet paper (1 roll per person), small toothbrush and toothpaste for each person. Feminine hygiene supplies for those needing them.
• Pet Care – don’t forget your pet, it will need food and water as well.
• Clothing – each person should have a complete change of cloths, jacket / coat, hat, long sleeved shirt, long pants, a thermal layer, and sturdy shoes / boots, extra socks (2 per person, merino wool is recommended), and rain gear.
• Safety – whistle to signal for help & dust mask to filter air for each person, important family documents, a battery or hand crank NOAA weather radio, cash (around $50), local maps and compass, fixed blade or folding style knife per person, small note pad and pencil, fire extinguisher, matches in a waterproof container, disposable lighter, and dry tinder in a waterproof container (cotton balls covered with petroleum jelly work well), a way to purify water (water filter, iodine tablets, etc), water bottle or canteen per person (32oz / 1 liter size), a day / school sized backpack per person, household chlorine bleach (do not use scented, color safe, or bleaches with added chemicals) to use as a disinfectant.

When diluted 9 parts water to 1 part bleach, bleach can be used to disinfect water. Or in an emergency you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops (from a medicine dropper) of regular household bleach per gallon of water. Let it set for an hour or two before using, it will still have a chlorine taste.

• Bedding – a sleeping bag (15°F - 30°F rating depending on your climate), extra blanket per person (wool or fleece, most military surplus carry for a good price),
• Entertainment – to pass the time include books, board games, puzzles, or other activities for children
• Miscellaneous – 50’ to 100’ of general purpose rope, 50’ to 100’ of Para cord or small diameter cord, at least 1 shovel (camp / folding shovel works well), extra batteries, mirror, bug repellent, bug head net per person, sunscreen, basic fishing equipment, 20 or 12 gauge shot gun or 22 caliber rifle for hunting (optional), and ammunition, prepaid cell phone with a list of emergency contacts, and a solar or disposable charging device for the phone.

Though many other items and amounts could be added to you’re your kit, this should give you a good start. Another place to get information is your local government for copies of city / state emergency plans and/or suggested supplies for your area of the country. You can also go to the internet and find a wealth of information from preparedness blogs and videos on Youtube.

Pictures are from Yahoo Images.

Outfitting Your Scout To go Backpacking

When your Cub Scout is crossing over to Boy Scouts or when you’re Troop / Crew has decided to try backpacking for the first time it can prove to be a daunting and expensive task to outfit your scouts for their first trip. You can spend weeks just reading all the information on the internet about which pack you should carry, the latest and greatest shelter system, tents – vs. – hammocks, which water filter to carry, or if you even need to carry one, should you go light weight, ultra light, or traditional when selecting gear. In the end your left more confused than when you started. So what is a parent or scouter to do? That was the question posed to me a while back from some parents that had boy’s crossing over to a local troop.

What follows is the answer (or lesson) that I gave them. It starts with some general discussion about gear, some suggested brands and outfitters (based on my experiences with them), reasons behind certain gear choices, “do it yourself” gear, and multi use items. I hope it is helpful!

For starters the first thing we need to discuss is how to fit a pack, more than once a kid, or adult leader, has formed a dislike to backpacking because they have worn a full pack that did not fit properly causing their shoulders, back, or hips to hurt excessively before they make it to camp the first night only to feel worse when they get up the next morning. I can not stress enough that you should fit your pack, fill it with the items you are planning to take then spend a couple hours walking around the back yard with it on to see what adjustments need to be made. It is much better to make any adjustments to it now than when you are 5 miles into a 20 mile hike! Don’t laugh, it happens every year to someone; just don’t let it be you. OK, enough preaching (for now) lets see how to fit a pack.

Packs are fit by torso length. You measure from the bump at the base of the neck to the natural waist which is found by placing your hand on your hips and drawing an imaginary line from one thumb to the point on your spine that it meets the other. From there you just have to decide which pack will serve you best.

When choosing a pack you can break it down into 3 categories internal frame, external frame, and capacity each with both good and bad qualities. Internal frame packs which have 2 metal or plastic stays that run vertically down left and right sides of the pack have gained in popularity over the last decade due to how well they fit when hiking, they do not shift around when ducking or bending to cross over a tree that has fallen across the trail or scrambling over rocks and banks when crossing a stream but can have limited space and decrease the air circulation between the your back and the pack plus they can be a bit pricey. External frame packs which have a pack bag attached to a metal frame can weigh less, carry more, provide better air circulation, and can cost half the price of some internal frame packs. The draw backs are the fact that you can carry more, which easily allows you to pack more than you can comfortably carry, and they shift around when you bend. For capacity, a good rule of thumb is to keep scouts pack around the 3600 cu in size for an external and around the 50 to 60 liter range for an internal. Go to a reputable outfitter (Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, REI, North Face, etc) try on both to see which you like the best. I have and use both depending on the trip I am going on, but personally started all 3 of my kids off with external frame packs because of price and size options. You can pick up a good (new), external frame scout pack from a company like Campmor for around $50 - $80 less if you go to Ebay. The advantage to external frame “scout” packs are the range of torso adjustments; they can usually go from 13 inches to 17 inches which allows them to grow with your child. When you purchase a rain cover for your pack make sure it is the right size for the pack you have.

Now that you have something to carry your gear in lets round out the “big 3” by discussing tents and sleeping gear. Unless your have the stamina of an NFL lineman this is where weight has the biggest effect on your gear choices. A lot of tents are classified as backpacking tents but may not be suited to carry into the backcountry. If you are not careful this is also an area that can have a big effect on your wallet, with not only high end but mid ranged tents going for $150 to $500. If your scout does not mind sleeping in a confined space a good cost effective tent would the Eureka Solitaire (1 person) or the Hennessy Scout Hammock system both for under $100 or something like the Eureka Spitfire 2 or Tetragon 5 (both 2 person tents) for under  $130 online. What ever tent you choose remember, always carry a ground cloth to protect the tent floor from sharp objects that may be under it. A cost effective option for this is a plastic sheet (4-6 mil) cut to fit the tent.

Sleeping bags are a monster of their own! You can get them in just about every temperature range, weight, size, style, and price you can imagine, then you have to decide what you want the bag to be insulated with, should you use down, polyester fill, or one of the new synthetic fibers that offer the warmth of synthetic and the weight of down. For the money I recommend Eureka’s Casper mummy bag. It can be purchased online for under $80, is rated down to 15° F, packs small due to an integrated compression system on the stuff sack, and weighs in at a respectable 3lbs which is a good weight for a synthetic bag. Last in your sleep system is a ground pad. Excluding price you have 2 choices closed cell foam and self inflating. Closed cell foam is by far the cheapest (from $8-$25 depending on brand) and lightest choice, but if you are using an internal frame pack you may have to get creative in how you carry it. The self inflating pads (such as the Thermarest) tend to be a bit heavier, but make up for that in warmth and pack ability. They also are the most expensive going on average form $30 to $150, again depending on brand, size, and thickness.

Alright, lets move on to the rest of the gear you will need. Talk to your Pack or Troop leaders before purchasing a water filter, they may already have a couple that are used for the whole group. If not a good choice is the Katadyn Hiker for around $60 online. It’s good for approx. 200 gal before the filter needs to be changed. Like all your gear the better it is maintained the longer it will last you. As far as cooking goes I would avoid the old “mess kit” set ups, they are not as practical as they once were with all the choices that are out there. With that said again talk to your group to see if they are doing “group” cooking, pairing off to 2-3 scouts, or each responsible for their cookware. If the latter, you need to decide if you are going to go with an integrated cooking system like the Jet Boil stoves, or a standalone stove and cook pot. If going with something like the Jet Boil system (around $100) you will get the stove, a cook pot, an integrated pot cozy and lid which packs neatly away inside the pot when not in use. If you are going with a stand alone stove check with the scout leaders to determine if they are using alcohol stoves or isopro canister stoves (I recommend the Isopro canister stoves). You can purchase a Coleman canister stove at Wal-Mart and on the internet for under $30 and the canisters run about $5 each. To go with the stove I would recommend the GSI Outdoors nFORM Ultalight Soloist cook system (approx. $40 online), it has everything you need to prepare your meal, a pot w/ lid, a bowl, and insulated mug. Throw in a Light My Fire Spork or Guyot Designs Micro Bites set and you are ready to go. For those wanting to lean more to the ultralight side of hiking you can leave the bowl at home and carry a bag cozy to cook and eat from (see the attached videos for more information). Last on the subject of cooking is a way to light your stove. I always recommend carrying several ways to produce fire, but for a scout just starting out I would recommend a basic Ferro rod (also called a fire steel or metal match), with a “bic” lighter and matches in a waterproof match safe as back up.

The last and some may say most, important big gear group would be clothing. Always dress in layers with the base layer made from a poly or poly / cotton blend to wick moister away from the skin followed by an insulating layer such as fleece or wool covered on top by a shell to repel wind and rain. The lower half of your body can be treated the same way but save the insulating layer (fleece or polypropylene) for at night or cold rainy days. Pants should be comfortable (no jeans), breathable, and roomy enough to put a layer under but not too loose. If they are the type that you can zip the legs off to form shorts even better if not, bring a pair to wear when hiking in the hotter parts of the day and include a pair of nylon rain pants to shield from wind or rain and add an additional layer to help insulate when needed. Socks are very important, always have extras…. Always! In my opinion Merino wool is the best in all 4 seasons. The insulating properties of wool when wet are famous, but they also help your feet to stay cooler in the warmer months. You can expect to pay $11-$15 a pair and should have about 3 pair (one is always carried as a spare) add a liner sock to help wick moisture away from the foot and eliminate blistering and you should be good. To top off the feet, you are going to want to get a pair of hiking boots that give good support to the foot and ankles, and are waterproof or can be waterproofed. Don’t forget to break them in really well before the first trip to eliminate one of the biggest causes of blisters to new backpackers. How well is really well? The last pair I purchased I felt were broken in after I had about 25 miles on them. This was from general wear and short day hikes. In camp you should have a light weight shoe or sandal to put on. This allows your feet a rest and a chance for your boots to dry.

Now on to all the rest! Some troops carry a group first aid while others prefer to have each scout carry their own. If you are expected to carry your own make sure it is comprehensive, light weight, compact but still has enough room to be added to. The Adventure Medical Kits .5 Ultralight / Water tight Kit ($14 online) is just such a kit. It has enough in it to stand alone but has enough room in the pouch to add a small bottle of sunscreen, any personal medication you might need, an emergency whistle, a small film canister with dry tinder for a fire in an emergency, an eyeglass repair kit, and extra matches in a match safe. It’s always a good idea to carry a basic repair kit. It should have at least enough to fix or maintain your pack and tent if something happens. I take a small nylon stuff sack and carry about 20ft of duct tape, a couple of zip ties, one of each buckle on my pack, a small sewing kit, and any patch kit that came with gear like the self inflating sleep pads, a small pencil, and a couple pieces of paper. Every hiker should carry a decent compass and map of the area you will be in. I like to encourage scouts to take turns leading the group with the map and compass, not only does it hone their navigational skills; it also gives them something to talk about later in camp. Each scout should have a hygiene kit with, at a minimum, a toothbrush, toothpaste (trial size), deodorant (trial size), and some wet wipes to clean up with (the last time I checked there was no shower in the back country…). You can add to that by throwing in a bottle of biodegradable soap (for dishes and person), a small bottle of hand sanitizer to disinfect your hands after going to the latrine, which reminds me, don’t forget the toilet paper! Someone always does and it’s never pretty…hahaha. Depending on how long you will be out take a half to a full roll in a zip lock bag to keep it dry and a backpackers trowel to dig a hole. Look for a light weight, compact pack towel to use, something that is highly absorbent but will still dry quickly in between uses.

You don’t have to carry a heavy or bulky flashlight these days with all of the super bright, long life LED headlamps on the market you don’t even need to pay a lot of money for them. I would recommend the Energizer LED headlamps (around $12-$15) at most department stores and no matter what brand you use always carry an extra set of batteries. If you don’t like the headlamp style of light I would go with the mini-Mag light with the LED bulb or a similar small LED flashlight. The LED lights have extremely long bulb life and produce more than enough light to do what you need to. You are going to need at least 50ft but no more than 100ft of strong small diameter rope like Para cord and a mid sized nylon stuff sack to use as a bear bag. It is always a good idea to hang your food, and any item that has a scent, about 30ft from your tent to keep animals from trying to get into your tent to get it. The cord can also be use to replace broken shoe laces, guy lines, or general repairs in a pinch.

The last of the essential gear that is needed would be a couple of garbage bags, quart size freezer bags, and gallon size freezer bags. The garbage bags can be used as a pack liner if it is raining, a water resistant cover for your sleeping bag if using an external frame pack, a dry place to sit if it has been raining, as well as the obvious use as a garbage bag. The quart and gallon zip lock bags can be used the same way. Anything you don’t want to get wet gets put into a bag, and any trash you have can be put into one of the gallon size bags and put in your bear bag at night. They are also a great way to keep your pack organized.

Last on the list would be tools. A good knife is a life saver! I have carried a Victorinox Swiss Army Recruit knife for years and would not think of heading into the woods without it in my pocket. Swiss Army knives are light weight, easy to sharpen, have several tools on them (depending on the model), and have decades of experience in the wild. I would, and do, add a multi pliers to my pack as well. In addition to the obvious use as a repair or emergency tool you always have a pot grabber if your pot or lids handle gets damaged in some way.

Food requirements will be discussed by your group when the trip is planned, but I would like to chime in on a couple of points for the newbie’s out there. First, don’t underestimate your body’s ability to get dehydrated and fatigued even on cooler days. You should carry enough water to make it to the next source of water; I always suggest two 32oz water containers or a hydration bladder (if your pack is compatible) and a spare 32oz bottle for use when cooking on the trail. If you drink about a quart / liter of water just before starting out each day, plan to drink about a quart / liter every 2 hours, take frequent rest stops, refill your supply before it runs out, and eat a handful of trail mix from time to time between meals you shouldn’t have any problems. Always try the food and snacks you plan to take with you before you go. Many times people fail to do this, then get on the trail and realize they do not like the food they brought, or can not stand the food they brought. One can be a minor inconvenience; the other could ruin the trip for you to the point that you do not have an interest in hiking again. Try several freeze dried meals before picking the ones to bring, make sure the single serving meals will be enough to satisfy you (there is nothing worse than going to bed hungry after a long day of hiking). If a single serving does not seem like enough try adding one of the freeze dried deserts. Don’t feel like you have to stick with the prepackaged freeze dried meals (true they are good for beginners, but don’t limit yourself). Most supermarkets carry a wide range of freeze dried and dehydrated foods that are great for backpacking. You can take Ramen style noodles, beef jerky, dry cereal and powdered milk, instant potato’s, the vacuum pouches of tuna and chicken, and the thin sliced bagels teamed with peanut butter and jelly packets are perfect for sandwiches at lunch. Even instant puddings are a nice treat to add to a meal at the end of a day on the trail. Instant rice and cous cous make some pretty substantial meals when hiking as well.

In closing I will leave you with one more thing to think about. Gear, even when you are watching prices, can set you back several hundred dollars. Don’t try to buy it all at once, buy a little here and there when you see good deals, start frequenting your local sporting goods stores to look for deals, do online searches for the best price, you will be surprised how much you can save. The last pack I bought I paid $56.00 for online. The same pack in my local sporting goods store was $189.00, it pays to shop around. If your scout has never backpacked before, purchase as much as you can from places like ebay or try to borrow as much gear as possible. They may not like it, why not make sure before you start buying all the expensive stuff. Use this, the attached list, and video as a guide, and have fun!

I hope to see you on the trail some day!

Beginning Backpackers Gear List:

Shelter / Sleeping:

• Tent w/ ground cloth
• Sleeping bag – rated from 15° to 20°
• Sleeping pad – closed cell or self inflating
• Sit pad (optional)

Packing:

• Backpack – internal or external frame pack (around 3600 cu in or 50L – 60L)
• Pack rain cover
• Garbage bags
• Zip lock bags – Qt and Gallon size

Cooking:

• Cook pot – soloist style
• Utensils – Spork, scrub pad / sponge, bandana (pot holder)
• Stove & fuel – isopro canister or alcohol (discuss with leader)
• Matches / lighter – bic lighters are recommended or matches in a match safe
• Water filter – discuss with leader before buying
• Insulated cup
• Pot / bag cozy – a “make it yourself” item
• Water bottles – two 32oz bottles are recommended
• Bear bag – mid sized stuff sack to hang food from tree

Essentials:

• Compass
• Map of planned trip
• First Aid kit – personal size with prescription medicines
• Headlamp w/ extra batteries – sm LED flashlight would work as a substitute
• Fire starter – Ferro rod or extra matches in a match safe, dry tinder for emergency
• Whistle – stadium whistle is recommended
• Knife / Multi-tool – Swiss Army knife is recommended along with a multi-tool
• Repair kit – duct tape, zip ties, sewing kit, replacement buckles (1 per size)
• Pack towel
• Hygiene kit – tooth brush & paste, deodorant, biodegradable soap, wet wipes
• Toilet paper
• Rope – 50’ to 100’ of small diameter cordage or Para cord is recommended

Clothing:

• Watch – essential to follow cooking times and for emergencies
• Wide brimmed hat or baseball cap
• Knit hat – for cool nights and/or sleeping
• Light gloves – for cool nights
• Rain gear – nylon rain suit or poncho (made to over a backpack) & rain pants
• Heavy fleece shirt / jacket – 200 to 300 weight fleece or 2 100 weight fleece
• Long sleeve shirt – poly or poly/cotton blend
• 2 short sleeve shirts – poly or blend, 1 to use as a spare
• 2 Pants – poly or blend is best, convertible to shorts is also helpful, 1 is a spare
• Polypro or fleece pants – a thermal layer for your legs
• 3 pr wool hiking socks – merino wool is recommended or wool / poly blend
• Liner socks – 1 or 2 pair to prevent blisters
• Camp shoes – light weight sandal or something like “crocs” shoe
• Boots – waterproof lining is recommended or waterproof yourself

Food:

• Trail snacks – trail mix, power / granola bars
• Drink mixes – with electrolytes (helps rehydrate faster), hot coco, coffee, tea
• Freeze dried or dehydrated food for 3 main meals
• Emergency food -  enough food for 1 extra day

Miscellaneous / Optional:

• Gaiters – to keep water and debris out of boots
• Camera – in a zip lock bag
• Notepad and pencil – or small journal
• Cards
• Sleeping bag liner – helps keep bag clean
• Guide books
• Fishing gear – compact
• Folding saw
• Sun glasses

A Backpack Full Of Camping Gear Is Basically A Large Survival Kit

 A backpack full of camping gear is basically a large survival kit designed for a comfortable, extended stay on the trail. What you choose to carry depends on how far or long you plan to venture into the wild. Are you going on a short scouting trip for a few hours, a day long hike on a scenic trail, or a multi day trip in the back country? The bottom line is this, it does not matter what you carry if you don’t know how to use what you brought when the time comes and your life is dependant on your gear. So when choosing your gear, take it out in the back yard, set it up, try it out, and get comfortable with it before you take it on the trail.

Let’s start with the basics, the 10 Essentials: (then add, subtract, or substitute as needed)

1. Knife / Multi-Tool
2. Map & Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS)
3. Sun Protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, hat)
4. Extra Food and Water
5. Extra Clothes
6. LED Headlamp / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
7. First Aid Kit
8. Matches & Fire Starters
9. Water Bottle
10. Rain Gear

Knife / Multi-Tool:  I have long been a fan of the “Original” Multi-Tool (the Swiss Army Knife) and believe you can not go wrong having one in your pocket at all times, but if you are going into the back country you may wish to supplement your SAK with a sturdy multi-tool such as the Leatherman Charge or the Gerber Suspension Multi Pliers, and a good lightweight folding saw.

Map & Compass: It goes without saying (or should) that the time to learn how to read a compass and orient a map is at home when you make mistakes and learn from them.

Sun Protection: It doesn’t take long for the sun to have an effect on your body through dehydration and burning, so always have some type of sunscreen (including lip balm), sunglasses (if possible), and a hat with a wide brim to cover your neck or a ball cap and bandanna. Under this essential I would also add insect repellent to protect you from those pesky little bites!

Extra Food & Water: Even if you are only going out for a few hours it is a good idea to take some type of trail snack to keep your energy up, if you get lost it could be life saving! Which takes us to water; I believe that the water bottle should be included in this section and a way to sanitize water before you drink it. If you are carrying a Nalgene  style bottle you could add a GSI Glacier Cup/Pot to the bottom of it and take up no extra space, or substitute the Nalgene for a metal water bottle that could be placed in the fire to boil / sanitize the water you find.

Extra Clothes / Rain Gear – This is another set of items I would group together along with a small tarp or sheet of plastic (4-6 mils) and call the listed item Shelter! It should include something to make a shelter from (plastic or tarp), rain gear (or a jacket / sweater depending on weather conditions), extra socks, knit hat, and gloves.

LED Headlamp / Flashlight: if you are have to stay in the woods overnight it is not recommended to go wandering around with your flashlight, but instead it is meant to provide light for doing tasks around camp, finding things in your pack, food preparation, etc. If ambient light is needed you can build a fire to light up your camp (as long as it is contained and not a risk of starting a forest fire). Batteries being a man made device can fail so always carry an extra set.

First Aid Kit: first aid kits can be a bit confusing to some people and with dozens of varieties and prices to choose from it doesn’t make your choice any easier. A good place to start would be how many people are going to be with you, and are they all carrying a kit or is one group kit going to be used. By figuring this out you have eliminated a lot of the options. If by yourself or each member of your group has their own all you need is a small personal first aid kit. I would recommend the Adventure Medical Kits “Ultralight / Watertight .5” or something comparable. Then add any personnel medications, extra moleskin, and water purification tablets (if not included). Again, everyone’s skill level is different but I would recommend taking a basic first aid course, at the least, before heading out on the trail. The life you save could be your own.

Matches & Fire Starter: I always carry a waterproof match container in my first aid kit as a back up, but do not use it as a first choice. That said a Bic Lighter in your pocket is always a good companion to have as is a tried and trusted Fire Steel. A fire when needed could mean the difference between life and death. It provides warmth, a way to dry out if wet, a way to cook food, a means to sanitize water, and a way to boost your spirits on a cold night in the woods. But a means to start a fire do not help you at all without dry tinder to get your fire going. Many different products are on the market from compressed wood, chemically formulated paste, resin impregnated wood (natural & man made). You could choose to make your own such as cotton balls covered with petroleum jelly, pencil shavings / saw dust, jute twine, char cloth, or try to find what you need in nature like birch bark, tinder fungus, dry grass. The point here is that you need something dry to get it started and the best way to do that is to have it ready before it is needed.

OK, now that we have turned our 10 Essentials into 8 lets add a couple of things to round out our list.

Cordage / Rope: it could be made in the wild if needed but it is time consuming and time may be something you don’t have. From hanging you food bag or replacing your boot laces, to building a temporary shelter or tying a splint around a broken leg you can always find a use for rope when on the trail or in the woods. 50’ to 100’ of 550 Para Cord is like gold to those that need it but have forgotten it.

Cell Phone: it may seem out of place but if you are alone in the woods and injured being able to call for help could save your life.

Here I would add an 11^th item, arguably it could be considered part of one of the items above I feel it needs to be addressed in a little more detail.

Emergency Bivy Bag / Space Blanket: though it could be added to the shelter section a good emergency bivy bag (around $30) or all weather space blanket could make the difference if you are unable to build a fire, your shelter fails in the middle of a storm, you are caught above the tree line, or if you or a member of your party is suffering from hypothermia. They don’t take up much space or add much weight but they do add a level of safety that is hard to match.

It’s always better to be prepared for an emergency and not have one than to have an emergency and not be ready for it. Contact your local Red Cross for some first aid training, brush up on (or learn and practice) fire building skills, hit your local library or the internet and learn how to build a primitive shelter and some traps to secure food if you are in a self reliance situation, and remember STOP!

Sit down – stop wandering around.
Think – how did you get to where you are?
Observe – can you see a definite landmark? What time is it? What is the weather like?
Plan – are you going to have to spend the night? What will you need? Fire wood, Shelter, Water!

Don’t panic, keep your wits and you will make it back with a great story for your friends, and remember, this is a starting point. Add what ever comfort items you would like to make your time in the woods more enjoyable.

Pictures courtesy of Yahoo Images.

Gear Review: Jansport Big Bear 82 (2008 model)

This is the first internal frame pack I have owned, and was purchased based on brand familiarity and price (around $60) 7 months ago. Since purchase this pack has seen rolling, wooded hills, flat open prairie, bright sunny trails and a 6 hr steady rain and has done, in my opinion, a stellar job. I would recommend this pack to anyone; in fact after its first trip (a 20 mile round trip weekend) I purchased the Big Bear 63 for my wife. I believe this pack exceeded the manufactures claims

Specs: (from manufactures description)
82 L (5000 cu in)
33h x 15w x 12d
6000 denier polyester
3.14 lbs
Fit’s 18” to 20” torso’s
Ergonomic S-curve shoulder straps
Wide hip belt
Dual side water bottle pockets
Top loading with compression hood
Large front panel sleeve
Mesh wet / dry pocket
5 daisy chain clip points
Ice axe loop
Side compression straps

Pros:Comfort, price, large capacity.

Cons:Top load only, the shoulder strap adjusters slipped when wet.

As a scout leader and moderate backpacker I have always used an external frame pack (the most recent a 4500 cu in pack made by Coleman) due to the ease of packing and the ability to lash on whatever I have needed or felt like carrying, but recently had decided to give an internal frame pack a try. I like the stability and fit of the pack the most (even with loads around 30-35 pounds) compared to the way an external shifts when climbing over logs or ducking below a branch, and feel it is a good trade off for the loss of lashing points (I just started carrying a folding saw instead of a hatchet…lol). I am not sure if I like the top being the only access to your gear and feel a little more care in how you organize your pack is needed to accommodate this. If I had to knock this pack for something I would have to say it was the way the shoulder straps would loosen up after they got wet.