Ideally, all ten of these “systems” should be carried by everybody in the group, although some of them (like first aid) can be distributed throughout the group.
1. Navigation
- Map – having a topo map and knowing how to read it are important skills for backcountry travel. In general, I like the waterproof, rip proof Trails Illustrated maps like this one of Mt. Rainier: http://www.rei.com/product/777116
- Compass – while an inexpensive compass like Suunto’s A-10 (727086, $14.50) is a great place to start, a compass with declination adjustment like Suunto’s classic M-3D (408150, $34) is only a little more expensive and much easier to use in area’s like ours were magnetic North is almost 20 degrees off of true North.
- Knowledge – if you don’t know how to use a map and compass, carrying them won’t help much. But learn, and quickly!
- Sunglasses – you want sunglasses that fit close to your face so that you don’t see lots of extraneous light entering around the edges. If you’re going to spend lots of time up high, or on snow, consider glasses with 10% VLT or less. Oakley, Smith, and Julbo (and to some degree, Native and Zeal) are also producing quality sports optics. Find some that fit well and are comfortable to wear all day.
- Sunscreen – based on the results of the Environmental Working Group’s 2010 sunscreen tests, I recommend sunscreen from Badger or All Terrain. I will admit that I wasn’t particularly pleased with the application of the Badger sunscreen I used last year (just didn’t rub in well) but it was definitely effective.
- Sun Protective Clothing – if you’re going to be up high, on snow, or are particularly sensitive to the sun, consider getting the bulk of your sun protection from clothing. Even clothing without a UPF rating will provide some degree of protection (REI doesn’t even list sun protection if its less than UPF 15). Buff’s are a great option for protecting your neck and face in extreme sun.
- This is key for those days where the temps plummet unexpectedly, and is also critical for the times you’re forced to stay out unexpectedly in the dark. Non-bulky insulation like PrimaLoft is an excellent choice because it offers tremendous warmth for relatively little weight and bulk.
- Don’t forget a warm hat (windproof fleece is an excellent choice). Even gloves are critical if you’re expecting the temps to drop.
- A small headlamp is ideal, and something like the Petzl Zipka is easy to pack along.
- If you’re already carrying a headlamp on your overnight trip, be sure to carry extra batteries. It’s also worth carrying a small LED pinch light (something like 744499) as an emergency backup.
- You can do an amazing amount with some ibuprofen (Advil) and antihistamine tablets (Benadryl), a few butterfly closures, a little moleskin and a couple BandAids. Something like AMK’s UltraLight/Watertight .5 First Aid Kit (708124, $17) is an excellent place to start.
- If you’re carrying the main first aid for a group, or are getting ready for a long trip, consider a kit with lots of organization and space for pill bottles. Something like AMK’s Mountain Weekender is a good place to start (708125, $59.95).
- Waterproof matches (617046, $5.50) are an important place to start, as are a few firestarters, pieces of tinder, or candles (the Lightning Nugget Firestarters get good reviews – 619851, $3.95).
- An inexpensive lighter is usually worth the weight, just for convenience sake.
- A multi-tool with both scissors and pliers is ideal. You’ll need pliers for crimping a tent pole, or taking apart a stove, but you’ll want scissors for cutting moleskin or trimming a fabric patch. Consider something like the tiny, and reasonably priced, Leatherman Squirt PS4 Muti-Tool (802322 or 813346, $29.95). Larger multi-tools like the Leatherman Juice, Leatherman Charge, or Gerber Strata are also excellent choices (and give you more leverage) but they weigh noticeably more.
- Duct tape is the fix-all, and I definitely carry a small strip with me. Avoid carrying it wrapped around your trekking pole or water bottle as it will inevitably have holes worn or punched in it over time. Instead, just fold a flat section (say 8 inches?) over on itself several times and tuck it in a stuff sack. This will remain flexible enough that it should remain whole (and waterproof).
- Consider carrying some of Gear Aid’s Tenacious Tape (783045, $4.50) in addition to (or instead of) duct tape. It’s more durable than duct tape, and will not leave adhesive residue behind when you peel it off to make a permanent repair.
- Seam Grip is an amazing fabric adhesive that can be used for everything from sealing leaky seams to patching holes in sleeping pads. We now carry it in small tubes that are perfect for tucking in your repair kit (799508, $6)
- Throw in a few small plastic cable ties (also called zip-ties) which can be used to repair packs, boots and all sorts of other things.
- Calorie dense energy bars are ideal. For long trips, meal replacement bars (which can pack a full days worth of calories into a single bar) are even better.
- Always carry back-up water treatment. I like chlorine dioxide because it comes in lightweight foil packets (no little bottles I have to lug around) and it doesn’t leave a taste in the water. These can be found on REI.com here: http://www.rei.com/search?query=chlorine+dioxide&button.x=0&button.y=0
- For ultralight emergency shelter, reusable emergency bivy sacks are definitely the way to go. Not only are they easier to use than a space blanket (which is always blowing open), they are considerably more durable (it doesn’t take much to rip a mylar blanket to shreds). They’re also not disposable, so the environment likes you. Consider one of these two:
- AMK’s SOL Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy (813511, $16) is essentially a lightweight, seam-sealed plastic bag with a reflective surface. Better than a cheap space blanket, but not super versatile.
- AMK’s SOL Thermal Bivvy (813513, $34) is heavier, but more durable and more versatile. It’s actually made from a non-woven fabric with a reflective surface, and closes down one side with small pieces of Velcro. I’ve wrapped one of these around my sleeping bag on extremely cold nights, and I’ve wrapped one around an accident victim as we slowly lowered her down a snowy slope. It’s a little bulkier, and definitely more expensive, than other options, but its an outstanding piece of gear.
Not included in the Ten Essentials list, but very important, are signaling devices:
- A whistle may be built in to the sternum strap of your pack. If so, you’re all set. Otherwise, carry a whistle like the SOL Rescue Howler (813508, $9 for 2) or Slim Rescue Howler (814704, $6 for 2). Not only do they require less effort than yelling, the noise carries further, is recognized as an emergency noise, and keeps working long after you’ve lost your voice.
- Signaling mirrors are also an excellent idea if you head into the backcountry. It’s much easier to use a true signaling mirror (with a sighting hole) than any other reflective object, so spend the couple bucks for a compact, lightweight one like the SOL Rescue Flash Signal Mirror (813509, $9) or Coghlan’s Signal Mirror (630149, $11.50)
Thoughts, ideas, additions, suggestions?
