The Ten Essentials

This is not my first post about the "Ten Essential" but it is information worth repeating.  

I am beginning to look at the "Ten Essentials" as a system of gear and not just individual items. For example, the complete system of Navigation equipment will be my map, compass, GPS and a trail guide. I may end up taking two maps of different scales. Perhaps a pencil too.

No matter what you pack, it has to work for you. If you take kids, it will have to work for them. For example, you might be able to get by on a few energy bars but what about that sixteen year old? His metabolism will be much higher and he will require more food; no kidding.

The “Ten Essentials”

1. Navigation (GPS, map and compass)

2. Sun protection (Sunglasses and sunscreen)

3. Insulation (extra clothing)

4. Illumination (head lamp and flashlight)

5. First-aid supplies

6. Fire making (fire starter, matches, lighter)

7. Repair kit and tools

8. Nutrition (extra food)

9. Hydration (extra water)

10. Wind and waterproof emergency shelter (poly tarp, 4mil bags)

This is the minimum. It is a starting point.

I have added to my list and pack:

1. Communication/signaling (Cell phone, whistle and signal mirror)

2. SPOT locator

3. A small folding saw

4. A “sit pad” (I use an old sleeping/ensolite foam pad cut in half as my backcountry chair.

Garbage Bag Shelter

Is a garbage bag shelter part of your survival kit?

Just why would you put a garbage bag is your survival kit?

I don't. I use something that I think is better.

I am particular about my survival kit and it's components. I use several of the simple shelters made available from http://www.outdoorsafe.com/. I carry one in my hunting day pack and my hiker's pack.

I don't use a garbage bag. I'll use two brightly colored, 4 mil bags. They weigh next to nothing. They are highly visible. Most importantly they provide a wind and water proof shelter. Don't think that such a shelter is going to be warm and "comfy." Think of them as an emergency shelter that will keep you out of the elements. It's all about maintaining 98.6.
Kummerfeldt has an excellent explanation is his book, "Surviving a Wilderness Emergency."

Take note that the shelter bag will be cut to provide an access for your head but your arms are kept inside with no opening for them.

I'll take this one step further. I'll take a large, 2-3 mil bags that are used by my local tire ship. These bags are folded and then compressed with a couple of heavy books. The bags are then put in a sandwich bag for storage in my pack. I'll use these bags to keep my pack and gear dry in a rain or snow storm. After one use I'll toss them.

A Hunter's Checklist

Have you built a hunter's checklist.  Here is a start.

Perhaps it is my navy training because I like checklists.  It is my security blanket; of sorts.

My rifle and day pack.

This morning while going through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) web page I came across a recommended hunter’s checklist.   Read the checklist by ODFW here.

It is a start.  This list is designed to be tailored to the hunter’s specific needs.  Per the website:

Below is a list of recommended items to take with you in the field. However, individual needs and preferences may require an individual to take more than the recommended items below. Use good judgment and remember: It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!

A quick evaluation of items that I like:

·         Carry one full day of food

·         Map & Compass

·         $20 in cash (I hadn’t thought of that)

·         2 knives and a sharpening stone

There are more but those jump out.

I would add several items that include:

·         A GPS

·         Shelter to replace a space blanket

·         The Ten Essentials

·         Fire starter (more than matches)

·         My locator beacon (SPOT)

I’ll print out the ODFW list and compare it with my older list to ensure I’ve not forgotten anything.  That is the security mentioned earlier.

For another comprehensive checklist, visit Peter Kummerfeldt’s web page and click on “Contents of Outdoorsafe Daypack” found here.

 

Planning an Escape Route

 
For the last several days I have been working with my Search and Rescue (SAR) team on a forest fire in the Pacific Northwest. The team has helped to coordinate the potential evacuation of a small community and has worked with Forest Service staff to assist stranded hikers. Getting these hikers out safely has been a priority.

To read the rest of the post go here.


GPS Seminar

Heading to the Cabelas store in Springfield, Oregon to hold two GPS seminars this Sunday, Sept 23.  Seminars begin at 10:00 & 1:00.

The Compass in Your GPS

Is your GPS set up correctly?  Does your GPS's electronic compass match with your magnetic compass?

The hunter is at the trail head ready to strike out for the back country.  The GPS receiver is powered on and is tracking 10 satellites.  The receiver’s batteries were replaced earlier at camp.  All looks good. 

The hunter marks a waypoint to record the location of trail head and truck. 

While moving down the trail, the hunter notices that the GPS receiver’s electronic compass just “doesn’t seem to look right.”  He checks his magnetic compass and confirms his direction of travel with the topographic map.  The GPS receiver's compass is about 15° off.  Not far from the trail head and with the hunter’s truck in view, he takes a bearing and neither magnetic compass nor the electronic compass match.

There are two considerations that need to take into account.

First, every time the GPS receiver’s batteries are replaced, the electronic compass needs to be calibrated.  It’s a simple process that requires a quick check of the owner’s manual.

Second, both the compass and GPS receiver must be set to complement each other.  For example, if the hunter has a basic base plate compass (one that cannot be adjusted for declination)  then the GPS receiver’s “north reference” must be set to magnetic.  If the hunter has a compass adjusted for declination then the receiver should be set to true north.  If compass and GPS receiver don’t match then the bearing information may be as much as 10° to 20° off.  That is not good.

I carry a Sylva Ranger style compass that can be adjusted for declination.  Before leaving home I visit www.magnetic-declination.com to verify the correct declination for my planned hunt location.  With that information I adjust the compass.  Yes, the magnetic needle still points to magnetic north but the rotating dial provides degree/azimuth information in degrees true.  I’ll then set my GPS receiver’s “north reference” to true north.

Now my GPS and compass settings match my topographic map. That is the best way to do it.

Map Reading - All About Benchmarks

Check out my latest post at SeattleBackpackersMagazine.

When looking at a US Geologic Survey (USGS) map the hiker will find benchmark symbols sprinkled across the topo; these and the many other symbols provide the details of a map. Such symbols represent features such as mines, bridges, dams and many more items. To see a complete look at symbols visit the USGS site for more information.

To read the rest of the post go here.