CONFESSIONS OF A SHAMELESS GEARHEAD

Is GEAR that important?  Well, YES it is that important!

When you are in any environment where the natural surroundings are hostile to your survival, your gear and your smarts are the only things between you and the environment.

Gear in camp
  • Good gear is important.
  • There are many good options.
  • Read. Ask. Test.
  • Talk with retail professionals.
  • Buy the best you can afford.
  • Care for your gear properly.

Here are some checklists I have developed for getting ready for my adventures.

ESSENTIAL GEAR

What to carry depends on where you're headed. Carry these on every hike and hope you'll never use some of them. Several items can prevent a simple injury from turning into a life-threatening ordeal. If this is too much, ask yourself, "Which emergency won't happen to me on this trip?"

Use these "TION" words (pronounced shun) to remember your essential gear.

PREPARATION - A plan of your route, your gear, your destination, and your return time to be left with an emergency contact

NAVIGATION - The route description, a trail or topographic map, a simple compass, and the knowledge to use them. (A GPS receiver or altimeter for increased precision and speed)

HYDRATION - Full water bottles plus extra; water treatment tablets; or purifying filter.

NUTRITION - Nutrition bars, snacks, or meals for the day plus extra

IGNITION - Matches, lighter, fire starter, or stove with full fuel bottle or canister

ILLUMINATION - Headlamp with fresh batteries

RADIATION - Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, UV-resistant clothes

INSULATION - Base layer (wicking), insulation layer, rain gear, extra socks, soft-shell jacket, extra (unworn) insulating garment

MEDICATION - Your personal daily medications, first aid kit with fresh supplies, instructions, and the knowledge to use them

PROTECTION - Space blanket, tarp (to shelter accident victims in sun or rain), survival bivy sack (to warm hypothermic victims)

STABILIZATION - Trekking poles (third leg, monopod, shelter pole, cougar and bear defense, poison oak deflector, general poking and irritating of small creatures)

IN ADDITION - Emergency lists, signal whistle, signal mirror, knife, multi-tool, cord


Jordan standing with backpack and walking poles

My gear choices have evolved from when I first discovered my passion for the outdoors!

Six-year old (Jordan's) Gear - This is what I carried to the clearing near the creek behind our house in Fairfax County, Virginia.

  • Army surplus puptent (canvas w/wooden poles)
  • Surplus canteen and cup (KoolAid inside)
  • 2 Army blankets
  • 1 flashlight, 2 candles, 1 lantern (C'mon, I was little)
  • Canvas rucksack w/sandwich & Oreos (and hungry)
  • 2 comic books (early field guides)