The ten essentials survey

[Kevin]

I carry the 10 essentials, and other items as well, depending upon the hike/conditions.

I view them as a starting point, not the end point.

Do you mean on long hikes only, or almost every hike?

z

Every hike, z.

[halhiker]

I did a hike today about ten miles and I wore a hat, put on sunscreen, wore sunglasses. I brought binoculars, a camera, a lighter. My phone has maps and a compass plus a GPS. I wore clothes and brought an extra shirt. I brought some fluid.

How many is that?

[neverwashasbeen]

Normally I try to bring a sherpa who carries all that stuff so I don't have to. When I do need to carry my own stuff, I try to consolidate it. I found on one of my longer trips that 151 proof rum works well as a fire starter, medicine and emergency calories. Otherwise it's:

Water (treatment for longer trips)
Food
Extra clothes
Sun protection - even in snow conditions
Knife or multipurpose tool
Lighter
TP - also can be used as a fire starter
Signal device - usually a mirror or CD
Minimal 1st Aid kit
Cord
Map and/or compass very rarely

[halhiker]

Normally I try to bring a sherpa who carries all that stuff so I don't have to. When I do need to carry my own stuff, I try to consolidate it. I found on one of my longer trips that 151 proof rum works well as a fire starter, medicine and emergency calories. Otherwise it's:

Water (treatment for longer trips)
Food
Extra clothes
Sun protection - even in snow conditions
Knife or multipurpose tool
Lighter
TP - also can be used as a fire starter
Signal device - usually a mirror or CD
Minimal 1st Aid kit
Cord
Map and/or compass very rarely

I prefer Yukon Jack to 151. It's still 100 proof and you can actually drink it. Plus, it comes in a plastic bottle.

[asabat]

For ease of memory I group the 10 essentials into 4 categories. They are a bit contrived but work for me:

Light the way:
1. Matches & firestarter plus a lighter
2. Headlamp
3. Map & compass (sometimes adding GPS and/or route description)

Hardware:
4. Knife (tiny)
5. First aid (also tiny, includes TP, meds, bandana, thread & needle, space blanket)

Consumable:
6. Food
7. Water (and water purification if needed)

Clothing:
8. Sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, lip balm)
9. Rain protection (rain suit/poncho/trash bag depending on expectations)
10.Extra clothing (varies based on conditions and trip length)

I also add comms, typically a 2-meter radio and cell phone, and camera
Snow gear added when needed (snowshoes, crampons & axe, avy gear)

For an overnighter I likewise have a short list:

Bedroom (sleeping bag, pad, tent)
Kitchen (small kettle, spoon, stove, small dishrag)
Bathroom (toothbrush, soap, contact lens supplies)


With this system, I don't need to look at a list.

[Kathryn61]

Well, I always carry whether the hike is long or short:

whistle
headlamp w/ extra batteries
compass
matches
fire starter
knife
very large trash bag
space blanket
mirror-reflector thing
first aid kit
duct tape
ace bandage
valium (in case of a panic attack due to a snake bite!)
aspirin (although I wish I had something like vicodin)
extra food and clothing
toilet paper

I feel like I'm forgetting something though.....I wonder what else I can bring along.......

[Kathryn61]

Just remembered:

Electrolyte capsules

[Rick F]

I carry all of the essentials on the basic list. I try think of what I'll need if I had to spend a night and an extra day in the mountains.

I have also wondered bout the fire starter. I carry some waterproof matches and a butane lighter. I tell my newb friends about the essentials and the firestarter, then instantly contradict myself and tell them they cant have a fire in most state/national forests or parks. (if its a matter of survival its better to live and pay a fine)

[Cy Kaicener]

Making a camp fire on Skyline is not recommended. I remember July 2000 when a guy called Sean started a forest fire. Here are the details
http://rmru.org/missions/2000/2000-017.htm

[Sally]

My list:
1. Map & compass
2. Signals (mirror and whistle)
3. Emergency blanket (pocket size)
4. Stuff for starting fire
5. Extra clothing
6. Extra food
7. Extra water & treatment
8. First aid kit (namely, painkillers)
9. Sun protection
10. Headlamp and extra batteries
11. Duct tape
12. Knife
!3. Camera
14. GPS
15. My SPOT
16. Cell phone (I don't know why, it never works!)

Oops, that's more than 10! No wonder my pack is so heavy. If I'm going into rugged country for more than 10 miles, I usually bring all this stuff. I'm still kicking myself for not having my camera the day I saw the fox on San J. Peak.