Backcountry.....Must Haves

[Mtnwalker]

Right where i was at, pretty wild, clearly residents as there was no guide.  I had asked a couple times about taking a shorter route, and was told, those cliffs are gnarly, you can get in a bad spot.

https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/

  my palms are sweaty just looking at that picture

[Rob]

Every trip is different, so every list will be different.

I use the "10 essentials" to determine what to bring on a given trip.  This particular version of the 10 essentials is a "systems" approach, not a 10 item check list.

Navigation
     Paper Map and Compass, GPS, etc
Illumination
     Sufficient lighting for navigating at night (headlamp, possible spare)
Sun protection
     Sunblock, sunglasses, hat, Buff
First aid
     Containing things you think are important in back country (+ bug repellant?)
Repair Kit
     Things you need to fix your gear. E.g. extra shoelaces, spare batteries, knifes, wire, patch for your air mattress, etc.
Fire
     2-3 ways to start a fire.  Stove if you need one.
Shelter
     Can be as complicated as a tent, or as simple as a tarp. I also think about sleeping bags, air mattresses, etc in this category
Extra food
     Food to stay an extra 24 hours beyond expected trip/day trip
Hydration
     Water, a way to carry it, and a way to make more
Insulation
     Extra layers to deal with rain, cold, or an emergency overnight


I add an 11th essential which would be communication.  This is where your PLB/Locator device like an in-reach goes, as well as 2 way radios (if used), a cell phone (if used).


By doing a quick review of this list, I am assured that all bases are covered.  A day hike would see a much smaller set of gear in my pack when compared to an overnight where I might have 20lbs of basic gear.  But each of the 10 (11 actually) essentials are reviewed and addressed. 

The key is, how do you cover the list without carrying 100 lbs of gear on a day hike!  Mastering this takes experience...

[2MANY]

Right where i was at, pretty wild, clearly residents as there was no guide.  I had asked a couple times about taking a shorter route, and was told, those cliffs are gnarly, you can get in a bad spot.

https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/

That first picture gives me anxiety bad!  Good lesson on why you don't keep your inreach in your pack, but somewhere that you can actually reach it.

Tuck and roll.