The Ten Essentials Surviving in the wilderness requires resources, and that is what the Ten Essentials is aimed at ensuring you have. More accurately, each person in a wilderness setting should have the means to deal with the following ten challenges:
1. Navigation 2. Sun Protection 3. Clothing 4. Light 5. First-Aid 6. Emergency Tools 7. Fire 8. Nutrition 9. Water 10. Communication
The specifics for meeting these challenges will change depending on the season, region and experience of those involved. I am always upgrading my approach to the ten essentials, and the following list is my latest and greatest effort. I am motivated by technology, because “smaller and lighter” is always my goal.
NAVIGATION Garmin GPSMAPS 60CSx, with Base Camp software Brunton Baseplate Compass with Mirror Terrain Navigator MyTopo USGS UTM grid maps (NAD 27) Northwest Forest Pass Special permits (if needed)
II. SUN PROTECTION Waterproof Primaloft Goretx cap with ear protection. Polarized clip-on sunglasses work well for my eye-protection. Not everyone needs the same level of protection from the sun, as this changes with a person’s pigmentation and tolerance for sunshine. Sunshine is bad for some, yet healthy for others (like me - I do not use sun screen except in extreme conditions). Smith Optics Scope Pro ski goggle.
III. CLOTHING Marmot Zeus jacket (800 fill Power Goose Down) Marmot Oracle (17 oz) with hood in XLG Hard shell top (heavy): Paddle Jacket MIT Adventure Wear (waterproof, breathable - double layered) 12. Hard shell bottoms (heavy): NRS Wavetex paddle pants (waterproof, breathable, double layered) Hard shell ultralight top (8oz): Showers Pass (technical cycling gear) wind & waterproof, breathable 1st Layer (alternate): Long underwear (L.L. Bean 100% polyester climbing layer), Capilene T-shirt, capilene shorts 2nd Layer: Smartwool Midweight 250 g/m 3rd Layer: Patagonia light fleece top 4th Layer: Polartec Power Stretch OXT ˝ zip Fleece cap (Bec-Tec Windstopper) Waterproof Primaloft Goretx cap with ear protection (also listed under SUN PROTECTION) Kayaker’s Mystery Titanium neoprene hood Baklava HEAD mitts with separate fleece glove liners (two pair) Gaiters (Hardware high-tops) Boots (Vasque, Zamberland)
IV. LIGHT Petzl headlamp Spare Energizer head lamp Tektite Night Light (for Hennessey Hammock) Extra Batteries: (3 lithium AAA for SPOT II) (4 lithium AA for Steripen UV purifier) (6 alkaline AAA for headlamps) (8 alkaline AA for Canon SX20 IS) (4 alkaline AA for Garmin GPSMAPS 60CSx) (6 alkaline AA for VX-8GR Yaesu Handheld radio)
V. FIRST AID Soft-form earplugs (Green) Moleskin Four Q-tips with neosporin in separate pouch Aleve (10) Imodium (2 packets) Excedrine (10) Five band aid strips Arm sling Duck tape (1 strip) Therapy tape (1 strip) Travel wipes (15) LaCross Tweezers Sanding strips Measuring tape (12 inches) Three razor blades Sewing kit with 3 needles, colored threads, safety pins and 3 buttons44. Swiss army knife (6 tools) Two large safety pins Cuticle scissors Fingernail clippers Antibiotics (for infections) Zicam (for cold symptoms) CoQ10 (for heart)
Hygiene Kit Metal Inspection Mirror Razor (with 4 blades) Five strands of dental floss Toothbrush (Shorty) Toothpaste (in small baggie) Peroxide (small glass container) Toilet paper One dozen Q-tips Three paper napkins for toilet paper Travel Wipes (15) Small container of olive oil (for feet) Small lotion (Eucerin)
VI. EMERGENCY TOOLS / SHELTER Flagging Tape (crape paper runners) Ultra-sil Pak cover (siliconised cordura) medium 50-70 liters Kershaw 4” folding knife Smith and Wesson 4" folding knife Whistle (connected to compass) WCSO SAR rescue vest, with Rain Write paper and pen Emergency Bivy Sac Big Agnes Air mattress Thermo-lite 2.0 Emergency Medic Bivy Sac Mosquito net hood and jacket Spare prescription glasses Hennessey Hammock with rain fly for Delux Safari model (including 4 metolius carabiners) W-east Fabrics ground tarp Marmot Down sleeping bag (ultra-lite), to be used with Medic-Bivy sac in colder conditions. The North Face Snowshoe +0 sleeping bag (fiberfill) Six small utility carabineers Ultra-light snow shovel Crampons (Camp) Ice Axe (Camp) Helmut (Petzl)
VII. FIRE Butane torch Bic lighters (2) Gerber magnesium striker with petroleum fire starters Wood chip starters
VIII. NUTRITION Protein Bars (30%) Trail Mix (Extreme Blend) Emergency mineral packets Freeze dried Mountain House meals
Food Prep Tools: MSR Pocket Rocket MSR Isopro fuel bottle (8 oz) MSR 1 liter stainless bowl with lid MSR detachable handle Perma-ware spoon and fork
IX. WATER SteriPEN water purification kit (1 Nalgene bottle, plus attachments) Platypus 1 liter bladders (2) X. COMMUNICATION SPOT II tracker (911 option) Nextel cell phone
SHACK Yaesu VX-8GR handheld 2M/440 w/ Speaker Mic MH-34 Yaesu FT8900 mobile Mast Antenna – 2M/440 Base Verticle, X50A Diamond Silicon tape (CW10B) Analog Multimeter Antenna – CR-8900 10M/6M/2M/440 (Quad Band, Diamond) Antenna – Magnetic Base SMAM-24 Antenna – VHF (3.2 dB)/UHF (5.6 dB) handheld, AL -800 Antenna – J-Pole, MFJ 1730 Antenna – Whip, RD-98VHF (2.15 dB)/UHF (5.3 dB) SWR meter (MFJ-822); HF/VHF 300 X X-Needle Antenna – 2M/440 Open Coil NR-770HB Coax Cable (50 ft) RG-213 (CXP213c50) Power Supply (110 V to 13.8 V20A), SEC1223 Samlex DC Power Cable FT-2800, T9021015 Yaesu Charger: Handheld E-DC-58 (12V) Car charger Charger: Handheld Wall-wart NC-868 Charger: Handheld Rapid chargerCD-41 Spare Battery – FNB-102LI (1800 MHA) Spare Battery – FNB-101LI (1100 MHA) Battery Case: AA for handheld (FBA-39) Batteries: Gel Cell deep cycle 12V Repeater Directory Net Directory NTS forms Accessories: Canon Powershot SX20 IS camera Canon 60D DSLR