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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.
I. NAVIGATION
Garmin GPSMAPS 60CSx, with Base Camp software
Brunton Baseplate Compass with Mirror
USGS UTM grid maps
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).
III. CLOTHING
Hard shell top (heavy): Paddle Jacket MIT Adventure Wear (waterproof, breathable - double layered)
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
Gloves (two pair: ski gloves and Northface Windstopper gloves)
Gaitors (Hardware hightops)
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
V. FIRST AID
Soft-form earplugs (Green)
Moleskin
4 Q-tips with neosporin in separate pouch
Aleve (10)
Imodium (2 packets)
Excedrine (10)
5 bandaid strips
Arm sling
Duck tapem (1 strip)
Therapy tape (1 strip)
Travel wipes (15)
LaCross Tweezers
Sanding strips
Measuring tape (12 inches)
3 razor blades
Sewing kit with 3 needles, colored threads, safety pins and 3 buttons
Swiss army knife (6 tools)
2 large safety pins
Cuticle scizzors
Fingernail clippers
Hygiene Kit
Metal Inspection Mirror
Razor (with 4 blades)4 strands of dental floss (for two days)
Toothbrush (shorty)
Toothpaste (in small baggie)
Peroxide (small glass container)
Toilet paper
1 dozen Q-tips
3 paper napkins for toilet paper
Travel Wipes (15)
Small container of olive oil
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
Kershaw 3” folding knife Whistle (connected to compass)
Conterra or 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 conditons.
VII. FIRE
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
Perma0ware 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
Ham Radio (Technician 2 meter radio)
Accessories:
Canon Powershot SX20 IS camera
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