Heading to the Mountains?
Choose your gear as if your life depends
on it -- because it just might
by Kevin Lee McIver
Years back a few of us decided to head into
the Smoky Mountains for some camping and trout fishing. Our trip, entirely
afoot, took us into the higher elevations with only what we carried on our
back to be available when needed.
The results of our little “field trip”
illustrated the need for better equipment selection and packing. My
sleeping bag was entirely inadequate for the cold temperatures. My friend
carried a big old cast-iron skillet to cook our fish -- which were few and
far between. Since we knew we would limit-out on Rainbows, we carried
little food -- another mistake. And worst of all, our rucksacks were in
the 80-pound range, making foot travel through the mountains difficult to
say the least. Since then, we have wised up considerably.
If you’re going on such an expedition,
ensure you choose your equipment carefully, because your comfort depends
on it, as well as possibly your safety. Let’s take a look at a possible
packing list for a weekend outing in the off-chance you decide to head
north into the Highlands.
At the top of your list should be food. You
can always “plan” on catching your own game or fish, but you must be
realistic. Perhaps those wild critters you were planning on eatin’
aren’t as abundant as you thought, or maybe your survival skills
aren’t up to par. Either way, you’d better take your own grub, instead
of chasing it around, because this is not also tiring, but difficult for
some.
You can opt for many different pre-packaged
foods, but remember if you’re packing it on your back, it had better be
light enough to carry. This rules out most canned goods -- instead take
along freeze-dried products high in carbohydrates. These are available at
any sporting goods or through mail-order from Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s
among others.
Another option would be to purchase a
dehydrator and make your own, but this is time consuming and if you’re
not already familiar with the process, you might not be satisfied with the
taste. Some of you fellow backpackers will be complaining enough on the
trip, without adding insults to your “home recipes”
Depending on the outback location, a tent
and sleeping bag are in order. Again, choose carefully regarding weight.
Many sleeping bags are lightweight, but wouldn’t keep a burning log
warm, so make sure it meets the minimum temperature requirements for the
area. As for a tent, take the smallest one possible for two people, and
ensure you know how to erect it before you head north.
Basic medical equipment should also be
carried because it will be needed if only for a mere scratch. You can
purchase any one of many different medical kits which come in pocket-size
containers, or you can make your own from household items. At a minimum
ensure you carry Aspirin, Band-Aids, bandages, and iodine. A bee-sting kit
and snake-bite kit also should be considered, especially if you will be
far away from the nearest inhabitants.
A good topographical map and compass are a
must, and you should be familiar with the map “before” you arrive. As
for the compass, two should be carried -- a wrist compass and a pocket
compass, since a nasty fall could damage one of them leaving you lost in
the wilderness. Another option is to buy a handheld Global Positioning
System (GPS) which is available starting at $199. Once you understand the
operation a GPS, they are an excellent navigational aid; however, carry a
compass as backup in the event your batteries run out.
You will also need a couple of knives for
the outing. I prefer to carry two knives -- a large one with at least a
six-inch blade on my belt, and a smaller pocket-knife in my pack. The
large knife can be used for camping purposes and self-defense, with the
pocket-knife for other jobs suck as digging splinters out or preparing
dinner.
My favorite large knife is an old Buck
Special Model which has faithfully served me for almost 20 years. My
choice for a pocket-knife is the Swiss Army Officer’s Model, which has
every gadget known to include pen, paper, toothpick, tweezers and compass.
Another good choice that I also carry is a Leatherman PST II, which is
very durable and can tackle any job at hand.
Quality boots, clothing and a rucksack
should be carefully selected before heading out. The only considerations
which I’ll mention here are to buy quality items, which are comfortable
and are made for the task ahead. Clothes should be loose fitting, boots
should be broken in, and your rucksack must be sturdy and large enough to
fit your gear. If you don’t purchase quality clothes and equipment,
you’ll find out within the first couple of miles, and then it will be
too late to run to the store.
If you haven’t thought about it, another
excellent item if to carry is a cellular telephone, which beats other
forms of communication in the event of an emergency. Some areas may not
have cellular service available, but most do, and if you or your hiking
buddy sustains a life-threatening emergency while in the woods, it will be
well-worth the cost.
Their are many more items which may be
carried on a weekend trip, but most have been covered. Take a good look at
where you’re going, supplies and equipment which you will need,
familiarize yourself with the area ahead of time, ensure you are in good
enough physical condition to make the trip, do some more planning -- then
head out and have a good time. Proper planning and taking the right
equipment will keep you safe even in the event of an emergency.
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