Equipment Checklist - 10 Essentials

 

10 Essentials

1 Pocket Knife sharp blade and knowledge more important than size
1 First-Aid Kit
1 Extra Clothes appropriate for environment and weather conditions
1 Rain Gear
1 Water Bottle plus way to collect and/or treat water
1 Flashlight with extra batteries; headlamp preferred
1 Trail Food
1 Matches & Fire Starter 2 methods for starting fire
1 Sun Protection Protect eyes, skin and lips;  Hat, long sleeve shirt and pants will protect most of your skin
1 Map & Compass Suunto and US military compasses are the most dependable 
1
11th Essential - Repair Kit
Duct Tape; small roll warped around pencil or water bottle




10 Essentials - Summer

1 Pocket Knife Small Swiss Army type knife is fine
1 First-Aid Kit Small personal kit (half sandwich bag sized)
1 First-Aid Kit - Whistle Small pealess whistle for signalling
1 Extra Clothes Dependent on likely temperature - pullover may be fine
1 Rain Gear Waterproof jacket and ideally pants too
1
Rain Gear - Shelter Mylar emergency blanket
1 Water Bottle 1 liter capacity acceptable; ideally 2-3 litters in 2 or more containers
1
Water Bottle - water purification Way to treat water
1 Flashlight Replace batteries before trek.  Bring extra batteries and bulbs; headlamp preferred
1 Trail Food Something yummy and ideally containing some protein
1 Matches & Fire Starter 2 different types of fire starters. Small lighter, waterproof matches, ferrorod or magnesium bars are acceptable. 
1
Matches & Fire Starter - Tinder Fuel tablet or other longer burning tinder
1 Sun Protection - Sunglasses Doesn't need to be expensive.  Ideally protects peripheral vision. sunglasses or goggles
1 Sun Protection - Sun Screen Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide works best; wide brimmed hat, long sleeve shirt and pants will significantly reduce how much sunscreen is needed
1
Sun Protection - Lip Balm Chapstick or similar; SPF of 25+
1 Map & Compass- Compass Working Compass; Suunto recommended
1
Map & Compass -
Map
Coated Map; Ask SPL for map; USGS Quad Maps
1
Map & Compass -
GPS
Optional and does NOT Replace Paper Map and working compass; waypoints programmed
1
11th Essential - Repair Kit Duct Tape; small roll warped around pencil or water bottle; possibly also multi-tool, scissors, screw driver, cable ties







10 Essentials - Winter (Wet)

1 Pocket Knife Durable locking blade or fixed blade knife is preferred
1 First-Aid Kit Small personal kit (half sandwich bag sized)
1 First-Aid Kit - Whistle Small pealess whistle for signalling
1 Extra Clothes Dependent on likely temperature - Heavy Top and at least medium bottom
1 Rain Gear Waterproof jacket and pants.  Jacket must have hood
1
Rain Gear - Shelter Mylar emergency blanket or bivy
1 Water Bottle 1 liter capacity acceptable; ideally 2-3 litters in 2 or more containers
1
Water Bottle - water purification Way to treat water
1 Flashlight Replace batteries before trek.  Bring extra batteries and bulbs; headlamp preferred
1 Trail Food High calorie
1 Matches & Fire Starter 2 different types of fire starters. Small lighter, waterproof matches, ferrorod or magnesium bars are acceptable. 
1
Matches & Fire Starter - Tinder Fuel tablet or other longer burning tinder
1 Sun Protection - Sunglasses Doesn't need to be expensive.  Ideally protects peripheral vision. sunglasses or goggles
1
Sun Protection - Lip Balm Chapstick or similar; SPF of 25+
1 Map & Compass- Compass Working Compass; Suunto recommended
1
Map & Compass -
Map
Coated Map; Ask SPL for map; USGS Quad Maps
1
Map & Compass -
GPS
Optional and does NOT Replace Paper Map and working compass; waypoints programmed
1
11th Essential - Repair Kit Duct Tape; small roll warped around pencil or water bottle; possibly also multi-tool, scissors, screw driver, cable ties







10 Essentials - Winter (Snow)

1 Pocket Knife Durable locking blade acceptable but fixed blade knife is preferred
1 First-Aid Kit Small personal kit (half sandwich bag sized)
1 First-Aid Kit - Whistle Small pealess whistle for signalling
1 Extra Clothes Heavy Top and Bottoms, Head and Neck protection
1 Rain Gear Waterproof jacket and pants.  Jacket must have hood
1
Rain Gear - Shelter Mylar emergency blanket or bivy bag, tarp, insulating pad
1
Rain Gear - Shelter Maker Snow Saw and Shovel
1 Water Bottle 3 liter capacity in 2 or more containers
1 Water Bottle - water melter Way to melt snow (stove and pot)
1 Flashlight Replace batteries before trek.  Bring extra batteries and bulbs; headlamp preferred
1 Trail Food High calorie
1 Matches & Fire Starter 2 different types of fire starters. Small lighter, waterproof matches, ferrorod or magnesium bars are acceptable. 
1
Matches & Fire Starter - Tinder Fuel tablet or other longer burning tinder
1 Sun Protection - Sunglasses Doesn't need to be expensive.  Ideally protects peripheral vision. sunglasses or goggles
1 Sun Protection - Sun Screen Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide works best
1
Sun Protection - Lip Balm Chapstick or similar; SPF of 25+
1 Map & Compass- Compass Working Compass; Suunto will work; waterless military lensatic compass recommended
1
Map & Compass -
Map
Coated Map; Ask SPL for map; USGS Quad Maps
1
Map & Compass -
GPS
Optional and does NOT Replace Paper Map and working compass; waypoints programmed
1
11th Essential - Repair Kit Duct Tape; small roll warped around pencil or water bottle; possibly also multi-tool, scissors, screw driver, cable ties







10 Essentials - Desert

1 Pocket Knife Small Swiss Army type knife is fine
1 First-Aid Kit Small personal kit (half sandwich bag sized)
1 First-Aid Kit - Whistle Small pealess whistle for signalling
1 First-Aid Kit - Mirror Signalling Mirror - a cell phone will work, but a military signalling mirror is better
1 Extra Clothes Warm top and stocking cap - it gets cold at night
1 Rain Gear Waterproof jacket is windproof
1
Rain Gear - Shelter Mylar emergency blanket or tarp; can be used as solar still
1 Water Bottle 3 liter capacity in 2 or more containers
1
Water Bottle - water purification Tablets add minimal weight to pack
1 Flashlight Replace batteries before trek.  Bring extra batteries and bulbs; headlamp preferred
1 Trail Food
1 Matches & Fire Starter 2 different types of fire starters. Small lighter, waterproof matches, ferrorod or magnesium bars are acceptable. 
1
Matches & Fire Starter - Tinder Fuel tablet or other longer burning tinder
1 Sun Protection - Sunglasses Sunglasses don't need to be expensive.  Ideally protects peripheral vision
1 Sun Protection - Sun Screen Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide works best; wide brimmed hat, long sleeve shirt and pants will significantly reduce how much sunscreen is needed
1
Sun Protection - Lip Balm Chapstick or similar; SPF of 25+
1 Map & Compass- Compass Working Compass; Suunto or waterless military lensatic compass recommended
1
Map & Compass -
Map
Coated Map; Ask SPL for map; USGS Quad Maps
1
Map & Compass -
GPS
Optional and does NOT Replace Paper Map and working compass; waypoints programmed
1
11th Essential - Repair Kit Duct Tape; small roll warped around pencil or water bottle; possibly also multi-tool, scissors, screw driver, cable ties







10 Essentials - On the Water

1 Personal Flotation Device USCG approved
1 Rescue Line at least 15m long - must be buoyant ; - one per canoe
1 Bailer Cut down bleach bottle works fine - one per canoe - tie down to canoe
1 Dry Bag Used to Store other Essentials
1 Pocket Knife Small Swiss Army type knife is fine - must be sharp
1 First-Aid Kit Small personal kit (half sandwich bag sized)
1 First-Aid Kit - Whistle or Horn Pealess whistle or horn for signalling; Audible for at least one-half mile
1 First-Aid Kit - Mirror Signalling Mirror - a cell phone will work, but a military signalling mirror is better
1 Extra Clothes Extra set of Synthetic layers - plan to get wet
1 Rain Gear Quality Waterproof (not just water resistant) Jacket with Hood.  NO PONCHOS - these are VERY dangerous if a watercraft capsizes
1
Rain Gear - Shelter Mylar emergency blanket or tarp
1 Water Bottle Ideally 1 Liter, wide mouthed with Carabiner Style Clip. 3 liter capacity in 2 or more containers.  One can be used for drink mixes, but needs to be placed in bear bag. 
1
Water Bottle - water purification Tablets or filter if on fresh water
1 Flashlight Replace batteries before trek.  Bring extra batteries and bulbs;  headlamp preferred
1 Flashlight -Signalling ideally waterproof with strobe function
1 Trail Food
1 Matches & Fire Starter 2 different types of fire starters. Small lighter, waterproof matches, ferrorod or magnesium bars are acceptable. 
1
Matches & Fire Starter - Tinder Fuel tablet or other longer burning tinder kept in Freezer bag
1 Sun Protection - Sunglasses Sunglasses don't need to be expensive.  Ideally protects peripheral vision
1 Sun Protection - Sun Screen Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide works best; wide brimmed hat, long sleeve shirt and pants will significantly reduce how much sunscreen is needed
1
Sun Protection - Lip Balm Chapstick or similar; SPF of 25+
1 Map & Compass- Compass Working Compass; Suunto recommended
1
Map & Compass -
Map
Coated Map in waterproof case; Ask SPL for map; USGS Quad Maps
1
Map & Compass -
GPS
Optional and does NOT Replace Paper Map and working compass; waypoints programmed
1
11th Essential - Repair Kit Duct Tape; small roll warped around pencil or water bottle; possibly also multi-tool, scissors, screw driver, cable ties







10 Essentials - Wilderness Survival

1 Fixed Blade Knife Morakniv or better - sharpen both blade and spine (90° Edge)
1 Axe Optional - Small axe - sharpened
1 Saw Optional - Camp or portable saw
1 First-Aid Kit Small personal kit (half sandwich bag sized)
1 First-Aid Kit - Whistle Small pealess whistle for signalling
1 First-Aid Kit - Mirror Signalling Mirror - a cell phone will work, but a military signalling mirror is better
1 Extra Clothes Warm top and stocking cap
1 Rain Gear Waterproof jacket
1
Rain Gear - Shelter Tarp or waterproof bivy
1 Water Bottle 3 liter capacity in 2 or more containers; one should be single walled metal
1
Water Bottle - water purification Tablets add minimal weight to pack, way to boil water (Pot or metal canteen)
1 Flashlight Replace batteries before trek.  Bring extra batteries and bulbs
1 Food Dried emergency food and bouillon cubes (for flavor and salt)
1 Food - Gathering Snares, traps,  fishing gear, bow & arrow, firearm
1 Matches & Fire Starter 2 different types of fire starters. Lighter, ferrorod or magnesium bars are acceptable.  Waterproof storm matches can also be carried
1
Matches & Fire Starter - Tinder Fuel tablets or other longer burning tinder in Freezer bag or tin
1 Sun Protection - Sunglasses Sunglasses don't need to be expensive.  Ideally protects peripheral vision
1 Sun Protection - Sun Screen Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide works best; wide brimmed hat will reduce how much sunscreen is needed
1
Sun Protection - Lip Balm Chapstick or similar; SPF of 25+
1 Map & Compass- Compass Working Compass; Suunto or waterless military lensatic compass recommended
1
Map & Compass -
Map
Coated Map; Ask SPL for map; USGS Quad Maps
1
Map & Compass -
GPS
Optional and does NOT Replace Paper Map and working compass; waypoints programmed
1
11th Essential - Repair Kit Duct Tape; small roll warped around pencil or water bottle; possibly also multi-tool, scissors, screw driver, cable ties
1
12th Essential - paracord
550 paracord







 

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