Basic Gear

1
Basic Gear

• Dave Andersen
• MITOC Winterschool 2003
• 7 January 2003

2
Basic Gear

• Packs
• Stoves
• Lighting
• Little bits
• Knife, spoon, duct tape
• Map, Compass and Whistle
• Emergency Bits

3
Packs Types

• Daypacks
• Short trips, minimal waistbelt
• External-frame
• Not for winter --- too unwieldy
• Internal-frame
• Winter favorite
• Daypacks, I-frames for rent

4
Packs Theory

• Hipbelt takes most of weight
• Shoulders mostly stabilize
• Constantly adjust straps to keep fit as load
  changes

5
Packs Packing

• Bottom light (sleeping bag)
• High, close heaviest (food, liquids)
• High, far midweight (stove, clothing)
• Frequently used items in pockets or jacket to
  avoid opening main pack

6
Stoves Use

• Melting snow --- put water in pot to avoid
  scorching
• Boiling water
• Fancier foods

7
Stoves Types

• Butane, Butane/Propane, Isobutane
• Pressurized gas canisters, easy to use
• Poor performance in cold weather
• White gas
• Liquid fuel turned to gas
• just before burner
• More difficult to use
• Winter favorite

8
Lighting Flashlights

• C, D-cell flashlights too big!
• AA flashlights useful, but need a hand free
• Headlamps! LED or Halogen
• Lithium batteries better in cold
• (More on batteries later in WS)

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Lighting Headlamps

• Halogen bright, fast (2 AA 2 hours)
• Xenon long-lasting (2 AA 8 hours)
• LED long-lasting (2 AA 80 hours)
• Separate battery packs can be kept inside
  clothing (good for batteries)

10
Navigation Necessities

• Map
• Each person carries one in a waterproof bag
• Compass
• 10 compass is plenty
• Whistle
• Plastic (sold during office hours?)

11
Handy necessities

• Swiss army knife / leatherman
• Space blanket
• Waterproof matches
• Iodine
• Utensil cup/bowl (see food)
• Duct Tape
• (on water bottle, easy)

12
Packing Tips

• Accessing backpack SLOW.
• Keep frequent items in jacket or side pockets
• Compass, whistle Around neck
• Snack food In jacket
• Water Side pocket, insulated pouch, in shirt
• Headlamp Easy to find, keep warm (batteries)