Lightweight and Ultralightweight Backpacking


The View from Here



jpg 15 KB, panoramic view from a mountaintop in Glacier National Park, MontanaINTRODUCTION      BACKPACK      PACKING      GEAR LISTS     10 ESSENTIALS      PRODUCTS       LINKS






The 10 Essentials

It is necessary to understand, you are on your own.

There is no reason to think you will be rescued: the helicopter will swoop in and snatch you away from danger.

The weather may change all your plans. There may be an unexpected closure, and no way to back out, due to avalanche or rockslide or sudden storm.

Have minimum essentials for staying out overnight. If you are going for a short walk, have a waistpack, rucksack or small pack with what you need for an overnight bivouac. Even a short paddle on the lake may require you run for the nearest shore.

I have selected the best information that I know to put on this website.

I have never been hurt. I have rescued others.

I have put how will you rescue yourself. Unless someone more knowledgeable happens to come along, rescue really is all about self rescue.

Think things through as much as possible in advance, utilizing the abundant information available here and elsewhere.

If you haven't thought this through, start here, for understanding proven essentials for this kind of independent recreation.

Each category heading is is a link for more particulars about this essential.



The 10 Essentials


  • Shelter -- For protection from wind, rain, insects and sun.

  • Water -- Carry water. Carry provision for water filtration and purification.

  • Food -- Have what you expect to eat.

  • Extra Food -- For warmth and strength. For unexpected delays.

  • Extra Clothing -- For covering an injured hiker to prevent shock, as well as for keeping yourself warm, dry and comfortable.

  • Matches -- Be able to make a cooking fire. A knife can be used to make small shavings to start a cooking fire. Keep matches in a waterproof container.

  • Fire Starter -- A fire starter, such as a candle, kindling or chemical accelerant, increases your odds of successfully getting a warming fire going.

  • Compass and map, and gps -- Have, and know how to use.

  • First aid supplies -- A ready-made, store bought kit may prove inadequate. It is best to add to a kit or construct your own, based on expert advice.

  • Signal -- Whistle, signal mirror, orange smoke. A cellular phone can be helpful, if you have telephone numbers and you know where you are or the cellular phone has a GPS locator. However, in the backcountry, a cellular phone often will not work.


But simply carrying the 10 essentials around is not enough: you must know how to use them:


How do you make adequate shelter?

The lightweight tarp properly setup can be a start. This is not heavy, nor bulky, to carry. There is a mummy sleeping bag style rescue blanket available. With the extra clothing you brought, these three can make adequate shelter. Here is a useful how-to link.

Is the water safe?

There is little safe water. Recognize unsafe water. Filter and purify the water you will drink. Stay hydrated. Water is more important than food. Here is a useful how-to link.

What is useful clothing for outdoors?

The heat you generate with your own body is important for survival. Is the clothing you wear and the extra clothing you bring helping keep and regulate your own natural central heating? Here is a useful how-to link.

How will you eat?

Everyday food and emergency food are not identical. Everyday food is often not nourishing food. Emergency food often has to be warming nourishing food. Here is a useful how-to link.

How do you make a cooking fire?

The small fire, often made with reasonably dry sticks, no bigger around than your own fingers, is a cooking fire. Here is a useful how-to link.

How do you make a warming fire?

The heat you generate with your own body is important for survival. External heat only supplements the internal warmth you preserve with suitable clothing. Nevertheless, you may need supplemental heat and how to make a warming fire. Here is a useful how-to link.

How do you think you will rescue yourself?

What are your orienteering skills? Will you get yourself back out? Here is a useful how-to link.

How will you manage without a 1st aid kit?

Not difficult to have the small items on hand for small incapacitating injuries, or mishap, to be prepared. Here is a useful how-to link.

How do you think you will rescue yourself?

Do you have the means to signal for help? Here is a useful how-to link.







copyright © 2008 Connie Dodson. All Rights Reserved.