Ten Essentials Plus

THE PLUS PART: THREE CRITICAL QUESTIONS

Strive to answer these three questions at any point in your adventure:

1. Who knows my current location?

   Who knows my current location at ANY point in my adventure, from the time I leave my house or whatever the starting point is, until I return. The only way to answer this question successfully is by using satellite messenger AND making sure the tracking feature is turned on, updating your location every five minutes without having to push a button. I prefer the SPOT (www.findmespot.com) unit based on cost, ease of use and battery life.

2. When do they expect me to return? (date and time)

   Identify a minimum of two people as your emergency contacts. They should know your medical and physical background. Share your route, itinerary and the date and time you will return before you leave on your adventure, whether for an hour, a half day, full day or longer.

3. What is the agreed upon plan of action if I don’t return by that date and time?

   This is critical and typically doesn’t change much for each adventure. I share this in the profile of my SPOT login. My emergency contacts also have a copy of this via email. It includes the names and phone numbers of the people to contact and the sequential steps to take on my behalf. Because my location is known, search and rescue will reach me much sooner and provide the help I need.

TEN ESSENTIALS

If you are just getting started, watch this video, Essential Wilderness Survival Items. The number one Ten Essential item in my pack is the SOL Bivvy XL. This will keep you and a second person from getting hypothermia. As many as 85% of outdoor recreation deaths are tied to hypothermia.

All of the products listed below are products I’ve tested and used. Any comments made about a product are based on my actual use.

NAVIGATION AND NOTIFICATION

Start by learning how to use a map and compass. Learn how to find yourself on the map and from there, navigate to a known point. From there, learn how to create a route using Google Earth and import that route into GaiaGPS.

Buy a satellite messenger to ensure your location is always known.

Navigation

• NatGeo Trails Illustrated Maps (if available for your area)

• Primary compass: Silva Ranger 2.0

• Backup compass: SOL compass

• GaiaGPS.com (best app for both on and off trail routes)

• Google Earth (preferred for creating routes and then import KML file into GaiaGPS, much easier!)

Notification

• SPOT Gen4 Satellite Messenger (I prefer this over the Garmin InReach because of battery life, initial cost and monthly cost.)

• Storm Whistle (This is by far the best and loudest whistle available. Avoid using cheap whistles that come free with other products.)

• Signaling Mirror (notify a plane or helicopter of your location and use it for first aid for an injury to your face or to get something out of your eye)

Illumination

• Nitecore NU25 360 LM Rechargeable Headlamp and LUXPRO LP290V2 280 Lumen Compact Tactical LED Pocket Flashlight

Sun protection

• Sunscreen and lip balm (50+ SPF)

• Bandana or neck gaiter

• Hat

• Sunglasses

First aid

• Adventure Medical Kits .7 (perfect for four day hikers or two backpackers)

• Leukotape (much better than moleskin)

• Ibuprofen, aspirin, three days of any personal medications

• Local adjustments (mosquito net, snake gaiters, bee sting kit)

Knife and Repair Kit

• SOL Folding Knife and Tinder Cord

• SOG Multi Tool (optional)

• Zip ties, duct tape, fabric repair kit (optional)

Fire

• SOL MAG Striker and Tinder Cord and Stormproof Matches in Waterproof Container

• MSR Pocket Rocket Stove Note: A backcountry stove is an incredible tool for starting a fire. Simply pile dry tinder and wood over the top and pull it out after the fire gets started. The stove makes it much easier to start a fire with materials that are damp.

Shelter

• SOL Bivvy XL could easily save your life by eliminating the threat of hypothermia! This along with the SPOT Gen4 Satellite Messenger are the top two items in my pack.

Extra food

• Energy bars

• Avocados (my favorite)

• peanut butter or almond butter rollups

• bananas

• left overs

Hydration

• BeFree Water Purifier.

• Three Platypus 1 Liter Water Containers:

• Aqua Tablets

• Gallon size Ziploc bag for gathering water in very shallow streams. Filter water from the Ziploc bag.

Extra Clothes

• merino wool baselayers, socks, merino wool hat, wool gloves or mittens

• put extra clothes in a heavy duty ziploc bag or dry bag

Pro Tips:

• Keep the Ten Essentials and extra clothing in a waterproof bag or dry bag.

• Consider bringing a small canister stove and pot for emergency cooking and fire building

• Test your emergency gear by spending the night out with just that gear. Customize as needed.

• Invest in a Satellite Messenger: I prefer the SPOT unit (www.findmespot.com).

• Extra Batteries: Use Energizer Lithium batteries or Hixon Rechargeable Lithium batteries.

• USB Battery Powerbank: Portable Charger 38800mAh,LCD Display Power Bank (This will recharge an iPhone 8 times in the field)

FINAL THOUGHTS

We owe it to friends, family and Search and Rescue teams to make our location known throughout our trip using a satellite messenger like the SPOT Gen4 Satellite Messenger. Make sure to leave the tracking on during your entire hike or multi-day trip. This way, if you are unconscious, your location will still be shared every ten minutes or whatever interval you set. Have the ten essentials with you and practice using them. Become confident that you can survive multiple nights out, if needed, waiting for emergency help.

I highly recommend testing your skills by spending the night out with just what you have in your ten essentials kit. I’ve done this several times and made adjustments based on personal preference. There are a few things I’ve added to my list, including a down vest and two balaclavas, a heavy one for daytime use and a lightweight one for sleeping. Testing your gear without the comfort of a tent, sleeping bag and pad will give you the confidence necessary to navigate more boldly and safely wherever you want to go in the back country. In the end, being prepared helps me more fully enjoy the backcountry and that’s why I’m out there in the first place.