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Previously Published Material below is
Copyrighted through Moments In Time
All Rights Reserved for permission to
use write to: momentsintime@aol.com
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*Bandaids -- Several, for minor cuts
*Gausze pads -- Several, 3 inch and 4 inch squares,
for deep wounds with much bleeding.
*Adhesive tape -- a 1 inch or 2-inch roll for holding
bandages in place, covering blisters, taping sprained
ankles, etc.
*Gauze bandage -- a 2 inch roll or large cuts
*Butterfly bandaids -- for closing cuts
*Triangular bandage -- for large wounds and sling it
needed
*Large compress bandage -- to hold dressing in place
*Halazone tablets -- for treating drinking water of doubtful
purity in regions where this is a problem
*Antacid -- for settling stomachs upset by over-exertion,
unaccustomed altitude, and the cook's mistakes
*Elastic bandage -- about 3 inches wide, for sprains and
applying pressure
*First aid triple antibotic cream -- for itches, scrapes,
diaper rash
*Antihistamine -- like benadryl for allergic reactions to
bee stings
*Oil of cloves -- for tooth aches
*Anti-diarrhetic pills -- for terrible cases of the trots
*Laxatives and/or glycerine suppositories -- for
prune-resistant constipation
*Snake bite kit -- a good thing to have, even if you never
have to use it.
Most first aid kits can be purchased from any camping
supply outlets and sporting goods or mountain shops.
Most of them also carry small snake bite kits and the
basic first aid kits with the minimum supplies. Then one
can build from there.
#8 FLASHLIGHT
This tool is secondary for camp convenience and primarily
to permit continued travel when caught by darkness. The
darkness of a forest night is total and the only safe way
to navigate an unlit trail is on hands and knees. This
makes for a very slow pace, off the beaten path... just
forget it!!!
Another thing to remember, in low temperature, battery
cells apparently dead can be warmed to 70oF or so in
your pocket. They may still contain life. A new apare
set in the pack can be handy.
#9 MAP
It is good to have a map of the area being traveled -- and
to know how to read it!!!
#10 COMPASS
The natural companion to the map is the compass.
Avoid expensive precision instruments intended for
complex navigation, just use a simple compass so
long as it has a clear base with grid lines that can
be aligned with a map reference line for orientation.
From my personal experience I like to have on hand
a couple of other essential items. One is a whistle
and a good sunburn preventive/sunscreen. Well, I
also have a thing about bugs so I carry a good insect
repellent. Two non-essential items hikers may like to
take along are a camera and fly fishing gear -- some
hikers like to take photos and or trout fish in streams.
A person whose lips are prone to burning and
chapping should carry a lip salve or chapstick...
and I can not say enough about a toilet kit!!! There
is an old folk ballad that goes something like this:
I clean my teeth with river sand,
Comb my hair with a tree,
Wash my face whenever it rains,
And let my wind blow free.
Being gamey belonged with the old fur bears and
trappers who used neither soap, comb, toothbrush
nor handkerchief. Some people can blow their nose
in the old way, finger against the nostril, without
feeling nasty. A clean body, even if it does not lead
to a totally clean mind, has certain health values.
The following is a simple toilet kit:
((o)) Toothbrush and Paste in carrying case
((o)) Biodegradable soap -- a plain old bar
((o)) A tiny bottle of concentrated liquid soap
((o)) which doubles for shampoo and dishwashing
((o)) Small cloth towel or reusable paper towel
((o)) Packet of Handiwipes
((o)) Comb
((o)) Deoderant
((o)) Handkerchief -- if not for nose blowing, for
cleaning glasses, wiping sweat,binding a wound.
And finally the 11th essential
((o)) TOILET PAPER
There are many hikers, even experienced ones,
who fail to plan ahead. A good rule is for everyone
to carry their own roll to avoid the embarrassment
of begging from another and if the cook blunders,
enough extra to cope with the consequences!!!!
The best security in hiking is knowing all you
need is in the backpack!
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The 10-Pack
Essentials For Hiking
by Nancy J. Copeland
It is Saturday, the sun is out,
the rooster crows, your wallet
is empty, but your pack is full
and your spirits are high!!! The
call of the wild is beckoning you.
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There is a rule that is absolute for hikers, with a
sliding scale of neccessity attached to it. The rule
is to carry all that you will need with you. An
afternoon walker on a broad level well marked,
heavily populated trail can do with out a single
one of these items. If you stick to roadways and
turnpikes you may need only a few of them.
However, those of us who probe deep into the
wilderness, away from quick support of rangers
or other hikers, especially those who strike off
cross-country must have the full 10 essential
items. The more independant you hike the more
important it is for each person to carry their own
10-pack.
#1 EXTRA CLOTHING
Always have more clothing than seems necessary.
you can set out on a sunny morning, but by afternoon
it may be windy and rainy. If it is an overnight hike
in...the night may turn stormy or freezing. Even if you
did not intend to spend the night in the wilderness...a
sprained ankle can leave you with no choice. Some
sort of protection from moisture of the sky or the
ground such as a light sheet of polyethylene plastic.
#2 EXTRA FOOD
A day hiker may carry enough to stretch lunch into a
supper and an over nighter enough for breakfast and
another lunch....rule of thumb, there should always be
food left at the end of your hike.
#3 SUNGLASSES
Forest traveling, may not require sunglasses. However,
they are in desert country, and open alpine regions
where boulder fields ( massive screes or felsenmeers)
of light colored rock reflect the sun and glare. Where
snow is still on the ground they are mandatory on bright
days to prevent eye discomfort and temporary blindness
or permanent damage.
#4 KNIFE
Every hiker should carry his own knife. So many uses!!!
They include eating, (opening that can of hard pemmican
fruit cake), first aid, whittling, kindling to start a wood fire
(for cooking or for emergency warmth when trapped in a
storm or the night by accident or getting lost. No one needs
a "hunting knife" unless to bolster his manhood....a
requirement of most boys of all ages. Big blades are only
for the hunters, fishermen and the guerrillas.
The most popular knifes are the single blade, can-opener,
combination bottle-opener, screwdriver, awl costing from
$2.00 to $17.50. The cheapest is the best for children,
who lose theirs instantly and require a new one for each
outing.
I prefer the Swiss Army knife, strongly constructed of
stainless steel, it will not rust shut as happens with the
cheaper ones. Mine has a blade, can-opener, bottle -
opener, reamer, screwdriver, and nail file. The can-
opener is better too than the boy scout design.
The "Japanese Army knife" including a fork, spoon,
complete, kitchen kit, and a dozen other tools is great
for entertaining kids but too heavy and cumbersome for
us grown-ups. I also carry a whetstone (which is not a
neccessity)
#5 FIRESTARTER
To be able to start a fire when one is urgently needed,
as in a rainstorm when a hiker is lost and the wood is
wet. I like to carry a few fuel tablets or candle stubs.
#6 MATCHES
To start a firestarter one must have matches. Each
person should have an emergency supply of waterproof,
windproof matches. So can a butane cigerette lighter.
#7 FIRST AID KIT
The following items constitute a very minimum, one
man first aid kit:
*Bandaids -- Several, for minor cuts
*Gausze pads -- Several, 3 inch and 4 inch squares,
for deep wounds with much bleeding.
*Adhesive tape -- a 1 inch or 2-inch roll for holding
bandages in place, covering blisters, taping sprained
ankles, etc.
*Salt tablets -- to prevent or treat symptoms of heat
exhaustion (including cramps) when sweating heavily
*Aspirin -- for relieving pain and reducing fever
*Needle -- for opening blisters, removing splinters
*First aid manual -- one of the small pocket booklets
Such a kit can cope with the simplest problems, and
after a hiker has gained a bit of sad experience he will
want to add many of the following to his kit:
*Moleskin or molefoam -- for covering blisters
*Razor blade, single-edge -- for minor surgery, cutting
tape and shaving hairy spots before taping
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