Re: [pct-l] Hiker Experience and Wisdom

["Karen Elder" <bluesky@rt66.com>]

    -----Original Message-----
    From: ROBERT E RIESS <CDRRIESS@prodigy.net>


    1.  Does anybody carry a Swiss Army Knife?  I kinda like mine, find it
very handy and not too heavy.  I wish it had locking blades, though, and
would buy one that did.  Does anyone carry a multitool like a Gerber or a
Leatherman?
            I carry a Swiss Army Classic, the tiny one with a blade and
scissors. I used to carry a larger SA knife, but found that I used the
scissors most often. Locking blades are nice if you're cutting a lot of
stuff, but on a backpacking trip I hardly ever cut stuff, just the
occasional small rope or a piece of cheese and a locking blade is hardly
necessary.

    2.  Does anybody carry those miniature butane cigarette lighters?  I
always seem to have about 3 of them with me.  I put a little strip of
adhesive backed velcro on the lighter to stick it to the side of the fuel
bottle.
            Yep. I just put in a ziploc bag -- part of the 10 essentials.

    3.  Does anybody carry the "10 essentials" as recommended?  Just
curious.
            Hard to imagine being on a backpacking trip without having them.
What the heck are they again? Something like: water / food, map / guidebook,
compass, sunglasses / sunscreen, raingear, warm clothes, firestarting stuff
(matches (waterproof / windproof), lighter), first aid, flashlight (extra
batteries/lamp), pocketknife, a few quarters... I never bring a whistle, one
of the often-recommended items, nor a candle (for starting fires). I've
heard too many stories about people blowing a whistle all day long without
having anyone respond, and since I'm backpacking, I always have better
methods for keeping warm (sleeping bag, tent) so don't feel I need
firestarting stuff (other than for my stove).

    4.  How extensive should the first aid kit be?  I'd appreciate any
stories, especially ones where having the right stuff made a difference.  If
you are really ambitious, you could list the contents of your first aid kit.
I'm betting there is a wide variety.
            I have my backpacking list organized by "rooms" (a la Colin
Fletcher's _The Complete Walker). So, the Bathroom...
    *** Bathroom ***
    --- First aid ---
    _ Bandaids
    _ Moleskin
    _ Gauze rolls(4)
    _ Gauze pads(4x4)
    _ Adhesive tape(2)
    _ Antibiotic ointment
    _ Ankle brace/Knee brace
    _ Ace bandage(s)(4" or 6")
    _ Sling
    _ Kaopectate
    _ Antibiotic pills
    _ Aspirin/Tylenol/ibuprofen
    _ Gel packs (for burns)
    _ Painkiller
    _ Nose drops/spray
    _ Pseudophedrine
    _ Other prescriptions
    _ Other medicines
    --- Small towel ---
    --- Chapstick ---
    --- Sunscreen ---
    --- Insect repellent ---
    --- Comb ---
    --- Toothbrush/paste/floss ---
    --- Vitamins ---
    --- Toilet paper/wipes/ziploc ---
    --- Trowel ---
            Actually, this is the ultra-complete list. Some things I don't
bring, but my husband does (I used to bring the ankle brace; he still brings
the knee brace).
    One point, we do bring *large* things -- i.e., 2" adhesive tape, rather
than 1/2" -- if you need 1/2", you can cut 2" down; if you need 2", you
can't create it from 1/2". We don't bring a whole lot, just the remains of a
roll mostly used up at home. Same thing with gauze -- big stuff: 4" squares,
4" gauze rolls. The thing is, when you really really need this stuff, you
often need the big stuff -- but you don't need a lot of it, because then you
get outta there for real medical treatment.
            In the first aid section, the most commonly used stuff are the
bandaids, antibiotic ointment, moleskin, and adhesive tape (and prescription
drugs (of course) and anti-inflammatory stuff like ibuprofen). I did use the
sling one time, on a trip in the Presidential Range in New Hampshire, when I
slipped on a rock and partially dislocated my elbow. We had one more night
planned but decided to hike out that day :-)  -- I couldn't tie my boots but
could carry my pack. Nowadays, I often *don't* carry the sling -- kind of
figuring that it was always rather unlikely to be needed, and since I've
already used it once, what are the odds...?  :-)

    Karen Elder
    Albuquerque, NM, USA


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