OK, I've been lurking for some time and doing a lot of reading on the subject of being prepared for wilderness activities. I've put together a list of equipment, most of which I've yet to purchase, which I'd like to submit to the forum for review and feedback.

Background:

Location: Western Washington. Will be taking day hikes in state/national parks, mostly below the treeline and only 3 seasons (no winter hiking).

Knowledge: Some knowledge of basic outdoor skills from prior military field experience. Good knowledge of first aid. Weak knowledge of knot tying and less obvious plant food sources in my area.

Plan to attend a wilderness school or seminars in the area, so if anyone knows of a reputable local provider, that info would be appreciated. Also plan to re-certify on CPR and to take a Wilderness First Aid course. When time and funds permit, plan to take a Wilderness First Responder course as well.

Equipment List:

Clothing:

Hat, SPF rated outer clothing over moisture wicking inner layer, gortex boots, Columbia stuffable wind jacket.
Zipper pulls replaced with small braided paracord pulls (guessing each one will come to about a foot of paracord length)

Carried in Hand:

5' long Hickory Field and Stream Hiking Staff.
Paracord wrap near top. Probably 6-10 feet of cord, haven't wrapped it yet.

Carried On person:

On a Paracord key fob using a screwdown type link:
- Photon II white LED white
- Fox 40 Micro Whistle
- Lansky Sharpener
- LightMyFire Mini Firesteel
- Aluminum tube w/WetFire Tinder

Normal Key Fob
- Keys =)
- Coast LED flashlight
- Shorter Paracord fob

Lockblade Knife, plain edge, 3-3.5"
- Considering Options/budget on this one, currently using Benchmade Pika
- Will probably get a Ritter Griptilian if budget permits

Blaze Orange Bandana

Inhaler
Nasonex (prescription - can survive w/out it but would rather not )

Cell Phone

Watch (usually stuffed in a pocket, hate wearing them)

3.5" Rite in the Rain Pad
Fisher Space Pen
Golf Pencil (backup)

Sunnto M3D Leader Compass
USGS Topo Map, water protected (laminated or bagged)

US GI Poncho (in cargo pocket)
AMK Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy, packed flat if possible, if not possible, then Space All-Weather Emergency blanket

REI Day Pack First Aid Kit (in other cargo pocket)
- Add more knuckle and butterfly bandages
- Add triangle bandage
-Add non-latex exam gloves
- Add some Leukotape blister tape

In a water proof bag:
-Small bottle of Hand Sanitizer
-Small bottle of Ben's Insect Repellent (95% Deet)
-Mini Roll of Biodegradeable TP
-Small roll of duct tape
-Some Katadyn Micropur water purification tablets (4-6)

Carried in Maxpedition 10x4 Water Bottle Holder:
- Braided paracord shoulder strap
- 32oz Nalgene Water Bottle
- Metal cup nested w/Water Bottle (from Campmor)
- Victorinox Spirit Plus multitool w/out ratchet set
- Starflash or Rescue Flash Signal Mirror
- Fox 40 Classic (full sized) Whistle (redundant but tiny)
- LED Mini Maglite
- Spare batteries
- Butane Lighter (Undecided on model)
- Spark-Lite Firestarter Kit
+ some WetFire tinder
- Katadyn Micropur water purification Tabs
-1liter Aqua Pack bag (x2; three total)
- Titanium Spork
-Survival Resources Emergency Fishing Kit with a few extra hooks added
-Enough Snare Wire to set three or four Squirrel Poles
-Small Ace type bandage
-Blister Kit: Plastic tube of Tincture of Benzoin wrapped with Leukotape blister tape
- 2 oz Tube of REI SPF 50 Sunblock
- Plastic Tube with OTC pain, allergy, antihistamine pills and aspirin, labeled w/ expiration dates
- Plastic Tube of Tincture of Iodine
- OTC Nasal Spray bottle (sanitary saline for flushing wounds)
- 1 oz Tube of Triple Biotic ointment w/pain reliever
- Water proof bag with additional bandages and gauze supplies for larger wounds
- Non-Latex Exam gloves
- SAM splint (if it fits)
- CPR Mask (if it fits)
-Mini Roll of Biodegradeable TP
-Small roll of duct tape
-550 Para Cord
-Plastic tube(s) with rice and bullion cubes
- A couple of Cliff bars or similar high calorie/carb bars
- Outdoor Knot Cards
- Fishing Knot Cards (to occupy my mind and b/c I'm not great with remember knots!)
- Spare wool socks (if they fit, else smashed in a pocket somewhere)
- AA Battery Cell Phone charger


Benchmade Fixed Bladed (plain edged) Griptilian hooked on outside of bottle holder.

Opposite side and front has the capability of adding small pouches to expand the unit's capacity. Considering moving the

first aid supplies to one of them so they're quicker access, and so the interior isn't as crowded.

Notes:

I opted not to carry food procurement items on my person, due to the rule of 3 priorities and the short duration of my outings. Also, in regards to food procurement, I've decided to focus on fishing and on primarily squirrel poles for snaring, as squirrels are abundant here and these are the easiest and fastest to set up.

Since I don't have the containers, I'm not sure about the capacities on everything, but this stuff is all pretty lightweight and packable. As noted above, the water bottle carrier can be expanded with add on pouches.

I may initially opt for a Bic lighter instead of a butane due to cost.

I'm thinking of toting three of the water bags in case I have to use them for transpiration or cannibalize the plastic for other uses. They're a bit small for transpiration bags, but with three hung, may get better results. Chances are, water won't be an issue in most locations I'll be hiking, though.

Looks good to me. Very similar to what I take on a day hike.

Does anyone have any information on potassium promagnate?

What do you want to know? or better google it.

Mine opinion on the stuff, the stuff is not useful and documented enough to balance out the dangers of it.

Nice kit, I'm sensing a certain fondness for paracord...;^)

The only thing I'd change is some of your first aid stuff, get some sealed providone iodine wipes and some small packets of triple antibiotic ointment instead of tubes. Tubes break and leaked tincture of iodine is a mess.

If you can't find a source, let me know and I can send you a couple of each. I work as a film/event Set Medic and keep a pretty good stock of first aid supplies on hand as I have to provide all of my own gear for work.

I'd also add some antiseptic wipes and some isopropyl alcohol wipes, good for cleaning wounds and disinfecting items like sporks. The antiseptic wipes are available at REI and the alcohol wipes can be found at any decent drug store, look for diabetic patient supplies.

John E

When you're as bad at tying knots as I am, it doesn't hurt to have some extra. =)



Actually, I meant repacking it into some hard plastic tubes.




Good idea.

Thanks!

BrianB If you don't know the area
1. Don't go alone
2. Tell people where you will be
3. Don't go alone
4. Leave a message with Park Officals as to where you'll be hiking

Just my 2 cents

Mike

Mike,

Definitely! I'll be going with my wife. Her family lives in state and will have our info. Basically, we're planning to start going to state parks next year, renting a cabin for a weekend and taking walks out from the cabin and back. So, leaving word with the park officials should be no problem.

First, though, we want to get into better shape, so for the rest of the non-miserable months this year, we're just walking on the trail next to our house. That one's pretty much impossible to get lost on, and getting lost usually puts you at a mini mart. =) Plus, we have cell phone coverage there, should there be any mishap.

I second NightHiker - a USGI poncho is big and heavy in a cargo pocket. And worse (in my opinion) it creates an uncomfortable swinging motion when walking.

Knots, I'm sure others will beg to differ, but in my opinion you only need to know five: 1. figure of eight (and a retrace figure of eight), 2. a bowline, 3. prusik, 4. double sheet bend, and 5. square knot, you can do just about anything that needs doing with rope/cord/string. To learn how check here.

Don't know about Washington, but here in Colorado if you are hiking at treeline/tundra/snow in Summer you better have some mosquito repellent! For Spring and Fall I'd add a watchcap and gloves and some kind of insulating layer - down vest, etc. Sunglasses are a must too. I would go for the pencil over a Fisher Spacepen. My Spacepens have always globbed ink. A small headlamp (Petzl Tikka Plus, or similar) will be lots better than a Photon II (but keep the Photon for backup). Also, get yourself one of those metal cups that nests over the base of your Nalgene bottle. This doesn't add any bulk when carried this way and it gives you a ready container to boil things in should that be necessary. I wouldn't mess with an expensive butane lighter. Just get a Bic, and also some waterproofed matches. And some of those trick "Can't blow 'em out" birthday candles. Hold your trick candle with the wick right up against the matchhead when you strike it. The wind may blow out the match after the head is done burning, but you'll have that trick candle lit and that may do wonders for you in the wind.