Dave McGee, SM, Troop 75 (440) (cell) Bill Sheehy, ASM, Troop 75 (440) (cell)

PERSONAL GEAR THE BIG SEVEN ○ Boots ○ Socks ○ Pack ○ Water Bottle or Bag ○ 1 st Aid/Survival Kit ○ Hiking Stick(s) – 1 st Rule of 1 st Aid = Prevention ○ Sleeping Bag & Pad

HIKING BOOTS The One Place NOT to Try to Save Money! Goretex? Ankle Support? Flexible or Steel Shank or Rigid Sole? Weight, Material & Design Issues Fit & Inserts (toe nails vs. heel blisters) Lace Tight & Break Them In!

SOCKS “ABC” ~ Anything But Cotton! Rag Wool & Polypropylene Liner Composite – (Wigwam UltiMax Hiking Sock) Fit & Care & Number Swap & Change Out if Hot Spots Learn How to Deal with Blisters & Toe Jam! Crocs for Camp & Wading!

BACK PACKS Internal vs. External Frame Desirable Features ○ Hip Belt & Shoulders: Pull Load In & Shift to Hips ○ Pockets, Straps & D-Rings! – on hip belt too ○ Hydration & Water Bottle Spots ○ Adjustable for Growth of Youth (External Frame) Comfort vs. Weight Repair Materials & Key Parts – at least in re-supply Rain Covers & Mini-Biners to Hang in Camp

HYDRATION Nalgene Bottles and/or Hydration Bags Size & Style Considerations Fit & Access on Pack Spare Parts? (at least in re-supply box) Canteen & Narrow Neck Style – No Good! Purification Pills – 1 st Aid Kit Purification Filters – Troop / Common Gear

1 st AID / SURVIVAL KIT What type of Injuries to Expect While Hiking? ○ Blisters - Mole Skin / Compete Pad ○ Sprains - Ace bandage ○ Abrasions & Cuts – Bandages / Disinfectant Ointment Sizes, Variety & Container (1 qt Zip Lock Freezer) Survival Priorities ○ Shelter – Scouts should divide up Tent / Tarp Parts ○ Heat – Fire Starter, Lighter, Matches, Wood Clothespins ○ Water – iodine pills or chlorine dioxide pills

HIKING STICK(S) Stave – Scout Shop ($5.25) ○ Sand Top & Hand Hold Smooth, or ○ Add Baseball Bat Grip Kit (Hand Blister) ○ Uses on Trail (tripod) & In Camp (water & tarps) ○ Customize – Scout & Trail Emblems Trekking poles – For Those with 40+ year old Knees ○ With or Without Springs ○ Care & Cleaning

SLEEPING BAGS & PADS Sleeping Bag – Styles & Features ○ Light Weight & Mummy – way to go ○ Temperature Ratings – Liner & Shell Weave ○ Synthetic vs. Down - $$$ & Staying Dry Sleeping Pad – Not Just About Comfort (dry & clean) ○ Closed Cell Pad – for Youth ○ Air & ThermaRests – for the 40+ spine ($$$, Vol. & oz.)

CLOTHING “ABC” ~ Anything But Cotton Layers, Volume, Weight, Multiple Uses Rain Jacket, Hat & Gaiters (No Poncho!) (Rain Pants?) Packing & Organizing = Zip Lock Freezer Bags Essentials: T-Shirt, Socks, Underwear x 3 – Packing Pants (No Jeans!) shorts or zip off x 1 + in camp Misc. – Sweat Band, Mosquito Hood, Gloves (socks) Laundry: Bag, Clorox, Soap, Line, Wood Clothespins

PERSONAL KITS KP - ½ Scotch Pad/Sponge & Synthetic Chamois Mess – fork/spoon, bowl/cup (Sierra & others) ○ Materials & Combo Considerations Toiletries – TP, Trowel, Floss, Tooth Brush & Paste ○ Separate Synthetic Chamois (Towel & Wash Cloth) ○ Razor, Comb, Mirror & Deodorant – extra, but nice Keep It Small, Light & Divided in Zip Lock Bags! Soap – Camp Suds, Dr. Bronners or Ivory in Film Can

LIGHTS & KNIVES HEAD LAMP - Light Weight, Hands Free & Accessible ○ Batteries in Re-Supply (don’t carry) LED – Back Up & Size of a Coin KNIVES – Light Weight Swiss Army Style ○ Pouch on Pack Hip Belt so Accessible ○ No separate Mess Kit Utensil Knife Biner & Rope - Accessible to Hang pack

ZIP LOCK BAGS & OTHER KEEP DRY Zip Lock Bags - Greatest Advance in Back Packing! ○ All Shapes & Sizes ○ Freezer Style – do not rip as easily ○ Everything from clothes, to food, maps, snacks & more Gaiters – Keeps Rain, Dirt & Tics out of Boots ○ Velcro Kind – so don’t have to take boots off! ○ High / Low – Personal Preference Pack Covers - Semi-Useless & Expensive Necessity! ○ Open or Closed Bottoms – Fit & Secured from Blow Away!

NO YOUTH PERSONAL GIZMOS Scout Events - are Shared Experiences ○ No iPods, Phones, One Man Tents & Hammocks ○ Not even on the Car Ride To & From Event! One more reason to zone out & break into car while on trail Camera OK - NO Cell Phone Cameras! ○ Unless you were, indeed, born yesterday Adults – One Should Have Cell Phone ○ Personal Electronic OK but keep it on down low! ○ (May not work in wilderness areas, so have backup plan!)

MAP & COMPASS & WATCH Good Enough for Charles Lindbergh EVERY Hiker should have ALL Three ○ Make Copies of Maps & Trail Guides & Itinerary ○ Make sure everyone knows stops & water for day Watch – pretty reliable odometer If You Need a GPS, You Shouldn’t be in the Woods ○ OK as a back up or if you want to keep infinite detail ○ Not worth the weight, distraction & battery consumption ○ Keep a small note pad & pencil instead

PHYSICAL & GEAR CONDITIONING Adults – Physical Planning & Conditioning is Paramount ○ Weight Loss First ○ Physical Conditioning Next ○ “Pack Interventions” ○ Shake Down Hikes of Body, Food, Pack, Boots & Feet - Last Youth – Gear Planning & Conditioning is Paramount ○ Multiple “Pack Interventions” First, Middle & Last ○ Shake Down Hikes of Body, Pack, Food, Boots & Feet - Last

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE Adults ○ Tour Plan Youth Protection & Weather Wise – Required Basic 1 st Aid, Trek Safely, Wilderness 1 st Aid & CPR – Recommended TREK SAFELY – 7 POINTS: 1. Qualified Supervision; 2 Keep Fit; 3 Plan Ahead; 4. Gear Up; 5. Communicate; 6. Monitor Conditions; 7. Discipline ○ READ – Books, Guide Books & Maps, Internet, etc. ○ SEEK HELP & LINK Up - with Experienced Leaders Youth – Gear Planning & Conditioning is Paramount ○ AGE – 14 is National Standard for “High Adventure” / 13 is T-75 ○ RANK & MB – T-75: 1 st Class & 1 st Aid MB (earn right to be there)

TROOP / COMMON GEAR SHELTER ○ Tents vs. Tarps & Hybrids (Hammocks for Adults) ○ NO Public Shelters/Huts for Scouts ○ NO Solo Shelter for Scouts HYDRATION ○ Filter Choices: Volume & Core (paper v. ceramic v. electronic) ○ Filter Strategies Pre-Filter, Suspending or Water Bag to Avoid Silt Clogging Platy Water Tank (Holds 6 L & Weighs 4.4 oz) Spare Filter in Re-Supply & Tooth Brush / Clorox on Trail to Clean Drain (may crack if freeze) & “Clean” & “Dirty” Sub-Baggies

TROOP / COMMON GEAR STOVES ~ Boiling Water ○ Pro’s & Con’s of Type: Alcohol, White Gas & Canister ○ Small Footprint of All: Extra Care in Using – Spills! ○ Strategies for Use: Shields, Lids, Pot Sizes & Rotating On/Off POT SETS ~ Choices & Strategies ○ Pro’s & Con’s of Materials: Aluminum, Thin Stainless, Titanium ○ Nesting & Stuff Sack – Stove & Utensils pack inside ○ Sizes: 2 & 3 qt work well for groups of 8 ○ Handles & Utensils (folding colander a must!) HYGIENE ~ Shower Bag, Wash Bag, Trowels & TP