1. Ken Mitton MITOC Winterschool 2001 8 January 2001
Basic Gear
Ken Mitton
MITOC Winterschool 2001
8 January 2001

2. Basic Gear
Packs
Stoves
Lighting
Map, Compass and Whistle

3. Packs: Types Daypacks External-frame Internal-frame
Short trips, minimal waistbelt
External-frame
Not for winter --- too unwieldy
Internal-frame
Winter favorite
Daypacks, I-frames for rent

4. Packs: Theory Hipbelt takes most of weight Shoulders mostly stabilize
Constantly adjust straps to keep fit as load changes

5. Packs: Packing Bottom --- light (sleeping bag)
High, close to back --- heaviest (water, food, fuel)
High, far --- midweight (stove, clothing)
Frequently used items in pockets to avoid opening main pack

6. Stoves: Use Melting snow --- put water in pot to avoid scorching
Boiling water
Fancier foods

7. Stoves: Types Butane, Butane/Propane, Isobutane White gas
Pressurized gas canisters
Very easy to use
Poor performance in cold weather
White gas
Liquid fuel turned to gas just before burner
More difficult to use
Winter favorite

8. Lighting: Flashlights
C, D-cell flashlights overkill
AA flashlights useful, but need a hand free
New LED squeezelights useful in camp

9. Lighting: Headlamps Halogen: bright (2 hours on 2 AA)
Xenon: long-lasting (8 hours on 2 AA)
LED (new): absurdly long-lasting (100 hours on 2 AA)
Separate battery packs can be kept inside clothing

10. Three Necessities: Map Compass Whistle
Each person carries one in a waterproof bag
Compass
$10 compass is plenty
Whistle
Plastic (sold during office hours)