1. Basic Gear Dave Andersen MITOC Winterschool 2003 7 January 2003

2. Basic Gear Packs Stoves Lighting Little bits: Knife, spoon, duct tape Map, Compass and Whistle Emergency Bits

3. Packs: Types Daypacks –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: heaviest (food, liquids) High, far: midweight (stove, clothing) Frequently used items in pockets or jacket 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 –Pressurized gas canisters, 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 too big! AA flashlights useful, but need a hand free… Headlamps! LED or Halogen Lithium batteries better in cold (More on batteries later in WS)

9. Lighting: Headlamps Halogen: bright, fast (2 AA = 2 hours) Xenon: long-lasting (2 AA = 8 hours) LED: long-lasting (2 AA = ~80 hours) Separate battery packs can be kept inside clothing (good for batteries)

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

11. Handy necessities Swiss army knife / leatherman Space blanket Waterproof matches Iodine Utensil + cup/bowl (see “food”) Duct Tape (on water bottle, easy)

12. Packing Tips Accessing backpack = SLOW. Keep frequent items in jacket or side pockets –Compass, whistle: Around neck –Snack food: In jacket –Water: Side pocket, insulated pouch, in shirt –Headlamp: Easy to find, keep warm (batteries)