Gear: A "Controllable Variable"?
Wilderness Essential Gear List
Lew
4/22/20266 min read
First... let's establish that SKILL SETS are our most valuable asset. In a "nut shell", what I am referencing is knowledge combined with experience. Knowledge of recognizing where to establish a shelter, where water is likely to be present, how to find the North Star and, etc. Experience in starting a fire, processing questionable water to make it safe to drink, possibly even using an acorn shell as a makeshift whistle for an emergency signaling device and, etc. Since we cannot predict when, nor where, an emergency may occur, we are most certainly unable to predict IF we WILL have our gear with us, but having knowledge and experience IS something that we CAN always have with us. This is what is referred to as a Controllable Variable. However, if we PLAN to venture into a wilderness environment or a situation where risk is inherently elevated, we SHOULD anticipate bringing gear with us and therefore, we can control SOME additional variables. Do we wish that we could bring everything that we've ever purchased from the "Big Box Store" or from our favorite "Online Retailer"? Well of course we do but, if we are hiking into the Backcountry or, some other robust wilderness terrain, we probably won't be able to carry everything. So...what DO we carry in an effort to control as many variables as possible?
If you are traveling to your favorite camping spot via some type of mechanized means of travel (Boat, RV, ATV, etc.), bringing all of the comforts of home (like the Folding Camp Chairs in the photo above) are an option worth pursuing. However, if you are hiking into a remote area in the wilderness, there are more essential items to consider.
Regardless of how you got here, whether it was on foot, canoe, bicycle, or any other limiting means, your assets will be in short supply. If an emergency scenario occurs, your skill sets and your gear may be all you have to rely on. You can't control the emergency but, you do have the ability to fall back on the skills that you obtained previously and, the gear that you brought due to diligent planning.
ESSENTIAL GEAR 101: If our first most valuable asset is our Skill Sets then, our second most valuable asset is certainly our (hopefully appropriate for the weather) clothing. Followed shortly thereafter by our First Aid Kit. After that??? Following is a list of gear categories that some experts consider to not only be the most useful but, are also the most difficult to recreate in a wilderness environment. Recreating these categories in the "wild" can be time consuming, hydration draining, and calorically consuming. Please keep in mind that, simply having the gear in your possession is NOT ENOUGH! Practicing with the gear and gaining the knowledge of what its limitations are, and the experience of actually using it, is detrimental towards obtaining the required skills needed for safe, proper, and efficient usage of the gear. We will dive VERY deep into "Kits", and the concepts behind choosing the appropriate contents in later Subject Matter but, for now, let's look at the categories, and some examples of minimal/baseline components that are suggested by proffesionals:
Waterproof Sheltering Materials
a. Poncho
c. Drum Liners
Sharp Edged Tool(s)
Ropes/Cordage
a. 550 Paracord
c. Jute Twine
The ability to carry/store water
a. Stainless Steel Water Bottle & Nesting Cup
c. Sawyer Mini
Fire making supplies
a. Bic Cigarette Lighter
b. Ferro Rod
c. Mini Inferno (by Self Reliance Outfitters)
Navigational Devices
Duct Tape
An Artificial Light Source (and additional batteries)
a. Headlamp
Supplemental Calories
a. Dehydrated Meals
b. Jerky
c. Trail Mix
Cotton Materials
a. Shemagh
Signaling Devices
A strong Sewing Needle
a. Needle
Something (preferably waterproof) to organize and carry the above components in.
a. Daypack
b. Haversack
Essential Gear is what may be the ONLY difference between "uncomfortable" versus "un-survivable". You should not only wisely carry these gear categories and minimal/baseline components but, you should also choose the highest quality of gear that you can afford...your life may depend on it someday. Now, spend some time learning how to use your gear, don't wait until after the emergency has already occurred to unfortunately recognize that, you can not perform the task that you so desperately need to.
ESSENTIAL GEAR 201: Some people have had the unfortunate experience of seeing a component of an above referenced category FAIL. Therefore, the the practice that they now follow, and the advise that they share with anyone willing to heed it is, to "carry 2 components of each category". Let's be very clear, the intent here is NOT to duplicate a component. For example, if you have a cigarette lighter as your primary component in the "Fire making supplies" category, DON'T make the secondary (backup) component a cigarette lighter too. Instead, make it matches, or a Ferrocerium Rod. The reasoning behind this mentality is, there could be an external contributing factor (a.k.a. an uncontrollable variable...like weather) that is causing your primary component to fail. Having the secondary/backup component be composed of, or exhibit, different characteristics, could potentially offset the external contributing factor that caused your primary component to fail and, therefore, allow your secondary component to succeed. The reality is that, ALL gear has "pro's and con's" or "assets and liabilities" associated with them. Ideally, our primary component in a category has the most amount of "pro's" and the least amount of "con's". Also, it is desired that our secondary component should have the appropriate "pro's" to OFFSET our primary's "con's". Did that get confusing? Yup, I kind of feel like I got a little lost there for a second too. Let's clear things up. Using the cigarette lighter example that we referenced earlier; A cigarette lighter has a lot of good things going for it in the "Fire making supplies" category, therefore, it makes a great primary component, however, one of the things that it doesn't do well is (especially in the rain), it WON'T function when wet. A great characteristic that a Ferrocerium Rod possess is, it DOES function when wet which, is why it is suggested by experts as a secondary component in this specific category. The "pro's" of the Ferrocerium Rod (secondary component) offset the "con's" to our cigarette lighter (primary component).
You should select your gear based on your planned excursion. You should be asking yourself: "Where am I going?" "What will I be doing?" and "What type of weather can I expect?". The entire Load Out of your gear doesn't need to totally revolve around preparing for a potential emergency. Some (if not most) of your gear should be things that you would normally bring with you, anticipating a completely normal and enjoyable outing. Things like a Poncho, Canteen, and a Knife, are a few examples of components that you would expect to need under the most common of outdoor adventures. Simply ensure that you include ALL of the essential categories mentioned above, to help you sustain yourself...Just In Case!!!
ESSENTIAL GEAR 301: Here's where things can get tricky, if you choose (because it is highly advised) to take them to the next level; In a perfect world, our individual components of a category, would also have the characteristics to serve as an alternate (3rd) component in a DIFFERENT category. As an example, if in the "Sharp Edged Tool(s)" category, I choose to carry a knife, with the blade material being composed of a High Carbon Tool Steel, then this item is not only an ideal primary component for THIS category but, in addition, this component can also serve in the "Fire Making Supplies" category since, the blade material has the characteristics to create a spark with a Flint and Steel technique. For me personally, it would not be my primary component, nor my secondary component in the "Fire Making Supplies" category, it would be my ALTERNATE (3rd) component instead (while actually serving as my primary component in a completely different category).
As discussed before, we will be examining these theories and gear options with GREAT DETAIL in future Subject Matter. Please join us in not only reading these articles but, also engaging in some of the debates that will undoubtedly occur.