1. Backpacking Gear Selection and Care PTC Class 321 Chief Seattle Council Program and Training Conference October 19, 2013 Dale Rae Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 570 Dale@dfrae.com Mark Lane Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 570 Mark@ritepainting.com

2. Discussion Topics Why should you care? Packing lists Pay attention to The Big Three After you get back home… “Backpacking Lighter” video series Where to buy/acquire? Gear walk around

3. Why should you care? Unless you are independently wealthy… Don’t buy into the outdoor gear vendor hype Do you really want to carry 100 lb. backpack? The less weight you have to carry, the easier the trip will be, and the more mileage you can cover The proper care and feeding of your gear will insure it has a long, reliable life You are setting an example for the youth under your care Any more?

4. Packing Checkist " Good gear mitigates bad weather “ It all starts with a good check list –Spring, Summer, Fall, weekend, 50-miler… Ten Essentials yes, but most important essential is not on the list – common sense Having the right gear is one thing, knowing how and when to use it is quite another Go through your list after you get back too

5. Lighter is better Use the lightest weight gear for your needs –Leave unnecessary items behind –Go farther –Strive for simplicity –Without compromising safety Develop advanced backcountry skills –Physical fitness –Trip planning –Navigation –Nutrition –Survival skills –Weather forecasting –Wilderness first aid

6. Degrees of Lightweight* 40-50 lbs: Traditional (25% of body weight, max) 10-20 lbs: Lightweight Backpacker 10 lbs or less: Ultralight Backpacker (UL) 5 lbs or less: Super Ultralight Backpacker (SUL) More comfortable Less injury prone Hike faster See more More free time * Not including food/water, fuel, worn clothing

7. Places to Save Gear Weight Shelter Sleeping System Backpack Clothing Water Filter Stove Pots and Mugs Stuff Sacks First Aid Kit Luxury Items Food Water Easy Harder Much Harder

8. How to Lighten Your Gear Weigh everything Reduce Big Three to 9 lbs or less Eliminate non-essentials Use multi-function gear –Hiking poles as tent poles –Augment sleeping bag with a down jacket Increase gear compactness

9. After you get back home Check your gear list. –Anything not used? Make a note for next time. –Not used 3 times in a row? Take it off the list! (except first aid kit) Responsible gear care means everything is put away as follows: –dry –clean –replenished –repaired –loosely packed or folded –organized

10. “Backpacking Lighter” video series Backpacking Lighter to Develop Character & Leadership in Scouting A Wood Badge ticket item for a Scouter in Texas February 2012 clinic on lightweight backpacking Brought in knowledgeable people from around the country to speak Edited into a series of videos on YouTube

11. Where to buy/acquire gear? Cheap gear – what do you have already? Garage sales Thrift stores Buy used: –www.geartrade.com Deals on used, closeouts and overstock –Ebay: older packs, sleeping bags, pads Try pawn shops—they are negotiable Rent Borrow…don’t always need to purchase More cheap gear options?

12. Where to buy/acquire gear? Vendors –ALPS Mountaineering: Quality gear at lower costs www.scoutdirect.com (45% discount for scouts) –www.sierratradingpost.com –www.backcountry.com –www.campmor.com –outdooroutlet.com –www.rei.com/outlet

13. Where to buy/acquire gear? Make your own –Plenty of patterns available –Modern outdoor fabrics available…seconds (usually discolored) as well –Outdoor Wilderness (http://www.owfinc.com) –http://www.questoutfitters.com (kits/fabrics)

14. Where to buy/acquire gear? The point is… A pile of cash isn’t necessary to enjoy high adventure. Teach your scouts to use their resources and ingenuity

15. Gear walk around Time to look at gear that I use… …and maybe some that you should try to avoid!

16. QUESTIONS? Backpacking Gear Selection and Care PTC Class 321

17. Dale Rae Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 570 Dale@dfrae.com Mark Lane Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 570 Mark@ritepainting.com Thank you! Please fill out evaluation – feedback is a gift! Lots of documents up on Council website http://seattlebsa.org/resources