Basic Gear Dave Andersen MITOC Winterschool January 2002

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

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

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

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

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

Stoves: Types Butane, Butane/Propane, Isobutane –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

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)

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

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

Handy necessities Swiss army knife / leatherman Space blanket Waterproof matches Iodine Duct Tape (on water bottle, easy)