Ultralight Down Jackets

Posted by rmorris on 7. February 2010 07:06

Hi, thanks for coming, you’re now here and may want to subscribe to my feed 

“Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake.”

- Pooh

For the past few winters I’ve been bring my Mountain Hardware Down Sub-Zero jacket with me on backpacking trips were I expected cold nights. I love the Sub-Zero jacket, it is super warm and it is build tough.  It can withstand quite a lot of abuse.  It’s 650 fill down in a z-rip fabric that is wind resistant.  Like every Mountain Hardware product I’ve tried, the quality is outstanding Link to Sub-Zero Jacket at Altrec.com . The down side (no pun intended) of the jacket is that it weighs 25 ounces.  I’ve been looking for a ultra-light jacket that would be just as warm and weigh under a pound. 

I almost bought a Montbell Permafrost Jacket Link to Permafrost Jacket on Campsaver.com but the $250 price tag caused be to procrastinate. The Permafrost is only 14 ounces with 800 fill down plus Gore Tex Windstopper.  This is definitely the warmest ultralight jacket on the market.  Plus it is cozy with a micro fleeced lined collar, zippered pockets with fleece lining and articulated elbows.

Just before almost deciding to buy the Montbell Permafrost I saw an ultralight jacket in the LL Bean catalog.  It is the “Ultralight 850” Jacket. It was ‘only’ $149 so I thought I would give it a try.  The medium jacket weighs just under 16 ounces.  It has 850 fill down insulation and compresses down in your pack (stuffs into it’s own pocket) to very small. It is made of a water resistant ripstop nylon with a drawstring waistband and elastic cuff. So far I’ve found it to be extremely comfortable to wear.  I’ve had it out in temperatures to the mid-teens and found it quite warm.

I thought I was set for a while, then I saw a blog post from the “Jolly Green Giant” (link to post) talking about the New Balance Fugu jacket.  New Balance has stopped making the this jacket it it is hard to find, but can be found on some close-out sites.  The Green Giant said there was some being sold a recreationoutlet.com so I surfed over there and purchased one for $119 (retail was $385).  The Fugu (Japanese for Blowfish) jacket is nearly if not just as warm as the Montbell Permafrost. It is under 14 ounces (for a medium-tall).  The 850 fill of this jacket is so warm I’ve had it out in 15 degree days with no laying under it and still felt comfortable. It has much more loft then the Bean Ultralight and has a radiant barrier liner laminated to the inside that adds 4 1/2 degrees of more warmth. It also has a super DWR exterior (that I have not yet tested in wet weather).  So far I’m loving it.

  Related Articles:

Review of Montbell Ultralight Down Inner Jacket

Backpacking the Great Smoky Mountains

Posted by rmorris on 1. February 2010 08:50

Hi, thanks for coming, your now here and may want click this to subscribe to my feed

“Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”
-- Ed Viesturs (No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks)

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.  The park is massive at about 500,000 acres, 95% of which is forest.  The park has over 800 miles of maintained trails with elevations ranging from 800 feet to 6,643 feet, including the Appalachian Trail (AT) running right through the park.  This park attracts more visitors annually then any other national park, because it is within a days drive of about 60% of the population of the United States.  This puts about nine million visitors a year in the park.  You would think this would make the park crowded and perhaps parts of the park at certain times of the year are crowded.  But when I was lucky enough to visit last October for a backpacking trip, we saw few people.  I’m guessing that, as with most parks, the majority of people go only at the peak of the season and even then they don’t venture far from the main roads.  

These ancient southern Appalachian mountains are some of the most beautiful in the world.  The park holds a wide diversity of animal and plant life as well as the remains of the mountain culture that was in these lands prior to the park being established.  The plant life creates a blue misty haze accounting for the name “Smoky” mountains.

For my first Smoky Mountain backpacking trip, my brother and I chose a two night hike near Fontana Dam up to Gregory Bald. Since I was flying in and my brother was driving we decided to meet at the airport and spend Friday night at a Bed & Breakfast close to the trail head.  I’m not crazy about the idea of going right from an airplane to the trail head.  This time it turned out to be a smart move staying at an Inn then hiking in the morning – mainly because when I arrived at the airport in North Carolina, my backpack didn’t. It didn’t make it onto the plane with me (probably because I checked-in 5 minutes before the plane was schedule to take off).  Continental Airlines was very good about it and offered to have the backpack delivered to me at my hotel – which they did.  The plane my pack was on was delayed by bad weather, and our B&B was way off the beaten path, but about 4:30 AM – it was delivered.  The B&B we stayed at was The Appalachian Inn in Robbinsville, NC (their web site).  I highly recommend this place! Run by Lance & Elizabeth Butler it was a very pleasant stay and the breakfast was a wonderful start to our hike.

We started our hike at Twentymile ranger station, a small outpost (no ranger there) off Lake Cheoah.  From there we walked up “Twentymile Trail” until it intersected with the “Long Hungry Ridge Trail”.  The walk through this part of the park is close to many steams and rivers, there were several crossings, some by log bridges others were small fords. We stopped at campsite #92 along that trail and had a nice relaxing evening.  Campsite #92 has no shelters, just a few spots to pitch tents and a rock fire pit.  I put my tent up not to far from a small stream that runs through that site and was able to sleep to the very nice sound of the running stream.  The campsites in the GSM park all have bear poles – tall steal flag pole type things with metal cables you can use to hoist up you food bags.  Much more convenient that having to throw up you own cord over a tree.

The next day we woke up to perfect weather and hiked up to Gregory Bald (elevation 4,949 feet).  Unfortunately on this trip I didn’t bring my camera so I’m including this video Trent put out on youtube (Trents youtube site) as well as a couple public domain photos. 

We planned on spending the night at campsite #13 which is just past the bald off the “Gregory Bald Trail” but as we got there in mid-afternoon we discovered the site was closed due to excessive bear activity. So we found ourselves hiking down the “Wolf Ridge Trail” to campsite #95.  This was an extremely nice walk and did include a few close encounters with bears (including a few bear cubs up in trees). 

The next day we walked out of the woods and went over to Fantana Dam (a site worth seeing all on it’s own) and made use of the public showers there.  The AT goes right over Fontana Dam and there are shower facilities there for the thru-hikers. I’m sure the person sitting next to me on the plane back home appreciated this as much as me!

Link to purchase map…

GSM Map

By the way: Great news! BackpackBaseCamp.com is now an affiliate with Campmor!  This means if you use the links on this site to purchase products from Campmor, this site gets a small commission to help defer our operating costs. You can use this link (click here) or the logo below.

Visit out web site at: http://backpackbasecamp.com

January Gear Sales

Posted by rmorris on 17. January 2010 08:36

Really good deals, This is a good time of the year to buy gear……..

Altrec:

Altrec Outlet: Mountain Hardwear Sale - Up to 60% off

Skies.com:

Free Shipping on orders over $99 at Skis.com

REI.com:

 REI January Clearance Sale! 1.8-18

Cabellas:

Patagonia 30% off through January 19th:

UltraPod Camera Tripod and Hiking Pole Mount

Posted by rmorris on 17. January 2010 08:04

From time to time I’ve been thinking about getting some type of camera tripod or mount to bring with me on hikes and backpacking trips.  I was thinking of getting a “Stick Pic” (Click for here for The Stick Pic web site) which is a tiny camera mount ring that fits on the end of your walking stick.  It weighs practically nothing and lets you steady the camera on your pole or hold the pole out and take a picture or yourself.  When I saw a recent post by pig-monkey.com reviewing the new versions of the Stick Pick (http://pig-monkey.com/2010/01/06/the-new-stickpic/) I almost purchased one ($11.99 +SH on there web site).  It looks like a great little gadget. 

But before I did, the very next day I happened to be at REI and I saw this little device – the “UltraPod” tripod.  This tiny tripod weighs about 2.6 oz. (6 x 1.25 inches). It has a Velcro strap built into it so that when the legs of the tripod are folded up, the thing can be strapped onto a hiking pole or a tree limb.  The camera mount is on a ball socket that lets the camera angle be easily adjusted any which way.  So far this little device is working out well. 

Watch this video of the UltraPod ….

Purchase the UltraPad at REI

By the way…..

Altrec.com is have a great sales – up to 50% off: 

http://backpackbasecamp.com

AOTS - Support the Bears!!

Posted by rmorris on 31. December 2009 05:25

If you’ve never heard of Olivia Munn this will introduce you to her unique, slightly sarcastic sense of humor.  She is a rapidly raising star (will be playing “Iron maiden” in the May 2010 release of the Iron Man 2 movie).  I couldn’t resist posting this “Save the Bears” video she made for Attack of the Show (G4 TV Network), aka the Every Brown Bear Gets A Sandwich Fund.

http://backpackbasecamp.com

Election Day Hike; New York Harriman State Park

Posted by rmorris on 7. November 2009 11:34

The client I’m currently working with was closed the past Tuesday, November 3rd for the election.  We were voting for Governor here in New Jersey and my friends across the river were voting for Mayor.  Nice of my client to give their employees the day off to vote, I not being an employee don’t get paid but it is still a nice treat to have a day off.  My kids are in school and the spouse is busy, so I’m was free to go for a long day hike. 

I decided to go to normally crowded Harriman State Park in New York, I figured most people don’t get election day off so the park would be empty.  I was right. I spend about 5 or 6 hours hiking and saw no one, except a couple trail runners at the very start.  The park is only about half hour or 45 minutes from my house depending on which access point I use.  Harriman State Park is very close to New Jersey and New York City but is large enough to still give you a ‘wilderness’ feeling once you walk in a few miles.  The park has 31 lakes and over 200 miles of hiking trails.  Harriman connects to Bear Mountain State Park, so there are plenty of options.

This Tuesday morning I really wanted to do a long loop, so I started out at “Elk Pen” which is right off the highway, both the Appalachian Trail and the Arden-Surebridge trail have access points at Elk Pen. Even though I got a late start, it was still a cold fall morning, about 45 degrees.  This time of the year, the newly fallen leaves cover the trail completely, making it a small challenge to follow the path in a few spots .  I was in a bit of an odd mood and for some reason was listening to my MP3 player as I started to hike – this is something I never do.  It was only about a half hour later when i shut off the music that I realized how loud my walking was.  The constant rustling and crackling noise of the leaves beneath my feet was actually so noisy I thought about turning on the music again, but choose to just listen to the forest like I normally do.

I followed the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail up into the woods past Island Pond, through the “Lemon Squeezer” (Large rocks and boulders that the AT goes directly between – a tight squeeze and then a steep climb up the rock face) and up to Fingerboard Shelter.  Between the Lemon Squeezer and Fingerboard Shelter the AT goes through some swampy areas, but today they were mostly dry.  I did run into a small (2 1/2 or 3 feet) garter snake around there which got me to wake up a bit.  Just before Fingerboard Shelter along the ridge, the AT intersects with the Ramapo-Dunderberg trail.  I turned right and followed the R-D trail along the ridge, for the most part a pleasant walk on granite and soft earth along the mountain top. 

After a few miles the R-D trail reaches “Time Square”, the intersection of the Ramapo-Dunderberg trail, the Arden-Surebridge trail and the Long Path ( a 350 mile trail going from the George Washington Bridge up to Albany NY).  Since time was getting a bit short I turned right on the Arden-Surebridge trail and headed back to the Lemon Squeezer.  I startled a nice size dear on the way back but wasn’t fast enough to get a good picture of her.

Overall an excellent way to spend election day! 

Harriman State Park Location: Latitude 41.238095626099998 Longitude -74.101096325699999

BackpackBaseCamp Blog

BackpackBaseCamp.com Web site

Walkin’ On The Happy Side Of Misery and Ten Million Steps

Posted by rmorris on 21. August 2009 05:07

This summer I’ve been reading several books about thru hikes on the Appalachian Trail.  Two of these books have become my new favorites.  Walkin’ On The Happy Side Of Misery by J. R. “Model T” Tate - A 4 time thru-hiker and Ten Million Steps: The Nimblewill Nomad’s epic 10-month trek from the Florida Key to Quebec by M. J. Eberhart.  This is the story of walking the entire Appalachian mountain range from Florida to the far north of Quebec, Canada; a.k.a. The Eastern Continental Trail.  Both of these men have incredible hiking experience and a true talent for writing.  The differences and similarities between the two men make both books more interesting when read one after the other.  You would expect books about such long journeys to be long, and they are; Walkin’ On The Happy Side Of Misery is 554 pages and Ten Million Steps is 528 pages.  Actually i find many books about thru-hikes surprisingly short.

First; “Model T”, of the two I must say i prefer his writing stay the best.  Tate is a retired Marine Corps officer and you can see the Corps is a deeply engrained part of his Self.  Although some people may not appreciate it, Tate has a quirky sense of humor that made me smile all the way through the book.  It is easy to identify with some of his trials and tribulations throughout the book.  He comes across as a very ‘human’ kind of regular guy. Model T is not just his trail name but his alter ego.  After long periods walking alone many people sometimes find that they are talking to themselves – sometimes out load.  Walkin’ on the Happy Side of Misery is written in this way.  At times it actually seams like you are following two people walking the trail.  Model T is definitely a “people person” (as is Eberhart).  As often happens to thru-hikers, he forms intimate friendships with several other hikers along the way.  Tate is able to bring across the emotions and special moments of hiking the trail in a way that really makes you understand what it is like to be out there.

Ten Million Steps is written quite differently, much more in the style of a journal (as most thru-hiking books are).   “Nomad” starts out his ten month trek on the Florida Trail heading north (finishing the Keys-Everglades walk at the end of the trip).  This is the summer of 1998 and El Niño has flooded the trail and immediately we see that Nomad is no ordinary hiker. He is hiking in water and mud up to his knees, sometimes up to his hips, literally for miles and miles through the Everglades, having a difficult time just finding a dry spot or “island” to camp the night.  As Nomad puts  it; “..The most difficult, nerve-racking,and dangerous treadway that I would encounter… Dragging mud, water, and grass step after step, mile after mile…. The depth of the murk and slosh I’m pushing along climbs up and down my legs but stays below my belt as I stumble along in the dark.”  Not many hikers would continue to plod along in such a frightening, sometimes terrifying swamp.  This is no “regular guy”.  By the time Nomad reaches the southern start of the Appalachian Trail he is in extraordinary physical condition and the AT seems like a breeze compared to the wilderness he just hiked.

Both of these books, and both of these men inspire me. To hike, to push on when the going gets really tough, to appreciate the beauty around us, to see people as they are, to let our emotions be free.  These are two men that truly love to hike.  Tate has a wonderful way with words - in so many ways in the book he expresses “the happy side of misery”; “The Dawn came up softly, a soothing rose-colored potion that seemed to refresh aching muscles and listless bodies and renew languid ambitions. I breathed in deeply and exhaled, welcoming the morning aloud. “Ahh! The adversities on the Trail are wondrous to behold!”.

This is video interview with Nimblewill Nomad (Eberhart) and shows his true love of the trail.

Both Tate and Eberhart have web sites;

Model T’s web site is: http://modelt.homestead.com/Index.html

Nimblewill Nomad’s web site is: http://www.nimblewillnomad.com/

New Colgate WISP mini-toothbrush

Posted by rmorris on 14. August 2009 06:57

Colgate has a new mini-toothbrush out on the market. I happened to see it in Walmart a few months ago so I thought I would give it a try for backpacking.  I think the price was under $2 for 4 of them (they are also available on Amazon ) It is a very cute tiny little disposable brush, weighs less then a 1/2 ounce, 3 1/2 inches long.  You don’t need to use toothpaste with it – is has a small liquid filled bead in the center of the brush that takes the place of toothpaste.  You don’t need water or to rinse you mouth out when using it. The WISP also has a flexible toothpick on the opposite end which is very useful. So for those of us interested in shaving ounces off our pack weight this sounded like a perfect replacement for a toothbrush and tooth paste.  For a weekend on the trail it works out great, for longer trips I don’t think it is a good solution.

The WISP is a one time use item (you can reuse it but the liquid filled bead only lasts one time) so for a weekend trip you need to carry two or three.  For longer trips it becomes impractical to carry so many.  I also didn’t really get the felling that the WISP did as good a job in cleaning my teeth as the little fold-up toothbrush I normally carry.

Klymit Soon to be Shipping Argon Jackets and Pads

Posted by rmorris on 23. July 2009 13:48

A year or two ago I heard of this crazy idea of using argon gas as an insulator for jackets and coats – the same gas used in windows as an insulator.  This was about the same time I heard some people were talking about using aerogels (super insulator invented by NASA) as a clothing insulator or for sleeping pads.

Well a company called Klymit has done it and will start shipping products in late August 2009.  They have a line of vests and a sleeping pad ready to start shipping soon.  Although it may be a long time before you see these in the stores, if you are adventuresome you can order directly from their web site (http://klymit.com).  The vests sell for $150 each as does the “Inertia Pad” Sleeping pad.  The vests are very lightweight weighing about 300 grams.  To get warmer you inflate the vest with gas from a tiny canister, to cool off you let some gas out by turning a dial on the jacket.  The “Kanisters” sell for $24 each.  One Kanister will fill a medium size jacket five times.

No detail information is out yet on the weight or size of the Inertia sleeping pad, but I’m guessing it also very light.  Argon is an excellent insulator so the R value for the pad should be very high.  This may give the Thermarest NeoAir some competition.  We will see, I’m still hoping for the aerogels.  In any case it looks like we will soon have more to choose from when buying jackets the just Down or Synthetic.  Check out this Klymit video explaining the product.

http://backpackbasecamp.com

Ten Hiking Essentials – For Scouts and all hikers

Posted by rmorris on 21. July 2009 14:20

About the Author: This Post is by Forrest Jones.  Mr. Jones  is an Eagle Scout, he currently serves in the BSA Scouting Program as an Assistant District Commissioner.  He has been a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster for over 15 years. 

Scout Outdoor Essentials

Where do you find the gear that you need, at a price that you can afford and is durable enough to last? Don’t try to find it by yourself. Ask for help. If you have to “buy and try” every product yourself, you may run out of money before you find the gear that works for you. The Internet has opened up a whole new world when it comes to product reviews. There are manufacturers’ websites, consumer reports, blogs, review websites, YouTube videos of the gear in action, Wikipedia and Gear Review websites (such as BackpackBaseCamp.com). All of these can be accessed from your home computer and contain a wealth of information.

I have always loved the outdoors, and it is from the perspective of the Scouts, Scoutmasters, parents and Youth Leaders that I would like to share my knowledge. Some of my fondest memories are of the various times that we went fishing, sat around the campfire, went canoeing, took a picture of a wild animal, climbed a mountain or discovered a hidden waterfall. Although we think of these as simple activities, there always was certain gear and clothing that was needed prior to going on the trip. The Boy Scout Handbook lists “The Scout Outdoor Essentials” (page 207 of the Boy Scout Handbook) which are 10 items that generally are needed on hikes and outings. When I was growing up in Scouting, these were called the 10 Essentials. They are: Pocketknife, First aid kit, Extra Clothing, Rain gear, Water bottle, Flashlight, Trail food, Matches and fire starters, Sun Protection and a Map and compass. When you are packing, these are a great place to start, and then add additional items based on the particulars of the location, duration and situation. I don’t doubt that if we all thought for a little while, we could maybe replace something on that list of 10 Essentials, with something that we consider to be more important or useful, but overall, I think that those 10 are a good start.
Allow me to discuss each of those 10 items in brief detail. Each varies in value depending on the situation.

Pocketknife. Although every Scout loves to carry one, the plain, standard pocketknife is a little over rated. I see a lot of Scouts fiddling with their knives, walking with an open knife, and not necessarily behaving in a safe manner. I find it interesting that the same pocketknife that a boy would bring on a campout, could also get him expelled from school (no weapons on school grounds). It is also interesting to note that some of the first aid that is needed on campouts is due to cuts from whittling, or some other type of knife activity. The Scouting program has an achievement award called the, “Totin’Chip” award for learning the safe handling of knives, axes, saws and other sharp outdoor tools. I don’t know that I would recommend for the Scouts to bring knives on typical hikes or outings, but there is a need for a couple of knives when preparing a meal, for fishing and for some other activities. But, rarely do all of the Scouts need to have their own knives. My recommendation is to use a Multi-tool such as a Leatherman (with the needlenose head) or a Swiss Army Knife with about 8 or 10 tools on it. One of my beliefs is that the best knife for whittling and making kindling, is actually just a simple sheet-rock knife that you can buy at the hardware store for less than 5 dollars. It is lightweight, safer, has a retractable blade, a perfectly sized handle, a blade that won’t close on your fingers, and has replaceable blades. It is great for whittling intricate detail for a neckerchief slide or a cane, but somehow it is not as “cool” as an expensive knife, and you generally do not see them in the outdoors.

First Aid Kit. Every scout should have their own small “personal” first aid kit, and the Troop should have a larger one on every outing. Band-Aids, an alcohol towelet, an antibacterial ointment, a 2x2” square of Duct tape and personal medications are all that should be in the personal first aid kits. It should be kept in a small, dry, sterile container that should be about the size of a wallet. The Troop first aid kit should be about 10 times that big and contain many more of items, but still should be light and compact. Always bring a first aid kit on every outing.

Extra Clothing. Since Rain gear is covered in the next paragraph, there are 2 concerns here: blisters and body temperature. Probably the number 1 fear of the Troop is that someone will get 5 miles out on a hike and will get blisters bad enough that he will not be able to continue. For blisters, Band-Aids will not stay in place. Some of the better solutions are to use the Duct tape from the Personal First Aid Kit, to tape up the hot spots before they become blisters. From my experience, the places that blisters form are: the back of the heel, the ball of the foot behind the big toe, and the edge of the big toe and the edge of the pinky toe. Duct tape on the skin is good, because it will stay in place as the shoes continue to rub. Put the tape on both the hot-spot on your foot and also the corresponding place on the shoe. There are several products that have some merit in blister prevention too. The other solution to blisters forming, is to change shoes. This sounds pretty simple, yet rarely do people bring a second lightweight pair of shoes on a long hike. Blisters form from the skin rubbing against a projecting portion of the shoes over time. Do not go on a hike in a new pair of shoes that have not been broken in yet. And build up some calluses on your feet before going on the long hikes. As for the body temperature aspect of Extra Clothing, think in layers that you can put on to warm up, or take off to cool down. The extra clothing will help you regulate your body temperature better.

Rain gear. This is broad item since I would put the waterproof snow gear in this category also. Again, it does not have to be expensive. A waterproof jacket with a hood, a waterproof poncho, a waterproof pair of sweats, and a hat is all that is needed. Nothing takes the fun out of an activity more than getting wet. An activity can still be fun if you have a layer of rain gear that can be put on as determined by the weather. Some cloth shoes, jackets, hats and other articles of clothing can be made more waterproof by applying a clear spray coating of a waterproofing liquid such as 3M’s Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Repellent, or similar outdoor waterproofing sprays.

Water bottle. A good water bottle should always be handy. My preference is to carry one that is relatively clear, at least a quart, has a flip top, a belt clip and has an opening size to fit on the bottom of the water purifiers. It is nice if it is clear so you can see to clean it easy and to tell how much water is left. Although it is called a “water” bottle, often lemonade powder, punch or other drinks may be put in it. I like to add just a touch of Crystal Light to my water bottle. It takes a little bit more effort to clean a bottle if fluids other that water have been left in them. The Platypus types of water containers are excellent also, since they are light and collapsible. I clearly remember one campout where the Scouts caught a bunch of 4” long newts and carried them around in their water bottles for several hours. I don’t think that they drank out of their water bottles for the rest of that camp, but it was memorable to see a little critter swimming around in their water bottles. Many of the Water filters/purifiers can screw right on to the top of a water bottle.

Flashlight. It is my belief that handheld flashlights have become obsolete now that the LED headlamps are available everywhere. The LEDs are light, long-lasting, cheap and durable. They free up both of your hands and shine in the direction that your head is pointing. You can just put them on your forehead, or over your hat. They are small enough to put in your pocket, or in a sleeping bag pocket. With branches, wild animals, slippery objects and logs, it is actually quite dangerous to be out in the dark woods at night without a light. I consider a headlamp to be absolutely essential for everyone on the overnight campouts. The LEDs usually work on small AAA batteries and seem to last forever.

Trail food. My preference is just a baggie filled with a granola cereal. Some of the Chex or other cereals are good too. Some of the chocolate fiber bars are nice. Don’t get something that tastes too good, or it will be eaten too early. Many of the dehydrated foods are fantastic, but can be a little expensive. We have a food dehydrator, that is very good at making great snacks from foods that may otherwise go to waste. It is perfect for apple slices, dried fruits, etc. I read in a survival book a while ago, “not to eat something dry, unless you have something to drink with it.” This is quite profound since your stomach needs liquids to go with the food into the intestinal area.

Matches and fire starters. What is really needed is a couple of cigarette lighters for the whole Troop. Matches are another item that are rapidly going obsolete. My preference is for the long stem lighters that are used to light a barbeque grill. These should probably be kept in with the cooking supplies, and may not even be needed if going on a hike. Not every Scout needs to bring his own matches or lighter. These should be a Troop item instead of an individual item.

Sun protection. Simple, but important. It can be purchased in small containers that take up very little space. Mosquito repellant should also be listed in with this item, since mosquitoes can take a lot of the enjoyment out of a hike, fishing trip or sleeping under the stars. Many people are sensitive to mosquito bites and should use additional precaution.

Map and compass. May I also add a watch and a copy of the itinerary to this list of orienteering items? Maps, a compass and a watch go together. In addition to keeping everyone on schedule, a watch is important because it lets you know how far you have hiked. If you know that you walk at a rate of 3 miles an hour, then you can measure that distance on the map and get a good approximation of where you would be on the map. Each person should have their copy of the map so that each one knows where they are, instead of just relying on the person that is the guide. GPSs are awesome but may be a little complicated for new users or younger people. The basics of maps and magnetic declination need to be understood by all, and orienteering is an important skill that needs to be learned and practiced regularly. Each person should have a copy of the itinerary that lists the proposed times, routes, destinations, emergency contact numbers, etc. I refer to it as the “flight plan.” It is easier for everyone to understand the outing, and they can respond to emergencies better.

These are the “Scout Outdoor Essentials,” and should be included on most outings. Nothing on this list is expensive, and many of the items can be shared. This brief list reinforces the Boy Scout Motto of “Be Prepared.” Outings should be simple but fun. Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting from Britain probably said it best, “Scouting is fun with a purpose.”

Other Scouting and hiking articles are at BackpackBasecamp.com