UNDERSTANDING
THE 10-PLUS ESSENTIALS

You won't find any punch lines in this Top 10 list, and appropriately so. Sometimes the natural world confronts you with an unexpected hazard and it's no laughing matter. A snowstorm might hit in August, for example, or fallen trees could obliterate the only trail through a valley. You, the wilderness explorer, need to be equipped to deal with such unforeseen circumstances.

For decades, outdoor travelers have relied on a 1-stop emergency preparedness kit known as the 10 Essentials. This must-carry survival gear sometimes never gets used on a routine backcountry trip, BUT it could save your life if:

	weather conditions change
	you get lost
	you get injured
	unanticipated events disrupt your travel

If circumstances take a turn for the worse, it's reassuring to know that you have the gear (and the knowledge) to cope with whatever nature throws in your path.

UNDERSTANDING
THE 10-PLUS ESSENTIALS

	1	Map (in a watertight case)
	2	Compass
	3	Extra clothing
	4	Extra food and water
	5	First-aid kit
	6	Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries)
	7	Matches (waterproof, or stored in a watertight container)
	8	Fire starter
	9	Knife (or multi-use camp tool)
	10	Sunglasses
	11	Sunscreen
	12	Water filter (or other method of water treatment)true

Yes, the list now runs 12 items long. The 10 Essentials began appearing in mountaineering literature in the 1950s and '60s, but contemporary environmental factors have prompted a few additions.

Map
A topographic map should accompany you on any trip that strays beyond a short, impossible-to-miss footpath or well-populated nature trail. On short trips (1-2 nights) some people rely on very basic (sometimes hand-drawn) maps handed out at visitor centers or entrance stations. These "maps" usually show roads and a few major trails but very few (if any) topographic features. A line on a piece of paper may look easy to follow, but keep in mind that a flat line may actually climb 1,500 feet in the first mile. Can you trust such a map to accurately identify the location of water sources along the way? Will it help you if you somehow wander off the trail?

It should be obvious: For anything beyond a short, trail-bound stroll in the wilderness, you need a topographic map, and you need to understand how to interpret the information it presents.

Extra Clothing
Conditions can abruptly turn wet, windy or frigid in the backcountry. It's important to carry an additional layer (or 2) of clothing in your pack. If you get lost, you may need extra clothing to get you through the night. Consider a wool or fleece cap. You might not wear it during the active portion of your day, but it's a fantastic heat-retainer during periods of inactivity. (It doesn't weigh much, either.) Extra socks are a true blessing if your original pair become soaked. Depending on the conditions, consider carrying a fleece jacket or pile sweater, a waterproof shell or even a compressible parka. Cotton items, which become useless when wet, make poor backup items. Another smart idea: Pack an ultra light space blanket for emergencies.

Extra Food and Water
Always pack at least 1 extra day's worth of food. It can be as simple as a freeze-dried meal, but it's even smarter to include no-cook items: extra energy bars, nuts, dried fruits and jerky. The process of digesting food helps keep your body warm, so on a cold night it's smart to munch some food before bunking down — but never leave animal-attracting leftovers in your tent.

First-Aid Kits
Pre-assembled first aid kits take the guesswork out of building a kit on your own, although most people "personalize" such kits to suit individual needs. Any kit should include moleskin (for blisters), adhesive bandages of various sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, pen and paper. Latex gloves also deserve consideration.

Headlamp or Flashlight
A good light source is invaluable in the backcountry. Picture yourself trying to hustle off a mountain in dwindling light, or trying to set up camp as the last bit of blue drains from the sky. It's smart to carry replacement bulbs and batteries, even a backup lamp or flashlight. Headlamps allow you to keep your hands free during any activity and are usually a backpacker's first choice for a light source. Keep your light in an easily accessible portion of your pack; check it once in a while to see if it has become inadvertently switched on.

Matches
Matches headed into the backcountry should be the waterproof variety, or they should be stored in a waterproof container. Take plenty and make an extra effort to keep them dry. Convenience-store matchbooks are often too flimsy and poorly constructed to be trusted for wilderness use. Save yourself some frustration and tote reliable matches on every trip. Don't rely only on mechanical lighters, which sometimes fail.

Fire Starter
As the name implies, fire starter is an element that helps you jump-start a fire. The ideal fire starter ignites quickly and sustains heat for more than a few seconds. Possible candidates: dry tinder tucked away in a plastic bag; candles; even trappings found in the lint screen of a laundry drier. Priming paste and chemical heat tablets are convenient and reliable fire-starting products.

Knife or Multi-Tool
Knives or multi-tools are handy for gear repair, food preparation, first aid, making kindling or other emergency needs. A basic knife should have at least 1 foldout blade (more likely 2), 1 or 2 flathead screwdrivers, a can-opener and (though some people will call this a luxury) a pair of foldout scissors. The more complex your needs (if, for example, you are leading an inexperienced group), the more options you may want in your knife or tool. 

Sunglasses
Indispensable. Some medical studies suggest that sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays may play a role in cataract development. Yet protection is so simple: Put on a pair of protective glasses when spending large amounts of time outdoors, particularly above tree line, in order to reduce your exposure to UV light. Your goal: Select lenses that absorb 97-100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Wraparound lenses keep light from entering the corners of your eyes and are great choices for the high country. Glacier glasses are a must for mountaineers who run the risk of snow blindness on days of bright glare.)

Sunscreen
The Mayo Clinic recommends applying sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher 15 minutes before you go into the sun. The clinic also advises the use of sunscreen-fortified lip balm. If you swim or sweat a lot, use water-resistant sunscreens and reapply every 2 to 3 hours. Don't leave the trailhead without it. Shop REI's selection of sunscreen.

Water Filter/Purifier
Rushing streams and alpine lakes appear to contain the clearest, freshest water on earth. Yet sometimes they harbor microscopic pathogens that, if you ingest them, could leave you feeling nauseous for weeks. You have 3 defensive strategies: boiling, chemical treatment or straining the water through a mechanical filter or purifier. Filters and purifiers do the job with minimal fuss. 

Final Thought
Earlier we mentioned an intangible element — knowledge — that should accompany the gear on this list. Just having a compass in your pack or a map in your pocket will be of no value to you unless you understand how to use them. Consider the words of Douglas Ganterbein, chairman of Seattle Mountain Rescue and someone who has participated in countless search-and-rescue missions: "People talk about the 10 Essentials, but the most important essential is between your ears."

Copyright © 2009 Troop 97, Fullerton, California Last Modified: February 22, 2009