When you head out onto the trails to find those
wilderness caches, what do you bring along?
In the 1950's, hikers began circulating a list of the "10
Essentials", items every hiker should have in their pack "just in
case". Over the years the list has been debated and amended, but it
remains a good starting point for any hike.
The 10 (ok, 14, but who's counting)Essentials:
Map (on waterproof paper preferably)
Compass
Extra clothing
Extra food and water
First-aid kit
Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries)
Matches (storm proof, or in a watertight container)
Fire starter
Knife (or multi-tool)
Sunglasses
...often added to the list in recent years:
Sunscreen
Water filter(or other method of water treatment)
Whistle (for emergency signalling)
Food storage device (required in bear country)
Note that our trusty companion, the GPS, is NOT on the
list.
A GPS, while a trusted tool for caching, should never replace
carrying a good map and compass on the trail. But it does provide
an additional level of safety on the trail and can make navigation
easier in difficult situations.
The cache is hidden with permission and full cooperation of the
nearby tenant...
