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Necessity vs. Importance: Considering Ultralight Essentials


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Home Forums Campfire Editor’s Roundtable Necessity vs. Importance: Considering Ultralight Essentials

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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 33 total)
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  • #1230177
    Addie Bedford
    BPL Member

    @addiebedford

    Locale: Montana
    #1443101
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    Should that be Fenix L0D? I've not heard of an L01.

    #1443122
    Kendall Clement
    BPL Member

    @socalpacker

    Locale: Cebu, Philippines

    Ryan,
    Thanks for the insight. I am, admittedly, a beginner and find myself wrestling with the question of, "do I need this or do I want this?" Then, I remind myself that it's the weight, or lightness of weight that's important.

    #1443137
    Franco Darioli
    Spectator

    @franco

    Locale: Gauche, CU.

    I usually have several sticking plasters (Band Aid..) and Gaffer Tape with me. I have used the Gaffer tape when I had the brilliant idea of taking my almost new Teva sandals on a 3 day hike ( too many wounds and too much abrasion for the Band Aid) and a couple of other times when I wanted it to be there for longer than a day.
    Would you ditch the sticking plasters in favor of the Leukotape ?
    ( I have with me some cotton balls with Vaseline and a cotton handkerchief)
    Franco

    #1443140
    Miguel Marcos
    Member

    @miguelmarcos

    Locale: Middle Iberia

    I carry the e+lite. It's lightweight but powerful enough if necessary, plus has red light for comfortable night vision. An excellent weight/feature combination.

    #1443155
    Tony Burnett
    Spectator

    @tlbj6142

    Locale: OH--IO

    On a recent trip I had two a large blisters on the outside edge of my feet just above my heel pad (below and slightly behind my ankle). It wasn't from rubbing, but (I think) from not having narrow enough heel-cups such that my heel was allowed to move side-to-side as I stepped on rocks, roots, angled pathways, etc. This side-to-side movement (combined with soggy feet from daily downpours) resulted in the separation of skin layers.

    These "blisters" occurred under very thick skin (the waning edge of my heel pad). Given the location (difficult to reach) and the thicker cover, how should I drain these? What tool should I use? I had a small needle, but nothing would drain from the wholes through that thick skin.

    Any thoughts? Scissors?

    #1443158
    victoria maki
    BPL Member

    @clt1953

    Locale: northern minnesota

    tony. i would not drain them, as you set yourself up for one nasty infection, especially if you feet are wet all the time. i would put an antiboitic on them and keep them covered during the day and uncovered at night. there is a product out there (can't remember name) that is designed for blisters. use one of those then put a piece of mole skin over, as the blister paks are not very wear resistant. you could also put a piece of duct tape over, being careful not to get tape on any of the blister. would hurt like h–l to rip off blister…..

    #1443162
    David Neumann
    BPL Member

    @idahomtman

    Locale: Southern Oregon Coast

    Don't you have difficulty removing the Leukotape from your skin? This is a great product, expensive though, but it adheres to skin vigorously especially if you coat the skin with Tincture of Benzoin. I have used duct tape for years and it manages to adhere for most of a week with 20 mile days.

    #1443163
    David Neumann
    BPL Member

    @idahomtman

    Locale: Southern Oregon Coast

    Don't you have difficulty removing the Leukotape from your skin? This is a great product, expensive though, but it adheres to skin vigorously especially if you coat the skin with Tincture of Benzoin. I have used duct tape for years and it manages to adhere for most of a week with 20 mile days.

    #1443164
    CW
    BPL Member

    @simplespirit

    Locale: .

    I've tried duct tape and it won't stick to my skin. The Leuko works like a champ though and I don't need the benzoin tincture with it either. Best piece in my medical kit by far.

    #1443168
    Tad Englund
    BPL Member

    @bestbuilder

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    Where can I get some of this Leukotape?

    #1443171
    CW
    BPL Member

    @simplespirit

    Locale: .
    #1443177
    Roleigh Martin
    BPL Member

    @marti124

    Locale: Founder & Lead Moderator, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraNorthPCThikers

    I think Tori is talking about "Second Skin", which I've always carried and it is only useful for blisters. I use Leuckotape (used to use moleskin) to prevent getting blisters and if someone (I don't get blisters) gets a blister, I (being the good, friendly trail amateur foot medic), I apply the Second Skin first, and on top of that Leuckotape to hold the second skin to the foot. There is no adhesive power to a Second Skin layer.

    #1443180
    Clifford L Deal Jr
    Spectator

    @lanier

    How do you carry a small amount of tape off the large roll? Does it retain its effectiveness?

    #1443190
    victoria maki
    BPL Member

    @clt1953

    Locale: northern minnesota

    clifford, they actually have small rolls of duct tape in camping gear stores such as gander mt.,etc.

    #1443192
    CW
    BPL Member

    @simplespirit

    Locale: .

    I have a small vial that has a needle, tick tweezers, and a couple of safety pins in it that I wrap the leukotape around. It's just as sticky when I pull it off that tube as it is fresh off the roll.

    #1443197
    Rick Dreher
    BPL Member

    @halfturbo

    Locale: Northernish California

    You can DIY small rolls by rolling onto a length of drinking straw. My experience is that so long as you don't touch or otherwise contaminate the adhesive, the tape retains its properties.

    #1443201
    Gail Lusk
    Member

    @alohatink

    Locale: In the Middle of No Where!

    CELOX is the only thing I would add…so light weight and worth its weight in gold if ever needed.
    It is a new granular hemostatic agent that controls life-threatening bleeding fast.

    EVERY REASON TO CHOOSE CELOX
    CELOX is lightweight, small, and fits into a pocket. It is intelligently packaged to be safely opened with one hand and easily applied. CELOX is affordably priced and available in two small, lightweight, and compact package sizes – 15g (0.5 ounce) or 35g (1.25 ounce) with a shelf life of 3 years.

    FEATURES BENEFITS

    For all bleeding emergencies Count on it as an immediate first response. Safe and reliable.

    No special training needed, easy open Can be self applied and one handed use possible.

    Can rapidly add granules
    to wound No careful measuring or application needed

    Safe for chest, head and
    neck wounds No hazard from inhalation or ingestion

    Controls severe arterial bleeding Minimizes blood loss, tissue damage, risk of shock

    No heat from exothermic reactions Won't cause burns to victim or caregiver

    Use in all temperatures Works even in hypothermic conditions

    Forms strong gel-like clot Protects the wound yet is easy to clean out

    Clots Heparinized blood Works on patients taking anticoagulants such as Heparin, Coumadin, Warfarin, as well as Aspirin

    Lightweight, pocket-sized, economical Available in 15g or 35g sizes, affordably priced

    I never bother with bandaids but I never go without Burn Gel either… children and young men always seem to get hurt… and NO I do not sell this stuff..lol
    Just discovered it this year is all :)

    Here's a link with a little more background
    http://www.celoxmedical.com/?page=sabnorm

    #1443211
    R K
    Spectator

    @oiboyroi

    Locale: South West US

    I use a product called Spyroflex and from the given description of leukotape it sounds like it may be the same thing. Anyone know if this is the case?

    #1443213
    Roleigh Martin
    BPL Member

    @marti124

    Locale: Founder & Lead Moderator, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraNorthPCThikers

    Gail, thanks for the informative post and link. I just ordered some from here:

    #1443219
    Lynn Tramper
    Member

    @retropump

    Locale: The Antipodes of La Coruna

    Very interesting. As someone who has (touch wood) not had foot probelms, most of that footcare stuff just wouldn't get a look in my kit. I would swap the journalism/photography gear for a good book…however, to me the MOST important items would be a sleeping bag and food. Sometimes food and insulated sleeping can be found along the way though, so maybe not 'necessary'.

    The camp fire and fire-starting material I wholeheartedly agree with. It really is amazing how different everyone's 'important' items are.

    'Necessities' should make an interesting topic by comparison. I actually like the term 'important' to encompass both that which is necessary and that which is desirable. 'Important' puts a personal and undebatable perspective on what we choose to carry with us.

    #1443221
    Lynn Tramper
    Member

    @retropump

    Locale: The Antipodes of La Coruna

    !

    #1443419
    Jason Brinkman
    BPL Member

    @jbrinkmanboi

    Locale: Idaho

    I was admittedly a bit thrown by the content of this article. I fully expected 'necessity' to win out as the prevailing definition of 'essential'. By my read, Ryan chose to describe how some of his gear is evaluated with the 'importance' definition of 'essential'.

    All the same, I think this article is very relevant to ultralight backpacking, and I found it interesting and insightful. In the future, I would also like to see an updated article with BPL's take on a 'necessity' essentials list that is more applicable to ultralighters than say "The Ten Essentials" or various adaptations thereof.

    In my gear list, I have a hidden column where I evaluate the need for gear on a given trip. My ratings in that column, in order, are necessary, important, and optional. The most scrutiny for leaving behind is given to optional items.

    For example, the following is my prioritized list of 'necessary' essentials:

    1. Water – includes adequate storage and treatment (bladder or bottle, tablets, etc)
    2. Shelter – includes clothing, insulation, waterproofing (wind shirt, vest, rain gear, sleeping bag, warm pad, tarp)
    3. Conveyance – a pack, pulk, pannier, etc.
    4. Fire – includes spark and tinder or accelerant
    5. Food – includes nutrition and protection such as a bear bag
    6. Navigation – includes map and compass

    Whereas this is my prioritized list of 'important' essentials:

    7. Comfy pad
    8. Illumination
    9. First aid
    10. Sun protection
    11. Insect protection
    12. Bear protection

    I can survive with just the necessities, but I need most of the important list to enjoy myself. So I guess my 'essentials' list includes both – with a gradual transition from the 'necessary' items at the top, to the 'important' items at the bottom.

    #1443444
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    To me, the definition of essential items should not be blurried by adjectives like "necessity" or "important". Using those adjectives will only cause confusion. There are essential items and then there are comfort/enjoyment items.

    #1443460
    Sarah Kirkconnell
    BPL Member

    @sarbar

    Locale: Homesteading On An Island In The PNW

    Compeed's by Bandaid. Called Bandaid's Advanced Healing Blister:
    http://www.bandaid.com/productList.do?typeId=4.

    They go over the blister giving a padded surface. I do tape mine down though.

    They are NOT cheap but are worth it. I carry about 6-8 in my pack pocket at all times.

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