Top 10 safety items you should carry in your backpack

Who is this "we"?
Are you affiliated BC25.com?
If so, you need to disclose that relationship.

The post looks like a marketing tool to drive traffic to a gear site.
Each of the "ten essentials" is linked to product.

Lame for either daytrips or overnights.

The list might draw interest at Backpacker magazine, but is too superficial for BPL.

What are the "Ten Essentials"?

The "Ten Essentials" are essential gear that you should always carry. This list of essential gear has its origin with The Mountaineers, a famous Seattle hiking and mountaineering club. As stated in their book Mountaineering, The Freedom Of The Hills: "You won't use every one of these items on every trip, but they can be lifesavers in an emergency, insurance against the unexpected." Lists vary and this list isn't perfect, but it's very good. Yes, there really are more than ten items on the list, but hey, the name's catchy.

water
rain gear (also used as wind protection)
extra clothing / insulation
extra food
maps and compass (and knowledge of their use)
sun protection (sun glasses, sun screen, lip balm, and sun hat)
waterproof matches or lighter
flashlight or headlamp (make sure in working order)
first aid supplies
emergency shelter (lightweight emergency bag or space blanket)

What should you do with the 10 essentials?

Based on the observation that there is no crystal ball giving infallible weather predictions, the professional meteorologists don't have one either and that conditions in the mountains are incredibly changeable the WMC recommendation is to
– Put the 10 essentials in your pack.
– Always keep them in your pack.
– Always bring your pack.
Yes, that means you should not remove your rain jacket from your pack because you're "sure" it won't rain today. Nine times out of ten you'll be right. The 10th time you might get hypothermia.

Some other gear to think about.

high-top boots (for rocky or off-trail hikes)
poly-fleece clothing for warmth
extra fleece cap, mittens, and neck gaiter for warmth
a cell phone for emergencies
a water filter (on long hikes)
wind jacket and wind pants
gaiters (for snow or gravel)
toilet paper, trowel or sand-stake, zip-lock bags to pack out toilet paper

Wasatch Mountain Club, Suite 103, 1390 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
801-463-9842 — gro.bulCniatnuoMhctasaW@ofnI

Anybody got a pack mule I can buy……?

That's a legit SUL 10 Essentials list, if you pack right. It's all stuff I pack or carry anyway.

597 g rain gear (Sierra Designs shell and REI pants)
314 g extra clothing / insulation (puffy and tights)
73 g extra food (2 Nutrigrain bars)
40 g maps and compass (and knowledge of their use)
138 g sun protection (26 sun glasses, 27 sun screen, 9 lip balm, and 76 sun hat)
18 g waterproof matches
35 g headlamp with extra batteries
109 g first aid supplies (home made kit and ace bandage)
30 g emergency shelter (space blanket)

I would add the following:

26 g Emergency signaling devices (19 mirror, 7 whistle)

1380 g TOTAL = 49.3 oz = 3 lb 1.3 oz

Hi Greg, by we I meant we at bc25.com. My wife and I have been running this website for over 3 years now. What would be a better way to disclose this relationship?

The list is based on what we have been bringing into the backcountry for skiing, hiking, ski traverses, multi day backpack trips, etc. as far as emergency items go. And off course as others have mentioned it depends on the duration and nature of your trip.

Looking at other comments it looks like every one is listing the same (or very similar items).

Do you have other suggestions that work very well for BPL?

thanks,
Mike

D M , you are supposed to divide up some of these items between your hiking friends :-)

Not every one needs a Spot or radio, one first aid kit should be sufficient, same with multi tool (knife) and fire starter stuff.
When guiding I usually carry an 8×10 tarp which will offer decent emergency shelter for a small group.

Mike,
Consider putting your web URL or company name in "Locale" in you profile, or using your company logo as your avatar.

That way anyone taking a quick glance at a post knows you've got a vested interest in your recommendations and offers.

I've got no authority here, but sooner or later you will get a similar "request".

Edit: I see Roger C. (2/19 above) and I are cross posting. Don't take it personally.

Hi Mike (and any others to whom this could apply)

> What would be a better way to disclose this relationship?
First, do not assume that the reader has heard of either you or your website. The web is a very big place. So …
FULL disclosure on your BPL personal details page, including listing your website.
FULL disclosure every time you do a posting which in any way at all refers to your website.

Cheers
Roger Caffin
Online Community Monitor
Backpacking Light

Thanks again for your feedback Greg and Roger. I just edited my profile to mention the fact that I run bc25.com and tell you a bit more about what else I do in my time away from the glow boxes.

I'm here to provide value to the forum members with positive contributions