Equipment List—Lightweight & Safe

Outdoor 10 Essentials (Updated): Synthetic or Wool Clothing—Continued: 1. Navigation (map and compass) 10. 2 Pair medium to light socks for hiking 2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen) 11. 1 pair warm socks for sleeping 3. Insulation (extra clothing—see below) 12. Bandana (or shemagh, cotton ok) 4. Illumination (LED headlamp + extra batteries) 5. First-aid kit (Small and simple) Overnight Equipment: 6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles) 1. Sleeping Bag: Synthetic 20°(< 3 lbs & compact, don’t skimp on this) 7. Repair kit and tools (small multi-tool/knife) 2. Sleeping Pad (EVA foam pad/zrest/ridgerest) 8. Nutrition (extra —See food list) 3. Backpack (< 3 lbs.—rent to find what works—30/50 Liters) 9. Hydration (extra water or water treatment) 4. Tent or Tarp (< 3 lbs. per person, shared—sew your own silnylon tarp = !!!) 10. Emergency shelter (tent/tarp/space blanket) 5. Eating Kit—Bowl/Cup & Spork (Starbucks reusable cup = $1!) 6. Cook Kit—900 ml to 1l aluminum pots (shared) Also Bring: 7. Stove (remote canister stoves are simple and safe, shared) 1. 50 feet of light cord (paracord/dyneema) 8. Personal hygiene (toothbrush, small toothpaste, 1 oz bottle liquid soap) 2. Toilet paper (in a zip lock bag—CRITICAL) 3. Insect protection (repellent or head net) Hiking/Backpacking/ Food: 4. 2x 32oz bottles (Gatorade /Nalgene in winter) 1. For the Trail: String cheese, jerky, dried fruit/nuts, nutrition bars. 5. Emergency Whistle (pealess works frozen) Do Not Bring Fast Food, Candy, Chips, Sugar Drinks, Etc. 2. High calorie, light weight. Dehydrated /dried are easiest to carry. Synthetic or Wool Clothing—NOT COTTON: 3. Supermarket/ convenience packaged: foil pouch chicken, foil pouch 1. Pants (zip off if you want shorts also) spam, instant potatoes, (Knorr), ramen noodles, instant cous- 2. Underwear: wicking (base layer) cous, instant oatmeal, cold cereal + , , bouil- 3. 2 T-shirts :wicking (base layer) lon cubes, olive oil, granola bars, dried fruit, apples, oranges, baby car- 4. Long Underwear (Fall/Winter) rots, tortillas, pitas, bagels, salami, peanut butter, chocolate bars. Get creative. Boil times need to be under 5 minutes. 5. Fleece or Synthetic sweater (Insulating layer) 4. Freeze Dried: lightweight but $$. Often bland or too salty. Add spices to 6. Rain Shell (waterproof breathable) improve flavor. (Our favorites are Chana Masala + 1 foil pouch of chicken, 7. Wide brim hat (Rain or sun) or Chicken Teriyaki + soy sauce + 5 spice+ ginger.) 8. Warm Beanie (Synthetic or Wool)

9. Light Hiking/Trail Runners (No Heavy Boots) Mr. Bassett’s Lightweight Hiking Powerpoint: https://goo.gl/Nuwt9G

Leave No Trace 1. Plan ahead and prepare: Know the rules of the area you will visit, and prepare for the conditions you will encounter. Plan your food to minimize waste. Use a map and compass rather than paint, rock cairns or flagging.

2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces: Use established campsites where appropriate. Camp 200 feet from water. Keep campsites small. Stay on the trail even when it is wet or muddy.

3. Dispose of waste properly: Anything you pack in, pack out. Leave no trash or spilled food. Use pit toilets where provid- ed, dig catholes 6+ inches deep where not. Wash 200+ feet from streams or lakes, and scatter dishwater on land.

4. Leave what you find: Do not touch cultural or historical structures or artifacts. Leave rocks and plants as you find them. Do not build structures or trenches around tents.

5. Minimize campfire impacts: Use a stove when you can. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings. Keep fires small, and put them out completely and scatter the ashes.

6. Respect wildlife: Don’t approach animals, enjoy them from a distance. Never feed animals. Store your food where ani- mals cannot reach it—bear bag, bear vault. Leave pets at home, or control them at all times.

7. Be considerate of other visitors: Respect other people, so that they can also enjoy themselves. Be courteous, yield to the downhill side of the trail. Camp away from trails and other people when possible. Avoid loud noises and enjoy na- ture’s sounds. Important Knots to Learn

Taut-line Hitch

Figure Eight Loop

For the Knot portion of the Outdoorsman Badge: 1. Learn how to tie a Square Knot. (strong and simple) 2. Learn how to tie two Half hitches. (basic and useful) 3. Learn how to tie a Taut-line hitch. (good for tents)

For Practice, in order of usefulness: 1. Learn to tie a Clove hitch. (holds to trees) 2. Learn to tie a Bowline. (doesn’t slip, lifesaver) 3. Learn to tie a Figure Eight Loop. (doesn’t slip, very strong) 4. Learn to tie a Figure Eight. (stopper knot)

For animated instructions on how to tie these knots: http://www.animatedknots.com/