Ten Essentials up for suggestions
Shane Krogen
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 197
Location: Fresno, Ca
Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:49 pm
Post subject: Ten Essentials up for suggestions
What do you think the trail crews Ten Essentials should be?
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Shane Krogen
Director of Trail Crew
Ken Murray
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 90
Location: Studio City (LA)
Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:55 pm
A few useful links:
http://www.dbs-sar.com/essentials_store.htm
The classic "ten essentials" has recently been updated:
http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/client/client_pages/Media%20Archives/mtn_media_TenEssentials.cfm
Details at the link, above.
Ten Essentials: The Classic List
Map
Compass
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Extra clothing
Headlamp/flashlight
First-aid supplies
Firestarter
Matches
Knife
Extra food
Ten Essential Systems
Navigation (map & compass)
Sun protection (sunglasses & sunscreen)
Insulation (extra clothing)
Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
First-aid supplies
Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candle)
Repair kit and tools
Nutrition (extra food)
Hydration (extra water)
Emergency shelter (tent/plastic tube tent/garbage bag)
Last edited by Ken Murray on Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:24 pm; edited
1 time in total
Julie E.
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 6
Location: Squaw Valley, CA
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:08 pm
I sure was glad I had my ten essentials this past summer. Even
though I was doing dayhiking for recon I ended up using stuff
later on that night. I will always carry my ten essentials
they don't take up that much room.
Another item I consider important is DUCT TAPE.
I wrap the DUCT TAPE around my hiking sticks or if I don't
have my sticks I wrap it around a water bottle.
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Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours.
Richard Bach
Marsha
Joined: 10 Apr 2004
Posts: 6
Location: orange county
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 7:47 pm
A light weight mini survival kit that fits in your pocket by
Douglas S. Ritter has one page of instructions that is
condensed and complete to help someone survive an emergency in
the wilderness. www.equipped.org
You can tell that he put a lot of thought into it.
In an emergency most people could use a simple step by step
outline of what to do especially when you have to think fast
on your feet.
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Marsha
Shane Krogen
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 197
Location: Fresno, Ca
Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:16 am
Post subject: Reply to you ALL ha ha
The bottom line is the work we do is dangerous, the
environment we work in doing this is much more powerful than
us mortals and we must take responsibility for our self first
and our fellow volunteers second.
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Shane Krogen
Director of Trail Crew
Shane Krogen
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 197
Location: Fresno, Ca
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2004 8:57 am
Post subject: To all of you
Lets not miss the point and the goal, what we do has a risk
factor in it. My own experience in the past in an area we
always visit each year leads me to the point. I spend 5 days
in a tent because of Rain and Snow in July! We need to develop
a suggest list of items that each volunteer should come
prepared with. It is unfair and not acceptable to ask the crew
leader to be responsible for the crew with out their ability
to bring to the situation items that will help if something
goes south. We are not trying to re-write books here on the
wilderness safety.
We can not allow any crew to think just because they have a
radio and are within a reasonable distance from the trail head
that the can make a retreat or be rescued with ease. For
example Lea Nibur had to walk out 6 miles when she was
injured. What if that crew leader had asked permission to work
late and this accident happen at 5 pm or later. The Forest was
under a NO FLY policy that day, would it have been correct to
ask Lea to walk out in the dark. How many would have had a
flash light or head lamp in their day pack. Would any of them
had and emergency blank or matches to at least start a fire.
Please Think out of the BOX! What IF!
We are becoming too complacent with our selves and I am
becoming nervous that we will have a new situation develop in
2005. Let's work on two suggested list of items each volunteer
should bring with them.
First day trips
Second weeklong trips.
Shane
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Shane Krogen
Director of Trail Crew
Ken Murray
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 90
Location: Studio City (LA)
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:03 am
I've always thought of the "ten essentials" as those survival
things needed to *survive* overnite, as well as to facilitate
rescue. NOT neccessarily in comfort, but to survive in a
"lost" or injured situation.
Here, again, is the new ten essentials system:
1. Navigation (map and compass)
2. Sun protection
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (flashlight/headlamp)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire
7. Repair kit and tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency shelter
It is, of course, useless to have something that a person does
not have the skill to use.
So, I would say, that for a group weekend hike, I'd say that
2,3,8,9 are qualifying.
On 3, I would opt for something windproof and waterproof, such
as a cheap raincoat. I think windproof is the real issue.
On 8, a power bar or two is sufficient.
On 9, I think that the quantity of water needs to be defined
by the crew leader.......and I think we generally do a good
job of that.
In addition, I would add a whistle, found in the classic list,
but buried in the new.
So this is what I'd want EVERY hiker, EVERY time to have, for
a weekend.
The group should round out that gear with additional
things....first aid kit, etc.
For the week-long, I think I'd adhere more closely to the full
list. Also, for the recon teams. On one week-long that I was
on, you could have gotten seriously lost finding the commode!
I'll see if I can flesh this out a little more.
By the way, I don't think anyone has brought up a reference.
My bible, and for most of the people I know, is
"Mountaineering, Freedom of the Hills, 7th ed." A remarkable
book covering all facets of outdoor adventuring.
In fact, I'd suggest that perhaps we might want to have a copy
or two at our weekend base camps, for people to check out.
Last edited by Ken Murray on Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:03 am; edited
1 time in total
Ken Murray
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 90
Location: Studio City (LA)
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:50 pm
Post subject: summary
There was a spirited discussion on this subject, which I'm
summarizing.
The first responsibity we have to each other is to show up
prepared.
Most people felt that there IS a set of basic things that all
participants should have. For the weekend trips, it might be
less than for the weeklong trips. An injured person in the
backcountry must be prepared to deal with an overnite stay
before evacuation. Most people agree that a Crew Leader needs
to carry the whole ten essentials package. Probably also the
First Aid member, if there is a separate one.
There seemed to be agreement that there should be training for
participants in the "ten essentials" principles, with a mind
towards making individuals capable of dealing with problems in
the backcountry.
"Mountaineering, Freedom of the Hills, 7th ed." would be an
appropriate reference, to have at weekend, and perhaps
weeklong, basecamps.
Thanks to Bill, Eric, Kyle, Marsha, Tom, Skip, Barbara, Julie,
for their input!
Eric Hamilton
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 76
Location: Clovis, Califonia
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 5:33 am
Hi
Just remember that we are not that far from help. Usually help
is just a radio call away.
_________________
bye....................eric
Tom Duxbury
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 16
Location: Fresno
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 8:07 am
Post subject: ESSENTIALS
Eric,
please define "usually" as it applies to what we do.
Tom
Ken Murray
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 90
Location: Studio City (LA)
Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:44 pm
"Individual Preparedness
The primary emphasis of this initial step in the program is to
train members to be mentally and emotionally prepared to act
promptly and to develop in them the ability to take care of
themselves. Teaching young people to know and be able to use
practical survival skills when needed is an important part of
individual preparedness."
The above philosophy is what I think we aspire to do. While we
are always grateful for the help available to us in various
emergencies, I think we want to minimize the time, effort, and
expense involved in agencies and individuals providing care
for problems. I know that such providers appreciate a high
degree of preparedness, as well.
There are some who would take issue with this approach
advocated by the Boy Scouts of America. However, I think it is
right on.
Full text at:
http://www.scouting.org/pubs/emergency/
Ken Murray
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 90
Location: Studio City (LA)
Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:59 pm
Walking in the Wild
Many Yosemite tourists ill-equipped for hikes.
by Diana Marcum
Fresno Bee - July 28, 2003
On the first day of his vacation, Doug Sells, an athlete at
the University of Oregon, hiked the Yosemite Falls Trail. When
he got to the top -- huffing and puffing in 95-degree
mugginess, slipping on the fine sand that covers the steep
granite trail -- he saw him. A man in black jeans, black
T-shirt, flip-flops and carrying no water or backpack.
The next day on the strenuous 7-mile round-trip Nevada Fall
Trail, Sells passed a man in dress pants and dress shoes.
But it was what he saw on his hike to Half Dome on Wednesday
that stopped him short. Just before the final ascent -- so
steep it involves pulling one's self along on cables --
thunder and lightning started hitting the peak. A crowd of
about 30 hikers turned back, each person's hair standing up
with electricity.
"It was like a cattle drive, everyone hurrying down," Sells
said.
"Then here comes this guy going up. He had on flip-flops and
rolled-up jean shorts. He was smoking a cigarette, and he had
a very good beer gut."
Every year, Yosemite's marvels beckon those in flip-flops and
mules; those who eschew packing water for carrying a liter of
cola -- or a six-pack of beer; those who see a towering
mountain from a car window and think "Why not?"
They could be viewed as Huckleberry Finns in ill-suited
footwear, traipsing through a Gore-Tex world; testament that,
as rangers like to say, "the park belongs to everyone." Locals
more commonly refer to them as tourons -- tourists displaying
moronic behavior. Rangers call them PSRs, possible search and
rescues.
Logs rangers keep contain hundreds of cases of hikers who've
fallen off trails, suffered dehydration or leg cramps, injured
their heads or had heart attacks. Many are air-lifted by
helicopter to area hospitals.
While most discussions surrounding Yosemite are about keeping
one of the nation's most-used parks both "wild" and
accessible, the largest safety issue is making people without
outdoor experience aware that it isn't an amusement park,
rangers say.
"One of the things that is so great about Yosemite is that
it's easily accessible, just a few hours from L.A. and San
Francisco. But because of that we get a lot of people who come
to see the steep cliffs, the waterfalls, and the swift water
and are still under the false perception that this isn't
wilderness," said Deb Schweizer, a park spokeswoman, who
verified that yes, Yosemite rangers are regularly asked what
time the park puts out the deer in the morning and whether
they could turn down the volume on the falls.
"For some people, this place is just so outside their
reality," she said.
"The words we hear more than any others when we rescue people
on the Yosemite Falls Trail [with an elevation gain of 2,700
feet -- the equivalent of a 270-story building] is "Oh, I
didn't know it would be so steep."
Last year, Yosemite's Search and Rescue Team responded to 180
incidents, 100 of them involving day hikers, most of whom came
from the Central Valley and the Bay Area. In 2001, the rescue
team responded to 167 incidents -- with more than 100 of
those, too, involving day hikers.
"We call the day hiker stats our
'Joe-out-in-the-woods-for-the-day' numbers," one ranger
admitted. "They trip. They fall off rocks. They get dehydrated
because they don't carry water. They get lost because 'map' is
a foreign concept. They forget that they have to get back
down.
"But when you see the amount of people who go up a mountain
with as much preparation as they'd take to go into their back
yard, you figure the amazing thing is that most of them make
it."
On Thursday, Mina Baik, 26, moved swiftly up Mist Trail, which
climbs beside Vernal Fall and is the beginning of a Half Dome
route. Wearing 3-inch Steve Madden platform slides, she passed
throngs of the dutifully booted.
Several hikers on their way down told her she might not want
to go farther in those shoes. Up ahead, they warned, were
steep steps sprayed slick with waterfall mist.
Baik wasn't worried. She'd been hiking before: once.
Last year in Maui she followed the Seven Sacred Pools Trail
while wearing what she deemed strappier, more
fashion-conscious sandals than her Yosemite footwear.
It's not that Baik doesn't own hiking boots. She has a "really
cute pair, with stars" and four pairs of athletic shoes. She
just didn't think to pack them when her parents decided the
family would take a spur-of-the-moment trip from Reno.
"I was thinking, well, you know, waterfalls. We'd park the car
and go look over," she said. "It's a lot different than I
thought it would be."
Baik made it up the steps, then she sure-footedly made it
down.
No problem, she said: "These are my comfy shoes."
CHECKLIST
Before setting out on a day hike, Yosemite National Park
rangers suggest hikers take a few precautions:
Assess your abilities and limits. If uncertain, ask a ranger.
Check weather conditions the day of your hike.
Be prepared for storms in any month. Summer thunderstorms are
common.
Carry plenty of food and water.
Stay on the trail.
Use extreme caution in and around streams: Injuries and deaths
from accidents related to streams occur every year.
Pay attention to all trail signs and heed the warnings.
Wear safe, practical footwear.
Ken Murray
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 90
Location: Studio City (LA)
Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 4:22 pm
From our friends at Yosemite Search and Rescue
===================
Staying Alive
John Dill, NPS Search and Rescue
The National Park Service (NPS) recently examined most of the
serious accidents that occurred in the park during the years
from 1970 through 1990. The conclusions provide interesting
reading for those wishing to stay alive.
Many cases are not clear cut; several factors may share the
credit, and it is sometimes hard to quantify the weird
adventures climbers have.
Not to be overlooked in the body count are environmental
injuries. Inadequately equipped for the weather, four climbers
died of hypothermia and perhaps 45 more would have died of the
cold or heat if not rescued.
Fifteen to 25 parties require an NPS rescue each year. Sixty
more climbers stagger into Yosemite’s medical clinic on their
own, and an unknown number escape statistical immortality by
seeking treatment outside the park (or at the Mountain Room
Bar).
Most Yosemite victims are experienced climbers, 60% have been
climbing for three years or more, lead at least 5.10, are in
good condition, and climb frequently.
It’s also too high when you consider that at least 80% of the
fatalities and many injuries, were easily preventable. In case
after case, ignorance, a casual attitude, and/or some form of
distraction proved to be the most dangerous aspects of the
sport.
As the saying goes, "good judgement comes from bad
experience."
States of Mind
This is the key to safety. It’s impossible to know how many
climbers were killed by haste or overconfidence, but many
survivors will tell you that they somehow lost their good
judgement long enough to get hurt. It’s a complex subject and
sometimes a touchy one. Nevertheless, at least three states of
mind frequently contribute to accidents: ignorance,
casualness, and distraction.
Ignorance There is always more to learn, and even the most
conscientious climber can get into trouble if unaware of the
danger (“I thought it never rained…”). Here are some ways to
fight ignorance:
· Look in the mirror. Are you the stubborn type? Do you resist
suggestions? Could you be a bit overconfident? (Ask your
friends.) Several partners have said of a dead friend, “I
wanted to give him advice, but he always got mad when I did
that. I didn’t realize he was about to die.”
· Read. The climbing magazines are full of good
recommendations. Case histories in the American Alpine Club’s
Accidents in North American Mountaineering, a yearly
compilation of accident reports, will show you how subtle
factors may combine to catch you unaware. Such accounts are
the next best (or worse?) thing to being there.
· Practice. Reading may make you aware but not competent. In
fact, you can be dangerously misled by what you read,
including this report – important details are often left out,
the advice may be incorrect, and in the long run you must
think and act for yourself. Several climbers, for example,
waited to learn Prusiking until it was dark, raining,
overhanging and they were actually in trouble. They had read
about it, but they had to be rescued despite having the gear
to improvise their own solutions. Book-learning alone gave
them a complacency that could have proved fatal.
Casualness “I just didn’t take it seriously,” is a common
lament. It’s often correct, but it’s more a symptom than a
cause – there may be deeper reasons for underestimating your
risk. Ignorance is one, and here are some more:
· Habit reinforcement. The more often you get away with risky
business the more entrenched your lazy habits become. Have you
unconsciously dropped items from your safety checklists since
you were a chicken-hearted (or hare-brained) beginner?
· Your attitudes and habits can be reinforced by the
experiences (and states of mind) of others. The sense of awe
and commitment of the 1960’s is gone from the big-wall trade
routes, and young aspirants with no Grade VI’s, or even V’s to
their credit speak casually about them. Even for experts, most
accidents on El Cap occur on the easier pitches, where their
guard is down.
· Memory Decay. “I’m not going up again without raingear – I
thought I would die!” A week later this climber had forgotten
how scared he had been in that thunderstorm. Raingear was now
too heavy and besides, he was sure he’d be able to rap off the
next time. Many of us tend to forget the bad parts. We have to
be hit again.
· Civilization. With fixed anchors marking the way up and
ghetto blasters echoing behind, it may be hard to realize that
the potential for trouble is as high in Yosemite as anywhere.
Some say the possibility of fast rescue added to their
casualness. Maybe, but who wants a broken leg, or worse, in
the first place?
An adequate state of mind is like good physical conditioning:
it doesn’t happen overnight, and it takes constant practice,
but the payoff in both safety and fun is well worth it. Stay
aware of your mental state: Are you uneasy before this climb?
Learn to recognize that, and ask yourself why, and deal with
it. Are you taking shortcuts on this pitch? Could it be you’re
distracted? Stop, get your act together, then go.