£quipment Checklist Backpacking fquipment Carry on Your Person Essential 5 Matches, in waterproof container? Knife, pocket” 1 Compass, cased" 1 Firshaid kt, personal® Survival kt (mode) Nylon cord, 200+, test, 20 Feet” Fire starters Ci Sunglasses, case, sfety loop i Bandenna Money, identification, Fishing permit all in waterproof bag) 1D Peneil or ballpoint pen Notebook, pocketsize 1 let poper in plasic bog Optional 3 Comb, pocket" 1 Watch, preferebly] waterproof CINail dippers 1D Documents for customs {ifneeded) C Hloshigh, small; extra batteries Wear (Keep extra or emergency items in pack pockets or near the top ofthe pack fr use when needed) Boots, hiking—ankle-high broken in but not broken down) 1 Socks, medium weight Trousers, uniform* Shirt, longrsleeved (for sun protection), niform* 1 et, uniform, webbed” 11 Het, brood-brimmed SETI S or tle hgh yr Semtrg 148, Carry in Pack The choice ofa pack isa ersonal thing. Each youth or leader must live with and out of his or har pack for along time. high-quality ppock and pack frame wl save time and money in the long run. The Black Bul J. Combo and the Black Bul Horize i Combo avail ble from BSA Supply Division are excellent choices. Pack frames lo are & matter of personel teste; they offer many advantage: ‘especially when used with a pack designed for them. Other fame- pack combinations are avilable—a potential purchaser should ry ‘out each tobe sure, Shoulder pads may be welcome additions. Keep offer-used items in pack pockels or near the top ofthe pack. Food should be protected, plinly morked, and readily accessible, Clothing 1 Rainsuit with hood, or poncho, lghtweight™ © Windbreaker, hooded, waler-repelln; unlined ski parka Shia, long sleeved, lightweight (Shin, jac-shi, sweater, or swectshirt—warm, long-sleeved Fah (2) (D Undeeshorts (2) 1D Socks, medium weigh (3-5 pois), wool or polypro Seok for comp ween Gaiters (fo hiking muddy or snowy toils Sleeping Gear Sleeping bog:* washable liner (carry in stuff bag or wrap in waterproof plastic, cinch down fo 10 by 16 inches) Sleeping pad, foam 1D Ground coth,* waterproof ight nylon or medium plastic, slighty larger than sleeping bog Long johns {choose for lowest empercture expected) 1 Cop, worm stocking, for night | Flahligh;* spore bulb and botaries* Eating Gear Bow, plastic 2 Cp, plesic 1D Spoon, large * Water botle, polyethylene Toilet Articles 1 Soap, liquid, biodegredoble, in plastic bog Towel, small, in plastc bog Personal toiletries in plastic bog Mirror, smal, meal or plastic Tolle paper in plastic bog1D Sunsereen and lip salve Insect repellent 1 Foot powder C1. Comb or hoirbrush Optional 1H Head net or insect neting 1 Comera ond film in woterprocf bog 1 Binoculars in ease Laundry soop (D Notepad ond pencil 1D Fishing geor very compo Kil, telescoping red Bible or prayer book Sunglasses Plastic bags—essorted sizes D Fishnet underwear 1D Field identification guides Crew Gear for Backpacking Shelter (Tent or tarp, nylon, lightweight or improvised from 10-by-12-foot plastic sheeting, rigged as “A tent or lean-o for two campers; plus one extra for dining fy* (Tent pegs Poles, collapsible Cooking Gear Pots, 4-quort, lightweight (6) (D Frying pans, Binch (2) Spoon, large, cooking type (2) 2 Can opener smal roll+ype 1 Can opener, punetwe-type C Water purification tablets o quid 1 Spehula, medium Scouring pads 1D Soap, liquid, in pose botle 1D Sonitizing tblets* 1D Tongs. hokpot 1D Water conisiners,collopsible Camp Tools Saw, folding Fil, Sine, ignition Trowel, fr digging catholes (Repair kit with cutng pliers, sewing ki, wire, nylon cord, adhe- sive tope, saps, plosicrepair ki, ee Duct tope wrapped around a ful bote) 7 Emergency and Miscellaneous Gear Firs kt (suggested contents, poge 59) Ci Antiseptic CO Mouth-barier devices for CPR Latex oF vinyl gloves Goggles or ther eve protection 2 Snokebite kit (optional) ‘Mops, opographieal Compass, magnetic (Toe lier bag* with plastic liner One 150oot length of Y-inch nylon rope for hanging bear bog) 1D Tolet paper (eta) in plastic bog 1 Shock cord? for securing geor) Bogs, plastic Burlap or nylon bogs for hanging food and smellables (4) Weather radio Optional Gloves, cooking 1D Knife ond fork, cooking-type 1 Poper towels 0 Sponges © Small funnel D Pock sove and fue Fuel bottles Reflector even 1D Special geor for mountaineering, conservation, et 1 Global Positioning System (GPS} unit Canoeing Equipment Weight and compactness are as critical in canoe camping as in backpacking—sometimes you'll have to portage. Three persons to ‘a canoe make portaging easier. But if whitewater is on the route, two. to.0.canoe might be beter. The following equipment lists for @.group of six or eight people shering the group geor and food for 10 to 14 days. A varely of non- perishable foods is available ot your supermarket, For tips on menu plonning, see chapter 5. Group gear can be putin separate cooking, tentage, and food packs. lt mightbe beter however, to see that each canoe has is own shore of group duffel—in personal packs—os insurance against complete lossWilderness Use Policy of the Boy Scouts of America For the purposes of this policy, al privately or publicly owned bockcountry and designated wildemesses ore to be considered “wildemess.* The Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America coppies to outdoor behavior generally, bt for ireks into wilder ness, Leave No Trace camping methods must be used. Within the outdoor program ofthe Boy Scouts of America, there ore mony different camping;skllvels. Comping practices thot ore ‘oppropriate for day outings, long-term Scout camp, or short {erm unit camping do not apply fo wilderness areas. Wherever they 90, Scout ond Explorers must adopt attitudes and patterns ‘of behavior that respect the rights of others, including future generations, fo enjoy he outdoors Inwikderesse, itis crucial to minimize our impact on particularly Frogile ecosystems such 2s mountains, lakes, streams, deserts, and seashores, Since our rereationel use varies from one season of the year fo the next, we must adjust to these changing coneliions cos well, to avoid domoging he environment The Boy Scouts of America emphasizes these proctices For all froops, posts, ond ships planning fo use the wildemess: * Contoct the landowner or land-managing agency (Forest Service, National Pork Service, Bureau of Land Management, US. Fish ond Wildlife Service, state agency, private landowner, ec.) well in edvance ofthe outing fo learn the regulations for that rea and to oblain requted permits and current maps. ‘Always obtain 0 tour permit, availabe through local council service centers. Meet all conditions specified and carry the permit onthe tip, Forlcipate in Leave No Trace training for edul leaders, or be proficient and experienced in the leadership and skills required for teks into the wilderness. ‘Motch the ruggedness of high-odventure experiences to the skils, physical obiliy, ond maturity of those toking port Sove more rugged treks for elder youth members who ere more proficient ond experienced in outdoor sil 99 ‘+ For your group, conduct aretip raining thet stresses proper wilderness behavior, rules, and skill forall of he conditions that may be encountered. Use backpacking stoves, particularly whore the fuel supply i limited or ope fires re restricted. An adult knowledgeable in the use ofthe stovels] must supervise, If fire is necessary, oop it as smal os possible and useestblished ire lays where cvcilable in safe reas. Afr use, erase ol signs. Emphasize the need for minimizing impact on the land through proper camping practices, ond for preserving the solitude and quiet of remote areos. Comp a! low-use areas; ovoid populor sites that show signs of heawy use. Leave dogs, radios, and cassette or CD players ot home. Use plastic (not metal or glas] food containers that are light ‘weight and ressable. Cory out unburneble rash of jour own and any let by ober. Dig cathols for latrines ond locate them ct lecst 200 feet from any source of natural water Wosh clothes, dishes, and bodies at lost 200 feet from ony source of noha wate. Where a choice is avcilable, select equipment in earth-lone colors that blend with natural surroundings. Look ot and photograph; never pick or collec Follow rail switchbacks and stay on estblshed toils Treo wildlife with respect and take precoutions i ovoid dan- .ger0us encounters with widife. Leave snakes, beors, ground squires, and other wildife clone, (On a canoeing rip, corry conoes into the foliage on shore 10 they will not be visible to oh outdoor uses Respect the quest of others to enjoy the solitude and silence of he backcountry. Demonstrate respect by taking care ofthe outdoors. Land stewordship is everyone's responsibiliy. Co your parte leave wild America for future generationsThe Call of fdventure: fl Message to Trekkers The exhilaration of beng in the wild outdoors i hard to top. Free from the ctracions of everyday life, a trekker has chance fo pause and reflec. There are no ringing telephones, televisions boring tragic event, ric congestion, school, work, or meetings Living in the outdoors is a return toa simpler life. The air is fresh, cond invigorating, the whisper of gentle breeze inthe frees is rejuvenating, the gurgle of a brook or stream soothes your soul, ‘he warmth of aeroon sun rays assures you tht lis right with Gods werld. The outdoors beckons, offering 0 welcome respite It also reminds you of your commitment to leave the land as pristine os you fond it. Tocenjoy 0 trek, you must be fit. Par of preparing for marvelous outdoor experiences means undertoking a physical conditioning program fo enhance your aerobic capacity and to tone your ‘ruc. Beng ft means fedling good about yourself nat nly phys ically, ur mentally and emotionally too. When you'e ft, you're ler, able to slosp soundly, relreshed, and more confident. Your anfenna is vp—you relate more effectively to other people, your conlook s postive, and you are confident of your cbilies. Heving adequately planed and roined for your trek, you willbe prepared—to raf turbulent river spewing spray inal direc Tions, tp ascend a craggy peak tht requires 0 circuitous route fo reach the summit, r fo lide across fresh powder snow on skis. You willbe prepared for all kinds of weather: diving cine, peting hail unforecasted snow, and head winds that make progress slow. You willbe prepared fo leave litle or no trace of your visi Proper plonning is fundamental fo wildland stewardship. You will plan ‘end train in order to leave the land better than you found it for {ture generations te sry. You will know that you can rely onthe members of your crew. Being inthe outdoors i @ maturing experience as you soon real ize hat you can’ do everthing olone. Your endecvors mus blend with those of ethers: you share your needs and they express hers You may have a hotspot ora ister hat ris for attention, your pack may begin to separate atthe seams, your seeping bog ‘may get soaked when you slip crossing a seam, or you may simply be hungry or tred-but you learn hat you can depend cn he members of your raw. And they depend on you! Everyone reclzes, “We're in his ogee” The crew works ogee to mest everyone's neds There is great strength in knowledge—knowing about oppro- priate outdoor dhing, such as polypropylene, polar fleece, ‘weal, nylon, and Gore-Tex; knowing about proper nutition—a blend of simple and complex carbohydrates, proteins, ond fats knowing how te pace your crew so that crew members void ‘vetheating and sweating, moking thm prone te hypothermia in cold weather; knowing that drinking lots of properly disin- fected water is crucial to your wellbeing; knowing howto protect yourself rom sunburn thot may cause pain now and skin cancer loter in life; knowing how to conserve the environment end preserve the experience of future trekkers. The best high-advertre teks ore planned, led, and carried out by yuh, The purpose of Scouting sto help youbh grow and mature. ‘This hoppens when youths are responsible fer their own plans ‘end for making her own decisions, Teenagers usally can accom- plish for more thon many adits cre wiling to acknowledge. Adult leaders should fer suggestions and allematves ond give thought fu gidance, but should ltthe yous plan and carry out their rk Feaple learn from experience. We learn bes from experiences ‘when we are responsible forthe resus. We rnay make some mis: takes, bt we learn from them. Most young people are eager fo loam when given the opportunity. Ferhops he greatest oulcome ot high adventure isthe satisfaction cf successully meeting the challenge of doing something that cnly a few others have atempled, and doing more than you ever thought you could. By making prudent choices end good deci- sions in © variety of sitvations, you succeed as on individu cond as 0 crow,