Rock Climbing Packing List

I'm heading rock climbing tomorrow with a junior high outdoor skills class that I teach.  We will be setting up a couple of top-rope belays - one for climbing and one for rappelling.  Here's my packing list.

• Static rope(s) (rappelling & anchors)
• Dynamic rope(s) (climbing)
• Prusik slings (self-belays for rappelling and backup for belays)
• Free carabiners (anchoring systems - opposite & opposed)
• Locking carabiners (harnesses)
• Friction devices: Figure 8s, SBG, ATC
• Rope pads – at least 4 (pieces of carpet)
• Webbing (anchors & harnesses)
• Harnesses
• Tarp (good for laying out equipment)
• Wasp spray (often on the cliff faces)
• first aid kit
• TP (a must)
• Knife/multi-tool (never be in wilderness without one)
• Camera & Extra batteries
• Lunch
• Snacks
• $
• Drinks (i.e. water/soda/Gatorade)
• Cell phone
• GPS
• Comfy clothes (maybe some clean ones to leave in car)
• Hat (something with a brim)
• Whips (just for fun)
• Bandana (tons of uses)

~Rhyno

Hammock Ridge Line

One of the things I've gotten into is hammock camping.  It is oh so much more comfy than laying on the ground in a tent.  Here's a quick video for making an adjustable ridge line.

If you haven't tried camping in a hammock you are missing out.  Try it you'll like it!

~Rhyno

E.D.C. - Every Day Carry

I've played around with various items that I carry on my person at almost any given time.  I became aware of the concept of E.D.C., or Every Day Carry, probably about a year or so ago.  The idea is that you consider the items that you keep on yourself so that you have the basic necessities for every day use as well as thinking about the types of things you may want in an emergency.  I've played around with adding a fanny pack (I know not cool) and filling cargo pockets (overall uncomfortable).  I do carry other items in my work backpack or in a small bag that I often carry with me but as for what I carry with me consistently I've settled with the items in the picture.  Here's what I'm carrying right now.

1. Flashlight - Here it's the Streamlight Stylus Pro.  I alternate between this one and the FourSevens Preon 2.  Both are excellent lights.  I like the clicky button better on the Streamlight.  It has a momentary on, without having to fully depress the button, and it's not as easy to accidentally engage while clipped in my pocket.  I like the versatility of the FourSevens, with its differing output levels.
2. Knife - The main blade I carry daily is the Spyderco Tenacious.  This is a great blade that can be used for daily cutting tasks (i.e. opening letters of boxes) to even self defense (although heaven forbid I ever have to get into a situation like that).
3. Multi-tool - I've found the Leatherman Squirt Ps4 to be a helpful and unobtrusive tool.  I switched from the Squirt P4 to this one because I like the scissors.  I prefer this Leatherman over the Micra because I find the pliers helpful as well.
4. Bandanna - Just a generic one from Wal-Mart.  I added this one after someone I know used theirs to help bandage someone after they took a nasty fall.  These have tons of uses from wound care to blowing your nose to sweat-stopping-head-gear to cleaning your glasses.  Also a great tool for pre-filtering water in an emergency or outdoor situation.
5. Wallet - Again, nothing special but has the normal items plus a couple of band-aids that end up getting used more often than you'd think.  Which reminds me I think I need to restock.
6. Phone - Currently an iPhone 4.  Obviously tons of uses beyond mere phone calls.
7. Firearm - My main carry pistol is this Ruger LC9.  It's generally carried in my waistband in the Remora No-Slip holster that's pictured.  Great holster by the way.  The Remora is very easy to add or remove and holds the pistol very securely and comfortably.

Overall I feel like my major bases are covered.  I wouldn't want to have only this in a total emergency but I keep other things close by in my vehicle or in my house.


~Rhyno

Five Cs of Survival

I gained these from Dave Cantebury. Enjoy!

5 C's of survival

1. Cutting tool

2. Combustibles

3. Cover

4. Container

5. Cordage

A run down of the concept - the basic 5 are carried on your body at all times. With these 5 items you should, with a little skill and knowledge, be able to effect your personal survival in an emergency. You will be able to create a shelter, start a fire, boil water, and then go about securing food.

The most important pieces in your 5C's are your knife and ferro rod.

The 5C's in order of importance

*1 cutting tool knife, quality, 4-6" blade used for all cutting tasks

*2 combustion device - i.e. ferro rod 

*3 cover  - tarp, wool blanket or poncho

*4 container  - metal container (32oz preferred) used for carrying, boiling, purifying water

*5 cordage - 100' paracord or 470' bank line

10C's adds another 5 to the basic 5 (actually adds 7 in the updated kit)

*6 cargo - day pack or haversack

*7 compass - self explanatory, learn how to use it properly.

*8 candle - meaning lighting, a small LED head light and spare batteries

*9 combo tool - multi tool, SAK or folding saw

*10 cloth - 3'x3' 100% cotton bandanna, great for bandages, pre-filter for water filtration, general use.

*sail needle

*duct tape

The 5 redundancy's

*2nd cutting tool (back up to your primary knife)

*redundant container (dixie cooker with snap on lid)

*iodine - wound care as well as water purification

*sharpener (diamond rod)

*sling shot band

First Aid - Basic Kit

First Aid - Basic

Stop blood

*surgipad

*maxipad

*gauze pad

*non-adherent dressing (against skin)

Tape - perforated medical
 

Disinfectant (around wound)

*Peroxide

*iodine/betadine

*cotton balls

*alcohol swabs

Band aids - variety

Neosporin

Toothpick (applying neosporin)

Razor blade

Sutures

Pain relief

*tylenol

*ibuprofen

*antacid

*immodium

Top Ten Survival List

Be prepared if the grid goes down, the lights go out, or we enter a time of WROL (Without Rule Of Law).  One way to consider building your survival kit is to keep in mind the "Rule of 3's."  That is you can go three minutes without air; three hours in harsh environmental conditions and exposure; three days without water; and three weeks without food.  This list is built with the idea of being able to survive for the first 72 hours of disaster.  Here is one version of a top ten list...

1. First Aid - lots of ways to put this together.
2. Water - a good, inexpensive method is five-gallon containers from Wal-Mart.
3. Food - can food or freeze dried or ... - stick with the types of things you already eat.
4. Emergency radio - helps you to know what's going on around you.  Get something quality that can run on hand-cranking and/or AA batteries.
5. Flashlight - couple of quality lights.  AA and AAA are probably best since the batteries are readily available.
6. Security - i.e. pistol.  Keep an extra magazine and at least 100 rounds of ammunition.
7. Cash - if electricity is out then credit cards will be useless.  $100 is optimal and keep the bills under $20.
8. Fire starter - lighter, fire steel, water proof matches, tinder.
9. Fixed blade knife - get a good quality one.  Multiple uses: cutting, prying, self-defense, chopping...
10. Cooking - camp stove with gas.  From boiling water for purification to cooking food.

This is not an all-encompassing list, but rather one way of looking at the top ten things to consider when beginning to prepare yourself and your family for what may come.

~Rhyno