HIKE PREPARATION

New hikers are constantly asking questions as to what to wear and bring on a hike; Old time hikers from time to time reanalyze their equipment and clothes needs. To answer these questions, Bob Saturn compiled this special edition. The items included on this list are the things that Bob carries or wears on a hike. This is by no means the ultimate gear/clothes list. While this list is pretty comprehensive it can be modified to suit your individual situations. Use this as a starting point and then observe other hikers. Question them if you see something that might be a good addition for you. New high-tech innovations come out every year, some may be good for you, others not. Experiment. For example, as a result of attending the hiking safety seminar sponsored by the Club, Bob has added surgical gloves and, in the future, a mouth protector to his pack so that in case of an emergency he doesn't have to worry about disease transmission when assisting injured people. Let us know any additions and why you use them by sending your comments to Bob Saturn, 72 Lodge Road, Saugerties, NY 12477 or calling (845) 246-7158.*

* Excerpted from the January 2002 Club Newsletter.

Suggested Equipment List

1.) BOOTS (Waterproof)

Winter: 10" 800 gram thinsulate
Summer: 6" non-insulated

2.) SOCKS (Thorlos Brand)

Winter: 15" liners, 15" mt. climber
Summer: 8"liner (coolmax), 9" sock (backpacking)

3.) UNDERWEAR (top and bottom)

Winter: Duofold medium weight polyester long johns
Summer: wickers brand tops &briefs 92% polyester, 8% lycra

4.) GAITORS: Crocodiles Gore-tex

5.) PANTS

Winter: Cabela's Wool outside, gore-tex, alpaca liner
Summer: jeans or nylon supplex

6.) SHIRTS (buttons w/2 pockets)

Winter: Polartec (polyester)
Summer: Nylon Supplex lightweight long-sleeve

7.) COAT

Winter: Cabelas Polartec 200 hooded fleece with full zipper, Columbia Ceramic Titanium waterproof hooded shell with zip arms
Summer: use above shell or rain suit

8.) HEADGEAR

Winter or Summer: headband (covers ears), Polartex hood to neck with slit for eyes, Baseball cap with mesh top

Summer: Bug Mesh Hat

9.) GLOVES

Winter: 2 pairs lightweight wool/nylon with palm grips, Goretex/thinsulate with fingers, Gauntlet goose down mittons

Summer: cotton gripper gloves

10.) EYE WEAR

Winter/Summer: Sunglasses, safety glasses

11.) POLES (2)

Winter/Summer: Downhill Ski Poles with leather hand loops

12.) BACKPACK

WHAT'S IN IT:

A. CANTEEN OR PLASTIC WATER CONTAINER

B. FIRE STARTER STICKS (COLEMAN) AND A CANDLE

C. WATERPROOF MATCHES

D. SPACE BLANKET (not small foil)

E. HEADLAMP

F. FLASHLIGHT (with extra batteries) AND HEADLAMP

G. METAL MIRROR

H. FIRST AID KIT/SNAKE BIT KIT

I. SAW (FOLDING SIERRA SAW) AND VISE GRIPS (small size)

J. PAPER TOWELS

L. RAIN BACKPACK COVER

M. BUG SPRAY

N. SNOWSHOES (Tubbs)

O. CRAMPONS (Grivel 10 point)

P. GATORADE (32 oz)

Q. EXTRA NYLON STRAPS W/ BUCKLES

R. ONE HUNDRED FEET PARACHUTE CORD

S. EXTRA HATS & GLOVES, SOCKS

T. ACE BANDAGES (4", 2")

U. BUG HAT

V. DUCT TAPE

W. PONCHO

X. FOIL EMERGENCY JACKET

Y. ROPE/NYLON CORD

Z. WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS

13.) FANNY (BELT) PACK

WHAT'S IN IT:

A. POWER BARS (5)

B. GATORADE (32 oz)

C. BUBBLE WRAP (small bubbles)

D. WHISTLE (storm whistle from Campmor recommended)

E. EXTRA COMPASS

F. WATERPROOF MATCHES

G. HAND GEL/CREAM (little bottle)

H. SUNSCREEN

I. COUGH DROPS OR HARD CANDY

J. HEAD BAND, BASEBALL MESH HAT

K. EXTRA LIGHT WEIGHT WOOL GLOVES

L. ASPIRIN, ADVIL

M. TOPO MAP

N. SWISS ARMY KNIFE

14.) THINGS AROUND MY NECK

A. Compass on Lanyard (silva type 3)

B. Binoculars (small 8x21)

C. GPS (Global Positioning System), Garmin E-Trex