The Ten Essentials Backpacks Must Know

The Ten Essentials

 

Each scout should carry, on every outing, the ten essentials as outlined in his Scout
Handbook, page 224. What are the ten essentials?

1. Pocketknife. Pocketknives are a really important part of scouting. Each scout
will learn how to safely use a knife, how to sharpen it and how to care for it.
There are official BSA knives that
are fine, as well as other brands.
When buying a knife, do not buy the
cheapest one you can find! It’s really
important that the steel be capable of
holding a good edge. More accidents happen with a dull blade than a sharp one.
Please do not buy any fixed blade knives or overly large ones. There is really no
need for these types of knives. Also, consider the weight. Multi-tool knives, like
Leatherman or Gerber’s are very heavy and should not be used.

2. First Aid Kit. It is very important that each scout carries his own first aid kit The
exact contents should include everything that is detailed in the Scout Handbook
for a personal first aid kit. (Eye protection can be excluded) In addition, each
scout should bring those items that he often needs such as special medications,
bandages, etc. Purchasing first aid kits complete from a sporting goods store can
be very expensive. It’s usually much more cost effective to put your own kit
together. The troop will carry it’s own first aid kit, usually with a more
comprehensive selection of items. This is not to be seen as a substitute for each
boy having his own kit.

3. Extra Clothing. This often can include a shirt, or warm outer layer. On
backpacking trips, extra clothing is important in case the scout gets wet, or
clothing is torn.

4. Rain Gear. This might be self-explanatory, but every scout should be prepared. A
poncho is the absolute minimum that a scout should have, but it is far better to
have a full rain suit. It provides protection from the rain when it’s coming in from
an angle, and can also be layered with other clothing to provide extra warmth. A
pack cover should also be considered. Trash bags don’t work terribly well, but
will do in a pinch. Putting your sleeping bag in a trash bag inside your stuff bag
(lot’s of bags!) will save you the experience of spending a wet, clammy night.


5. Water Bottle. There are as many types of water bottles as there are
scouts. It is not advisable to carry the store bought sports bottle
type. They leak and are difficult to refill.

Each scout should have a real, refillable
water bottle.
If a scout has a hydration pack, like Camelback or
Platypus, they should also have a refillable water
bottle. Nalgene, or other wide mouth bottle fit our water
purifiers perfectly and are very useful for camp tasks. The
hydration packs are great for on the trail. For most backpacks,
all that is need is the bladder and the hose, not an entire
backpack. It’s recommended that each scout have both a
hydration system (just the bag and the tube) and a water bottle.
Scouts should not bring Gatorade or any other flavored drink. They should never put
drink mix in their personal canteens. The troop will bring a large container to mix
drinks in, and it will be hung in the bear bag each night.


6. Flashlight. Even for a day hike, a flashlight is important. If we are delayed, or if
we find a small cave, a flashlight will be helpful. There are

several different types of flashlights, but the key concern
is weight. A Maglite with four D cell batteries is not
going to help out a young scout. Consider something
with two AA batteries, and remember to pack an extra
set. Head lamps are becoming very popular, but they
are still expensive compared to typical hand held flashlights.

7. Trail Food. How much food will a scout need? It’s very surprising, but scouts
will need less food than you think, especially at high elevations. Bringing along a
few snacks, perhaps one energy bar and one fruit snack per day will be plenty on
a long hike. The weight really adds up when you’re going to be on the trail for 9
days! We often bring trail mix, or GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) as part
of our food preparation. Do not pack super smelly items or things that will melt.

8. Matches and Firestarters. We require every boy to bring matches to each outing.
It is not “safer” if they don’t have matches! If we can’t comfortable. Rest assured, each scout will be taught proper usage and be supervised. Parents please, do not take your scouts matches away!

9. Sun Protection. This is not limited to sunscreen. A scout should also have a hat
that covers his ears, and eye protection. The troop has outdoor hats that meet this
need.

10. Map and Compass. Every scout should own a compass . We use them on every
hike, every camping trip. There are several requirements related
to knowing how to use a compass . While there are many types
of compasses available, the one that best suits the needs of a Boy
Scout is a base-plate or orienting compass. This type of compass
allows a scout to orient maps and take bearings easily. Other
types of compasses, especially those without a base plate are
typically frustrating for a scout. No scout should bring a GPS.

Backpacks Basic Personal Gear Knowladge

What should the well prepared Boy Scout be wearing? As with all outings, scouts in
Troop 288 should wear their Class A uniform shirt when traveling.
While hiking, scouts should be comfortable. Cotton is a very comfortable fabric, but it
can also be a dangerous one. Cotton absorbs quite a lot of water,
which robs it of any thermal value. It also is a wonderful breeding
ground for bacteria, which makes it smell pretty bad after a day or
two on the trail. Denim is not a useful fabric on the trail, it is very
heavy and once wet, blue jeans take forever to dry! Various types
of synthetic fabrics work great on the trail, and long pants will help
a scout avoid cuts and scrapes.
Layers are important and work much better than bringing a single, bulky coat. Thermal
underwear, a long sleeved shirt, a sweat shirt or synthetic fleece and a shell or
windbreaker will cover almost every situation.

Footwear

There are several schools of thought regarding good footwear for hiking. They are
usually boiled down to two main camps: Boots vs. Sneakers. Boots provide support and
protection, while sneakers are lighter. It’s been said that one pound on your feet is the
equivalent of six pounds on your back. However, for young people, the ankle support
and protection from rocks are very important.
There are many types of boots, but for young hikers on a weekend outing it’s not
imperative to spend hundreds of dollars. KMart, WalMart and Target all stock
inexpensive hiking boots that are usually under $25.00. They don’t last forever, but they
will do fine for weekend outings. For longer trips a slightly more expensive boot might
be needed in order to take the pounding a 50 miler might entail. Be sure that the boots
are broken in, although most of the inexpensive boots don’t need
too much to soften them up.
Skater shoes, or other casual wear that is not properly tied is not
acceptable. Blisters on the trail can ruin an
otherwise great trip. All shoes must provide
adequate support. It’s very important that scouts keep their feet clean
and dry, and wear appropriate socks. Wearing two pair of socks is the
best system, with a lighter, polypro liner underneath a pair of wool, or
synthetic socks.

Toiletries

There isn’t much that’s needed in the backcountry in the way of toiletries. A toothbrush
is good, but toothpaste isn’t essential. 90% of the value of brushing is completed by the
brush itself, not the toothpaste. Toothpaste is a “smellable” and needs to be put away in
the bear bag at night. It also leaves a mess when the scout spits it out. Soap is useful, but
mostly for washing dishes. A small bottle of Campsuds is useful, but it needs to be used
far away from water sources like a stream or lake. Even if it says it’s biodegradeable, we
never foul the water. A small towel can be useful, but small is the operative word. Even
a regular bath towel is too big. A hand towel is fine. Deodorant isn’t needed; much of
what can be accomplished with it is better suited to baby powder. Baby powder helps the
scout rid himself of chafing, or foot problems. Besides, the best defense against others
smelling bad is a good offense!

Bathroom Etiquette when there is no bathroom

When nature calls while you’re in nature, what do you do? There have been books
written on the subject (really!) so we won’t go into intimate detail here. But the
important things to remember are that you should always take care of business at least
200 feet away from any water source, trail or campsite. Never urinate directly on a tree
or a plant, the salts will often cause wild animals to chew or claw at the plant, soon
killing it. For solid waste, a cathole 6 to 8 inches deep should be dug, and then covered
and hidden after use. All toilet paper should be packed out as trash. If you’re not sure
that your crew has a trowel, you might want to make sure you have one.
The best way to handle soiled toilet paper is bring along some brown lunch sacks and
Ziploc bags. Put the toilet paper inside the brown paper bag, and then inside a Ziploc.
This keeps the paper from being highly visible and it is kept clean and separate by the
Ziploc bag. If open fires are permitted, then we may have the ability to burn the lunch
sacks along the trail. But be prepared to pack it all the way out.
Wash your hands! There’s nothing worse than getting sick in the backcountry. Use
Campsuds, away from any water source. You should also get in the habit of using a hand
sanitizer, that way all the dirt on your hands will be clean!

Safety

There are a few rules of hiking that we must cover. Always stay together. We don’t
separate our groups, keep within yelling distance. Whenever you come to a fork in the
trail, stop and wait for the whole group to come together. We do this to make sure
everyone stays on the same trail.
When you come across a horse on the trail, always listen to the rider of the animal. If
they don’t have any specific instructions, then move to the uphill side, facing the trail.
Your backpack can look odd and scary to a horse, so you want to be facing the animal.
You can usually speak softly to the horse, this often reassures the horse that you are in
fact, a human.
Officially, bicyclists are supposed to yield the right of way to hikers. The truth is, they
really can’t yield much when they are flying down a trail! When you see a bicyclist, alert
those around you and move off the trail.

 

Bears

One of the the things that worry parents the most is the thought of their child
encountering a bear. This rarely happens, but it is something that we must always be
cautious about. Each boy should have a “smellable” bag in his pack. This bag should
contain everything that might attract animals. This includes all food, snacks, any sugared
drinks and any container that might still have food odor. It should also contain all soaps,
toothpaste, sanitizers and lotions. There should be nothing left in a pack over night that
might attract a bear, or other animals.
We will hang all smellable bags in the trees, using the patented Troop 288 method. Each
boy will be taught how to hang a bear bag correctly.
When we arrive in camp, we will set up a triangle, called the “Bearmuda” Triangle by
those at Philmont. The three points of the triangle are our cooking area, our “sump,” and
our bear bags. We will then set up our tents outside the “Bearmuda” Triangle.
Each scout should also have a set of clean clothes to sleep in. These should be clothes
that are not to be used for anything else. This way, there are no left over smells from
cooking or spilling in the tent. No scout should ever bring food into his tent.

Lightning

In the Sierras, lightning can strike with little warning. The safest way to avoid lightning
is to keep an eye on the weather and be ready to move if it looks like rain. Stay off peaks
and saddles, and don’t be caught as the highest object in meadow. It’s not usually a good
idea to be under a tree, but if you are in a forest or near a bunch of trees of similar height
it should be ok.
Stay clear of areas that might have falling debris and wait out the storm. Don’t try to
“just get over the next ridge.” Stay low and play cards for a while.

What to do if you are lost

You may have heard the adage, “Hug a tree.” The idea behind this is to stay put. It
doesn’t literally mean to hug a tree. Try to stay in the same place, out in the open a little.
Give rescuers a chance to see you. Remember to stay warm. Hikers have the most
trouble with exposure. You can stay well for several days without water, but you might
not last long in severe cold. Signaling devices, like mirrors or whistles are good, but
staying in one place will help the most. You can pack an old CD in your pack as a
mirror, it even has hole in it to help your sighting.

All Backpacks Most Know

Introduction

You’ve joined Boy Scouts for the adventure, right? What could be more adventurous
than putting all the gear you’ll need on your back and heading off into the woods? No
phones, no video games, just you and nature! High adventure trips are fun and help you
learn all sorts of new skills. The confidence you gain in the outdoors will help you your
entire life. But, it’s not smart to just head off into the woods without some preparation!
A well-trained and well-equipped Boy Scout makes for a smart outdoorsman. This guide
is intended to give a young scout, and his parents as much information as possible to
make those first few weekend trips a whole lot of fun! If you’re not comfortable, you
won’t enjoy the beauty of nature and the fun activities of the troop. So let’s get started
with the basics, and we’ll try to pick up a few nifty tricks along the way.

Planning

 

The most important element of getting out into the great outdoors is planning. A lot of
the planning of any troop activity will be coordinated at the troop level by the
Scoutmasters and the Trek Leader. However, it’s very important that the scout plan
ahead, so that packing and pulling together the right equipment isn’t left until the last
minute.

Gear

 

For some, the idea of “gearing” up is an adventure all it’s own! For others, it can be an
intimidating, and expensive, experience. We’re going to talk about the gear that is
necessary for a Scout to have a good first experience, ways to do it inexpensively and
then we’ll talk about some smart first purchases once a scout has decided that he’s going
to stick with backpacking for some time.

Backpacks

 

The most obvious need for a backpacker is a backpack. There are two main categories of
backpacks, internal and external frames. We’ll discuss both,
and give you a recommendation that will help you decide
what is best for your scout.

Internal Frame packs

 

Internals feature a long, narrow profile. With a snug fit,
internals have become extremely popular. They have an
internal support mechanism featuring stays that are often
adjustable. They have many advantages, including:

Balance

Since they are designed to hug your body,
your center of gravity stays centered. Climbers and those who go off trail enjoy
internals.
Stability: With plenty of compression straps, your load is cinched down tight,
avoiding shifting loads that can throw you off balance.
Fit: Internals have lots of straps, which allow for a highly customizable fit.
Maneuverability: With its tight fit and narrow profile, there is plenty of room to
move your arms and the pack stays put during jumps and other tricky moves.
The disadvantages of internals include:
Heat: Because they are snug to your back, they get don’t allow for much
ventilation and make for a sweaty back.
Organization: With just one large pocket (some feature a smaller compartment at
the bottom for a sleeping bag) internals make it difficult for a scout to stay
organized. Everything ends up coming out of the bag each time a he needs
something.
Cost: Internals tend to cost more than an external frame pack of the same size.

External Frame packs

External frame packs feature a “ladder” type
frame, with a pack bag attached to it. External
frame packs have been the standard for years,
although internals have become extremely popular.
Externals put the majority of the load directly on
the hips, keeping the weight off of a boy’s
shoulders. It’s very important that the hip belt be
correctly fitted for the boy. Often, young boys
have very narrow hips and the belt won’t pull tight
enough. Be sure the belt fits! It can make all the
difference to a boy on a long hike. Some
advantages of an external frame include:
Cool: An external is cooler to carry because the load is not directly on the boy’s
back. There is significant airflow between his back and the pack.
Weight distribution: The pack won’t sag, like an internal might. The boy’s center
of gravity is higher, which allows him to walk in a more upright position.
Organization: With 5 or more pockets and compartments, an external frame pack
is easy to organize. Water in one, clothes in another. It’s also much easier to
strap on a sleeping bag, tent and pad. (Strapping a pad onto an internal frame is
not easy!)
Cost: External frame packs are almost always less expensive than an internal
frame of the same carrying capacity.

Top loading externals versus panel loaders: 

Sport Chalet exclusively rents a panel
loading external frame pack from Jansport.
They also tend to recommend it for scouts.
(In fact, the model pictured is called the
Scout) This particular pack, unless adjusted
correctly, is often problematic for the
beginning backpacker. If you are
considering the purchase of a pack, consider
first the top loading packs from Kelty or
REI. They are often less expensive, and
require less maintenance. In addition, the
ability of a boy to add a tent or strap on a
sleeping bag is diminished with a Jansport
due to the curved nature of the frame. I
always recommend a top loader for scouts.
Rentals:
Just because I said that top loaders are best for young scouts, that doesn’t mean I think
you should run right out and buy a Kelty! Renting is a wonderful way for a scout to get
acquainted with the equipment, and find out if backpacking is something he’ll want to
pursue. Rent a backpack for the first couple of weekend trips, it could save you big
money in the long run.

Fitting a backpack

It’s very important to get a backpack that fits. If it’s too long, the hip belt won’t hold the
load correctly, and if it’s too short it can be very uncomfortable. Backpacks are
measured by torso length. With a friend, use a flexible tape measure (like the ones for
sewing) and measure from the lump at the base of your neck down your spine. You
should put your hands on your hips, so that you can feel the two bumps on the front of
your hips. Hold your hands there, with your thumbs behind you. Drawing an imaginary
line from your thumbs, that’s where you stop measuring. Your measurement will fall into
one of three basic categories:

Small: Up to 17 1/2 inches

Med: 17 1/2 to 19 1/2 inches

Large: Over 20 inches

It’s always best to try on a pack before buying. Don’t be afraid to ask the store personnel
to help you adjust the pack so that it fits you perfectly. Be sure to put some weight in the
pack as well. A completely empty pack will fit and feel very different than one that’s
loaded down with 25 or 30 pounds of gear! Many stores have sandbags that you can put
into the packs. If they don’t, you should bring two, gallon milk jugs, filled with water,
and put them into the pack. Walk around for a little while in the store to make sure it fits
you right.

Weight

How much weight should you expect to carry in your pack? A good rule of thumb for
Boy Scouts is that you shouldn’t be carrying any more than one quarter of your body
weight. This is difficult for small boys, who may only weigh seventy-five or eighty
pounds! Under no circumstances should a boy carry more than one-third of their weight.
However, just because a scout may weigh a hundred and eighty pounds, that doesn’t
mean he should be carrying forty pounds or more. Beginning backpackers should pack
light. It’s always easier to add a few things the next time than to carry an extra five
pounds on your first trip.

Straps and Covers

We’ve talked a bit about the difficulty of strapping pads and sleeping bags onto an
internal frame pack. It’s much easier to strap tents, sleeping bags and pads onto an
external frame back. But there are a few tricks.
Never use rope to tie sleeping bags and pads onto a backpack. Never, ever! I have never
seen a scout be successful with his gear tied onto his pack with rope or cord. It always is
too loose, with the gear either swinging back and forth or just falling right off onto the
ground.
Bungee cords can work, although they tend to be a little heavy, and there is always a risk
of getting hurt when a cord isn’t attached correctly and comes flying at you! I always
prefer nylon straps with clips. The trick is to always snap them
back together when the gear is taken off the pack, and never let
them lie in the dirt. Small pieces of sand can get in the snaps and
really make it hard to open later.
There are several ways to cover a backpack, one of the simplest is a
large garbage bag. This can be helpful when there is a lot of dew or
a light rain. They don’t work terribly well when you’re hiking however, so a real pack
cover may be a wise investment. Make sure it fits your pack, they have a habit of
slipping off and becoming lost on the trail. (If you see a blue one, it’s mine!) 

Sleeping Bags and pads

 

The proper sleeping bag can make all the difference between an enjoyable outing and a
miserable one. You should take care to make sure you get a sleeping bag that will keep
you warm under the most extreme conditions we might face.
A sleeping bag works by trapping and holding air next to your body. Your own body
heat warms up this air and keeps you warm. The bag’s ability to maintain this heat
coupled with it’s weight will determine how much it costs. The lighter and warmer the
bag, the more expensive.
When you are looking for a bag, consider these key points:

1. Shape. Mummy bag or square? You should always be considering a mummy bag
shape for camping with the troop. They are warmer, lighter and stuff much better
than rectangular bags. Why? There is less open air space in a mummy bag for
you to warm up, and they stuff better with
less material. Try to avoid the “Coleman”

bag in except the most mild weather.

2. Comfort rating.  What is the lowest
temperature the manufacturer thinks the bag
will operate effectively? Remember, this is
not a hard and fast number, many things will
influence how a bag performs. Use these
numbers as a guide, but you should check with
other sources to determine how accurate a bag’s
rating is. Scouts in Troop 288 should have a bag that is at least rated to 20º.
Buying a bag that is slightly warmer than you think you’ll need isn’t a bad idea.
In warmer weather, you can always unzip it a bit. But on those really cold winter
nights, you’ll appreciate the warmth.

3. Type of Fill. Is it a down bag or synthetic? Down is the very small feathers next
to the body of certain types of birds. Goose down is the most desirable. Down is
very light, it compresses well and keeps you very warm. It is also very expensive.
Down will also not keep you warm if it gets wet. One fall in the creek with a
down bag on your back will make for a very cold night! Synthetic fills are
usually less expensive, and they can keep you warm even if it gets wet. I usually
recommend synthetic fill sleeping bags for Scouts.

There are several types of thermal pads around, from the simple and inexpensive to those
with price tags as thick as the as the pad. The most important part of a pad’s function is
insulating the body from the cold ground. A sleeping bag will compress against the
ground, giving almost no insulation against losing body heat
to the earth (or snow!) below.
The simplest type is a closed cell foam pad. Often less than $10,
these pads are very light, and provide fine protection against the
cold, hard ground. More expensive types of pads exist,
including the “Therma-Rest” brand pads. These are usually
self-inflating pads, and can be very comfortable. They provide fine insulation too, but
they are heavier. For young scouts, a closed cell foam pad is best. There are too many
other things that need to be carried, so wasting valuable weight here is not a good idea.

The Ten Essentials

Each scout should carry, on every outing, the ten essentials as outlined in his Scout
Handbook, page 224. What are the ten essentials?

1. Pocketknife. Pocketknives are a really important part of scouting. Each scout
will learn how to safely use a knife, how to sharpen it and how to care for it.
There are official BSA knives that
are fine, as well as other brands.
When buying a knife, do not buy the
cheapest one you can find! It’s really
important that the steel be capable of
holding a good edge. More accidents happen with a dull blade than a sharp one.
Please do not buy any fixed blade knives or overly large ones. There is really no
need for these types of knives. Also, consider the weight. Multi-tool knives, like
Leatherman or Gerber’s are very heavy and should not be used.

2. First Aid Kit.  It is very important that each scout carries his own first aid kit The
exact contents should include everything that is detailed in the Scout Handbook
for a personal first aid kit. (Eye protection can be excluded) In addition, each
scout should bring those items that he often needs such as special medications,
bandages, etc. Purchasing first aid kits complete from a sporting goods store can
be very expensive. It’s usually much more cost effective to put your own kit
together. The troop will carry it’s own first aid kit, usually with a more
comprehensive selection of items. This is not to be seen as a substitute for each
boy having his own kit.

3. Extra Clothing. This often can include a shirt, or warm outer layer. On
backpacking trips, extra clothing is important in case the scout gets wet, or
clothing is torn.