TEN ESSENTIALS

The 7 Ps:
Prior
Proper
Planning
Prevents
P_ss
Poor
Performance

The key vowel missing is? "I." I am responsible for what I do or fail to do.

What are the 10 ESSENTIALS? It is a list of the most important items to have with you BEFORE you start trekking off into the wilderness by yourself or with a party. Some people can shortcut this list and get away with it. Others pay the ultimate price with their lives.

1. Navigation
Map, compass, global positioning system (GPS)

2. Hydration
Water, container, filter, iodine tablets

3. Nutrition
Food and extra food (i.e., energy bars)

4. Sun Protection
Sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, hat, lip balm with SPF

5. Insulation
Hat, gloves, lightweight jacket, extra layers, balaclava

6. Warmth
Lighter, matches, firestarter, stove and fuel

7. Illumination
Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries

8. First Aid
Bandages, knife, medicine, duct tape, zip ties

9. Shelter
Emergency blanket or shelter (bivy)

10. Communication
Whistle, signal mirror, cellphone (not a reliable means of communication if no signal)

This list is on all REI backpacks. There may be variations to this list, but I believe this one covers them all.

And the most "essential" tool?

What is on your shoulders and between your ears!

Whenever you are in the wilderness, keep in mind you are not welcome there. Yes, you can come and go as you please, but be prepared for emergencies. Your stay can and may be prolonged due to unforeseen dangers. And if you are not prepared, you can die. Plain and simple.
Before you venture into the wilderness, leave your itinerary and expected date of return with a family member or friend.


In an EMERGENCY

STOP - DON'T PANIC

Stop - take a deep breath

Think - Brain is the most important asset

Observe - Assess surroundings

Plan - Priortize immediate needs


PRIORITIES

Medical care

Shelter and fire

Signaling and communication

Sustenance


EMERGENCY SIGNALS

Signal mirror

Whistle - 3 blasts

Fire - 3 in a triangle

Smoke

Ground-to-air signals (1 meter wide by 6 meters long)
V - Require assistance
X - Require MEDICAL assistance
N - No or Negative
Y - Yes or Affirmative
Arrows - Proceed in this direction

EDIBILITY RULE MEMORY TOOL
If it's BLUE it's good for you
If it's RED use your head
If it's WHITE do not bite

These are just my opinions and views from years of learning from experienced hikers.

MY FIRST WHITNEY SUMMIT

By endurance, I conquered.
Friday, August 6, 2004
17 hours 12 minutes 25.03 seconds

TIME TO GET UP, GET OUT, GET GOING!

Hiking is fun!

Another Mt. Whitney one-day hike on July 12, 2005, is just a little over 2 months away. With over 6,300 feet of elevation gain and 22 miles roundtrip, I am subjecting myself to the rigors of training and conditioning by cycling and hiking. No trepidation this time!

To date, I have been to the top of the following Orange County peaks: Santiago Peak (5,687), Modjeska Peak (5,496), Bald Peak (3,947), Bedford Peak (3,800), San Juan Hill (1,785). Other southern California mountain summits are Mt. San Jacinto (10,834), Mt. San Antonio “Baldy” (10,064), Tahquitz Peak (8,828), San Gorgonio (11,501), Sunset Peak (5,796), Rocky Peak (2,714), San Gabriel Peak (6,161), and Strawberry Peak (6,164).

And, last but not least, the tallest of them all in the lower 48 states – Mt. Whitney (14,497).

I have made many friends along the way. We share a common bond with our love for the outdoors and the challenge that each and every trail brings. We have sweated, labored, gagged, scratched, swatted, ran, gulped, chugged, sneezed, burped, coughed, clung, skipped, jumped, cussed, waded, scrambled, scaled, erred, double-tracked, slipped, tripped, struggled, whined, dined, and ached. And we still managed to laugh and smile when it was all over with. Is it worth it? It sure is.

Then there is the August 5 hike with my fellow co-workers and friends Garv, Shelly, Kindra, Jonathan and Joe .