Some Commonly Forgotten Expedition Equipment

  1. Packs:
    back, day and/or fanny packs
  2. Clothing:
    be prepared (hot, cold, wet, dry), coat, boots, socks (wool and polypropylene), gloves, wool hat, hat, poncho, polypropylene underwear, handkerchief, thongs, towel/diaper, belt, helmet, extra glasses...
  3. Sleeping Gear:
    bag, pad, pillow, tent, ground cloth...
  4. Cooking Gear:
    stove, fuel, pots/pans (with handles), utensils, scrub pad, matches, cache storage, can opener, tupperware
  5. First Aid/Emergency Gear:
    see additional list...
  6. Food Stuffs:
    see additional lists...
  7. Hygiene Gear:
    comb/brush, toothpaste/brush, biodegradable soap/shampoo, toilet paper, trowel, urine bottle...
  8. Lights:
    type and quantity as required, minimum of 3 for caving, extra batteries and bulbs...
  9. Climbing/Rappelling Gear:
    harness, ascending gear (jumars, gibbs, etc.), rope (static for caving), caribbeaners, prusiks, figure 8, webbing straps...
  10. Plastic Bags:
    all sizes and purposes - zip-lock, trash, rain protection...
  11. Other:
    pen, paper, books, maps, compass, sun-block, sunglasses, bug repellent, string/twine, binoculars, camera, knives, fishing pole, gun(s), chairs, chains, survey tape, duct tape, salt/pepper/spices, licenses, tags, 5 gallon water jug, chain saw, bow saw...

First Aid/Emergency Kit Equipment (also commonly forgotten)

whistle
space blanket
mole skin
water purification pills, filter
campho phenique
band aids
hydrogen peroxide
antibiotic cream
waterproof matches

ace bandage
candles
money
safety pins
numbing cream
swiss army knife
snake bite kit
chapstick
heat pack
actometephin/ibuprofen

adhesive tape
eye drops
mercurochrome
gauze bandage
bee sting kit
needle-nosed pliers
signal device/mirror
nail clips
sewing kit
anti histamine


Some Commonly Forgotten Expedition Food Stuffs
  1. Water - 4 liters/day
  2. Water purification (iodine pills, pump/filters, etc.)
  3. Well tested and other well tested goodies:
    1. oatmill, cream'o' wheat, grits
    2. poptarts
    3. raisins
    4. rice
    5. ramen noodles
    6. canned meats (chicken, beef, shrimp,spam, etc.)
    7. instant sauce mixes
    8. hard salami/summer sausage
    9. instant pudding
    10. beef stew
    11. tea, gatorade, punch, tang, gookenade
    12. nuts (almonds, beer, peanuts, sunflower seeds, etc.)
    13. jerky
    14. granola (bars also)
    15. short bread cookies
    16. string cheese
    17. bread sticks
    18. fruit roll ups/pieces/candies
    19. lunch buckets and microwave meals
    20. dried soups
    21. hot chocolate, coffee, tea
  4. Main Course Entrees:
    1. Chicken and Rice Stew - 4 oz. (by pkg. wt.) instant long grain rice plus 1 oz. extra per person; 3 oz. canned white chicken per person; 0.5 pkg. instant chicken gravy mix per person.
    2. Spaghetti and Meat - 2 packages ramen noodles plus 0.25 pkg. extra per person; 2 oz. hard salami or summer sausage per person; 0.5 pkg. instant spaghetti sauce with mushroom mix per person; tomato paste per sauce instructions; oil or butter provided by the meat.
    3. Shrimp Curry or Cajun Shrimp - 4 oz. (by pkg. wt.) instant long grain rice plus 1 oz. extra per person; 3 oz. canned cocktail shrimp per person; 0.5 pkg. instant curry (or creole) sauce miz per person; handful of chopped almonds; handful raisins for curry gravy.
    4. Spam Surprise - 2 pkg. ramen noodles plus 0.25 pkg. extra per person; 4 oz. spam per person; 2 oz. freeze dried vegetables (or vegetable soup) per person.
    5. Turkey and Dressing
    6. Beef and Rice
    7. Sausage Burritos
    8. Bean Burritos
  5. Notes:
    1. eat cold for breakfast and lunch except for boiling water for oatmeal, etc. eat from bag 'o' stuff
    2. always carry extra food
    3. don't forget ziplock bags to carry and cook in (double up for cooking)
More Stuff...