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Survival Ecology Water Purification Equipment Camping
Zone packing Heavy Load Pack Removal Walking Staff
Chaffing
These tips were provided by “Camp Trails” pack manufacturer. For more information on hiking, and camping, see your Boy Scout Handbook, on pages 197 to 245.
Survival:
Carry a small survival kit--it could save your life...Leave a trip schedule, preferably in writing with a responsible person giving the following information:
- Who is going where.
- When you will be back.
- What type of vehicle you will use.
- Location of the trailhead, and the route you expect to take.
- Above all, do not decide to stay an extra day.
- Because, search parties cost money and time.
- Carry these items on your person at all times: matches in a waterproof container, knife, compass, and preferably a survival kit.
Ecology:
- Carry out everything you carry in.
- Don’t bury garbage as animals will dig it up and scatter it.
- Never wash in a pool or stream. Use a wash basin.
- Drown your campfire. Scatter the ashes and rocks.
- Leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.
- Carry away nothing but pictures and memories, and leave nothing but footprints to tell of your passage through the wilderness.
Water Purification:
- Boil water 5 to 10 minutes or add iodine tablets or 2 drops of clorox per quart of clear water. Let stand for 30 minutes. For cloudy water double the purification. Another alternative is to use a water purification appliance, or do both.
Equipment:
- Do not be hasty in buying equipment.
- Talk to experienced backpackers.
- Try out several packs.
- Before buying ask yourself: Is it light weight? Is it low in bulk? is it durable? Will I use it?
- Do not make cost your only criterion. THERE IS NO COMPROMISE FOR QUALITY. THERE ARE NO STORES IN THE WILDERNESS.
Camping:
- By using dehydrated foods you add under two pounds per man per day.
- Water weighs two pounds per quart.
- Where ever possible carry your own stove and fuel.
- Leave vegitation for the next party to enjoy.
- Camp away from the only source of water, for animals will not be able to drink as long as you are camped there.
Zone method of packing a backpack:
- A backpack can make the difference between drudgery and enjoyment during the time spent on the trail.
- A few simple principles which are often overlooked can make the difference. Technically speaking, the body has a center of gravity located directly over the ankles. When standing normally there is very little forward lean of the body. However, when the backpack is placed on the back, the body leans forward to bring the packs center of gravity over the ankles. Consequently, it is advantageous to keep the backpacks center of gravity as close to your back as possible to prevent unnecessary forward lean. As a result “Camp Trail” recommends the following method of loading a backpack.
- Zone A: This is the area closest to the back, and should cary equipment of the greatest density like stoves, tent hardware, etc..
- Zone B: This medium area should be packed with medium density objects.
- Zone C: The area farthest away from the body’s center of gravity should be filled with the lightest equipment.
- There is also benefit in placing the densest weight high in the pack as it will be more directly over the center of gravity.
Getting Into A Heavy Load:
Most backpackers have developed a method of putting on a pack. However, “Camp Trails” has a few recommendations, which have proven to be easy and safe for both the backpack and packer. Before following the suggestions outlined, start with a realistic weight, by loading as if you were going on a hike.
1. If you are right handed, stand by the frame with the load side turned away. If you are right handed, point your right foot toward the frame.
2. Stepping backward with the left foot, and crouching slightly to slant the right thigh, drag or lift the frame to rest on the right thign.
3. Steadying the frame with the left hand, and holding the upper part of the right shoulder strap, put the right arm under the sholder strap. Reach downward with the right hand to grasp the lower right corner of the frame. Twist the upper body to the right, and pull the right shoulder strap into place.
4. Lifting the frame with the right hand, swing your right elbow back to slide the frame around on your back. While the frame is held high and far to the left, put the left arm through the left shoulder strap and pull the strap into place.
5. Buckle the hip belt in place and adjust the shoulder straps to hold the frame high on your back. Tighten the hip belt to relieve the pressure on the shoulder straps.
6. To remove the pack, reverse the procedure. Remember never to let the loaded frame drop on one leg as damage may occur to the leg. With practice a loaded frame can be put on or taken off with ease and without injury or damage to the packer or the frame.
Scout Staff or Walking Stick:
The Scout staff or walking stick has many uses, even though some Scouts are dubious of its value. It helps to transfer weight from you legs to your arms. It has the following additional uses:
- It can be used for beating out bush fires which occur in the open.
- Two or three scout grasping a staff can cross a stream more easily.
- Several staffs can be used to build a lean-to or tepee shelter.
- It can be used to stop a mad attacking dog by grasping the staff in both hands, spread wide, across the front of your body, and presenting the staff parallel to the ground to the attacking dog.
- As an improvised stretcher of coats and staves.
- Several staffs linking a line of Scouts on a night march.
- Several staffs used to form a tripod over a cooking fire.
- A staff used as a seat.
- Thrown as a rescue pole for someone who has fallen through the ice. The person in the water can straddle the staff across the break in the ice. In this manner the staff can be used to support the person until you can get a rope to pull him out.
- As a flag staff.
- Measuring distances.
- Self defense.
- Making splints.
- Jumping ditches.
- Making rafts.
- Bridge building.
- Climbing a mountain. Carry staff cross-wise, and if you slip, lean inwards upon it, against the side of the mountain. The weight of your body will then drive the end of the staff into the earth, and so anchor you from slipping.
- Levering up logs and stones.
- Making rope ladders.
- Feeling the way over marshy ground.
- Recovering an object floating in the water. First tie a line to the center of the staff. Then tie a piece of string to each end of the staff, and tie the other end of each string to the center line. That will keep the staff at right angles to the line that is in your hand. By swinging the staff out over the water, beyond the floating article, you will be able to draw the latter in close to the shore.
- Used by two or more Scouts to scale a wall.
There may be other creative ways to use a staff that you as a Scout can devise. But, as you can see, it has been a most useful tool. This can be found in a visual presentation on page 366, 1911 BSA handbooks for boys.
Leg Chaffing can be avoided by wearing Silk Weight Brief Boxers underwear. Chaffing can lead to a great deal of discomfort, and agony on a long hike. I understand Patagonia and Capilene make this underwear and it can be bought at Take-A-Hike or Ozark Outdoor Supply.
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