Wilderness Skills - Olympia Mountaineers

Mittens or gloves - For the same thickness, mittens are significantly warmer than gloves - try to get mittens
made of Wind-Stopper material (it's significantly warmer). Ideally, you should also carry waterproof overmitts or
shells.
Don't wait until your hands are cold to put on mittens or gloves, because it takes an immense amount of heat
and energy to re-warm them. If it is cold, wear mittens from the start; if your hands get hot, take them off for a
while. Attach wrist loops to your mittens and gloves, so that when you take them off they are still attached to
you by the loop. If you do not use wrist loops, put your mittens inside your coat rather than on the ground or
snow. An extra set of cheap, light, synthetic glove liners are nice to carry for when your regular ones get wet. If
you get cold easily, consider carrying a few packets of chemical hand warmers (available from most outdoor
stores).
Rain and Wind Gear: This the second most important gear that you will carry, after boots.
Pants - Full side-zip models are preferred because you can put them on and take them off
without removing your boots. This is especially important in cold or wet weather, or when
you need to put them on and take them off repeatedly. They should be large enough to fit
over all other layers.
Parka or jacket - Essential to stop rain and snow, and to prevent wind from robbing the
insulating value of inner clothing. Must have a hood, and be large enough to fit comfortably
over all inner clothing. Zip front parkas offer greater temperature control than pullovers or
anoraks. Ponchos and cagoules don't work well in wind, and are cumbersome because
they don't allow you to see your feet.
Equipment for the Backcountry
Day pack - Your daypack should be large enough to hold all needed items, at least 2,000 cubic inches. It
should have a large waist belt, preferably padded, to comfortably transfer its weight to the hips and legs. A
pack with a long, narrow shape will be more stable on scrambles and transfer weight to your hips better than a
short, wide pack. You may line your pack with a plastic bag or use smaller plastic or nylon bags to keep your
gear dry and organized. Stow extra clothing and survival gear at the bottom of your pack, and heavy items
close to your back. If you plan to use your pack for winter trips, get one of 3,500 cubic inches or more, to allow
room for additional clothing. If in doubt about size, take your gear to an outdoor store and test the pack, to
make sure everything will fit.
Whistle or mirror - For emergency signaling. (3 blasts = “Help, I'm lost!”)
Pad, insulating - Most insulating pads are cheap, lightweight, durable, and versatile. A form pad will provide
insulation and comfort as a seat during breaks or as a sleeping pad on an unplanned night out. It can also be
used to splint injured limbs. Closed-cell pads won't soak up water. A 1/2" thick sit pad or 3/4 length pad is good
for warm weather, full length is best for cold weather.
Toilet paper - Essential for personal sanitation. Carry a digging tool
(plastic trowel, ice ax, etc.) in the summer for burying your waste.
Bring Ziploc plastic disposal bags for carrying out used toilet paper
and hygiene products, and dispose of them at home. On snow, also
carry out your waste. See page 53 of this syllabus, Wilderness
Ethics, for instructions on proper wilderness disposal of human
waste.
Paper and pencil - Useful for marking maps, recording elevations,
times, route descriptions, names, and for completing accident report
forms or recording rescue information.
Wilderness Skills Module Page 28 of 73
Olympia Mountaineers - Hiking, Alpine Scrambling and Basic Climbing