10 Essentials...PJ style

I have to admit, I had never even heard of the "10 Essentials" before Tonto got his butt reamed by a Trail Nazi for NOT having them with him when he went on a short hike last year during one of our Winter camps. You've heard of Range Nazi's...well, apparently there are Trail Nazi's too. Those hikers who think it is their duty to make sure everyone is up to THEIR standards whilst out on the trail.

Of course, the whole "10 Essentials" thing gave us a WHOLE lot of fun picking on Tonto for being utterly unprepared for something as simple as a day hike. He countered this with "I had my handgun...I could have just taken HER 10 Essentials." Not that he was condoning armed robbery on the trail. But hey! If it was a life or death situation....just sayin'.

Since then, I have read up on what different people think the "10 Essentials" should be. Most of these lists are pretty close to each other in content. And, just recently, I have started putting together a small pack I can just grab as I'm headed out the door for a short hike or bike ride. And...since I'm not exactly known as a "light packer" so mine rounds up to more like 12 or 13 or 19 Essentials.

I give you "PJ's Comprehensive 19...uh 20 No...Dammit! 21 Essentials"

Nylon Poncho - This can be used as a shelter in an emergency or...wait for it...a poncho

Mylar Space Blanket - Also multiple uses...shelter, heat reflector inside the poncho shelter etc.

Paracord - It's paracord...'Nuff said

Snare Wire - I'm not talking 100's of feet. Maybe 10 feet or so. Wire, like paracord, has a bunch of uses. Up to and including trip wires for Trail Nazi harvesting.

Small First Aid Kit - Pretty much a boo boo kit. A couple of bandaids and alcohol swaps, maybe some moleskin and blister treatment stuff too. Leave the suture kit at home. That's what the snare wire and paracord are for.

Fixed Blade Knife - It doesn't have to be an ESEE Junglas...but it could be. More likely an ESEE Izula though. Or a Becker Necker...for those NON-ESEE Fan Boys.

Steel Water Bottle - Steel so it can be used to boil water to sterilize it or just make it hot.

Water Purification Tablets - For... purifying...water. Right. Moving on....

Vaseline Cottonballs - Awesome firestarting materials, and a source of Vaseline for chapped lips etc.

Ferro Rod - Indestructible Fire Starter

BIC Lighter - It's always nice to have a backup to the indestructible fire starter. This is how I roll.

Signal Whistle - This one goes against my "stay the Hell away from me" life style. But, if I should actually NEED someone to find me say if I twisted an ankle or needed help dragging a freshly trapped Trail Nazi back to the vehicle....

Signal Mirror - For attracting Trail Nazi's toward the trip wire. Oooooooh shiny!

Spare Magazines - Full handgun magazines, not back issues of "Trail Nazi Quarterly"

Headlamp And Spare Batteries - I usually have a flashlight in my pocket, so this may be a little redundant. Headlamps are great for hands free lighting when you need it.

Multitool - This is probably overkill on a day hike. But...like I said...I'm hardly ever mistaken for a light packer.

Trick Candles - This one I wish I could claim I came up with myself, but I can't. Those little trick birthday candles that re-ignite when you try to blow them out...think about it...yeah. Fire starting in windy conditions...brilliant!!

Bandanna - Again...a whole bunch of uses. Making a sling, wrapping a wound, pre-filtering muddy water, hiding your identity while beating the Hell out of Trail Nazi's, waving as a signal...the list goes on and on.

Cell Phone - I almost didn't include this one because, these days, saying "take your cell phone" is kinda' like saying "don't forget to wear pants. Seriously, it could save your butt though. The cell phone...I suppose the pants could too.

Tri-Band HT Radio - There actually are true stories of people using amateur radio to call for help. That...and...I just can't help myself.

Compass - A map would be nice too. Maybe a GPS unit. But, now I MIGHT be getting a little carried away.

So...there you have it. My version of the "10 Essentials". I did actually end up with 19 my first go-around. But, then you know it goes. So...my list is over TWICE as awesome. Mostly because most Tree Humping, Green Weeny, Sierra Club Life Member, Dirty Trail Nazi Hippies aren't going to be carrying around a Glock 23 with them on the trail and really don't care about making QSO's while hiking.

Be Prepared for whatever and do NOT be a Trail Nazi!

PJ