Gearing Up: What do you haul into the woods?

[EnergySaverMember]

All though I’m still fairly new at caching, I seem to have stumbled into enough situations, that our “team” has gathered a pack for geocaching. We always bring the whole pack, since you seem to never know what is around the next corner; unless we know for sure were just walking over to a gazebo or something.

What do you haul in the woods? Why?

This is what we bring with us:
– GPSr (Garmin eMap, I like the display on the old thing, also rubber after market case)
– FRS Radios (we each have one, helps too because I’m deaf in one ear, cuts down on the “whaaaat”s) (Motorola Talkabout T5720)
– Digital camera (Casio Exilim EX-S2, size of pack a cards)
– Strap on small pack (Coleman exponent) (perfect size lumbar pack) (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=8552-675&categoryid=25535)

In/on the pack:
– bug spray (what a surprise) (500% DEET)
– water bottle
– small first aid kit (Lifeline waterproof)
– nylon rope (for light assistance on slippery areas)
– glowstick
– small flash light
– small multi-function tool (knife, tweezers, pliers thing)
– pepper spray (on detachable ring) (some strange looking teens gave us an evil eye once) (also the larger skeeters out there)
– CITO bag
– “spares” (zip bags, pencils, logbook, marker)
– trade items and a couple travel bugs
– compass (one that’s built into a clip ring)
– spare batteries
– wet wipes

(I suspect I’m more loaded up than most, can’t help it, I’m a technical coordinator by trade and fraid of the dark . However we used almost everything this past weekend in Baraboo and the loaded pack is only just over 3#. Does pepper spray work on rabid racoons?)

[This message has been edited by EnergySaver (edited 08-05-2004).]

[thennigMember]

Ummm…I bring the GPS, a pen, my keys, and my cell phone…and, if I have any at the time, Travel Bugs.

[greyhounderParticipant]

I have a backpack full of all sorts of stuff — I can’t even remember what all is in there. I tend to overpack as it is. But I want to be ready for anything!

Bec

[Stooper and BMember]

We got trade stuff, pen/pencil, GPS, FRS radios, Compass, Gatorade/Water, Extra zip-locks, a pocket knife, and since we are “papermore” cachers, a binder with our to-do list and paper for notes/calculations.

We (I) also have to carry B’s rain coat when it has just quit raining.

[Mama FishcacherMember]

Fun little question! I carry a backpack with me. I have my GPSr on a lanyard around my neck. In my backpack is:

*bug spray
*small first aid kit
*palm pilot
*bug spray
*pencils/pens
*extra log books
*bug spray
*trade items
*cell phone
*bug spray
*a change of socks
*extra batteries
*bug spray

I think that’s about it.

As for the pepper spray and raccoons – my deputy hubby says it often takes more than one shot from a sidearm to kill a raccoon. When he gets home later, I’ll ask about the pepper spray. I would imagine it would work at least long enough to get you out of the area….

~Mama Fishcacher

[waukesha wizardsMember]

Three things that seem to be missing on you list are spare batteries, compass, and a lucky stone from my cache “The Wizards Stones”. 😛

[brksterParticipant]

I found a fishing vest that is very convenient with several pockets. In one pocket, I keep my GPSr with a couple sets of spare batteries along with items for trading when I find the caches. In another pocket, I keep a compass, flashlight, a Swiss army knife, a digital camera, and some pepper spray (my daughter insisted I get that). In another smaller pocket, I keep a low-carb advantage candybar, in case I get hungry. I keep a water bottle in case of long hikes and always have maps in my car so I know where I’m going. I also bring binoculars at times depending on where I’m going.
Above all other things I have my cell phone with me…just in case.

[This message has been edited by brkster (edited 08-05-2004).]

[thennigMember]

I guess in my car I should add I also have my charger so I don’t use up battery while I’m driving and a state gazateer book. My old one is all marked up with little dots of where caches are hidden.

[OuttaHandParticipant]

My geocaching “pack” is considerably smaller than many peoples’. It’s a small belt-attached one which contains:
* Rino120 GPSr
* Digital camera
* 7 extra AA batteries (complete extra set for both the camera & Rino)
* Notebook & pen (mine)
* plastic trash bag
* extra memory cards for camera
* several of my signature compass/carabiner keychains for trades

I also carry a seperate insulated water bottle that has a shoulder strap. It usually has gatorade in it.

You don’t see bug spray there because we leave it in the car. Just spray up before entering woods.

[Astro_DParticipant]

In addition to most of the forementioned items, I also carry:

Small flashlight (red/white LED). (I don’t like sticking my hand into dark areas without first looking in it)
Benadryl (starve off those allergic reations)
Instant hand sanitizer/individually packaged wet wipes
Water purification tablets
Travel pack Tissues
Sunscreen

On occassion my 6 year old son (depending on the terrain and distance).

Kat

[GrouseTalesParticipant]

I carry a backpack full of the usual goodies.
Mine usually includes:

• 2 GPSr’s
• Extra AA batteries
• Digital camera & mini tripod
• Cell phone
• PDA
• spare bags, pens, pencils
• TOILET PAPER!! (a whole role in a gallon zip-lock).
• LED flashlight, and LED headlamp.
• 2 compass (good one, and a spare)
• Canteen full of water.
• Allergy meds, ibuprofen, sting ease, chapstick, sunblock.
• Couple bandaids
• Roll of black electrical tape
• Bug spray (when in season)
• mosquito headnet
• Handwarmers (when needed)
• Gerber muli-tool
• Granola bars (smore flavored!!)
• Paint pen marker
• Spare note pads
• FRS radio if caching with others
• Assortment of trinkets

I don’t carry pepper spray. I’ve never been attacked by a raccoon or any other animal for that matter. I’ve tested pepper spray on some critters and it doesn’t have much of an effect. Pepper spray is one of those “feel good” items. You think it’s protecting you, but it’s no panacea. Lead works better then peppers

[This message has been edited by GrouseTales (edited 08-05-2004).]

[EnergySaverMember]

Glad your all enjoy my subject!
It’s neat to see I’m not the only one hauling all this junk in the woods.
Some of you have things that I have too, but have forgotten, so I added to my list (batteries, camera, wet wipes).

[greyhounderParticipant]

My pack weighs 10 pounds!! Well, I need to add some resistnace to my walking program anyways!

Here’s what I’ve got:
GPS
ball cap (greyhound on it)
GMRS radio
headlamp
flashlight
leather work gloves
bug spray
pens & pencils
compass
whistle
a couple pocket knives (one’s multifunction, the other’s just sharp)
lighter
screwdriver type thing to open my GPS battery door
batteries
Rolaids
cough drops
lip balm
sun screen (small container)
analgesic
calculator
map
note books (this is where I write my cache info)
camel pack (for water)
small radio
cameras (usually just the digital though)
trade items & TBs

In the car:
big first aid kit
Wisconsin Gazeteer
change of clothing, especially socks and shoes
trekking pole

and then some other stuff. I sometimes have cache repair stuff in there, but not at the moment.

And I usually carry along the cell phone too.

Bec

[GeotrippersMember]

I guess I am really under supplied when I hit the trail. When I go, I carry:
Gpsr
pda
carkeys
wallet (with whatever spare money Cindy can part with)
small cache toys that can fit in my pockets
pen

In the car I have a backpack with:
small flashlight
spare bateries
compass
water
food for lunch (I don’t stop for food, I just eat while driving to the next cache)
more cache toys.

[Buy_The_TieParticipant]

Wow, you guys sure do carry a lot of stuff into the woods. I take more of a “minimalist” approach

Things I carry into the woods:
GPSr (Always)
Compass (Always)
PDA (Mostly)
Digital Camera (Sometimes)
Trading Items (Sometimes)
A Pen (Sometimes)
Water (Rarely)

[Author]

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