GEAR

 The thought of researching, purchasing, gathering, understanding, and even just thinking about gear can be overwhelming for a beginner.  That is a totally normal part of the "initiation" process of taking those first steps into the outdoors.  Let's break down the process to help reduce your anxiety and get you packed up for your Wilderness Survival Course while preserving your comfort.  You will want to keep your pack as light as possible while carrying essential emergency preparedness items and essential items for your survival based upon the Seven Survival Priorities.  You will learn how to put together your own essential emergency kit, as well as what exactly the Seven Survival Priorities are when you take a class at Camp Gretchen Wilderness Survival School.  In the meantime, here is what you need to know to get you packed up and to class with confidence, and out into the wilderness with comfort and readiness.

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So, I mentioned comfort and that really begins with your backpack.  I have been there and done that with ill-fitting, inappropriate packs for my long-distance backpacking trips.  And I expect it will be trial-and-error with you, as well, until you dial it in over time.  For Wilderness Survival School, we have a very short, level-grounded hike from the parking area back to the main classroom, therefore the fit of your backpack is not so important for class, as you will not necessarily feel major discrepancies with fit and/or design until you are actually wearing it regularly for your chosen outdoor adventure.  For Wilderness Survival School needs, you just need to be able to fit your stuff into it.  By stuff, I mean your clothes, food, and the gear we will continue to discuss below.  IF there should come a time when it becomes necessary for you to be fitted for a backpack that is both perfect for your body and for your needs, I highly recommend the retailer REI.  The professionals there will fit you for free.

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Your Wilderness-Survival-School-bound backpack will need to contain your food.  What type of food do you pack to eat in the outdoors?  It really depends upon how long you will be out, and what your means of cooking and storage will be.  For an overnight trip, such as one of the Basic Wilderness Survival courses, food that is going to be eaten in the short term, within a couple of hours of setting out, can be fresh food, and can be stored in an easy-access compartment of your backpack.  An example of "fresh food" is some type of sandwich, apple, banana, or other perishable, portable, high-energy food.  My personal go-to lunch the first day out on the trail is almond butter and jelly and a banana.  Snacks are a must, especially if you are hiking or paddling long distances, backpacking overnight, or exerting energy over periods of time.  Snacks are best individually wrapped, such as granola bars, and divided up into small bags for easy grabbing, such as trail mix.  Dried fruit, boxes of raisins, and nuts also provide essential nutrients to keep energy high and your belly full.  Snacks are best stored in an easily accessible, external pouch of your backpack.  You will want, and need, lots of these types of snacks during Wilderness Survival School.  For dinner, the best options include freeze-dried meals, either homemade or purchased in outdoor stores.  Noodle packages and packaged proteins such as tuna and chicken can be creative.  These are easy to add boiling water for your meal.  Breakfast can include granola, instant oatmeal, dried fruit, etc. 

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You can cook your food and boil water over an open fire, or you can pack a small camp stove.  The small stoves made for backpacking are multi-functional, and take up little space.  There are different brands to choose from, so do some research for lightweight backpacking jet boils, or backpacking stoves.  You will need small canisters of mixed fuel, many set-ups contain space to fit them into the structure itself for carrying.  Once your food is cooked you will need utensils and plates to eat.  A cup to drink coffee or tea in the morning is always a nice thing to have, as well.  So, bring tea bags or some instant coffee to brighten your morning.

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Water / water vessel.  You want to start any adventure, including Wilderness Survival School, with WATER, and you will need to maintain hydration throughout your adventure.  I recommend beginning any adventure / WSS with at least 2 Litres of water.  Portable vessels of water are necessary.  Nalgene has been a leading brand in the game for a long time, and it is adaptable to most water filtration systems, as well you can measure water on the scale printed on the side of the bottle.  There is also a SmartWater bottle movement, in which I participate, and I will explain to you two reasons why I carry a SmartWater plastic bottle with me on my journeys when you come to class.  There are limitless options for water vessels.  It is important for you to find one that works for you, and whatever filtration system you choose. 

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Water filtration system.  There are numerous ways to filter and purify water to make it drinkable.  I DO NOT expect you to show up for Wilderness Survival School with your own filtration system.  I have various systems and methods I will teach you and show you during class.  After class you can decide which method is best for you and your needs and you can then make an informed purchase.  If you do have your own system you can feel free to bring it.

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You might be intimidated by the idea of fire.  I am sure you have seen various "survival" shows on television and you may have visions of strumming a bow drill to exhaustion with no avail.  Don't worry.  No bow drill.  We are not making friction fire.  We are not rubbing sticks together or anything else related.  Camp Gretchen is a Modern School, therefore I will be teaching you a method of fire craft using a ferro rod.  You can purchase a ferro rod at most outdoor retailers, or online; however, there are some that are rubbish, there are some that are better than others, and then there are some that are just great.  No need to bring your own ferro rod to class, I will teach you a terrific fire method and you can use my ferro rod before you go buy your own.

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Another aspect of the outdoors that can feel intimidating to a beginner is the tent / shelter.  For all classes at Camp Gretchen, with exception being the Advanced Wilderness Survival Adventure four day course, you will need a tent.  A small, light-weight, one or two-person tent is best for class.  Most easily fold up and fit inside your pack, or strap to the outside.  It is important to ensure your tent is waterproof.  If you are unsure how to set-up a tent, I am able to help you, no worries.  

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Proper footwear and clothing for season, rain, and terrain is essential in all outdoor activities.  Boots are recommended for Wilderness Survival School.  Long pants and long sleeve shirts are recommended, though shorts and short sleeves can be worn with mindfulness of potential for insect bites and scratches from surroundings.  Cotton is a material that will retain water and is not the best choice.  Other blends of materials for outdoor clothing provide better options for body heat and comfort.  Pack what you need, and not excessively.  

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I mentioned bug bites above.  If you have a preferred repellent, bring it.  I also have some options on-site for you to use.  

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A flashlight or a headlamp, as well as extra batteries, are a must.  It gets dark out there, and you need to make yourself as safe as possible.  A flashlight or a headlamp help you see obstacles on the ground, as well as help you orient yourself in the dark.  I prefer to have both, as well as a back-up.  Keep them easily accessible in an external pouch of your backpack.  

 

Furthermore on safety, bring a whistle.  Always.  Wear it around your neck.  Wait, did you just say, your backpack as one built into the chest strap?  Buy one to wear around your neck anyway.  We will discuss why in class.

 

Let's end the gear-talk on sleeping bags and a sleeping pad /quilt.  You definitely need to bring a sleeping bag to ALL classes offered at CGWSS.  A three season bag is appropriate for the months classes are offered at the school.  I also recommend bringing a blow-up pillow and an extra, light-weight fleece blanket.  Most backpacks have a special compartment for the backpack to be stored, or it can be strapped on so long as it is in a waterproof bag.  A fleece blanket can be compressed easily in a large Ziplock storage bag and placed inside your pack.  Sleeping pads are also relatively compact and can be carried inside your pack and blown up before bed.  Pads offer extra comfort and some insulation from the ground.  Special quilts and ground pads can be bought with thermal ratings for extra ground protection depending upon season and your particular needs.  There are many varieties and options available.  Again, trial-and-error, is key here, as with most gear, over time.   

 

Circling back to comfort.  We have physical comfort, psychological comfort, and emotional comfort.   Proper gear, including appropriate food, plenty of drinkable water, warm fire, shelter from the elements, and training in Wilderness Survival Skills all lend themselves to each other for preparedness, safety, and the physical, psychological, and emotional comfort necessary for a great adventure.

 

Required

1. Backpack

2. Knife – Pocket knife and / or fixed blade.

3. Snacks and camp food.

4. Appropriate boots.

5. Weather appropriate clothing.

6. Camp shoes.

7. Tent

8. Sleeping bag

9. Cook kit/ “Mess kit” (eating utensils and dinnerware)

10. Whistle

11. Flashlight and / or headlamp

12. Extra batteries.

 

Suggested  *** Mine will be available for you to use during class if you want to try before you purchase your own***

• Water filter / water purification system.

• Camp stove

• Ferro Rod

 

Optional

• Sleeping pad

 

Will Be Provided

• Para-Cord

       

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