Pages: 1
Posted by: reconranger
I spent my youth riding dirt bike all over the Baja peninsula.......most of the time SOLO! It's more about attitude, than anything else. I know from years of experience that I can take care of myself out there...........
So, I come from a minimalist 'travel light and fast" background. If I can't fit it in a medium size backpack and the tool storage space on a sport quad, then it stays home! I have never, never gone wrong, using this philosophy. Even if I am riding a ute where I could bring the kitchen sink along, I keep it to this minimalist list:
Water- I ride desert, so a 3 liter Camelback bladder is the minimum
Jacket- Waterproof GoreTex (and pants in cold or wet weather)
Toilet Paper
Energy Bars
Survival Kit- basic stuff we learned in Boy Scouts
Very basic first aid
Basic tools and tire plug kit, CO2 cartridges*, buddy tow strap
Sat or Cell phone- I find that radios usually have to limited a range to reach back to a base camp
Handgun- one of the extremely light S&W Scandium frame .357 mags
Most important, a well maintained quad with a desert fuel tank! And, I always wear a full set of safety gear (helmet, goggles, gloves, Tech-6 boots, chest protector, elbow and knee protection, MX pants), no matter how hot it is............
*Everybody on a ride carries their own CO2, and you never give yours up for somebody else.
Posted by: reconranger
Another thought for those who ride in extreme climates: TAKE A LESSON FROM THE ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKERS!
There is ultralight backpacking gear available now where you can keep the essentials down to a mere 10 pounds! That's pack, sleeping bag and ground pad, and tent. I could add ten pounds to my load, no problem. That would give me the ability to overnight in comfort, in case of an extreme emergency.
Posted by: reconranger
No, I meant CO2 cartridges to reinflate tires. I have had to plug and reinflate so many peoples tires over the years, and that would leave me no backup for myself, so we now have a rule that you bring your own.
Posted by: DEERHAWK
Add to the list a small tool kit, duct tape and a pack of assorted zip ties. If you have room an E-tool and a hatchet.
I would rather have something and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Posted by: DEERHAWK
Make sure one of your water bottles has the squirt top. If you need to clean a radiator or oil cooler full of mud or sand, it helps. Been there.
Posted by: Doctorturbo
Gawd; I feel like a piker.
I take 4 things
#1 A buddy
#2 A lighter
#3 A GPS unit
#4 A tow strap
Sometimes I take water but most of the time I find a stream on the trail.
#1 is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing to bring. I don't care how many things you bring, if you drive over a cliff or flip a 700lb quad on yourself, your going to be in a world of hurt if you don't have a buddy to help you out.
Posted by: Hebs
We've done this before in the yamaha forums on this site...
Flashlight
tow rope
snatch block
first aid kit
water
food
coat/windbreaker/sweatshirt or blanket
extra gas
sparkplug
cell phone
extra pair of shoes
portable air compressor (plugs into the 12v adapter on the quad)
puncture kit
lighter/waterproof matches in ziplock baggy
That's just off the top of my head...
Posted by: tencubed
Several items are duplicated on the existing list which makes it seem a little long.
Few things I carry when working in the mountains that I don't find mentioned.
In the first aid kit. Be sure to have enough prescription medications to last several days. Take some over the counter Benedril and other allergy meds you may need. I also carry a suture kit and sting relief swabs.
Cheap blue tarp. 10'X12', smaller ones just don't cut it when it's raining and you need a shelter. I carry two. They are small and work well as bottom padding in the cargo box.
Flashlight is mentioned. I carry two LED lights. Regular lights have bulbs that seem to break from the shock of travel and often don't work. Batteries last a lot longer too.
Roll of mechanics wire, be sure you have good pliers in your tool kit to cut and work this. It's handy for making cooking hangers and a thousand other uses like tying splints.
Matches, in a waterproof container, get the big kitchen "strike anywhere" kind. Others are a waste of time. Propane lighters, at least two. One 10 or 15 minute road flare. If you need to use it, cut it up into 2" pieces and start them with a match one at a time. You can make some pretty damp kindling burn with these.
20 or so 16P nails. Not supposed to drive them into trees but if push comes to shove they sure are handy when putting up a shelter.
100' of cheap 1/4" poly rope.
Few hundred yards of one of the new fishing lines like Fire Wire. 50 Lb. test. Great for making snares and sewing up rips in coats and such.
Sometimes carry a little kit for catching trout with a willow stick if I'm in the area where I can.
Compass and maps. Maps should be laminated so they don't melt in the wet. Learn to use the compass for more than finding north. Which, by the way, is not where the compass points in most places.
A good 6" belt knife and sheath. I use a Buck that I've had for about 30 years. Don't wear it till you need it. You'll forget it at home. A good round axe stone. Better for sharpening than one of those little square jobs. Those hugh Bowie knifes some folks carry are very unhandy when it comes to cleaning small game and cooking.
Couple of pencils and a fair size note pad.
Small bow saw.
Small camp axe, get something longer and heavier than a hatchet. You'll actually be able to cut thru a branch.
Good First Aid book. Read it and take it with you.
Good Survival book. Read it and take it with you.
Someone mentioned Duct Tape and Zip Ties, get the long ones, which are both really good as are the cell phone and radios. Neither of which work where or when you need them too.
Food was mentioned. Canned stuff you don't have to heat to eat is best. If you plan on doing anything in the way of "living off the land" be sure to take some salt, pepper, flour, rice, powdered garlic, a big spoon and a cooking pot. Most wild game is short of fat. Take some plain old lard to cook things in. It works better than olive oil or corn oil. Few days of it won't kill you. Canned condensed milk is great for camp cooking. Take a few things just to make an overnight more comfortable. Coffee, cookies or whatever makes you smile.
Couple of big, heavy duty garbage bags make acceptable rain gear and sleeping bag if you don't have the real stuff with you.
Clothing - Depends on the time of year but always take extra in case it gets cold or what you have on gets damaged or wet.
I carry a single shot short rifle in 45-70 calibre. Big enough to stop anything I'll need to stop and with handloads it can be taken down to 45 ACP power. Good for small game.
All of this sounds like a lot and it's more than I would carry on a horse but I don't ride a horse anymore. I ride a utility quad with a cargo box on the back.
Take a couple of books to read, evenings can get pretty long just looking at a fire.
Posted by: tencubed
Quote
Originally posted by: reconranger
Another thought for those who ride in extreme climates: TAKE A LESSON FROM THE ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKERS!
There is ultralight backpacking gear available now where you can keep the essentials down to a mere 10 pounds! That's pack, sleeping bag and ground pad, and tent. I could add ten pounds to my load, no problem. That would give me the ability to overnight in comfort, in case of an extreme emergency.
Recons posts make a lot of sense and are aimed at a temperate climate. The big thing is be ready for the area and weather you will be traveling in. What he is carrying work for him but would not do for my needs or would mine for him.
Growing up working off a horse with just a couple of saddle bags and your pockets to carry things in you learned to get along with dang little. Having more is a lot easier and gives you a lot better chance of doing well in a bad situation.
Most folks never really consider what they will do in a worse case situation. That's why so few people carry any kind of gear in their car and are really unprepared in their homes.
Posted by: tencubed
I have a 12 VDC compressor to fill tires. No need to worry about the CO2 issue. The compressor I have now has a spotlight on it but the light never works because the bulb is always broken from the vibration and shock of travel in the box. Been looking for a smaller compressor without a light or other stuff on it. Even used the thing to pump up a tire on a neighbors boat trailer so he could get it to the tire store.
Posted by: tencubed
Quote
Originally posted by: BioWare
Don't forget the toilet paper, unless you want use a leaf...(pinecone)
Oh No! Not the pinecone!
Very good point, I do carry personal hygiene stuff. Toothbrush, toothpaste, Ivory bar soap (can be used on you, the dishes and clothes), paper towels folded and carried six in a 1 quart zip lock (half dozen of these) and a fresh package of baby diaper wipes (work great when you can't bathe for a few days). A small hand towel and a wash cloth finish out the kit.
Posted by: montyh
i have seen many of these lists, and it seems like everyone has a different one. basically you gotta have enough tools to repair anything on your atv except major breakdowns. then you have to keep your self alive and comfy if the meltdown happens, and find your way back to the truck (or nearest highway).
don't get huge stuff. you can survive for a long time with the knife in your leatherman, and your tool kit can fit into a small tackle box. (the factory tool kit is junk)
survival is mostly a mental game.
monty
Posted by: montyh
"*Everybody on a ride carries their own CO2, and you never give yours up for somebody else. "
do you mean H20?
in the desert, i ALWAYS bring extra water and have saved the day for a few people. talking to the desert riders on the boards, i find this is common among us. it is no big deal and is a way to win friends among the mt. bikers and hikers. i was raised to always assist those in need.
monty
Posted by: montyh
for the tire issue, i have a 20oz paintball gun co2 bottle and a regulator. that could air up everybody's tires. (or at least 15 or so, assuming the bottle is 80% full at the start).
never had to use it yet, tho...
monty
Posted by: captainskodiak
These are good ideas to utilize. I have a 30 in. axe and a small coleman military style entrenching tool along with 2 15 or 20 feet tow straps (one with hooks, one with loops)in my gear box. Saw a video on how to use the entrenching tool to use it as a pull anchor if you get stuck without trees or other anchor point. Haven't tried this yet but might be something to try in a pinch. I also carry a multi tool that has various screw driver bits, knives, saws, file, etc. and a compass. Might be a good idea carry the cell phone charger also, for those long trips, mine went dead at Windrock last year, wished I had it. Also needed a GPS at Windrock, will definitley have one next April when I go back. Check out the link for the video.
null
Posted by: BioWare
Don't forget the toilet paper, unless you want use a leaf...(pinecone)
Posted by: tregtom
Does any one have a list, or know of a web site that might have a list of must have items to take on day or over night trips.
Maybe if we all list the must have items we take on trail rides we all can create a master list.
I got the idea from the "Flat tire" thread, Slime -tire patch- air pump
What other survival items can you think of?
Matches or magnesium fire starter
Tow strap
Energy bars
Water
Extra fuel
????
Posted by: tregtom
I am with you I would rather have it and not need it. The 2 way radio is a good idea. Could have used one the day my friend drove off the edge of the Mt. As i drove slowly on the edge of the trail I herd him yell. I used the winch, that my wife could not under stand why I would ever need, to repel down and winch my 275 lb friend back up.
Back on topic i will compile a master list.
What would i search for in the yam forum to find this topic?
Posted by: tregtom
This is the list so far.
I thought more people would respond!
- Beef jerky/trail mix
- Candles
- Cell phone
- Coat/windbreaker/sweatshirt or blanket
- Energy bars
- Extra coolant
- Extra fuel
- Extra pair of shoes
- Extra water
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Food
- Hose clamps/tie-raps/bolts
- Lighter/waterproof matches in Ziploc baggy
- Matches or magnesium fire starter
- Military shovel
- Oil
- Pepsi
- Portable air compressor (plugs into the 12v adapter on the quad)
- Puncture kit
- Small air compressor
- Snatch block
- Socket set
- Solar blanket
- Spare belt
- Sparkplug
- Tire plugs
- Tow rope
- Tow strap
- Various small parts
- Water
- Water purification drops
- Waterproof matches
- Wrench set
I hope this helps some people plan day and over night trail ride.
Posted by: tregtom
Now that is some good stuff.
Posted by: JDQuadRider
I would consider 2-way radios instead of a cell phone. I ride in a lot of remote places and cell phone signals are iffy at best. Most people I see on the trail monitor a certain channel on the trail with their radios.
I'd also consider investing in a GPS or good compass. Bringing extra hoseclamps along as well as a good tire repair kit is always adviseable too.
Posted by: MotoF150
beer
Posted by: toehanus
Depending on the legalities of where you're riding, I'd also include a self-defense implement in there too.
