When traveling by motorcycle and camping at my age of (72), shortly, there are a few technologically more advanced items that I require, particularly if I’m heading into the wilderness, which I plan to do.
These aren’t your typical mainstream must-haves. You have the basics. A tent, sleeping bag, water, food, utensils, cooking heat source, and fuels. Those are all obvious prerequisites. If you haven’t read the article on this site entitled “Life Safety” then read that as well, as the list varies depending on where and when you camp.
I like to walk or trek at altitude. Once I lock up my bike and notify my family, I turn on its GPS transponder and start my trek. For me, being from the great plains of North America any altitude over 7,500 ft. requires amenities that make my comfort and most of all, safety paramount.
Before leaving, download the electronic or paper maps you will need for where you intend to go. Ensure that they will be accessible, offline. Ensure that you leave a description and probable date when you will be entering the wilderness, and where you’ll be (parameters). If you are going into a national park area, register with the park or forestry service. Ensure that your solo trip is actually allowed.
A few years ago, I was walking up a glacier when a conservation officer ran right into me. “Where are you going?” he asked, reaching for what looked to me like a citation book from his pocket. I blanched, as fines in National Parks can be extreme, depending on the infraction. I told him, “I’m going up to the Alpine Hut at the top of the glacier.” He said, “No you’re not. You have to have four people, climbing gear, all four have to be attached to a lifeline, and you have to have registered with the Park Service.” I said I had no idea that was the case as I had done the trip many years ago and assumed nothing had changed. He stated that on that particular week, they had to perform two rescues for people that had fallen into crevasses, covered by snow. I apologized, pleaded ignorance and he walked me back down the glacier to my bike, three miles away. Now I ensure that I follow the rules, the first for me being climbing outside of Provincial or Federal parks. That ensures I’m not breaking the minimum climber requirements.
So, on with it. Carrying any load at altitude is a challenge, but having steel hardware in my right leg requires some adjustments, previous to my injury, unconsidered. I can’t kneel on my right leg, at all. This means that staying off flat ground is requisite, as putting great pressure on my right leg is, well, painful, and can result in my appliance tearing through my skin. So here is my shortlist for additional camping essentials, and not in any particular order of importance.
First, I need a cot on which to lie. One high enough off the ground to not put undo pressure on my knee joint, making it easier to sit and stand. I’m not going to focus on the brand, but one major consideration when buying a cot is to not have support bars crossing underneath that will impinge on your back. Being uncomfortable will destroy any camping trip at altitude as sleep is imperative. Included, and not something separate is to have an emergency bivvy sack (mylar) preferably when you venture away from your base camp. Weather can change in mere minutes at altitude, and hypothermia can kill.
Second, a decent camping chair with some back support that is low enough to the ground to enable you to fit comfortably inside your tent without jamming your head into the tent top. There are a number that are quite good, and they breakdown into a tiny package for transport. Remember, compact is important as you’ll be carrying all of this stuff.
Third, a really good waterproof and shockproof headlamp, that will be miserly with its power usage. You could be stuck inside a tent for a considerable time if the weather turns inclement, so you’ll need to have a decent light.
Four, a good hatchet, hammer combination. If you have to, for whatever reason, build a fire, then you’ll need a hatchet. It also can be used to drive pegs and as a last resort, for defense. I have had two close encounters with Grizzly Bears and one with wolves. Only one was life-threatening, but it made me even more certain to have something I could use as a defensive weapon. If they don’t find me, at least they’ll have an idea what I was up to when they find the hatchet.
Five, bear spray. Enough said.
Six, a solar charger. Yes, If you are bringing anything electronic, whether for entertainment or communications, you’ll need power. Also, ensure that the output from the solar charger will meet the needs of the devices you intend to charge. I knew a guy who never checked this and ended up packing in his laptop for no reason.
Seven, an iPad or small device for entertainment, writing, taking notes, and/or communications. Depending on where you are going, having an iPad to transfer and edit your photos and videos is awesome. I have a 5th Generation iPad Air with an M1 processor, enabling me to edit while on the road, and remotely.
Eight. A small technical climb kit. This can be quite compact and is only for emergencies. Mine has a tiny figure of eight, 30 meters of 9mm climbing rope, (this is not intended for actual climbing, rather it is only for emergencies, particularly emergency descents. With a tensile strength of only 1,100 pounds it is not recommended for climbing), two etriers for emergency ascents, a decent sit harness, four aluminum locking carabiners, two short prussic loops, two jumars or similar ascenders, two rope pulleys, 20’ of 1” webbing tape for anchors.
Nine, an emergency beacon. I feel it’s essential. If I fall or receive a serious injury, nothing will save me except a satellite beacon. Spend the extra $200. Your life is worth it.
Then, a small first aid kit, including but not limited to the following. Any medications you normally need. Pressure bandages, a sling, adhesive compresses, and butterfly strips for serious cuts. Antibiotic (wide-spectrum antibiotic), pain killers.
Eleven, a simple collapsible water container. You can’t survive without water, period.
Twelve, a gravity-fed water purification system or pressure filtration system. Many times water will require purification or you run the risk of bacterial or parasitic infection.
There are other, innumerable items one can add for comfort and safety, but I’ve found that this short list, added to your normal camping requirements will hold you in good stead if an emergency should occur.
Lastly, consider your fitness and cardiovascular health. If your legs and cardio capacity are poor, I wouldn’t recommend that anyone venture into the wilderness. Most often you will have no idea what you might encounter, so you must consider the worst-case situations and have a plan for them. Survival and planning go hand-in-hand. Don’t assume anything, and plan for what’s probable.
Ciao…
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