+cr4zybilly Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 I'm planning on taking my family out for a day of geoaching. Everything I've done so far has been in parks here in town, never for more than a couple hours at a time. I'm just trying to make sure I don't forget any gear (but don't overpack). I've got: GPS pen notebook (I'm not paperless) compass water food (Ramen, perhaps) 1st aid kit flashlight swag plastic baggies (for GPS if it starts raining) Anything else you've found vital to have out? We're going to Allerton Park in Central IL, so we won't be more than a 10 min drive to civilization and will mostly be hiking back and forth around the park, rather than way out in the wilderness, so beyond a cell phone and maybe a rain jacket, I'm not too concerned about environmental stuff. Is there something else I should think about, though? What do you usually bring in your day pack? Quote
+J10fly Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 i always bring a couple extra pens. For some reason i tend to leave them behind and it always seems to happen when the next cache doesnt have one. LOL Quote
+DarkZen Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 For food I prefer sandwiches. Also I always take a couple of packs of Gu because I tend to turn my outings into something I didn't plan on. I usually take a small knife as well. Quote
+Ms.Scrabbler Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 The main thing I Always take with me - rubber gloves, latex or other throw aways. There are always places I don't want to put my bare hand in - even guard rails, they tend ot have bird poop We also take extra logs and little plastic bags - that way we will be able to replace a wet or damaged or full log. Quote
+flattie Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Depending on how far out of civilization you are going to: Always bring more water than you think you will need. Also, do not forget to mark a waypoint for your car! Quote
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Disposable poncho and space blanket along with firestarter (other than lighter/matches). All "just in case"! Happened to us just a week or so ago! I (Gitchee) am somewhat used to it but the "boss" (Gummee) is not! 'Twas a fun time, anyway! Hehehehehehehe. OH -- do not go out w/o extra batteries, either! Quote
+wildernesswanda Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 hand sanitizer... you have no idea how many times I wished I had just a squirt...LOL Quote
+shellertx Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 I like to bring some baby wipes, great to clean your hands and face and whatever else along the way. Quote
+ras_oscar Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Log winder for nanos extra rare earth magnets for nanos (I dropped one in a mulch pile once) extra log sheets and Z lock bags small cloth to wipe moisture out of containers bug juice sunscreen Quote
+bittsen Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 ALong with the firestarter, take an accelerant. I would suggest 99% isopropanol. Basically its rubbing alcohol without the water added to it. It's a multipurpose chemical. It's a great disinfectant, great low temp fuel, can be used on wounds to help prevent infection, and ticks will back out if you put some on them. Oh yeah, it will wash off poison ivy/oak. A small bottle of it would replace the hand sanitizer so it won't add much weight to a day pack. You can get 99% pure iso at any place that sells printing supplies and possibly at a lot of art stores (I never looked for it there). Home depot might even carry it. Quote
+cr4zybilly Posted October 20, 2009 Author Posted October 20, 2009 hand sanitizer and a lighter. Very nice. I like the idea of throwing in some extra logs, too. Can you print those off from somewhere? Quote
+niraD Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 I like the idea of throwing in some extra logs, too. Can you print those off from somewhere?There are links to stash notes in the right column of this page: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/ You can massage the text into a document that prints stash notes and replacement logs, all on one strip of paper. I carry two versions: a tall skinny version (11" long by 1.5" wide or so) for micro-caches, and larger ones that I use for other caches. The larger version prints two per 8.5x11" page. I cut the 8.5x11" page in half, then fold each 8.5x5.5" sheet in half, to yield 8.5x2.75" pamphlets with 4 "pages". The front page is the stash note and the first few spaces for logs. The remaining 3 pages are more spaces for logs. Some people carry small notepads, but I've never found a cache large enough to use one that also needed a replacement log. Quote
+frinklabs Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Coming from the Orienteering world, I always carry a safety whistle. I also wear my multi tool on my belt. To avoid having to repeatedly explain what the heck I am doing, I carry a stack of "What is Geocaching?" cards. If I could afford it, I would get a waterproof solar-powered satellite phone. Quote
+cr4zybilly Posted October 20, 2009 Author Posted October 20, 2009 I like the idea of carrying a multitool, too. I lost my Gerber several years ago (major bummer), but I know I've at least got a mini one (with scissors, which might be more appropriate) somewhere--gotta dig that up. Quote
+cr4zybilly Posted October 20, 2009 Author Posted October 20, 2009 Oh...and trash bags to cache-in-trash-out. I was pretty bummed last weekend I didn't have any with me. I was on a flood plain and it was a mess. Quote
bradly22 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 This is my Inventory... Backpack Flashlights GPSr iPhone Charger Spare Batteries Trash Bags Pens Log Books Micro Containers Work Gloves Trail Mix Knives Notebook Water Lighter And any TB's I may have Quote
+Cache O'Plenty Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 And, might I suggest an extra set of car keys. I was out of state one time in a rental when I dropped the set (only set) in a field on the way to the cache. Got real lucky and was able to find them by backtracking my route through the knee high grass. Taught me to really secure them in my pocket if it's my only set. Quote
knowschad Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I'm planning on taking my family out for a day of geoaching. Everything I've done so far has been in parks here in town, never for more than a couple hours at a time. I'm just trying to make sure I don't forget any gear (but don't overpack). I've got: GPS pen notebook (I'm not paperless) compass water food (Ramen, perhaps) 1st aid kit flashlight swag plastic baggies (for GPS if it starts raining) Anything else you've found vital to have out? We're going to Allerton Park in Central IL, so we won't be more than a 10 min drive to civilization and will mostly be hiking back and forth around the park, rather than way out in the wilderness, so beyond a cell phone and maybe a rain jacket, I'm not too concerned about environmental stuff. Is there something else I should think about, though? What do you usually bring in your day pack? I would not consider bringing emergency food like your Ramen noodles, but if you are going to, you should have some means of building a fire and a container to cook the noodles in, or they will be awfully crunchy . Personally, on a trip like that, I might bring a snack or pack a lunch, but I frequently forget to. As you said... it is (or at least, is intended to be!) a day trip. Quote
Dj Storm Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 For day trips (as in 4+ hours away from civilization, 20+ miles roundtrip, get back home before midnight) I carry: - flashlight - rain poncho - 1 extra piece of clothing (t-shirt or jacket) and extra pair of socks - 2 bottles of water (size depends on temperature and how far the refill points are) - 2 sandwiches, 5-6 apples or other fruits (I usually eat the apples and bring the sandwiches back) - something sweet that doesn't melt (chocolate + summer = mess) - GPSr - camera - extra batteries (the GPSr and camera uses the same type of batteries, so in an emergency I can power the GPSr with the batteries from the camera) - cell phones (even if 90% of the time there will be no coverage) - multitool or small knife (never had the need to use it, but you never know) - sometimes a topo map of the area - I used to carry a tripod, but now I think that's overkill - geocaching specifics (pens, cache descriptions, swag, bags and trackables); I don't carry containers unless I set out to place or replace one. - some money I don't carry a first aid kit, wet wipes, latex gloves, sunscreen, bug spray or fire making tools. If you need those, then you should carry them. Best tool: planning. If I cannot complete the planned hike for whatever reason, I can cut it short and use public transport to get back (alternate trails back to civilization, station coordinates, timetables). In your case (driving around and walking small distances away from the car), I would carry more gear (for example a complete change of clothes and shoes + towel) and leave all of it in the car (except the GPSr, camera and geocaching items). No need to carry everything around when you're within 30 minutes of your car. Mark your car's coordinates. Quote
aniyn Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 If I'm going more that 15 minutes into the woods I always take: flashlight bear spray bug spray sunscreen hat jacket (rain only during the summer since it's so warm) batteries (ones that are charged!) twice as much water as I think I'll need And sometimes i'll take a lighter. It depends. That's not including caching supplies, but that's another thread.. Quote
+Vater_Araignee Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Lots of good ideas above me. TP and some freezer bags for the refuse created from its usage. Quote
+cr4zybilly Posted October 22, 2009 Author Posted October 22, 2009 Looking at the weather, I think a change of clothes and dry shoes left in the car sounds like a great idea. As far food goes, my dad is crazy for those tiny tin can stoves, so I don't think there's any getting out of that (i'll probably bring my one-burner thing that screws onto a propane cannister; and leave it in the car ). Quote
+ArcherDragoon Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Wow...some of you are taking "Day Excursions" more than Day Trips... Heck, I grab my GPS...let it take me where it takes me... Battery Charger (with lighter plug/adapter)... A bottle or two of water... A bottle or two of Gatorade... Car Keys...and car... And maybe some snacks... Quote
+bittsen Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Wow...some of you are taking "Day Excursions" more than Day Trips... I see what you are saying. I took the OP to mean a day hike... If it's just geocaching for a day and not long hikes in the woods, I'd bring my geocaching things and some liquid to drink. Cell phone, and cash. That would cover me for a day of caching, not day hiking in the wilderness. Quote
+cr4zybilly Posted October 23, 2009 Author Posted October 23, 2009 Ok, I think I got everything. Here's what I've got In the Bag: GPSr extra logs water bottles army jacket (poncho/warmth) lighter bit of firestarter hand sanitizer/baby wipes rag mini-sized multi-tool notebook several pens 1st aid kit flashlight swag compass plastic baggies trashbags 2 waterbottles sharpie Stuff for the car (including stuff for my son who's coming along, too): ramen and a can of chicken noodle soup 1 pot ministove and fuel bowl, spoon & mess kit extra shoes and clothes laptop (to find more caches if necessary) It all pretty much fits in my nice fannypack/man-purse. I'm debating about upgrading to a backpack, but it's going to a lot of wasted space if I do. Quote
+power69 Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 I'm planning on taking my family out for a day of geoaching. Everything I've done so far has been in parks here in town, never for more than a couple hours at a time. I'm just trying to make sure I don't forget any gear (but don't overpack). I've got: GPS pen notebook (I'm not paperless) compass water food (Ramen, perhaps) 1st aid kit flashlight swag plastic baggies (for GPS if it starts raining) Anything else you've found vital to have out? We're going to Allerton Park in Central IL, so we won't be more than a 10 min drive to civilization and will mostly be hiking back and forth around the park, rather than way out in the wilderness, so beyond a cell phone and maybe a rain jacket, I'm not too concerned about environmental stuff. Is there something else I should think about, though? What do you usually bring in your day pack? if there are micro's on your list: tweezers. Quote
+michiganman3 Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 Cigarettes, lighter, themos of hot coffee. Cell ph. Compass. Pens Swag Bag of goddies. Bug spay, aerosol at car, little pump spay in bag. Notes about caches. digital camera pocket knife. In car I keep: Map. space blanket light jacket. And since my hear is shaved I always wear a hat, glasses to protect eyes from twigs, branches. Or not. Except hat and glasses. Quote
+smstext Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 (edited) i take the following: 2 AA maglite flashlites (one led one normal) miners led light (one you wear on your head). credit card survival knife with built in compass (small and fits away in the bag multi tool thing) latex disposable gloves baby wipes (handwipes) disinfectant hand gel a few swaps a spare 35mm container and spare notebook 8xAA recharageable batteries and 2xaa non recaharagables rain jacket (i live in the uk) pencils walkie talkie emergency battery charger for the phone led keyring torch attached to bag. 2x 1litre of water map emergency whistle with built in compass and gpsr in the car i have 2x blanket big led torch handwipes umbrella Edited October 24, 2009 by smstext Quote
+DragonsWest Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 I always take a small hand mirror. Great to check difficult angles and such with. Quote
+cr4zybilly Posted October 25, 2009 Author Posted October 25, 2009 A mirror--tricky. Just a report on the stuff I actually used: swag water ziplock sandwich bag (to replace a log bag in a cache) extra logs (a log was 100% full!) mini multitool (w/ scissors - to cut out the extra log) compass GPS and notebook flashlight pen mini-stove, fuel, ramen, other food Despite the extra stuff, my bag wasn't too heavy to carry around the park. And with perfect weather and long underwear, I didn't even use my jacket. Thanks for the suggestions, everybody! Quote
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