Technology causes Problems in the Backcountry

Visitors to the back country continue to create hazards to themselves and to rescuers by reliance on technology. The inappropriate use and abuse of cellphones, GPS units, and SPOT satellite messengers have led hikers into danger and caused unnecessary, expensive rescues.

A recent article in the New York Times discusses these issues through interviews with workers in our national parks. Some of the best quotes:

“Because of having that electronic device, people have an expectation that they can do something stupid and be rescued.”

“Every once in a while we get a call from someone who has gone to the top of a peak, the weather has turned and they are confused about how to get down and they want someone to personally escort them. … the answer is that you are up there for the night.”

“We have seen people who have solely relied on GPS technology but were not using common sense or maps and compasses, and it leads them astray."

Read Leslie Kaufman's article online.

Jim Whittaker wrote a related article three years ago.

Flameless Hand Warmers

Liquid-fuelled hand warmers have been used by generations of hunters and ice fishermen. Ski patrollers use them for their own comfort and for treating hypothermic patients.

After filling with a small amount of lighter fuel, the warmer's element is lit with a match. A catalytic platinum element allows burning without a flame, producing radiant heat for 8 to 10 hours. Warmers may be safely carried in a jacket pocket, usually in a flannel bag.

Jon-e® Hand Warmers are manufactured in the United States and made from durable chrome-plated steel. Replacement parts are available online. The Jon-e® hand warmer is sold by Cabela's and Outers.

A similar product is the Zippo Hand Warmer which is available at Duluth Trading Company and Amazon. See it in EDC Reviews.

The Peacock brand is found overseas at GK Trading and Hakukin.

Amazon offers the Xtreme brand.
 

Underwater Kinetics 4-AA Xenon Light

Underwater Kinetics model UK 4AA-AS2 is robust and designed to withstand harsh outdoors and industrial environments. It survives a 30 foot drop test and water submersion to 10 meters.

Powered by four AA batteries, the xenon bulb projects a 38 lumen beam for 4 to 5 hours. Just over 6 inches long, this light handily fits the pocket. Molded fittings facilitate the attachment of lanyards or webbing. See the Data Sheet for more specs. Made in the USA.

An LED version is now available. Read the review at Flashlight Reviews.

Available online and at many dive shops and industrial safety suppliers.
 

Pocket Magnifiers

Reading a map is difficult when you don't have your glasses or the light is fading. Squinting doesn't work, and your arms aren't long enough.

Handy pocket-sized Fresnel magnifiers come to the rescue. The simplest is thin plastic the size of a credit card, easily carried in your wallet. The best known is probably Itoya brand. You can find one at office supply stores and pharmacies. Look online at Campmor, MapTools, or UltraOptix.

The latest innovation in this technology is the illuminated magnifying card, which is a bit thicker. Pressing a tiny button activates an LED, flooding light on the map. A well-known model (as seen on TV) is the OWL Light. Similar lenses are available from Essential Gear and Amazon.

Illuminated or not, both styles provide 2 to 3x magnification.
 

Classic Camping Stoves

At one time, most of us probably owned a brass Optimus, Primus, or Svea stove. For the most part, they served us well and faithfully accompanied us on our treks. They are part of our history.

Many of these cookers were shelved when we acquired the hi-tech stoves first introduced by MSR.

Others just don’t work so well anymore. The most common problems with old stoves are dried gaskets, defunct wicks, and clogged jets. There is hope, however. A & H Packstoves both sell new stoves and furnish parts for the old. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, enthusiasts of Swedish brass. Prices are quite reasonable.

Classic Camp Stoves is a discussion forum and an archive of photos, advertising art, catalogs, and exploded diagrams.

Read the Backpacker review of the classic Svea 123 and its links to related articles. You should find the review at Cool Tools to be helpful, especially the comments and link to a Svea fact sheet.

3M™ Precise™ Vista Disposable Skin Stapler

Serious injuries call for serious tools. The 3M™ Precise™ Vista Disposable Skin Stapler enables any patroller to staple gaping lacerations with virtually no training. You can be your own MD! Establish better patroller-patient relationships when you can do the job yourself. Not recommended for eye injuries.

You just can’t beat the convenience of stapling-while-you-wait. At only $22.95, who can afford to pass this up? Available now at Cabela’s and wherever do-it-yourself tools are sold.

Surefire G2™ Nitrolon®

While LED lights are hard to beat for long life and close-up work – reading maps and rummaging through packs – you need a more powerful torch for signalling and search & rescue operations. The Surefire G2™ Nitrolon® more than fills the bill. Surefire has become the brand of choice for military and law enforcement due to its reputation for performance and reliability.

The G2 is almost four times brighter than much larger D-cell flashlights and does so in only 5 inches and 4 ounces. The non-corrosive Nitrolon™ construction and the Lexan lens are highly resistant to breakage. The power – a whopping 65 lumens – comes from two 3-volt lithium batteries and an incandescent xenon bulb. Although a more powerful bulb is optional, you don’t need a brighter light in snow. The bright yellow model of the G2 is easy to find in your pack and hard to lose in the bush. Read the specs and user manual. Check out the reviews by Kevin Kelly and Rainy Day Magazine or read the extensive technical report at FlashlightReviews.com.

On the down side, the batteries will last only 60 minutes at full power, and replacement bulbs are expensive. There is no attachment point for a lanyard.

Among many sources, the G2 is available at Cabela’s and L.L. Bean.

Surefire has recently announced the G2 LED which puts out 80 lumens of light and runs 12 hours. It’s reviewed at EDC Forums and EDC Reviews.

“The Essential Outdoor Gear Manual”

Subtitled “Equipment Care, Repair, and Selection.” Authors Annie Getchell and David R. Getchell address the maintenance and repair of clothing, footwear, and equipment for backpacking, climbing, snowsports, and paddling. You’ll learn about design, materials, fabrics and adhesives. The text is rich with specific products and sources. You will not only be able to care for and mend your outdoors gear, but you’ll be empowered to make sound purchasing decisions. Published by Ragged Mountain Press (2000).

Gear Sleds and Pulks

For those long backcountry treks, many skiers tow a sled or pulk for their gear. If you’d like to try making one, here are a few sources of instructions:
Mad River Rocket Pulk, GearJunkie, and The Inquiry Net! - Traditional Scouting Activities. Take a look at page 35 in “Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book”.

If you prefer to buy one ready-made, you can’t do much better than Kifaru. Whichever way you choose to go, check out Kifaru’s tips on use and care.

Other brands:

Acapulka
EWS Pulks and visit Links.
Fjellpulken
Segebaden Pulks See Pulka Transport and Pulka Glasfiber.
Wilderness Engineering
Granite Gear
Snowsled Ltd.