BLOG #89 ITS TIME TO TALK THE 13 ESSENTIALS AND MORE

The 13 ESSENTIALS are one of your most important items to take with you whenever you go into Nature.
Way back in 1993-4, when I was President of the Spokane Mountaineers (SMI), I argued that the 10 ESSENTIALS were not adequate.
We adopted  the 13 ESSENTIALS so our members would be prepared for many situations that occur in the woods 0r on glaciers.
So, why does a hiker to any of our spectacular locations, need bandages or fire starter, etc.?
STUFF HAPPENS IN THE MOUNTAINS.

                                   Benjamin Franklin once said….
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

I’ll tell you a personal story that happened to me in 1986.
A group of SMI climbers were at Chimney Rock in the American Selkirks, to scale this unusual monolith.
I was foolish to say the least and eventually fell 15’ and broke my fight talus.
The talus is the ankle bone the your leg bone sit on.
During the fall, I bounced three time, all over 6 feet. The area I fell on was vertical strata.
Fortunately, there were 11 other climbers that came to my assistance.
One of the climbers was a P.E. Teacher, and she had my climbing shoe off, ankle bandaged and my approach shoe on before I felt too much pain.
Another climber was just back from climbing Denali, and had some great pain killers for me.
One of the odd things I had was a set of high quality plastic rain pants and jacket. They became very important in my rescue.
They delayed me down a steep slope using ropes to control my descent.
If it weren’t for that rain suit, I would have had to walk down those slopes.

About 3 years ago, I led a hike on a nice Sunday afternoon to Gold Peak?
When we got to the summit, I noticed one of the girls was in physical pain.
She was trying out a new pair of boots that were too small and laced too tight.
​She had quarter size blisters on both heels.
I asked her to take off her boots and lay on her stomach so I could treat her blisters.
For many decades, both privately and for the SMI, I’ve always carried in my 13 ESSENTIALS, SPENCO 2nd Skin BURN PADS. Not 2nd Skin patches.
After sterilizing her blisters I cut and placed the 2nd Skins over her blisters and taped them in place.
Yes, she was embarrassed, but when we descended, I saw her skipping down the trail.

What you carry is your choice, but take it from me, if you do not have what you need, you could be in danger, and possible put others in danger.

Check out our section on medical issues at
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/13-essentials.html

But there is something even more important EVERY HIKER NEEDS TO CARRY.
It weighs nothing, but can save your life or another’s life.
That items is KNOWLEDGE, AND HOW TO USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE/13 ESSENTIALS.

Because I lead trips, my 13 ESSENTIAL is only part on my personal ESSENTIALS. On average I carry 86 of MY PERSONAL ITEMS.
Yes, it’s simply a check list that covers all situations and needs.
But I can tell you…many have thank me for being prepared.

PLEASE read our sections under RESOURCES AND HINTS, for additional important  information.
Under RESOURCES is a section on Medical Information Card (MIC).
If you are found unconscious and can’t tell rescuers your name, person to call, medications and medical information, it may take precious time for EMT’s to figure out how to treat you.

Years ago, I skied off a 12’ embankment and broke my heel bone.
When I was taken to the Aid Room, I simply handed the patroller my MIC. It had everything they needed to process me and treat me.

Going into Nature is one of our greatest pleasures.
Please be prepared. 
That includes having your spouse carry their own emergency supplies, map, water and food.
If you wander off to pee and stumble and knock yourself out, what is your spouse going to do? 
If your spouse stab themselves on a sharp twig, how are they going to treat their wound?

Each of us, when we wander, are responsible for our selves and our fellow hikers.
BE EXTRA AWARE OF YOURSELF.
Everyone else becomes secondary when injured.

If you have any questions or comments on anything on our website, use the envelope at the bottom of each page to contact me personally.

David and I would like to thank you for reading and using our totally free, local website.


Chic      David

InlandNWRoutes.com