expedition+skills

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knots

=Expedition skills =

**We shall not cease from exploration ** ** And the end of all our exploring ** ** Will be to arrive where we started ** ** And know the plaace for the first time **  T S Eliot

The rest step

Packing and carrying equipment
The best way to pack a rucksack depends what you are doing and where you are going. General principles to consider: 1) Assume it will rain throughout and ensure you have waterproof inner bags to keep important things (change of clothes, sleeping bag) dry <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">2) Don't put things you might want in a hurry at the bottom of the back - pack waterproofs, first aid kit, snacks, drink in an accessible place <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">3) Think about where to put the weight - high and close to your back tend to make for easier carrying if the terrain is even but will impair balance so pack the weight low if you're going to be on uneven terrain/scrambling <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">4) Aim to carry less than 25% your (lean) body weight <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">5) Put your car keys/wallet/valuables in the same place every time and this must be somewhere from which they cannot be lost (clipped in/zipped in) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">6) Don't dangle things/tie things onto the outside of the rucksack (except sitmat, ice axe)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">REI advice & video on [|how to pack]

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Stoves and fuel
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Avoid using a stove in any confined space (including a tent) - they generate carbon monoxide when used and this can be fatal. ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Also remember that tents are made of material that burns quickly - cook away from your tent if you're going to need it to protect you from the elements.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Trangia stoves (with meths)
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|use of a trangia stove] - a key point is NEVER to add fuel while the stove is lit

[|Stoves] [|Using a gas stove]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">From ML handbook:
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">"On a short expedition the calorific value of food is more relevant than its nutritional balance. Other <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">factors that should be considered include: the convenience with which it can be carried and eaten, <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">the quantity of fuel required for cooking, the ease and rate of digestion and the need for a high fluid <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">intake." [|Finding water] [|Water purification] [|Camp cooking] water video: media type="youtube" key="X-gk2C_9ORk&rel=1" height="355" width="425"

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Campcraft
[|Campcraft] [|Wild camping] Getting good sleep:

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Selection of camp site
[|Choosing a place to camp] [|Campsite selection] (REI article)

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Siting and pitching tents
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|"tarpology"]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Hygiene and sanitation
[|Camp hygiene (RGS)] [|"Pooping perfectly in the woods"]

[|"Going" outdoors]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Expeditions
[|Planning an expedition] (RGS)

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Survival/bushcraft

 * The most important survival tool is your attitude. **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">STOP
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Stop, stay put <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Think - do not do anything without some thought beforehand <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Observe - look around and fully assess your situation <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Plan - prioritise actions then make and implement a plan

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Video about priorities for survival media type="youtube" key="Nw2iagS5ymQ&rel=1" height="355" width="425"

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Maslow's heirarchy of needs

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In a survival situation physiological needs are the key priority <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The general order is warmth (or cool if in a hot environment) - ie fire and shelter, water and then food

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">fire
[|Starting a fire] [|Natural fire lighters] [|Camp fires] (REI article)

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">shelter
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Setting up a tarp: media type="youtube" key="EYXEyKYjOqE&rel=1" height="355" width="425" [|Shelter building] [|Building a snow cave]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">food
[|how to sharpen a knife]

[|Security guide for aid workers]

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Walking technique] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In general, the pace should not be so fast that conversation is not feasible. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">On steep slopes zig-zaggng may be easier than the direct route. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">How to scramble (Glenmore Lodge)

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Recommended books
Mountaineering: training & preparation Outdoor survival handbook Bushcraft (Ray Mears) Bushcraft (Mors Kochanski)