The Boy Scouts have a pretty good motto, 'Be Prepared' and it is certainly a maxim to live. However, If you don't heed that advice in the outdoors, it could be something to die. The outdoors is a wonderful place; however it is a potentially dangerous place full of hazards not encountered in city life. In studying backcountry incident reports there is usually a common link amongst those injured and lost: unpreparedness. From not being physically prepared to handle the terrain to not carrying the simplest of gear on a day hike, the unprepared give search and rescue teams good practice.Though I'll address physical preparation in another article, the easiest way to be prepared for any outdoor activity is to carry the 'Ten Essentials.' Now the name can be misleading, sometimes there are more than ten, and yes sometimes even an essential item doesn't always make sense for the environment you are in.
The Ten Essentials are guidelines for what to carry in the outdoors: are you allowed to carry more - absolutely, less - let's program SAR teams into your satellite phone.The Ten Essentials have been around in one form or another since the 1930s when The Mountaineers climbing club first released their list. Though many outdoor organizations have their own Ten Essentials list, the list in this article is based on the current edition of the must-have backcountry book Mountaineering:The Freedom of the Hills. Even if you're not a cold-weather mountaineer, this book should be on everyone's outdoor book shelf. Map of the area in which you are traveling:Having google earth on your iPhone does not excuse you from carrying a map and knowing how to read it. Before heading into the backcountry you should master these three map skills at the least: deciphering terrain features, understand contour, and be able to estimate distance. Compass:Again having a GPS system does not make you exempt from carrying a compass.
A GPS is a mechanical device which can fail and can run out of batteries. Though there are many compasses on the market, I would suggest carrying an orienteering model with a clear baseplate from a reputable company like silva, brunton, or suunto.
Like a map, know how to use a compass before heading out. Sun Protection:For those of you that haven't heard yet, the sun's rays can be dangerous to your health at all times of the year. Many winter backpackers have skipped carrying sunglasses and sunscreen, only to end up sunburned and snow blind. To avoid the sun's rays carry a pair of polarized sunglasses, sunscreen (sport type SPF 15 or higher), lip balm, and a hat. I like to carry a bandanna that I wear around my neck too. You may also want to check out specialized sun apparel, like Columbia omin-shade, that has sun protection built into the garment.
Extra Food and WaterOur bodies are machines, in order for our engines to work we must provide it with the proper fuel. Pack nutritious, electrolyte replenishing, and long burning trail snacks. Avoid food with complicated preparation and that which generates a lot of waste. Some excellent trail snacks are GORP (good ol' raisins and peanuts), granola bars, beef jerky, and donuts. Okay the donuts aren't good trail snacks, but I like donuts so I put them on the list.Water is a definite must in all conditions and at all times of year.
Though all people differ with their water consumption levels, I drink about a third of a liter per every mile walked. Know your body, and how much water you need to carry. I generally suggest carrying two full 1-liter bottlesBecause water is one of the heaviest things most backpackers carry at 2.2 pounds per liter, you may consider carrying something to purify water. Water can be made potable through mechanical filtering, boiling, chemically treating, and using UV light lamps. Consider all water, even in the most remote areas, unsafe to drink. HeadlampSure you could carry a hand held flashlight, but try climbing, bushwhacking, or carrying anything you'll wish you had another hand - or a headlamp. Headlamps are available in a myriad of styles, but if you are purchasing one look for an LED model.
LEDs are much more battery efficient and have an extremely long bulb life, generally you don't even have to carry extra batteries. Extra Clothing / Rain GearIn my favorite place to hike, the Adirondack High Peaks, signs have been erected at every trailhead warning hikers that weather conditions can change rapidly and to carry appropriate clothing layers.
I've stood on a mountain in an ice storm in June, so yes weather conditions change very quickly. Though the clothing you take with you will differ as per the climate, remember the following:. Wear synthetic or wool clothing - it wicks away moisture and retains its thermal properties even when wet.
Several thin layers are much better than one thick coat - air (which is easier to warm) is trapped in between the layers. The flexibility of layers allows you to add and subtract layers as the conditions or your your body exertion changes. Even when no rain is forecast, you should bring rain gear. Though ponchos have their advantages, I prefer rain suits. A good waterproof breathable jacket allows the perspiration to escape and serves as an outer wind/rain/snow layer. Make sure you buy rain gear large enough to go over all of your layers. If you buy a jacket with a waist drawstring you can stuff your jacket with leaves in a survival situation - try doing that with a poncho.
First Aid KitMost likely you will never have the opportunity to suture in the field on a backpacking trip, but you'll probably have a few abrasions and blisters to deal with. You don't need to carry an EMT jump bag with you, but a small personalized first aid kit can quickly alleviate most wounds. Always tailor your first aid kit according to the trip duration, environment, hazards, and participants.Sample First Aid Kit:. Pouch: quart size plastic freezer bag. Emergency contact ICE information. Three gauze pads 2x2. 2 gauze pads 4x4.
3-inch roller bandage. moleskin /blister kit. Non-latex gloves. Assorted bandages.
Chewable Aspirin. Antiseptic wipes. Antibiotic ointment. Triangular bandage.
KnifeOkay Crocodile Dundee I know 'knife' is on the list, but you may want to leave the machete at home. The bigger the knife, the heavier the pack and the larger the first aid kit. As a backpacker, I can accomplish all of my knife tasks with a 3-inch blade. Sure sometimes the peanut butter jar is deeper than that, but it's the wilderness and I make do. Knives are actually quite handy, from making quick work of slicing pepperoni to performing complex survival skills.Many people opt to carry Leatherman-type multi-tools and the Swiss Army Knife has been popular for decades.
I tend to like small non-folding neck knives. So what do you look for in an outdoor essential knife? That really depends on the user: each knife has a character and a purpose. Something to ponder though, if your pack is pinning you down underwater and you have to cut yourself loose: how much do you trust your knife?. Matches / lighter'Matches? I don't need no stinkin' matches!
I'm just going on a day hike and I'm not planning on starting a fire or lighting a stove.' Well, you may not be planning on it, but Aron Ralston didn't plan on amputating his own arm either (yes, another reason for carrying a knife).Carry matches in a waterproof match case, then put that match case inside of a plastic bag. Don't forget to cut a match striker off of the box and sick it in the match case too. Besides matches, you may also want to carry a butane lighter. Fire StarterIf you train yourself to look for tinder, you can usually find dry or ignitable tinder even in a rainstorm. Sometimes, finding dry tinder - especially when it is dark outside - is extremely challenging.
Carry a few fire starters to make starting a fire easier. Though many fire starters are commercially available, you can make your own too. Try smearing cotton balls in Vaseline and store them in a plastic snack bag - just light them and watch them burn.As a skill, learn to find natural tinder and what materials in your area burn even when wet. Also, learn to carve a fuzz stick with your knife. To make a fuzz stick, carve a small stick in one direction and leave the shavings attached.
Carve all the way around the stick and then begin moving down the stick, until the stick looks like a sickly conifer tree. Place the fuzz stick directly over your tinder to maximize the success of starting a fire. Though a few items are not in the classic Ten Essentials list, there are few other critical items that everyone should carry with them. Whistle - Even though, the whistle isn't on the official list, you NEED to carry one. Go outside and run two-miles then scream 'Help' for as long as you can. (Before doing this please alert your neighbors you are engaging in a survival experiment) Tough, isn't it?
It is much easier to call for help with three blasts of a whistle - the whistle distress signal - than it is to yell. Make sure you buy a 'pealess' whistle, so the whistle continues to work even if it is frozen or wet. Garbage Bag - Garbage bags are one of the most awesome pieces of outdoor equipment. Not only can they be used to pick up the trash of inconsiderate outdoor ruffians, but they can save your life in a pinch too. Caught in a rainstorm and freezing cold, turn your garbage bag into a waterproof vapor barrier liner.
Spending the night without a sleeping bag, fill your garbage bag with leaves and crawl inside for a 'comfy' night's sleep. No fresh water to drink, procure water by using the bag to build a solar still. Skip the wimpy household bags and opt for a large contractor grade garbage bag. Space Blanket - Mylar space blankets are inexpensive, light, and very useful.
These simple blankets reflect your body heat back onto you and block the wind and rain. Often during winter hikes, I'll pull one out to cover myself during long breaks - sometimes it is easier than adding layers.
I've even fashioned a tarp out of one of these wafer-thin blankets during an unplanned overnight bivy on a very windy and rainy mountain range. Small Cooking Pot/Cup - Even if you aren't planning on cooking a meal on your hike, you should carry some sort of small vessel to boil water. If you can boil water, you can purify it or warm your body with some pine-needle tea on an unplanned night outside. Though I almost always carry a small stove, at the least I'll carry something like the UST Double-Up Cup that I can place over a fire if needed. As a multipurpose option, you can also boil water in most stainless steel water bottles in a pinch.
Foam Pad - A closed cell foam pad is not only great insulation from the ground as a seat but is also multipurpose. It serves as a windscreen for a stove and can also be used as a splint for a broken bone. Though you should always carry the Ten Essentials, there are some things you should always try to carry in your pockets in case you are separated from the rest of your gear. Many peak baggers have a bad practice of dropping their packs in the col and climbing up the rest of the way with no gear. So what happens when you can't find the way back to your pack?
What happens is you lose your pack in a river crossing and are washed down stream? Be prepared to stay the night by carrying Outbound Dan Human's Critical Four. CompassEven as a lightweight backpacker, I carry two compasses with me.
Though I always carry an orienteering compass in my pack, the compass on my person isn't nearly as fancy: I just need general direction. My High Gear altimeter watch has a built in electronic compass that works very well, but I usually throw on a simple watchband compass too. If I am purposefully leaving my pack behind, I will of course bring my full-sized orienteering compass.Even without a map, at least you can maintain a direction of travel if you possess a compass. When a person become lost, they begin to wander and have difficulty maintaining their bearings. Generally if you walk in a straight line for long enough, you will cross a road or a trail. That technique has gotten me out of pinches in the backcountry before.
KnifeAs described above, the hiking knife doesn't need to be complicated, it just needs to have a dependable sharp edge that is easy to deploy. There is a reason why a knife is man's oldest tool - it is perhaps the handiest in the wilderness.
If you are going to have to make a survival shelter, you'll want a knife for cutting materials and branches. Also, if you have a knife on you, you can make a bowdrill fire starter.Now, I carry a neck knife so it is always with me. I've been carrying Cold Steel Para-edge knives for years, but recently started carrying an Esee Knives Izula with a cord wrapped handle. So why a neck knife? I hike a lot in winter, wearing clothing with zipped pockets so a knife is hard to get at. If it is in a kydex sheath around your neck, just yank, and it is ready to cut.
This comes in handy in case you ever have to cut yourself loose from a sled. WhistleEver since I was a toddler, I've carried a whistle whenever I am in the backcountry.
Though, I've never had to use one to rescue myself, it's an ounce worth carrying in case I ever needed it. Remember the whistle is the easiest to use signaling device and that a whistle blast travels much farther than your shouts.The worse thing to do, is to store your whistle out of reach in your pack.
What happens if you fall and are unable to put your hands on your whistle? Keep your whistle accessible by the fewest steps possible.
Good ways to carry a whistle include a (breakable) lanyard around your neck and attaching it to a jacket zipper. I do have a whistle attached to my neck knife sheath, the downfall being - if I lose my knife I lose my whistle too. Fire StarterYes, many of us have a fire starting kit in our packs, but I like to keep something on me just for emergencies.
The ideal personal emergency fire starter should be something that works when wet (remember it is in your pocket exposed to sweat, snow, and rain), is long lasting, and easy to use and ignite tinder.Years ago, I found that my butane lighters would freeze in very cold weather. I found that if I put a lighter in a plastic bag, then put it in the napoleon pocket in my jacket, it would stay warm so I could light my stove at night. I still carry a brunton firestorm lighter with a waterproof casing in my jacket pocket. The nice thing about torch-type lighters is that they have an extremely hot flame to start damp tinder and are very easy to use when your fingers are cold.Sometimes when I am going ultralight, I'll just attach a ferrocerium rod, to my knife or whistle. These sparking rods work when wet and release a very hot shower of sparks; however, they do take practice and are hard to use when your fingers are cold.
Though you can learn a lot from books and websites, you'll be surprised what you can learn in the outdoor classroom from a survival instructor. That said, I've yet to pay more than the price of lunch and gas for a course. Heck, the Army paid me to take their courses:)Look around for seminars at local hiking clubs, outdoor stores and even Scouting groups.As far as a knife, look for some advice in my hub on the best knives for backpacking. My current favorite is the Esee Izula neck knife paired up with a small leatherman. For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: Show Details NecessaryHubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam.
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Hardstyle Essentials Of Human Skin
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.Hardstyle is a genre mixing influences from. Early hardstyle typically consisted of an overdriven and hard-sounding kick drum with a lot of sustain, with intense faded or reversed basslines accompanying the beat. Hardstyle also utilises harsh and distorted synths, detuned and distorted sounds accompanying the main instruments along with many modern hardstyle songs that also incorporate poetry and story telling within the music.The natural evolution of music has seen hardstyle mellow out over time. What was once a very dark, assertive and powerful genre began to incorporate techno-like synths and uplifting melodies.
Modern kicks are also now layered, with multiple layers of higher frequency distorted kicks, combining with a lower frequency tremble to create a thicker and fuller kick drum. During the mid- to late 2000s, pitching kicks became popular in hardstyle as well, often utilizing the kick drum as the bass, as opposed to a bass synth. All this has led to hardstyle becoming more accessible and popularity increased. Many artists produce hardstyle tracks as well, and many newer hardstyle tracks are written in (for example, older and Noisecontrollers work).Hardstyle has also been an influence on other styles of electronic dance music as well, most notably, which shares similarities with hardstyle like structures, rhythms, and later, pitched kicks. Contents.History Origins Around the late 1990s into the early 2000s, hard trance was being experimented and influenced hardcore and hard house producers, with small changes and tweaks being made such as introduction of the reverse bass and an increased amount of screeches. The exact origin of hardstyle cannot be specifically defined, as it did not simply appear out of nowhere, but the result of an evolution and mixture of other genres turned hard trance to a more pronounced hardstyle, which is now known as early hardstyle.
As it progressed, it gathered characteristics from other genres such as hardcore and hard house and developed the unique reverse bass and was played in the 135-150 BPM range. In a sense, hardcore producers such as DJ Zany, Lady Dana, DJ Isaac, DJ Pavo, DJ Luna and The Prophet, and external influences like hard house was mainstream at the time, and turned hard trance into early hardstyle. This also explains the reason why later on, the BPM of hardstyle increased slightly (from 135-150 to 150-160).
Some hardcore producers such as The Prophet brought the reverse bass and screeches back to the hardcore gabber scene making hardstyle and hardcore nowadays similar or even indistinguishable in some cases, only differing in BPM.Hardstyle was influenced. Hardstyle has its origins in the Netherlands where artists like, DJ Isaac, DJ Pavo, DJ Luna and, who produced hardcore, started experimenting while playing their hardcore records. The first hardstyle events, like Qlubtempo, took place at the beginning of the 21st century. The first few years of hardstyle were characterized by a tempo of around 140–150, a compressed kick drum sound, a short vocal sample, a screech and the use of a 'reverse bass', which can be heard on the offbeat after each kick.Around 2002, more hardstyle labels emerged. Fusion (with artist as and Donkey Rollers) and (founded by ) are two of the Dutch labels that started to bring out hardstyle tracks around that time.
Dubstyle In early 2010, a new variation in hardstyle, named dubstyle was introduced. Dubstyle is the name given to the genre fusion of hardstyle.
Dubstyle tends to have reversed and take the kick styling of hardstyle tracks, while combining them with the rhythm, groove, and dubstep tempo and effects a fusion of elements of hardstyle with a dubstep rhythm, usually a or a rhythm. Because of the sporadic beat in dubstyle, the bass is often more dragged out and/or it doesn't follow a strict offbeat pattern that regular hardstyle incorporates, which in turn results in dubstyle basslines bearing similarities to dubstep basslines.Euphoric hardstyle From roughly 2010 onwards, the move towards a more melodic emphasis from early hardstyle evolved into the subgenre 'euphoric hardstyle', characterized by highly emotional melodies and heavy pitch-shifting of kicks. Notable euphoric hardstyle producers include, and.Rawstyle Since around 2011, more terms to identify developments of hardstyle were introduced. Rawstyle, is a type of hardstyle influenced from Dutch hardcore or older hardstyle resulting in darker melodies, screeches and deeper-sounding kick drums. Notable rawstyle artists include:, Phuture Noize, MYST, &.
Notable related events.Notable artists.