Be Prepared

[Judy Hamilton]

Dave admonished me in messages last March, in response to the unplanned night i spent lost in Canyon Buttes

So I have purchased a compass, one that even allows to
"fix the fix" for declination in regards to Magnetic North
BTW New Mexico is minus 10 (maybe this bit of info will come in handy for someone someday)

i took a compass course, learned how to triangulate my position on a Topo map..now if can just find a solid, hard surface to do this in a sandy park such as White Sands..promises to be..100% sand!
I will be all set?
my friend who does hunting in New Mexico for a living, says I will not become lost..just head for the mountain range. It is east of the park,and there I will find a road.

My friend who does hunting for a living in New Mexico, does not know me! I have been known to get lost in a paper sack.:basic04

Now I have this GPS..which came highly recommended, however we are not friends... YET! I will go tomorrow AGAIN to REI, the sports store where this gizmo joined my life, and request yet another lesson...right now, i can pull up on the GPS, the best fishing times most anywhere in the USA and a niffty calculator.

Then there is the LAYERING issue...think about it what comes off when the sun is at high noon, needs to have a safe place to be stuffed until, the sun goes lower and winter reappears. In My back pack. BTW the good pack I carried to Cambodia is in my closet in Oklahoma, (hiding from Kris,less he feel the urge to use it) IT was/is too large to carry with all of my stuff in the car.

So I have a smaller than i really need back pack. I have a couple of thin wick-the-sweat-away-from-the body tops, a fairly thin 100% wool sweater ..not too bulky, (brings back memories of skiing) and another warm Fleece jacket and my outer jacket and the thingy for my head and the neck gaiter (both of these are thin smart wool) and a head light, and a few band aides, and a couple of charged cell phones. Sunscreen, WATER, three bottles, a couple of energy bars, and a good space blanket..actually two, as these are small items, which I am so hoping to not need to use!!:amen

Now if I have not included something..let me know

and I will carry my camera, two extra batteries, an extra card and slung around, positioned on my shoulder is my tripod. This has a case with it..not too hard to carry, just clumsy to unpack when one needs to answer the call of nature..

Ah Well ..all things considered

I have decided to have a good time

Judy

[Marilyn Lawson]

I can't wait to see the pictures!!!!!

Have fun!!

[Joel Merrill]

I have a handy dandy little pocket survival guide that I bought at Wally World. Of course it is made for as many situations as they can make it and as if you are going to be in the "wilderness" for days. It's suggestions for a survival kits are:
Tube tent.
Strike-anywhere kitchen matches in a waterproof match safe.
Flashlight.
Fire starters. (A local scout troop carries a sandwich bag full of drier lint for this.)
Signal mirror. (a CD ROM works good too)
Police whistle. (In case you want to whistle at a cute policeman :fun06)
MPI Emergency Space bag.
Parachute cord-50 feet.
Aluminum foil-36" X 36".
Insect repellent. (For those desert mosquitoes)
Water purification tablets.
Pocket Survival Guide.
First Aid Kit.
Obviously you aren't going to need all of this stuff where you are going but I thought I would give the whole list anyway.

Joel

[Judy Hamilton]

I have a handy dandy little pocket survival guide that I bought at Wally World. Of course it is made for as many situations as they can make it and as if you are going to be in the "wilderness" for days. It's suggestions for a survival kits are:
Tube tent.
Strike-anywhere kitchen matches in a waterproof match safe.
Flashlight.
Fire starters. (A local scout troop carries a sandwich bag full of drier lint for this.)
Signal mirror. (a CD ROM works good too)
Police whistle. (In case you want to whistle at a cute policeman :fun06)
MPI Emergency Space bag.
Parachute cord-50 feet.
Aluminum foil-36" X 36".
Insect repellent. (For those desert mosquitoes)
Water purification tablets.
Pocket Survival Guide.
First Aid Kit.
Obviously you aren't going to need all of this stuff where you are going but I thought I would give the whole list anyway.

Joel
are you offering Joel or suggesting??
I have all but the water purification tabs,,there is not water in Water Sands
and have not a tent,,no place to carry a tent
and what does on do with the parachute cord???

my wisome smile may be my best asset as i plan on
mezmerizing the park ranger so he comes looking for me
should i be a no-show at the end of the day:basic02

[Wanda Van Winkle]

are you offering Joel or suggesting??
I have all but the water purification tabs,,there is not water in Water Sands
and have not a tent,,no place to carry a tent
and what does on do with the parachute cord???

my wisome smile may be my best asset as i plan on
mezmerizing the park ranger so he comes looking for me
should i be a no-show at the end of the day:basic02

I suppose you are one of those people who smiles at the police officer and gets out of a speeding ticket! ? :-)

I don't know about going where there is no water. I need water above everything else, and it's heavy to carry. Good luck with the trip.

[Jim Franklin]

When I saw the title to this post, as a former Scout leader I just had to check it out thinking I was going to read something about scouting. Now I am intrigued about how this damsel is preparing not to become distressed. Just wish I was in good enough shape to try hiking again. Watch out if there is any breeze for it can swirl around those dunes in such a way that it can cause disorientation for if you feel like the right direction is facing into the wind you can end up walking in circles.

Good list Joel, I would add a bag of trail mix.

[Judy Hamilton]

When I saw the title to this post, as a former Scout leader I just had to check it out thinking I was going to read something about scouting. Now I am intrigued about how this damsel is preparing not to become distressed. Just wish I was in good enough shape to try hiking again. Watch out if there is any breeze for it can swirl around those dunes in such a way that it can cause disorientation for if you feel like the right direction is facing into the wind you can end up walking in circles.

Good list Joel, I would add a bag of trail mix.
Not what I needed to hear Jim

I am planing on being just fine
will do the ILS regardless of the wind on my face
and sure hope to NOT walk in circles

have been known to drive in circles:basic04

[Gina Stevenson]

Judy, I needed the praying hands to click on, rather than just a "thanks" button! This thread's turning scary, girl! Do be careful! :eek:

[Joel Merrill]

Maybe you should carry a flair gun too :) Actually, as long as you have a map, a compass and a cell phone with a fresh battery, you should be okay even if you don't figure out that GPS. Keep working at if. If you can use a computer and a cell phone, you can use a GPS.

Joel :q)

[Lindsey Grant]

Thanks Joel for encouragiment

I am Judy using Lindseys computer