CLIMBING CHECKLIST

OK – So here is a Climbing Checklist that I have put together, just to help me be reminded as I am preparing for a hike. If you have any comments or suggestions, please leave a comment.

CRITICAL……..
Identification, with emergency phone numbers.
Small sunscreen-inside nose!
Gloves
Baseball cap/ floppy hat
Ear muffs/stocking cap
First aid
2-way radios
Camelback + WATER!
Food (Breakfast and lunch)
Extra batteries - for cold!
Cell Phone
Hiking boots
Good socks
Hard copy map
Compass
Extra Power Bars
Waterproof jacket

NICE TO HAVE……
Camera
Foam pad for sitting
Eyeglass strap
GPS
Walking poles
Waterproof long pants
Plastic bags
Thermometer
FlashlightGuide book

FOR A SNOW HIKE….
Ice axe
Gaiters
Snow goggles!!
Snow pants
Snow shoes

FIRST AID KIT……..
(*) means most important items
* Lighter
* Signal Mirror
* Whistle
* Some band-aids
* Toilet paper
* A Swiss army type knife
* Small Sunscreen
Matches
Cheap poncho
Nylon string
A small candle
Vet wrap
Burn ointment
Aspirin
Small roll of tape
Moleskin
Space blanket Small LED flashlights


TIPS……
-Be drinking LOTS of water in the days leading up to the hike. You can’t hydrate your body enough the day of the hike!
-Have a contact person back home with everyone’s name and contact info. Contact person should also know the hike, trailhead, vehicle traveling in (and licenses plate #). They should also know the type and difficulty of the climb.
-Estimate time for trip (1 mile per hour?) and add hours on for uncertainties.
-Set a turn back time.
-Carry each others contact info, including cell phone #’s. Use 2-way radios!!!
-Don’t get separated from the group, if at all possible.
-Memorize the route info before hand! Use the GPS and hard copy info frequently throughout the trip. (Avoid wasting time trail finding.)
-Have the target summits and surrounding summits as waypoints in the GPS for easy bearing info.
-Buy the “Search and Rescue” stamp at the Colorado Dept of Wildlife (Sinton and Garden of the Gods) for $12. It lasts 5 years, and if S&R ever has to get called out for you, it covers all costs.
-Avoid “shortcuts!” Short means steep and hard, usually resulting in LONGER trips anyway.