This is typical equipment for a typical cave trip. It includes just about everything needed. If you've left Michigan (or where ever) with everything
on this list checked off - you got nothing to worry about (of course you cleaned your lamp out first, right?) This is meant to be printed off and
used as a checklist. Any suggestions, let me know.
|
Items to Wear into the Cave |
| Helmet | Yup, need one of those. |
| Primary Light | Electric or Carbide. |
| Secondary Light | Permanently mount a Petzl type lamp or put a mini-Mag on an elastic band. |
| Gloves | I like rubber coated for most purposes. I also bring a light cotton pair of gloves for survey (when in dry passage). |
| Socks | Combo polypro and a wool blend |
| Boots | Cheap boots seem more practical than $ ones. Shoe Goo the toe areas. |
| Clothing | A 65% polyester shirt and pant or coverall or the popular "Wonderalls". |
| Kneepads/elbow pads | Neoprene "Terminators" work weel and are comfy, but $. Good old volleyball type kneedpads are fine. |
| Lighter | Especially if your carbide striker doesn't work well. |
| Old glasses (if applicable) | Bring a couple of paper towel in baggy for clearing fog off. |
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|
Survey Pack - "Tag" size |
| Water bottle | A 1 qt. bottle usually works for me, but some like to take more. Treated water is available at basecamp
and other sources are prevalent throughtout the cave. |
| Carbide bottle (if applicable) | A 500 ml container usually lasts me for a 2-3 day trip. I always bring about 800 ml in though.
Don't forget a dump bag(s). |
| Survey wear | I bring a polypro top and bottom in case of the chills through damp survey. A hat or bandana is also nice. |
| Food | Everyone's different. I like GORP, Snickers, fresh veggies, beef jerkey, & sugarless hard candies. |
| Misc. | Batteries, pliers, flagging, candles, lamp parts, toilet paper |
| Survey equipment | Tape, compase, clinometer. Survey books/ pencil(s) |
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|
Camp Pack - "Tag" size (depends on group gear) |
| ThermoRest pad | |
| Sleeping bag | Don't get one that Only goes down to 50 degrees - you'll be cold. |
| Ground cover | Emergency blankets make nice ground covers. |
| Blow-up pillow | Makes a pleasant difference. |
| Hat | Keeps in the body heat. |
| Sleeping aids | Sleeping can be a big problem for many people. Tylenol PM has been recommended.
Ibufrofin helps inflammed joints and sore knees. Earplugs. |
| Stove and fuel | Group gear that may already be in, coordinate with others. |
| Food | Personal choice, but the Mountain House brand freeze dried foods are easy, convenient, and taste pretty good. Run about $6/meal.
Usually eat 1 meal before and after sleep at basecamp. Coffee and/or coco are nice. |
| Pot(s), cup, & spoon. | Usually only need one pot to boil water in, check with others. |
| Water bag(s) and purification | Group gear that may already be in, coordinate with others. |
| Misc. | Toothbrush & paste, deo and/or powder (you begin to stink after a couple days - yes you)
, big candle(s), extra ground cover as wind deflector, footgear (something other than our wet boots
for walking around camp). |
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