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#203317 - 08/03/19 10:39 PM Kid's hiking trip at school
SalishSea Offline
newbie

Registered: 08/03/19
Posts: 2
Loc: Washington
Hi! My kid's school is going on a 5-day (overnight) backpacking/camping trip deep into the Cascades. If you were going to send your kid with the most appropriate and useful gear (other than good backpack, hiking boots, flashlight, whatnot), what would you send? I'm debating renting her a PLB or SPOT, just in case, but what do you think? Thanks!

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#203318 - 08/03/19 10:55 PM Re: Kid's hiking trip at school [Re: SalishSea]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I would talk to the trip leader, who should be carrying a means of emergency communication for the group. I frankly would not entrust a youngster with a PLB of SPOT; consequences of "pushing the button" when it's not an emergency could be dire.

I'd be more concerned about knowing the safety rules for the group and the qualifications of the adult leader--again, contact the trip leader.

Hopefully there will be several adults with the group and the group will be within the legal wilderness group size limits (usually 12).
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#203319 - 08/04/19 12:01 PM Re: Kid's hiking trip at school [Re: OregonMouse]
SalishSea Offline
newbie

Registered: 08/03/19
Posts: 2
Loc: Washington
Thanks, Oregon Mouse - that makes sense. I don't believe they do bring PLB's with them, so I could offer to rent one for the group leader.

Can you recommend any other equipment that might be helpful for my kid other than the usual stuff?

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#203320 - 08/04/19 12:43 PM Re: Kid's hiking trip at school [Re: SalishSea]
Glenn Roberts Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2208
Loc: Southwest Ohio
Everyone's idea of "the usual stuff" is different. To me, the "usual stuff" is a pretty complete list of gear that let me be self sufficient. When I used to lead Scouts, their parents' idea of the "usual stuff" was a cotton sleeping bag, huge 4-AA flashlight, and 7 changes of cotton clothing.

Could you give us a more complete list of "usual stuff"? Also, what is the trip leader giving you as a list of gear your child should bring?

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#203321 - 08/04/19 02:16 PM Re: Kid's hiking trip at school [Re: SalishSea]
JustWalking Offline
member

Registered: 01/12/16
Posts: 293
Loc: PNW
+1 to what Glenn said. Also, how old is your kid?

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#203323 - 08/04/19 07:11 PM Re: Kid's hiking trip at school [Re: JustWalking]
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
Among the whatnot I would include a good whistle. You hope he never needs it, but it is much more effective than the human voice in the wilderness.

And yeah, the group leader might not appreciate him practicing with it for hours on end...grin
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Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

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#203324 - 08/05/19 02:10 PM Re: Kid's hiking trip at school [Re: SalishSea]
Bill Kennedy Offline
member

Registered: 02/27/18
Posts: 332
Loc: Portland, Oregon
There are several gear lists on the backpacking.net home page that might be useful.
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Always remember that you are absolutely unique, just like everybody else. -Margaret Mead

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