An Updated list of the Ten Essentials: Gear for Mountaineering

When planning an adventure in the backcountry, it is critical to carry essential gear for safe travel in the outdoors. However, it is important to identify what is essential and what is not. Carrying beyond what is necessary can be a luxury but can also be more challenging and uncomfortable than the benefit some items may seem to provide. Knowledge and good judgement will help you strike a balance between carrying essential items and leaving the rest at home.

Whether you are just beginning your experience in the outdoors or you are a seasoned wilderness traveler, learning these basics of clothing and equipment can drastically help you choose essentials that will keep you safe and comfortable in the outdoors. Knowledge and good judgement should help you strike a balance between carrying essential items and leaving the rest at home.

The ten essentials is a list of the most critical items for recreation and safe travel in the outdoors. The list was first developed by The Mountaineers in the third edition of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, and it is recommended by many outdoor groups for being critical to safety and survival.

The Updated List of Ten Essentials (From the Mountaineers)

1. Navigation: Map, altimeter, compass, [GPS device], [PLB or satellite communicators], [extra batteries or battery pack]

2. Headlamp: Plus extra batteries

3. Sun protection: Sunglasses, sun-protective clothes, and sunscreen

4. First aid: Including foot care and insect repellent (if required)

5. Knife: Plus repair kit

6. Fire: Matches, lighter and tinder, or stove as appropriate

7. Shelter: Carried at all times (can be light emergency bivy)

8. Extra food: Beyond minimum expectation

9. Extra water: Beyond minimum expectation, or the means to purify

10. Extra clothes: Beyond minimum expectation

While the above list goes into much more detail about each item, the following list is the classic list of ten essentials meant for easy memorization and a good mental check prior to any trip.

Ten Essentials: The Classic List

1. Map

2. Compass

3. Sunglasses and sunscreen

4. Extra clothing

5. Headlamp or flashlight

6. First-aid supplies

7. Firestarter

8. Matches

9. Knife

10. Extra food

Deciding exactly which items are truly necessary is a matter of debate. While some individuals simply will not leave any essential items behind, others (especially in the ultralight community) may leave certain items behind based on a level of comfort in taking certain risks or knowledge of how to supplement essentials items with objects found in nature. I should mention, it wouldn’t be necessary for everyone in a group to carry every single item in the ten essentials list and it is highly recommended to coordinate with your group on which items will be necessary and how to divide up the responsibility of bringing certain items along.