Water: 1 gallon per person per day min.(at times 5 gallons/day are needed), plus 1/2 gallon min. per dog per day
Food: Canned food (contains its own liquid), enough for 2 days min. Try canned beans, chili, even roast beef in a can. A can of
fruit is delicious when in the outback. Many people including myself, will take a bag of beef jerky. It provides salt and
protein. Not everyone likes it though, so try it at home first. Nuts are also good. Try dried fruit in a bag, apricots, apples, etc.
Utensils: Ever try and eat beans with a pocket knife...it doesn't work very well. Any place that sells camping gear will
have a folding set of utensils which don't take up much room. Otherwise, carry a spoon and fork from the house (or a thrift store). You'll
be glad you have them.
Warm clothing (at least a jacket): Even in the summer, the desert can be cold at night and in the winter it can
be freezing.
Maps: Get up to date maps, Topos and the Forest service ones are the best.
Matches: Fire is handy for most everything.
Sturdy Shoes: Rough ground and sharp rocks are hard on "tennis shoes" and your feet. You don't need
super mountain climbing boots but something with protection against rocks and thorns plus a
good rock sole can make the difference between a nice walk and torture.
Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Check in with them when you do return. I'm a pilot
and when I fly any distance I file a flight plan to let people know where I am going, the route I expect to fly, and when I
expect to arrive. When I arrive, I call and close the flight plan. This is standard procedure and just like the pilot, you
should make it standard procedure too. If I run into trouble, I know that someone has an idea where I went.
First Aid kit: This should be in everyone's car anyway but certainly when heading into the country.
First Aid Kits
All of the above can fit in a small box with a lid. Just throw it into the truck and be off.
Extras:
Cell Phone? I have mixed blessings about cell phones. You can not rely on them when you are in the outback. Remember,
no cell tower means no service. There is no reason for a phone company to put a tower where few people venture so if you are going
into a low population area, don't count on the cell phone to work. That said, if a tower is anywhere near, the cell
phone is a great safety device. If you need to try it, climb a mountain to get the best range.
Weapons: This can be a touchy subject. Some people have grown up with guns and carrying them and using them
is well understood and practiced. A gun can be a great tool to the right person. You can hunt with it if need be, use it to
signal someone (they are very loud you know), and if necessary protect yourself. On the other hand, most people nowadays, do not
have the training to safely do any of the above. If you follow the basic list above, you shouldn't need a weapon. If you are
comfortable with them, then having one can provide a little extra insurance. When I was stuck in the Bill Williams River in
Arizona, the driver of the jeep that pulled me out of the river, carried a side arm. He didn't scare me by having it but I can imagine he would have scared some people.
He was probably more cautious about me. If you spend much time in the country, you are going to run into people with guns. Do not be afraid but be
courteous as you would to anyone.
Radios: Handheld Radios - Walkie Talkies. By this I mean either Ham radio, CB, or FMRS radios. All of these use special frequencies to contact people using the same type of radio. They
can be very handy to call back to camp within 2 to 5 miles, and report in. The Ham radio requires a special license but with it you are never far from help.
The other two types have limited range. They are great to call back to someone at your campsite but do not usually have enough range to contact someone
further away.
GPS: The GPS receiver is one of the handiest devices for those who regularly wander remote places. Before I had one, I couldn't always tell where I was.
Worse than that, sometimes I was wrong about where I thought I was. I now carry one whenever I go out.
Tools and Hardware: If you know how to use them, then carry a small tool kit with you. A few extra hose clamps, some electrical tape, and a piece of "baling" wire can
get you out of allot of trouble. Working on newer vehicles is easier if you carry a digital voltmeter. An inexpensive one can be found at most any auto parts store or your
local hardware or super-center. I carry a small, inexpensive computer code reader specifically for my truck. I have repaired a broken exhaust pipe with an old tin can and two hose
clamps. I have heard of people that have broken a rear drive shaft on a 4WD vehicle and disconnected the rear driveshaft and drove very slowly, using the front
drive with the hubs locked. Carry a hand airpump or an electric one.
No matter what else, remember to look and enjoy but do not DESTROY!
