Equipment To Be Carried While Operating In Mountains
Introduction
Equipment brought on an operation is
carried in the pack worn on the body. The rucksack can hold much more than a
climber can carry. This would be used to carry the following likely equipment:-
(a) Cloths and footwear
(b) Ropes and slings
(c) Climbing equipment
(d) Skiing equipment
(e) Camping equipment
(f) Rescuing equipment
(g) Food and water
Choice
of Equipment
Operational requirement will influence
the choice of gear. This can be divided into the following:-
(a) Personal Gear. Emergency survival kit containing signaling
material, fire starting material, food, water. Pocket items should include a
knife, whistle, pressure bandage, notebook with pen or pencil, sunglasses, sun
block and lip protection, map, compass and or altimeter.
(b) Standard Gear. Standard gear that can be individually worn
or carried includes cushion sole socks, combat boots or mountain boots, magazine pouches, and first aid kit,
individual weapon, a large rucksack containing waterproof coat and trousers,
polypropylene top, sweater, or fleece top, helmet, poncho, and sleeping bag.
(c). Mountaineering Equipment and
Specialized Gear. These are as follows:-
(i) Sling rope
or climbing harness.
(ii) Utility cord(s).
(iii) Plain carabiners.
(iv) Locking carabiners.
(v) Rappelling gloves.
(vi) Rappel/belay device.
(vii) Ice axe.
(viii) Crampons.
(ix) Climbing rope, one per climbing team.
(d). Day Pack. When the climbers plans to
be away from the camping site for the day on a mountaineering mission, he carries a light day pack. This pack should contain
the following items:-
(i) Extra
insulating layer - polypropylene, pile top, or sweater.
(ii) Protective layer - waterproof jacket and
pants, rain suit, or poncho.
(iii) First aid kit.
(iv) Flashlight or
headlamp.
(v) Cold weather hat or scarf.
(vi) Rations for the
time period away from the base camp.
(vii) Survival kit.
(viii) Sling rope or climbing harness.
(ix) Carabiners.
(x) Gloves.
(xi) Climbing rope, one per climbing team.
(e). Team Safety Pack. When a team
leaves the camping site, team safety gear should be carried in addition to
individual day packs. This can either be loaded into one rucksack or
cross-loaded among the team members. In the event of an injury, casualty
evacuation, or unplanned camping, these items will come handy:-
(i) Sleeping
bag.
(ii) Sleeping mat.
(iii) Stove.
(iv) Fuel bottle.
(f). The Ten Essentials. Regardless of what equipment is carried, the individual
military mountaineer should always carry the “ten essentials” when moving
through the mountains. These are:-
(i) Map.
(ii) Compass, Altimeter, and or GPS.
(iii) Sunglasses and Sunscreen. In snow-covered
and glaciated terrain, sunglasses are a vital piece of equipment for preventing
snow blindness. They should filter 95 to 100 percent of ultraviolet light. At least
one extra pair of sunglasses should be carried by each independent climbing
team. Sunscreens should have an SPF factor of 15 or higher. For lip protection,
a total UV blocking lip balm that resists sweating, washing, and licking is
best.
(iv) Extra Food. One
day’s worth extra ration should be carried in case of delay caused by bad
weather, injury, or navigational error.
(v) Extra Clothing. The clothing used
during the active part of a climb, and considered to be the basic climbing
outfit, includes socks, boots, underwear, pants, blouse, sweater or fleece
jacket, hat, gloves or mittens, and foul weather gear (waterproof, breathable
outerwear or waterproof rain suit).
(aa) Extra clothing includes additional layers needed to make it
through the long, inactive hours of an unplanned camping. Keep in mind the
season when selecting this gear.
- Extra underwear.
- Extra hats or balaclavas.
- Extra pair of heavy socks.
- Extra pair of insulated mittens or
gloves.
- In winter or severe mountain
conditions, extra insulation for the upper body and the legs.
(ab) To back up foul weather gear, bring a poncho or extra-large
plastic trash bag. A reflective emergency space blanket can be used for
hypothermia first aid and emergency shelter.
(vi) Headlamp.
Headlamps provide the climber a hands-free capability, which is important while
climbing, working around the camp, and employing weapons systems.
(vii) First-aid Kit. Decentralized
operations, the mountain environment, rugged terrain and loose rock combined
with heavy packs, sharp tools, and fatigue requires each climber to carry his
own first-aid kit. Common mountaineering injuries that can be expected are
punctures and abrasions with severe bleeding, a broken bone, serious sprain,
and blisters. Therefore, the kit should contain at least enough material to
stabilize these conditions.
(viii) Fire Starter. Fire starting material
is key to igniting wet wood for emergency campfires.
Candles and heat tabs can work. These can also be used for quick warming of
water or soup in a cup.
(xi) Matches and Lighter. Lighters are
handy for starting fires, but they should be backed up by matches stored in a
waterproof container with a strip of sandpaper.
(x) Knife. A multipurpose pocket tool
should be secured with cord to the belt, harness, or pack.
(g). Other Essential Gear. Other
essential gear may be carried depending on mission and environmental
considerations.
(i) Water
and Water Containers. These include wide-mouth water bottles for water
collection; camel-back type water holders for hands-free hydration; and a small
length of plastic tubing for water procurement at snow-melt seeps and rainwater
puddles on bare rock.
(ii) Ice
Axe. The ice axe is essential for negotiating snowfields and glaciers as well as snow-covered terrain in spring and early summer. It helps in step cutting, probing, self-arrest, belays, anchors, direct-aid climbing, and ascending and descending snow and ice covered routes.
(iii) Repair Kit. A repair kit should
include:-
(aa) Stove tools and spare parts.
(ab) Safety pins.
(ac) Heavy-duty thread.
(ad) Needles.
(ae) Cord and or wire.
(af) Other repair items as needed.
(vi) Insect Repellent.
(v) Signaling Devices.
(vi) Snow Shovel.
Conclusion
Carrying correct equipment can help a mountaineers accomplish his mission in given time.
Training
The Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS).
Contact Us
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