Sierra Madre Search and Rescue

The Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team (SMSR) encourages you to pack the 10 essentials for your next hike. This well established list of hiking basics has been used for years by mountaineers, Scouts, the Sierra Club and search and rescue. These items can help you survive an emergency so that you can return home safely without our help.

Map and Compass: Know how to read the map and use the compass.

Light: Your phone doesn’t count. Take a headlamp or flashlight and extra batteries

Water: Many factors affect how much you’ll need, but hikers often underestimate it.

Food: Pack nuts or granola bars in case you end up being out longer than you plan.

Sun Protection: This includes sunblock, hat and sunglasses

Extra Clothing: Take a warm layer in case of cold, or a rain jacket in case it gets wet

Emergency Shelter: An emergency bivy, space blanket or even a large trash bag can be used as shelter.

First Aid Kit: Make your own or purchase a pre-assembled kit. Include personal medications including inhalers and epi-pens.

Knife: Repair tools like duct tape and a sewing kit are also helpful.

Fire Starter: Buy a fire starter kit, make your own, or simply take a lighter and some birthday candles to start an emergency fire.

Assemble a small kit of the 10 Essentials to keep in your closet and toss it in your day pack whenever you go out for a hike, whether it is an all day trek or a quick trip.

Although SMSR truly believes every hiker should always carry the 10 Essentials we know some hikers just won’t pull it all together. So which few items does the Team think are the most important for you to grab?

Map:

SMSR has rescued many hikers who missed a turn, took a shortcut or got confused and couldn’t find their way because they didn’t have a map. The Team has also rescued hikers who were relying on the maps on their phones. Phone batteries die or the GPS doesn’t work under the trees down in the canyon. Carry a paper map. Look at it ahead of time, know how to read it, and use it every time you get to a trail junction.

Light:

We know what you’re going to say, but no, the light on your phone does not count. Even if you don’t plan on being out after dark, take a headlamp or flashlight and extra batteries. You may be delayed with a twisted ankle or in helping another hiker. The Team has gone out to search for many hikers who weren’t lost, injured, or in any trouble. They just got “darked out” and couldn’t keep hiking.

Water:

Especially on a warm day, if you’re going on a hike, take water. If you’re planning a longer hike, take a lot of water. SMSR rescues hikers every season who don’t need anything more than water. When the Team heads out on really hot days, the first crew members hike in with their standard equipment including plenty of extra water. Team members in the following crews strip their packs to the bare essentials and then fill them up with water to take in, because water is the most vital thing out there on a hot day.

In the last year SMSR has been called out 10 times to assist hikers who probably wouldn’t have needed any help if they had been carrying the 10 Essentials. The Team has also participated in 5 rescues in the last year for hikers who went out for a day hike and ended up being out for multiple days. Carry the 10 Essentials with you, so that if this happens to you, you will be prepared.

Since 1951, the all-volunteer Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team has responded to calls for help in the local mountains and beyond. SMSR also provides a range of wilderness safety programs. The Team never charges for any of these services, and is funded entirely by charitable donations. For more information, to donate, or to arrange a wilderness safety demonstration for your school or group, visit www.smsr.org.