The new Indiana Jones movie comes out in a few days and it got me thinking. Jack Bauer of "24" and Indiana Jones both carried "Go" bags. What's a Go-Bag? Any bag that's got all the stuff you need to get the job done. A messenger bag, a daypack, a waist pack; the container doesn't matter as much as what you've got in it. A bag that's stocked with everything you need and nothing that you don't. A bag that you can pick up at a moment's notice and get the job done.
Seasoned Geocachers have some form of a Go-Bag prepped at all times. It's in the trunk of their car or near the front door, good to go. First hand experience and sometimes mistakes teaches you what you should have in your Go-Bag. A flashlight, water, a cell phone, sunscreen, tweezers, a multi-tool, swag, a first aid kit, a compact digital camera, a small compass, just to name a few. After all, no one thinks twice about getting an overview of financial advice at a site like lovemoney.com or keeping all their RSS feeds in an aggregator, so why would we not leave the house without all our kit in a single bag. It's just as important to keep all your stuff at hand when Geocaching, as when online. A well stocked Go-Bag could mean the difference between a First To Find and Second place. It could mean the difference between staying safe and healthy or putting yourself at risk.
What's in your Go-Bag? Have you got what you need today? Leave your comments here.
Go get 'em!
I was given a nice nalgene bottle called “PREPAREDNESS” It contains basic survival supplies to help get through the first 24 hours of an emergency. Great tool to have in your geocaching bag.
CM
I have a Pedros messenger bag that is full of swag, bailing wire, fishing line, a pocket knife, a mirror, a military lensatic compass, a change of socks and t-shirt, paper, pens, batteries, a small first aid kit, a hand crank LED flashlight, emergency log books, geocaching info brocures, signature item (geocaching resource cd that has many podcacher episodes on it as well as other cool stuff), cito bags, and I think thats it. Its a bag I’ve had for a long time and love it! http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=1857&category=442 except mine is all black on the outside and the yellow is on the inside. i keep it in the back of my truck so its always ready to roll! it has helped me score many FTFs (especially the ones that get published late at night!)
The Camelbak is always in the car, ready to go. It doesn’t always have water, but it *always* has the gear. Extra logs, a cache repair kit (ask Pacholik about that), batteries, bandana, first aid kit, etc. I’ve been carrying the Brunton monocular around, but haven’t used it much. Still, as soon as I take it out, I’ll be someplace where I need it. 😉 Truthfully, the stuff I use the most is: batteries, pen, swag. That’ the top three. 😉 😉 😉
I keep a an old Kelty fanny pack that has the ability to expand to a backpack with shoulder straps, The expansion part is only thin nylon but it will hold a rain coat or a light jacket. In the bottom of the bag there is Bens 100% deet bug replant (love the stuff) I also carry one of those sting eze pens, I have a small pack of gauze and a roller bandage, a few Band-Aids and some wet wipes. Also for caching there is a small mag light, a dental mirror that is expandable to 3 feet, I also have a 3 magnetic tipped pointer that expands to 3 feet. A pair of work gloves and some rubber gloves. I keep a few pens, Extra batteries, some small swag and my wooden nickels. It sounds like a lot but when doing those LPCs you have to be prepared for anything.
This topic sounds like when you are about to have a baby and you have to pack a go bag. http://theparentsite.com/pregnancy/ptb.asp
I always have water/gatoraid and suntan lotion which I always forget to use.
My go to bag is a bright red knapsack that my husband bought for me in Chicago. It’s not very big but holds swag to trade, my camera, any paperwork I needed to bring along, and of course, fresh batteries! If we plan on any more serious caching it requires it’s own packing session. I keep it in the trunk of my car in case I need to look for a FTF on the way home from work.
I have a small backpack that sits in the back of my car. It’s a bit large for all my caching stuff but there’s room for gloves, hat and a light jacket if it’s that season. Other things in it not already mentioned is an extra flashlight (headlight), a multi-tool, and probably most importantly — TP!
I started a group on flickr about this very thing. It is “What’s in your geoocaching bag?” http://www.flickr.com/groups/geocachinggear/ Please check it out if you are interested.
Some of the photos are pretty interesting, but our group is slow growing. I think it is fascinating to see what people take with them to go geocaching. I actually have two different kinds of bags. I have an Urban Geocaching bag which essentially is my Go Bag, ready for those FTFs and then I have a more intense carryall for all day or weekend geocaching. Thanks! Happy Geocaching!
We have what we call our “BOB”s – “Bug Out Bags”
These are not only our Geo-bags, but also our “get the heck outta Dodge ASAP bag”. They’re day-hiking bags that contain:
GEOCACHING:
– Spare Pens & Batteries
– Swag to trade (in baggies, if needed)
– Compass
– First Aid Kit (including Epi pen, for allergic reactions)
– Whistle (for Geo-pup retrieval in off-leash areas)
– Bug spray
– Flashlight
SURVIVAL:
– MRE (Meal Ready to Eat)
– Waterproof matches
– Signal mirror
– Knife & multi-tool
– Space blanket & rain poncho
– Water purifying tablets
There’s more, I think… sometimes it feels like they’ve got everything but the kitchen sink!
Happy Caching!
I have a shoulder bag that I got from walking in the Multiple Sclerosis walk last year. It has a few pockets couple of different compartments and a flap that goes over the top so things won’t fall out easily.
It usually contains:
Extra pens
Extra batteries
Extra zip lock bags to replace the torn ones in caches or those that hold TB’s
Zip-lock bag containing swag
Zip-lock bag containing trackable items
GPS’r, PDA, Camera
Pocket knife
Telescoping mirror
Flashlight
Crocheting hook (retrieval tool)
First aid Kit
Old pair of garden gloves
Off! towletts
Travel size Wet Ones or Handi-wipes
Fruit & nut snacks
Travel tissues
Sunscreen
It is usually right by the front door and ready to grab whenever I need it.
On occasion all of this stuff gets transfered to my backpack which also has a Camelback in it.
Lots of other stuff usually gets thrown in the car such as extra water and jackets….
Cache Safe and Have Fun!
While I was serving in Afghanistan I picked up a bag at the Canex that i now use for caching. I have put many patches on it since I started in october and it has never failed me or left me wanting for more kit. so here goes.
ON PERSON OR IN BAG
Garmin GPS 72 GPSr
Pen
Note book
Batteries
3X Caribiners (climbing grade)
1x Figure 8 descender
Gerber solstice
Leatherman micra
1x 30′ length 1/2″ climbing rope
1x 12′ length 3/8″ Climbing rope (for harness)
Gloves
Compass with mirror
Protractor (roamer, topo map)
Camel bak water bottle
Digital camera
Sure Fire Light
Pocket Knife
Safty Glasses with interchangable colored lenses (when going through thick woods)
2x 2 way radios
Binoculars
Calume (Glow) sticks
Whistle
Lighter
Signature Cards
Cell phone
Ultrasonic bug repeller (key chain size)
Well this may sound like alot you have to remember that the majority is small in sizeand that is not all in my bag either. some stuff i keep on my person but it always comes with me. Perhaps it is the military mindset of rather having it and not needing it than needing it and not having it. And besides this is nothing compared to a 60 lb ruck sack on a 13 km march.
ALWAYS IN CAR STUFF
Magellan Crossover GPS r for guiding me to the closest spot to the cache
Ipod (for car ride)
First aid kit
Space blanket
Telescopic Hikeing Stick, for longer trails
Reflecter belt
Bug Repellant
Rain Jacket / sweater
Once again not carried with me on the trail but always brought just in case. There are likely more things but they only come with me for special instances. ie placeing new caches or events.
Happy caching
My bag contains:
Garmin 60CXs
Sony Digital Camera
Palm T/X w/CacheMate
Backup Batteries (AA and AAA)
Notebook/Pens
Flashlight
Headlamp
Multi-tool
Pocket knife
Small First Aid Kit
Reading Glasses
Granola Bar
Aleve
I will add or subract a thing or two, depending on the day. I use a Mountain Smith fanny pack that I purchased used at an outdoor gear swap. I sling it over my shoulder, never make use of the “fanny feature”. It’s a great bag.
Kurt
I have a Go-Vest. One of those things that has all the pockets everywhere. It contains the following:
Pocket Knife
HP Digital Camera
Compass
Garmin ETrex Venture HC
Swag
Pen & Sharpie
I also have my walking staff in my truck at all times ready for a cache run.