What Do You Pack In Your Pack?

[RedRockXJ]

Lets talk safety and supplies. What kind of gadgets and safety material to you put in your packs when going into mines and caves?

[UnderUtah]

Sometimes it depends on the mine / cave and the length you plan on being inside. Of course, you should always plan for the worst but 70 lbs. of gear is usually overkill. I always pack these basics in a sturdy, well fitted day pack:

Two backup backup backup lights (for maximum redundancy)
Extra batteries for all devices
Water / Gator or Poweraide (a minimum 32 oz.)
Cliff Bars / granola bars / snacks
Matches
Hiker's first aid kit
Gloves
Toilet Paper (Amazing how often this item is lent to other group members!)
Hand wipes
Jacket
Digital gas meter (CO, H2S, O2, and VOC)
Rock hammer

Beyond these basics the sky's the limit. Often a heavy pack is a pain, and contents can be wittled down a bit here and there. Summer trips or trips into hot caves / mines call for more hydration, and cooler seasons for more layers of clothing. Beyond your underground safety gear it's no different than packing for a day hike.

Hope that helps!

[Mike]

Well my backpack holds my

First Aid Kit
Light, Full change of clothes
64oz of Powerade (Grape and Green Squall)
Leatherman
Several Cliffbar
20+ New Batteries
Extra LED flashlights
Hard Candies
Rock Hammer
Jewelry Loupe
A Couple Lighters
Rock Guide

And plenty of room for rocks and artifacts for the trip out.

[Stuart]

My pack usually has nothing in it, except for a poweraide and a couple cliff bars. Crystal packs most of the gear and I have an open pack for any rocks and stuff I want to carry out with me. I carry my rock hammer on a leather sheath on my belt and any other auxiliary apparatus in the pockets on my jumpsuit. Miah carries my toilet paper

[Crystal]

Unfortunately I do carry most of our mine exploring gear. My pack usually consists of. . .
-Water (bottled Dasani)
-Powerade (orange)
-Cliff bars (maple nut and or banana nut bread)
-Basic First Aid kit
-Extra rechargeable batteries
-Toilet paper (usually for Mike)
-Zip ties (if Derek is around)
-Rock Hammer
-Change of clothes for every member of the mine team (Miah usually needs them)
-Portable shower (Stuart is soo stinky after we get down I make him shower down before we go home)
-One pack mule (good for hauling out the larger artifacts)

I'm joking, I don't pack the mule. Stuart does.

[UnderUtah]

I usually don't soil myself inside mines, so the change of clothes usually stays out in the Rover... And yes, the tiolet paper usually goes overwhelmingly to Mike's seemingly Pavlovian movements... :P

[Jeff]

100 oz Camelback
Glow sticks
TP
Snacks
Mess kit
Sterno
Knife
Water purifier
Waterproof pull over
Bullets
Flashlight
Extra Batteries
Matches
Rock Hammer
Saw
Seeing Eye Dog

[Derek]

The seeing eye dog is a must when you get lost in a mine. Crystal I will have you know that I now carry zip ties in my pack and besides that it's not my fault that Miah's helmet was a piece of junk.

[konigstigerii]

Well I've only been a couple of mines, but I pack basic, never went in one for too long.

But usually have water
flash lights, and extra batteries
gun of some sorts
Knife
multi tool
maybe some snacks

Others with me will have most of the same stuff and usually a lighter as well

My truck I always have
axe
shovel
hi-lift jack
first aid kit
fire extinguisher
etc

Sometime I have ropes (old caving ropes from our business, window cleaning, either too short or frayed, but still safe)
rappel equipment (though I have yet to do any lol)

I would like to get some kind of gas detector, to explore other mines as I have limited to ones with a breeze because of gases
and an rc plane with a live camera is next, I think it maybe useful, to look at stuff, like an old trail to see if we can drive on it, or if something looks interesting but hard to get to, etc.

and other things I can't think of.

[Jeff]

an rc plane with a live camera is next, I think it maybe useful, to look at stuff, like an old trail to see if we can drive on it, or if something looks interesting but hard to get to, etc.


I was thinking the same thing on our Silver Island trip because of this.


among other things we couldn't get to. If you do end up getting one let me know how it works out.

[Stuart]

an rc plane with a live camera is next, I think it maybe useful, to look at stuff, like an old trail to see if we can drive on it, or if something looks interesting but hard to get to, etc.

Yes that would be very useful indeed, like in the above situation. Would you go with electric or nitro?

[konigstigerii]

I'm going to go electric. just easier to deal with. I need to save up some money, I don't plane on buying a real expensive one, under 300, I've been looking at a parkzone or artech F4U. I have a small helicopter but its flying time is low and It can barely carry itself lol. I think here in the new year I can get pick up one. Then I can practice with it, especially short take offs (or throw it) and landing as I can't count on any smooth surfaces to land on. As well as low altitude flying with the camera.

[Stuart]

I've been looking at a parkzone or artech F4U.

From the specs and video they seem to handle very well, I just wonder how they will do under a load. Have you looked into camera setups at all?

[RockRacer]

I am putting gear together and was wondering if there is huge difference on what rock hammer you choose and also about the helmet. I got a gift card for sears and was wondering if you guys though this one would be okay?

This is the helmet I just picked up from Lowes and wanted to get your opinions on that as well. I can't be spending tons of money on a new hobby like this right now and was hoping this would do. I did notice that most of your helmets have chin straps...

[Mikezauner]

Dunno much about rock hammers since I'm too cheap to go buy one.

That's the hard hat I use though. Works well, isn't heavy, but it does have a high clearance, so beware. Even when you think you're going to fit under a rock, WHAMMO.