What do you carry?

[Tim Roden]

I am new to tracking and would like to know what kind of gear others use. For instance I know some that use a vest to carry their stuff in and some a small pack.

I would like to know what you typically carry and what you carry it in, for man-tracking.

Thanks,

Tim

[Tim Roden]

This might come off as rude. But in order for this whole forum thing to work, people have to actually respond to each other. I also coach football and am active on a couple of football coaching forums, and that is how it works. People share their knowledge, ideas and opinions with each other.

Thanks,
Tim

[tracker]

Hi Tim, I just joined today. It looks like there aren't that many members yet. Anyway, I carry my stuff in a backpack because that's what works best for me. I've tried vests, but I tend to lose stuff out of the pockets. In my pack, I have a pencil and paper, flashlight, tape measure, some water and snacks, a GPS, flagging tape, radio, etc. I also carry my tracking stick.

[Tim Roden]

(04-14-2010 09:00 PM)tracker Wrote:  Hi Tim, I just joined today. It looks like there aren't that many members yet. Anyway, I carry my stuff in a backpack because that's what works best for me. I've tried vests, but I tend to lose stuff out of the pockets. In my pack, I have a pencil and paper, flashlight, tape measure, some water and snacks, a GPS, flagging tape, radio, etc. I also carry my tracking stick.

Thank you for responding. I have always been on search teams and carry my 24hour pack. But most of the people I know who do tracking don't carry that much stuff due to getting up and down alot from looking at sign.

I have a chest pack for carrying a radio, that I also carry pencil and notepad and track cards, measuring tape, whistle, gps, flagging,compass and map tools.

I have had an adjustable hiking stick that I have practiced with for tracking by adjusting the different lengths. But it is spring loaded on the end and some people have said they think it moves when used as a hiking stick as well. So I got a solid ski pole today that I am going to put o-rings on for tracking.

Thanks again for the input.

Tim

[tracker]

I use one of those flexible hiking sticks too. It has a spring, but mine is adjustable and it doesn't move. I have had wobbly sticks before and they aren't very useful.

Kim

[tracku2]

Hi Tim,
I don’t think your comment was rude, but do understand that this is a forum and not a chat room. Trackers in this forum are prone to be outside more and in forums less.. Your posting and replies will hopefully build over time.

When I started in SAR about 20 years ago I carried a full pack of everything that was required by my organization. As time went on and I began to specialize in tracking I ditched gear that wasn’t needed. I began carrying my gear in a crate and I would pack my backpack at base camp as the situation called for. I got rid of my sleeping bag as I had never used it on a mission the first few years of carrying it. No matter how far out in the wilderness I never used it as a tracker.

Today, I have whittled my gear down to a vest. My vest was made by Tactical Taylor (http://www.tacticaltailor.com), as I track for SAR and LE. The vest has a 3 liter Camelbak and many useful pockets that easily adapts for LE or SAR. Tactical Taylor does not make my model of vest anymore which is a shame , they have one laid out the same as my old one (http://www.tacticaltailor.com/tac-vest1butility.aspx) the 3 front right-side pouches hold my Nomex Gloves, a lensatic compass, a Garman Vista GPS (extra batteries), Signal Mirror, footprint cards, pencil, pen, notepad & Whistle. Most of these items have a lanyard which I have interlaced with the buckles/straps on the vest, so I can use the tools without the fear of accidently pulling something else and losing it. The vest has large inside vest pockets where I carry maps or larger paper items like missing person flyer, etc..
The left side of the vest has items that are dynamic to the mission, biodegradable ribbon, handcuffs, firearm, extra mags, Knife, FRS Radio (same batteries as GPS), flashlight (Streamlight Stringer LED ) or (Coast LED) the Coast takes AAA batteries which can be picked up at gas stations markets, rather than the expensive batteries with Streamlight that are harder to find in a pinch. These lights are far brighter than the traditional 3 cell flashlight (which is ideal for tracking). These flashlights come in handy for seeing into the night or stunning someone removing and their night vision. They do work for tracking if needed, they do not have the dreaded dark ring that other lights like Maglite presents.

The back of the vest has 2 pouches and a large water bladder pouch. I carry a 1st aid kit and a SOF tactical tourniquet the upper pouch holds the agency radio for talking to base, while the FRS (front pocket) is for private tracker to tracker communications. I have been able to put meals from MRE or a tracking stick into the water pouch next to the bladder. Over the years food has been less of an issue and water more important. I don't always carry my commercial tracking stick, often times I aquire it from the woods as needed, (Its like they grow on trees)

Gear and equipment are mostly a personal thing and takes time to tweak it for yourself. The only advice I have for a tracker starting out is to spend the money for quality equipment. When I first started out I used less expensive equipment and surplus store stuff. This “works” but not for people doing professional quality work. I made it a point to buy one expensive high quality item each year, and eventually all my gear became what I needed.
I hope my input is what you were asking for…

Bob Brady

[Tim Roden]

That is great information. I really appreciate you taking the time to post it. My headlamp is a Coast and I love it.

Thank You,
Tim Roden

[Keith Black]

Bob,

Thanks for all the information. That is really helpful to all trackers.

Keith

[dpreynolds]

Tim....

Bob has said it all about what to carry and how to accumulate the right things. Do try to give it some time for responses here though, because this forum is probably not much older here than you are. :-)
I've neglected checking in here for more than a month, but hope to try to make it a bit more regular. Life...you know?
It's good to have you getting into the tracking. There never seems to be enough. Please don't get discouraged with asking questions or sharing experiences on here. The more we all do it, the more common it may become. It's great that the UTS guys have started this to give everyone a common area for information.

Welcome to the group.

And Bob...hope you're doin ok, these days! I'll drop you an email soon.

Dave