Even though Old Man Winter is making more unexpected visits than your crazy ex, spring really is just around the corner. Melty, yucky days are the perfect time to get your gear affairs in order, especially those components that often get overlooked until you actually need them in the field. Besides inflating your bike tires and digging out your favorite pair of rank river sandals, here’s a few important pieces of gear that deserve a little springtime love.
1 – First Aid Kit
Raise your hand if you’ve tried to patch up a significant wound only to find your first aid kit holds nothing more than a half-dozen dried out alcohol wipes and three marginally sticky Spongebob band-aids. First aid kits are often neglected because thankfully, most of us don’t need to open them on a regular basis. Restocking the heavy use items every spring is a good idea. Department stores often sell inexpensive family first aid kits that are perfect to replace most things in your fancy folding outdoors kit. Besides the usual culprits, I like to add in a hearty supply of liquid-gel ibuprofen tablets, a Sam Splint, antacid tablets, a few gels and energy gummies, packets of sunblock samples and lip balm. If you don’t mind a little extra weight, put a little flashlight or headlamp in there (a piece of tape over the batteries inside the light keeps them from draining). And guys, here’s a tip for a proper mountain gentleman that can win you some big points: tampons in your first aid kit (and they are good for stopping nosebleeds and puncture wounds too).
2 – Waterworks
Hydration packs are fantastic cultivators of black mold and other icky growths. Clean out your tubes and bladders (pipe cleaners or cleaning kits get the job done) and while you’re at it, if your mouthpiece valve is funky beyond belief, drop the extra five bucks to replace it. Water bottles that sat in the garage all winter can get a little yucky as well, make sure to scrub those lids where mold can hide. Don’t forget your water filters as well. Run some fresh water through them a few times to make sure all is working and to clean out any debris.
3 – Camp Stoves
One hasn’t really lived the Colorado backcountry experience until you’ve had a camp stove explode. The dry climate out here can be murder on those precious little O-rings that keep pressurized fuel tanks from spurting out flammable liquid gas. A little mineral oil on the rubber rings can keep them in good shape and prevent an accident. Many stoves offer cleaning kits that are perfect for tuning up your stove. It’s better to tune your stove up in the comfort of your own home rather than trying to make repairs in the backcountry.
4 – Boots
A cold, dry winter can cause leather boots to crack and split. Wax the leather with a waterproof treatment to keep out water and make your boots a touch more supple. Changing out footbeds is a good idea if you plan to put lots of miles on your feet. Replacing your laces every few years is a good idea as well and keeping an extra pair of laces in your first aid kit can come in handy for other purposes such as an extra tent line, an emergency bear line or clothesline.
5 – Sport Specific Repair Kits
Whether you are biking, paddling, climbing or hiking, sport specific gear repair kits are a good idea if you plan to spend extended time in the backcountry. Duct tape is of course the champion of field repairs. Wrapping a little bit around hiking poles or a water bottle is a keen idea. Extras like sewing kits, zipper repair kits and extra tent pole pieces are all good ideas as well. And one last tip for mountain bikers: always bring along an extra derailleur hanger. Hangers are specific to your bike’s frame so you’ll need to match up the right size but they are worth their weight in gold if you break one many miles into your ride. Ask your local bike shop or check out www.derailleurhanger.com to pick one up.
