Equipment maintenance

      One of the first things you should do when planning for any outing is to do equipment maintenance, to make sure all is in good working order. Nothing puts a damper on a hike, campout or water or bike outing than faulty equipment. Most of this can be avoided by inspecting your gear prior to heading out. By following the tips below, you can ensure that your equipment is ready to support your needs.
      Setting up your tent to make sure there are no small tears in it and seal the seams as necessary is an easy equipment maintenance. This is an inexpensive way to prolong the life of your tent and keep from getting wet on an outing. Always dry and clean them after every trip. Make sure you have all of the parts for your tent including extra tent stakes. Inspect the poles for bent ones and that all shock cords are in shape. Place the footprint (ground cloth) in the tent bag if possible. That way you won’t have to dig in your for it and saves time. Keeping “duct type tape” is always a good idea for emergency repairs
     If you are using flashlights or headlamps, equipment maintenance for these would be to install new batteries in them and make sure to have back ups and extra bulbs handy in your pack. Never store with the batteries in them. I always take steel wool and clean off the contacts before using them, this way I can remove any corrosion that may have built up.
      No matter what type of stove you will be taking, it is always good to fire it up before leaving. The smaller MSR-made stoves have a tendency of failing due to fouled preheat tube assemblies. Through regular equipment maintenance, you can greatly reduce the risk of this happening. Make sure to carry replacement parts for your stove and a needle. Sometimes you can unclog the tube with it by reaming it around. The larger “Coleman” style stoves also need regular equipment maintenance to keep running efficiently too. Lanterns should have the same care given to them. New mantels before starting out and spares are always a must.
      Inspecting clothing is also a form of equipment maintenance. Check the soles of your hiking shoes/boots for wear and separation. Since your feet take most of the beating when hiking, the last thing you want to do is blow out sole before ending your journey. Also check the arch support. This kind of footwear takes a lot of abuse, and won’t last forever no matter how much you paid for them. You need to re-water proof them periodically also. Inspect your rain gear also. You could have snagged part of it on a branch or rock the last time out and you didn’t realize it. With a regular equipment maintenance schedule, you can avoid trouble on the trail. If you have a designated set of hiking/camping clothes you probably don’t see them after cleaning them until you head out the next time. Make sure that there are no tears, rips, missing buttons or broken zippers on them.
    Sleeping bags need to be checked in your equipment maintenance too. Tears, bad zippers or matted down filler will cause problems.
     Last but not least, have regular doctor check ups to ensure your body is in good working order. Out in the wilderness is not the place to have a heart attack. Regular exercise and doctor visits will are one of the most important equipment maintenance schedules to keep.