Gear List

Archived from thisABILITYadventures.com.

GEAR STRATEGY

Participants must have the correct gear to be prepared for the duration, temperature, precipitation, sunrise/sunset, modalities, and possibility of injury. This responsibility is inclusive of the participant and their teammates. For example, if you are planning on a whitewater rafting adventure while temperatures are below 40 deg Fahrenheit, all teammates should be prepared with a dry suit or wetsuit adequate to protect against extended exposure to the elements.

Accidents and injuries happen. Be sure to take along any gear necessary to support your team for an extended period in the elements in the situation where an injury occurs and you are stationary for 8+ hours awaiting rescue. Recommended additional safety items to consider include dry clothes, thermal layers, extra water, water filtration, electrolytes, medications, food, shelter, rain gear, spare headlamp batteries, charged cell phone, satellite communication devices, etc.

It may be necessary to cache / hide your bike, boat or other gear during a thisABILITY Adventures VAC. It is highly recommended to bring a robust bike lock and/or locking transition area style box to secure your equipment while cached. Also consider a camouflage poncho or tarp to obscure cached equipment while you participate in the challenge. If cached gear is necessary in a specific challenge, it will be thoroughly explained in the challenge summary so the participant can choose whether they are comfortable with taking on the risk. thisABILITY Adventures, LLC is not responsible for the lost or stolen gear of participants.

For teams training for a USARA or ARWS race, it is recommended that they carry all the mandatory and recommended gear they plan to use in a real race.

MANDATORY TEAM GEAR

(Each team and solo participant must have the following)

Fully charged cell phone in a waterproof dry bag or zip lock freezer bag
Waterproof, freezeproof pen (suggest Nite-Ize or Rite in Rain)
waterproof lighter or waterproof matches
6 Zip ties (minimum of 8” length)
Compass (maps are true north so it will be helpful to use a compass that can be declinated.
Water purifier or water purification tablets for entire team. Participants should be prepared to acquire water from wild sources such as creeks
Survival Mirror
Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight .7 or build first aid kit containing at least the following contents:
(8) 2x2 or 3x3 sterile dressing, (2) 3x4 non adherent sterile dressing, (1) conforming gauze bandage, (4) 1x3 adhesive bandage, (3) knuckle adhesive bandage, (1) tape ½"x 10 yards, (1) swift wrap elastic bandage, (8) 200mg. Ibuprofen, (2) antihistamine (Diphenhydramine), (2) afterbite sting relief, (1) moleskin, (5) towelettes, (3) antibiotic ointment, (3) butterfly closure bandage, (2) pair nitrile gloves, (1) tweezer, (3) safety pins, (4) alcohol wipes
*Epi pens are required for individuals with an epi pen prescription

FULL TIME MANDATORY PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

(Each team member must have the following)

Whistle (may be integrated into the back pack chest strap or PFD)
Headlamp
One 8 Hour Chemical light (minimum of 4” length)
Space Blanket
Waterproof jacket (sealed or taped seams)
Knife With Locking Blade. Minimum of 1.5” blade.

MANDATORY INDIVIDUAL BIKING EQUIPMENT

(Each participant must have the following on all biking legs)

Mountain Bikes or Cyclocross bike capable of rugged singletrack trails with roots, rocks, etc.
Front lighting system. May be mounted on handlebars or helmet. Both are recommended.
Flashing red taillight mounted on bike or backpack
CPSC Certified Bike helmet or multi sport helmet

MANDATORY INDIVIDUAL PADDLING EQUIPMENT

Some type of human powered boat. May be a canoe, kayak, packraft, Stand up paddleboard or other type of inflatable boat.
Some type of single or double blade paddle.
Whistle that is connected to the PFD.
Coast guard approved personal flotation Device. PFDs must be worn at all times while on whitewater rapids. Inflatable PFDs are not recommended.

PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT

Maps other than those provided in the racer packet
Motorized means of transport
Night Vision
Range finder

RECOMMENDED OTHER GEAR

Means of carrying at least 50oz liquid
Water purifier or water purification tablets for entire team
(teams should be prepared to acquire water from wild sources such as creeks)
Waterproof map case or Ziplock style freezer bag. Although TA provides Rite in Rain waterproof maps and instructions, they may become unusable or damaged if not protected
Emergency Strobe or strobe enabled head lamp or hand torch.
UTM Ruler capable of measuring 1:10,000, 1:15,000 and 1:24,000 scale maps.
150 calories of food per each hour of the expected duration of the challenge
electrolyte replacement (especially in warm climates)
Insulating Layer Top & Bottom (poly pro, wool, fleece, etc.)
Money
Backup Compass
Long Pants or gaiters (AR and Pro courses only)
Bike Gloves
Synthetic Hat
Durable Dry Bag
Bug Spray
Sunscreen
Sun Glasses
SPF Lip Balm
Bike odometer/speedometer (more than 1 per team suggested)
Bike Pump or CO2
Bike Repair tool with a chain tool
Spare Bike Tubes
Bike Patch kit
Hole plugger for tubeless tire punctures.
24” of Duct Tape
Baby Wipes
Chafe cream