The beauty of escaping to the Great Philippine Outdoors is that you need not equip yourself with tons of specialized clothing and gizmos that are crucial to survival in non-tropical adventure destinations. Harsh sunlight, torrential rains, the occasional strong winds and night chills at high elevation are the only extreme conditions you have to deal with in anycorner of our islands. With a pocketknife, a disposable lighter and the basic items suggested here, you’d be more or less prepared to handle whatever an occasionally bitchy Mother Nature throws your way.

1. FLASHLIGHT - Do not scrimp on this vital piece of equipment. You simply cannot compromise with your light whether you’re exploring the deepest bowels of Cacupangan cave in Pangasinan or just trying to find a place to pee outside your tent at night in a Blair Witch-creepy forest. A headlamp is more convenient (albeit pricey) as it leaves your hands free so you won’t have to juggle flashlights and dirty dishes when washing in the river after dinner. Bring extra alkaline batteries to be sure.

 2. UMBRELLA - When you have to deal with the scorching sun or a sudden downpour of biblical proportions, this item has you covered,literally. Even Papa Bear swore by his Hello Kitty umbrella during our brain-boiling 7-hour mid-day desert trek to Mt. Pinatubo (note from the Bear : i don't have Hello Kitty umbrella). If you find this item too inconvenient or make you look sissy, you can opt for a wide brimmed hat instead.

3. WINDBREAKER - Don’t get caught outdoors without it. That umbrella won’t last two seconds should gale-force winds start to blow. This lightweight item traps your body heat so you won’t succumb to that mortal enemy of all outdoor enthusiasts - hypothermia. Wear  a bright color. It makes you easy to spot in an emergency. And since mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors, you won’t have  to keep reaching for that nauseating Off lotion.

4. WHISTLE - This simple item can become a real lifesaver when you’re lost in the wild. Three loud short blasts (the international distress signal) sure beats shouting your lungs out for help when trying to attract would-be rescuers to your location. You also  never  know when you’ll be tasked by Papa Bear to sound the wake-up call at camp, or get commissioned by MMDA to direct the traffic at EDSA.

5. WATER BOTTLE - The typical mineral water bottle you purchased at 7-11 will do just fine. Just keep it filled always and throw in a Puritabs tablet when quality of the water source is suspect.

6. TRASH BAG - Get the large size. It weighs next-to-nothing yet its function is only limited by your imagination. Use it as poncho, backpack rain cover, groundsheet, water sill, or even transform it into an Issey Miyake-inspired fashion creation. Adventure racers  actually use them as sleeping bags. Of course, no one can prevent you from using it to suffocate to death your loud-snoring tent companion and even dispose of his body in it. The possibilities are endless.

 7. BANDANNA - You don’t have to get bald to appreciate the virtues of this versatile piece of cloth. It can provide a cool, refreshing face rinse from mountain streams. It also does double-duty as triangular bandage, potholder or can be used as filter for water too gross to drink.

 8. SLEEP PAD/ EARTHPAD - The only bulky (but also lightweight) item in my list. This has saved me from many a sleepless night  during camping. Our back needs to be insulated from the cold and often damp ground. The cushioning it affords makes  my outdoor  yoga sessions with the esoteric guru Sam comfortable. It’s also nice to have something to sit on when you’re hanging out by the beach.

9. TOILET PAPER - Why settle for leaves when TP can also be used to wipe clean your plate and utensils when water’s scarce. It’s also good for cleaning foggy eyeglasses or camera lenses and can also be a handy first aid item. Remove the cardboard tube to reduce bulk. Tip: After finishing your “intimate chat" with Mother Nature, use your disposable lighter to incinerate the toilet paper. But please, try not to start a forest fire.

10. FIRST AID KIT - You can buy one of those pre-packed ready-for-minor-surgery First Aid Kits at the drugstore or you can just assemble your own. Just think in terms of what’s likely to happen on the trip and then prepare your kit for it. It should contain the following essentials: your prescription medicine, Band-Aids, disinfectant, some bandages, anti-diarrhea tablets, paracetamol for fever, ibuprofen for pains, and some antibiotics and liniments for colds. You can also throw in a couple of Trojans so you’d REALLY feel prepared for any emergency.