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Whaddya think of my survival bag? Any advice? (lots of pics warning)

21K views 94 replies 38 participants last post by  Thatyoungsurviver  
#1 ·
This quote is a post about the bag that I made in a different, non-survival forum, but I'm just copying it to save time.
It goes into too much detail for here, because I was explaining it to people with no background in it.

Anyway, this is my combined Bug Out / Wilderness Survival pack system. I like it, but it's a bit heavy now. I can carry it 10 miles no problem, but it becomes burdensome at 20 miles. Any advice is welcome, especially advice about how to reduce weight without sacrificing function or lots of money.

ocalhoun said:
So, I've been saying I would for a while, and I finally got around to it; I'm going to show off and explain all the gear I carry while hiking.

Usually I hike completely off-trail, and often through very remote areas, so this pack is intended to give me the tools I need to get there, give me supplies to last 30 days, and give me supplies to handle most emergencies that come up.
It also doubles as a 'get out of dodge kit', a bag I can quickly grab, and be sure I have everything I need to survive a disaster situation. (I could also use it to quickly give me the equipment I need to rapidly disappear into the wilderness, in case I'm being hunted by someone and need to hide.)

Anyway, on to the explanation:
The system is based on a main bag, and has 3 supplement bags that can be added to it if I think I'll need them: a cold-weather bag, a dry-area bag (not pictured), and an extended-stay bag.
The various supplement bags can be clipped on to the main bag to make carrying easy.
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I'll break it down by bag, then by pocket.
Main Bag
The main bag is made up of three components,
An external frame mountaineering pack (A),
A camo-pattern small military backpack (C),
and a fanny-pack attached to the frame of the mountaineering pack (B)
Various other pouches are attached (D)
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D1
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D1 is my camera pouch. It can hold my camera when I'm not using it, but normally it only holds a miniature tripod and a spare battery.
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The uses of both the tripod and the battery are pretty obvious, though the tripod could also be used to help hold things up/together in a pinch.

B1
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B1 is my right water bottle holder. In it, I keep my better water bottle, a 1L klean canteen.
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This is an excellent water bottle; it is all stainless steel, so it won't change the flavor of the water, or add toxic chemicals to it. Being that it's all steel, I could even take the cap off, put it over a fire, and use it to purify water by boiling. (Or to brew tea. Brewing tea out of pine needles is a good way to get vitamins.)

B2
B2 is the front pocket on the fanny pack. I use it to store things I might need to access quickly.
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The emergency blanket can be used as intended, and also used to build a shelter, or augment the insulation of clothing.
The bug repellent is a skin-cream based type, and repels for 12 hours. It can also be spread on food storage to help keep bugs out.
The medical tape is useful for attaching bandages, but it is also useful for attaching anything else as well.
The trail markers are basically thumb-tacks with white reflectors on top. They can be used to mark places I want to find again, or to mark a trail to make sure I don't get lost, or to help rescuers find me. They even work at night.
The pliers are a versatile tool. This one especially so; it has a wire cutter, round-object grip, and needle-nose all in one. Useful for making repairs, breaching fences, and essential to setting up a fishing line and extracting the hook from a fish. They can also be used to cut a communications wire as a way of signaling for help.
The butane lighter is obviously good for starting fires, but can also be used to sanitize tools.
The snake bite kit is a good addition to the first aid kit for this region. It also includes a small scalpel, so I could do very minor self-surgery.

B3
B3 is the main pocket of the fanny pack. I use it to store quick, energy-dense foods that I can replace cheaply and easily. It stores the food I intend to eat in non-emergency situations. In it right now is:
-MRE protein drink mix
-Granola bars
-Pop tarts
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B4
B4 is a pocket within the cover of B3. I use it to store small, useful things that would get lost in larger pockets.
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The permanent marker is good for any kind of writing I may need to do. I can leave messages for searchers, make notes on my map, or keep a log of a long excursion. It is the tool of choice because it can write on a wide variety of surfaces.
The extra batteries are for my GPS unit. It uses 2 AA batteries every 8 hours of operation, so the 6 total I carry should be enough for 48 hours. I usually also carry spare AAA batteries, which are used in all of my flashlights, but I'm currently out of them, I need to buy more.
The compass is obviously useful for navigation. I chose this one for its durable metal case.

B5
B5 is my left water bottle pocket. In addition to the pockets, both water bottles are held in by carabiner clips, so I don't lose them in the event the pack gets turned upside-down.
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This water bottle is a non-toxic plastic one I've had for a long time. I'm intending to replace it with another klean canteen when I get around to it.
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D2
D2 is the specially-made pouch for my hand saw.
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This saw is basically a hand-powered chainsaw. It's the lightest, most compact saw I could find that would still be effective. Combined with my 50ft rope, I could use it to cut branches up to 25ft away.
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D3
D3 is my main flashlight pouch. This belt-loop pouch came with the light.
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The light is a LED flashlight, and uses 2 AAA batteries. It's small, light, and gives a useful amount of light.
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D4
D4 is a US military IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit). It attaches nicely using the MOLLE/ALICE gear built into it and the backpack.
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Inside is everything I need to treat a traumatic injury. Dressings, bandages, iodine (antiseptic/disinfectant/sterilizer). It also includes a 30 day supply of water purifying chemicals, and chap-stick. Chap-stick is surprisingly useful in emergencies. Not only can it protect your lips from the elements, it can also be used to treat scrapes and burns.
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Sorry about not unpacking it, but it is packed very tightly, and re-packing it is a pain.

C1
C1 is the front pocket of the military backpack. It contains some of the larger items I might want to access easily:
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This headlamp is convenient to use, since it leaves the hands free to work. It is LED-based and very bright, but it has another mode of operation where it uses dim red lights- extremely useful for having light without losing my night vision, and also useful for having light while not making myself more visible than needed. It is powered by 3 AAA batteries. (All my light sources share the same battery type, which gives me more versatility and makes carrying spares easier.)
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This hat is a baseball-style cap with a neck-protecting flap. It is very useful for protection from the sun. Camo colored, so it is useful for hiding.
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The spade is useful for any digging task, such as finding fish bait, or burying waste/trash. It can also be driven into the ground and used as a tent stake for building shelter.
The folding knife is very sharp, and has both a smooth and a serrated blade. Useful for a huge variety of things... cleaning game, self-defense, shelter building, et cetera.
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Attached together on a carabiner clip are several small items;
The secondary compass is not very good, but can serve as a rough backup in case the better one is broken or lost.
The two flashlights are spares. Not as powerful as the main light or the headlamp, but they need only one AAA battery each. They could be needed if the other lights fail, break, run dead, or get lost. They can also be left as temporary markers to help find a given spot again in the dark. (They can also be left as decoys to divert pursuit in the dark.)
The tape measure may not be useful in a very wide variety of ways, but on the rare occasion it is needed, nothing else will do. It isn't big or heavy anyway, so why not?

C2
C2 is the main pocket of the military backpack, and stores my heavy/large tools.
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First of all, it stores the detachable straps of the military backpack. With these, I can leave the main pack at camp, and take only the smaller pack for short trips (like hunting or fetching water), making those trips easier. The contents of the two packs would have to be rearranged to suit the different mission, of course.
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Also inside is my 50ft rope. It is light and compact, yet strong enough to hold me and all my gear. The carabiner clips on each end are rated for 250lb constant load, and they make using the rope for various things more convenient. There's virtually no end to what you can use a rope for, if you use some ingenuity.
To be continued...
 
#2 ·
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Grappling hook, folded.
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Grappling hook, expanded. This folding grappling hook is very cool and fun to use. It makes my rope much more versatile and much more useful for climbing. It can be used for climbing steep slopes and trees, of course... but it can also be tossed across a river to make crossing easier, or lowered down a cliff to hook something and drag it up. It could double for a light-duty boat anchor, should I have a need for one somehow.
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This small hatchet is mainly intended for chopping firewood. It can, however, have many other uses; it makes a powerful melee self-defense weapon, and can be used as a hammer. I've made it much sharper than an ordinary hatchet. It also has a nice carrying pouch, which keeps it from cutting things inside the pack, and can also be used to put the hatchet on my belt if I'm using it a lot.
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There's also a towel. As Douglass Adams said, it's the most useful thing in the universe. I agree. It can be used to stay warm, used as a bag, folded into a pillow, used as a bandage, used to protect the head from the sun, wetted to put out a fire, cut into strips for tying things together, used as an insulation to touch hot or electrified objects, wrapped around a gun to muffle the sound of the shot, and if it's still clean enough after all that, it can be used to dry myself off. (Very important if I get wet somehow in very cold conditions!)

(No pocket)
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This is an AK-47 bayonet. It is also useful as a combat knife, which is my main purpose for it. I keep it mounted at the top of the pack, for quick access by reaching over my shoulder.
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The interesting thing about this knife is that, combined with its sheath, it can also be used as a wire cutter!
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And, of course, if I have my Kalashnikov with me, it can even be used as a bayonet.



Moving on to the inside of the main pack, behind the flap that the military backpack is mounted on,
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A3
A3 is the lower-right pocket, and contains fire starting materials, and extra trail markers.
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The small survival lighter is waterproof and very simple in construction, just a flint, striker, wick, and fuel. It can be used to start fires even after it runs out of fuel.
The flask is full of lighter fluid. Having a supply of lighter fluid makes starting a fire much easier, especially if the fuel I'm trying to burn is less than ideal, or if the weather is bad.
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Another butane lighter... These have turned out to be less reliable than I had hoped. I'll replace them eventually.
There is also two extra packs of trail marking tacks. (mentioned above)

A2
A2 is the top-right pocket. It contains sanitation supplies.
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The toilet paper roll is a detail many would forget, to greatly regret later. This one is designed for campers, and has no cardboard tube in the center, which saves a lot of space.
The soap has insect-repellent properties. Bug-repellent soap is my long-term strategy for avoiding bug problems. Having both cleaning and bug-repellent in one item is convenient, and saves space in the pack.

A1
A1 is the lower center pocket of the main pack. It is quite large. I use it to store my food and food gathering equipment.
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First, a 220yd spool of 40lb-test fishing line. I don't carry a rod and reel, as it would be too bulky. Line alone is more versatile anyway; I can use a stick as a rod, tie lines to overhanging trees, use it for 'jug fishing', or just throw the line in the water. It could also be useful for building shelter or repairing parts of the pack. It can even be used for stitching wounds, if I straighten out one of the fish hooks, and cut the barb off the hook.
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My fishing tackle is stored in a small, waterproof tacklebox. It is packed with foam to prevent the little pieces from making loud rattling sounds everywhere I go.
The compartments are all labeled in the picture, and pretty obvious for their uses. I assembled this custom kit piece-by-piece with the goal of being able to gear it towards a wide variety of fish and fishing methods. It doesn't contain many lures, because usually fish bait can be found anywhere that fish can, if you look hard enough.
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My 'spice rack' is a collection of waterproof keychain pill bottles connected together with a carabiner. It may seem superfluous, but it can make the difference between 'disgusting' and 'palatable', and can also make eating similar things every day less of a drudgery. Roasted grubs: nasty. Lemon pepper roasted grubs with a hint of garlic: still disgusting, but much more tasty. ^.^ Each container is etched on the bottom to remind me which one it is.
I carry a larger container of salt, because salt has many uses besides just a seasoning. It can be used to disinfect a wound, preserve food, and even ward off evil spirits. It is also a vital nutrient, and is essential for water retention and prevention of dehydration.
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My spice rack is customized to my tastes, and to the types of food I'm likely to find in the wilderness.
The 'spicy' is red pepper flakes; being spicy can cover up many bad flavors.
The poultry seasoning is delicious on any type of bird, and can also add a different flavor to other foods.
Garlic is a favorite of mine, and useful on a wide variety of food.
Steak seasoning can improve the flavor of nearly any meat, and is also good on roasted vegetables.
Lemon pepper is good on fish, as well as any kind of bird, and on many vegetables.
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This nesting spoon, fork, and knife set is compact, and would make eating and cooking easier.
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This boy-scout style mess kit contains a variety of small aluminum pots and pans. It would give much more versatility in cooking and eating. I leave it wrapped in paper to reduce rattling, and the paper would make good tinder for starting a fire.
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I keep two MRE's (meal ready to eat) inside. They have water-activated heaters for a hot meal on the go, and they contain well over 1000 calories each, in small light packages. They last for years before going bad. These are my emergency rations, for when I need food but don't have the time and/or ability to get it. Since I'm a light eater, these would see me through two days of work, or 3 to 4 days of relaxing without giving me any of the problems caused by lack of food. Rationed miserly, they could last a week; that would be slow starvation, but slow starvation is better than fast starvation.

A6
A6 is the front, upper-middle pocket of the main pack. Smaller than A1, I use it to carry shelter building/repair materials.
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These two small straps could be used to fasten shelter components together, but they have other uses as well. Their bright color makes them useful for flagging tape, and they're just the right size to use for a tourniquet should I (god forbid) need to use that. The metal rings on the end can be used to fasten them.
To be Continued...
 
#3 ·
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This twine would be my main material for holding together a shelter. I chose such a thin twine so that I could carry a great length in a small, light package. If I need more strength, I can just wrap it around multiple times. It, also, is a bright color, and could be used for marking.
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This is a heavy-duty belt, the type used by physical therapists to hold their patients up. It could replace any of the large straps on the pack, be used as a belt, or be used to fasten together some part of a shelter than needed a lot of strength.

A7
A7 is the largest pocket of the main pack. I keep it empty in case I find something along the way that I want to carry with me.
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(No pocket)
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My walking stick is attached to the pack with a carabiner when I'm not using it. It's a very good stick, light, collapsible, with a carbide tip to give traction even on rocks. The top is a camera tripod attachment, and that's usually where I have my camera when hiking, so it will be very easily accessible. It has a wrist strap that helps keep it from being lost in a fall, and that wrist strap can also be wrapped around the barrel of a gun to give a more stable shooting position. The walking stick is also my first line of defense in case of a surprise attack, from man or animal. Swung or jabbed, it could buy me enough time to get out a better weapon. And, of course, it's useful for walking. It helps take the strain off the legs, and greatly helps with stability on steep slopes or extremely rugged terrain. It can also be used to test the depth of water or snow. It could even be used as a make-shift fishing rod.
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D5
This small pouch holds a cheap little multi-tool.
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It has all the pliers types of the larger one, in smaller form.
It also has a small serrated blade, smooth blade, can opener (not that I carry cans), flathead screwdriver and phillips screwdriver, as well as a small light.
It is useful as a backup to the main pliers, a backup to the other lights, and the screwdriver attachments might come in handy if something needs to be repaired or disassembled.


Cold Weather Bag
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The cold weather bag is a small duffel bag with only two compartments. On my most recent trip, it proved to not be durable enough, and developed some small tears. So, I'm looking for a good replacement for it now.

E1
E1 is the front pocket of the cold weather bag. It is quite small, but I use it to store a couple convenient items.
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This 'beanie cap' is good for keeping the head and ears warm.
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These gloves are handy; they quickly convert from mittens to fingerless gloves... That way I can quickly convert from maximum warmth to maximum dexterity, and back again. Very useful for doing work that sometimes needs lots of dexterity when it's too cold to not wear gloves.

E2
The main pocket of the cold weather bag holds the more serious winter gear. It also has lots of spare room for packing a heavy jacket.
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It contains a second emergency blanket, to augment the one in the main pack.
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This face mask keeps the lower face (nose mouth and neck) nice and warm in even the coldest conditions. Very good to have.
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These ski goggles keep the wind off my upper face and eyes, which is especially important in a blizzard when snow might be blowing so hard that I can't keep my eyes open. The tinting protects against snow-blindness, which could be a danger in the prairies around here after a heavy snow. The strap in the background is usually wrapped around the goggles to protect the lens from being scratched by the other stuff in the pocket.
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Two pairs of thermal socks. These socks are very cool- they chemically produce heat when exposed to water. The sweat from my feet can activate them, and keep the feet nice and warm even when trudging through snow. With two pairs, they can be put on both hands and feet to protect against frostbite.
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Heavy, fur-lined German army mittens. They're a large enough size that I can wear them with gloves on underneath. Worn double-layer, they can keep my hands warm even in extreme cold.
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Light-weight gloves that can be used when it is only mildly cold. They can also be used in very cold conditions when manual dexterity is nonetheless essential (like when shooting).

Dry-Area bag
This 'bag' is simply an extra-large, flexible sided canteen, in the slightly dated US military style.
It can be carried by the shoulder strap, or attached to the backpack with MOLLE gear.
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Extended-Stay Bag
The extended stay pack is intended to augment the consumables in the main pack, and extend it's range from 30 days to 90 days, and to make stays longer than 90 days more comfortable.
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F1
F1 is a small pouch that just holds a couple spice containers, so I have refills for my spice rack.
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F2
F2 is the front pocket of the pack, and holds more spice refills, including a large container of salt.
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F3
F3 is the middle pocket, and holds a variety of smaller items.
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More toilet paper.
To be Continued...
 
#4 ·
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Extra MRE condiment bags. These contain napkins and wet-wipes, small amounts of spices, instant coffe (bad tasting, but contains useful caffeine), laxative gum, matches, and a few other odds and ends. All useful stuff for long-term rugged camping.
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Two extra bars of bug-repellent soap.

F4
F4 is the largest pocket on the extended stay pack, and holds the larger items.
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A camo-colored tarp for making an inconspicuous shelter. It could also be useful for a wide variety of other tasks.
Things like wrapping food, collecting rain water, insulating from snow, converting to a camouflaged poncho...
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An extra spool of twine, to augment the one in the main pack.
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A sealed package of multivitamins, to prevent malnutrition in a long term situation.
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Two extra water bottles (empty), they can make camp life more convenient by making the necessity of water-runs less frequent.

Other
Some of the other things I carry, which don't fit in any other category.
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A small GPS unit. It was reprogrammed by 'wilderness ghost' a third party company. The most useful thing they added was topographical maps of the entire USA, which mesh together with road maps. It is waterproof and can run 8 hours on 2 AA batteries. (I carry 4 more batteries to replace those.) Having topo maps is essential when not following roads or trails. All streams and lakes are marked, and the elevation markings it has are often the only features to guide by.

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An Olympus 1050SW camera is my camera of choice. Its metal casing is waterproof and drop-proof, which has saved it several times. Since it is so durable, I can put it on the top of my walking stick and not worry about damaging it. It takes decent pictures, including all the ones in this topic (except for the one of it). It is also quick and easy to start up, for quick shots; it turns on automatically when the manual lens cover is moved.

[discussion of firearms carried at various times removed for the sake of brevity]
So, any advice for me?
 
#5 ·
That's a lot of stuff. I'll happily give you some advice. Use it all the time and spend as much time outside using it as you can stand. I think you'll find a few things you could live without or better yet a few things that have multiple uses and not one use for one thing. in any case you'll either love what you got, or end up modifying it to love what you got and your skill keeps growing. have fun.
 
#7 ·
Yep, I use it whenever I go hiking, usually about once a month, more often in summer. Like you said, it keeps me familiar with it, and it keeps me in shape for carrying the thing.

And yeah, I'm always tweaking it, taking something out, adding something in, repackaging something else, reorganizing... It has come a long way since I first started it.


K.I.S.S :D: Grappling hook, Really? lol sorry first time Ive seen one in the wilderness section :D:
I love it! And yes, I've actually used it before.
I do a lot of cross-country hiking, often intentionally through the worst terrain I can find, so it's nice to be able to climb a cliff/sharp incline (more) safely.
That appears to be alot of stuff......... but if your comfortable with it all and can carry the load good on ya ;)
Well, not as comfortable as I would like; You're right it's a LOT of stuff.
Advice for weight reduction would be very helpful...
My best idea right now is to ditch the hatchet, but I'm reluctant to do so since it is such a useful tool/weapon.
In any case, better to be over-equipped than under-equipped; you can always throw stuff out, but there's lots of situations where you can't add anything.
 
#8 ·
haha thats some serious stuff dude! i lol'd when you said the fishing rod and reel would be to bulky to carry and then i thought of the grappling hook haha. honestly though that grappling hook is a great idea, i could have endless fun with that thing! I would also advise going out on a 3-5 day trip with this beast and you will learn very quickly what you can shave off. great post!
 
#17 ·
haha thats some serious stuff dude! i lol'd when you said the fishing rod and reel would be to bulky to carry and then i thought of the grappling hook haha.
Well, the plan for fishing is to use a branch, floats, or just hold the line in hand. Given those options, I figured even a compact rod/reel would be a waste of space and weight.
(Not that he hook isn't.)
honestly though that grappling hook is a great idea, i could have endless fun with that thing!
I do have fun with it. ^.^
I would also advise going out on a 3-5 day trip with this beast and you will learn very quickly what you can shave off. great post!
Yeah, I really should give it a serious test.
Wow...

Lots of redundancy.
Some of the redundancy is due to the extended stay bag providing extra consumables, but some redundancy isn't.
Why not take a single lighter? Back it up with firesteel or magnesium bar, and make yourself familiar with a primitive method.
The lighters are a weak point. They've proven much less reliable than I'd hoped. I've been planning to replace them for a while, my thoughts right now are to get one 'stormproof' lighter, and back it up with spark-producing rods/et cetera.
You have 2 mylar blankets.
Only one is carried normally, the second is in the cold weather bag.
South Dakota gets very cold sometimes, so extra insulation couldn't hurt.

Overall, I wouldn't consider this a "survival bag." There are simply too many things like food spices, soaps, and others that make this a "wilderness comforts bag."
True, that's partially because it's mulit-purpose.
And yes, I did include many things that are not essential for survival but would be nice to have... If I have a few comforts, I'm less likely to take the risks inherent in going into populated areas.
Most of the stuff you have you can easily live without. You don't need a walking stick.
Well, this is also a hiking bag, so I kind of do need one. I'd say it's the single most useful item in the whole kit, actually, based on how much I actually use things.
I could make one from a stick, but that takes time, is heavier, and I can't mount a camera to that.
You don't NEED a GPS or camera.
Certainly not. In a survival situation, I'd likely leave the camera behind, though I'd still take the GPS. But for when I'm just hiking with it, I enjoy taking pictures to share.
You don't NEED that many flashlights since you shouldn't be moving at night anyways.
Also true. I've actually already removed some of them now that I'm getting involved in caving.
You definitely don't NEED a grappling hook... just tie a rock or stick to the end of your rope and you accomplish the same thing.
I'll have to test out the rock or stick idea... If it works well, I may ditch the hook.
You don't need a camping spade. Humans have been using a digging stick forever. It accomplishes the same thing pretty well.
In this case I'll stick with what I've got; it isn't heavy, and despite tradition, I think it would be easier to dig with a real spade.
This is just my opinion. Seems like you're more worried about the way food tastes, and being comfortable. Which is fine for camping. If you're in a survival situation, though, you aren't gonna give a crap how your food tastes as long as you are getting some.
Likely true... But how much do the spices weigh, after all?
The salt, in particular, is pretty important.
You won't care to take pictures either.
That's true. I only include the camera because I also use the bag recreationally.
Having a big, heavy bag like that is going to make you burn more life-saving calories that you could have used in a more useful way. Not to mention it will slow you down when you may be needing to run like hell.
A good way to put it.
My plan in a survival situation with this bag:
1: Find a nice camp spot.
2: Make a base camp.
3: Remove the cammo backpack from the main pack, and set it up to be carried alone. Put the most basic supplies in it for short trips away from camp.

That plan breaks down if I'm forced to constantly keep moving though. In a case where constant movement is called for, I might abandon/cache much of the gear, in favor of being lighter and more mobile.
to each their own but if it was me i would get more ways to start fire,,dont trust lighters with my life,,,,
Yeah, I'm disappointed in the lighters... Working on a better solution.
a few smaller hooks might be a good idea ,,,small hooks catch both big and small fish,,not always so with big hooks
Good point, though what I should really cut down on are the weights... Hooks don't weigh much, but the lead weights do.
and as a last item it would be some snare wire,,for smaller game and a couple for bigger prey,,,when i trapped a lot i used aircraft cable,,,believe it was 7 strand 1/8 inch,,,was good for beavers on up to deer sized game
I really need to get around to learning how to use wire-based snares!



I'd lose the hook before the hatchet,
I guess it would depend on the situation... Here's where my multi-purpose bag concept breaks down. A hatchet is better for survival, but the hook is more useful for pleasure-hiking.
If your main fire lighting source is a lighter carry a small piece of bicycle inner tube its great for fire starting.
Now that's a good tip! I've also considered oil-soaked lint... perhaps I could mix the two.
Garlic/onion, salt and curry powder covers most seasoning requirements.
If spices are going to be carried anyway, it's all a matter of preference, I guess.
Twine? get Jute its light weight natural so will corrode makes a good tinder for fire starting too.
Jute? WTF is Jute?
*adds investigating Jute to my to-do list*
TBH the biggest thing that stands out is the stuff that require batteries, and the spare batteries for them.
I have reduced the number of flashlights lately, actually.
Think about what you need:
Shelter: Tarp, Tent, Blanket, Sleeping bag, Bedroll... whatever
Fire, Lighter: Ferro Rod, Mag block, Learn friction... whatever
Water: .......whatever
Food: ......whatever
Tools: knife, hatchet, saw, full size axe, spade, shovel... whatever

If you want to reduce weight I'd suggest you break it down to the very basic bare a** essentials and build back up from there.
Hm... perhaps it is time for a 'reboot'...


Trash all the rope, straps, and most of the fishing line and replace it with 550 cord.
That's another thing I've been meaning to do...
Get rid of the zippo like lighters and lighter fluid and replace with a BIC mini, a ferro rod, and some matches.
Again, I already intend to replace the lighters with something more reliable.
Ditch one of the mylar blankets.
I already do, actually. One is in the cold weather bag, and only gets taken when there's a chance of snow/blizzards.
In the case where I actually need the cold bag, I'll be glad for any insulation I can get.
ditch the rope saw or whatever because you already have a hatchet.
Probably a good idea. Perhaps I'll replace both with a folding saw, or a machete with a saw on the back.
you have a fixed blade a multitool and a folding knife....ditch the folding knife.
Probably a good idea. I could use it elsewhere anyway.
ditch most of the spices and and all of the backup spices.
Probably won't do this... They provide a lot of comfort for very little weight/bulk.
ditch most of the vitamins and put whatever you keep in a smaller container.
A good idea, but I was worried that they could get waterlogged/spoiled if the factory seal was broken. I suppose I could find a smaller, waterproof container.
ditch the two spare water bottles and invest in a platypus container.
Already in progress actually. I'll be using caver's water bottles. They're cheap fold-able and stack-able, and I find that they work great.
get rid of the soap as well.
What would I replace it with for long-term insect repellent?
ditch most of the fishing kit. keep a few small hooks and a few sinkers. you dont need different sizes and you def dont need lures. you will catch more quicker with live bait.
Which is why I only included one type of lure in the box. I think I will cut down on the number of weights though.
ditch the tape measure.
Yeah, that's a good idea... I pretty much only added it because I didn't have anything better to do with the thing.
ditch the grappling hook.
Maybe. I've gotta try out that rock-or-stick on a rope method first. Remember this is a multi-purpose pack, so there are some items that aren't survival-oriented.
ditch the tripod.
In a survival situation, I would, but since it also gets recreational use, it stays for now.
ditch the 3 flashlights since you have a headlamp or at least ditch two flashlights.
Already done actually... the explanation is a little out of date.



For a bug-out-bag it looks pretty good. I'd say it has far too many consumables to be a wilderness survival bag.
It's multi-purpose... Intended to serve as bug-out-bag, survival bag, hiking pack, et cetera.
...And ditch that grappeling hook. WAYYYY too much weight for such a pigeonholed purpose.
You've got a good point there... Still, a tough decision. It is extremely useful for it's purpose.
Try and keep items in your bag multipurpose, but functional. It saves a ton of weight. :thumb:
Good advice; I'll try.
 
#9 ·
Wow...

Lots of redundancy. Why not take a single lighter? Back it up with firesteel or magnesium bar, and make yourself familiar with a primitive method. You have 2 mylar blankets.

Overall, I wouldn't consider this a "survival bag." There are simply too many things like food spices, soaps, and others that make this a "wilderness comforts bag."

Most of the stuff you have you can easily live without. You don't need a walking stick. If you do, you can make one using a good knife. You don't NEED a GPS or camera. You don't NEED that many flashlights since you shouldn't be moving at night anyways. You definitely don't NEED a grappling hook... just tie a rock or stick to the end of your rope and you accomplish the same thing.

You don't need a camping spade. Humans have been using a digging stick forever. It accomplishes the same thing pretty well.

This is just my opinion. Seems like you're more worried about the way food tastes, and being comfortable. Which is fine for camping. If you're in a survival situation, though, you aren't gonna give a crap how your food tastes as long as you are getting some. You won't care to take pictures either. Having a big, heavy bag like that is going to make you burn more life-saving calories that you could have used in a more useful way. Not to mention it will slow you down when you may be needing to run like hell.
 
#10 ·
to each their own but if it was me i would get more ways to start fire,,dont trust lighters with my life,,,,a few smaller hooks might be a good idea ,,,small hooks catch both big and small fish,,not always so with big hooks and as a last item it would be some snare wire,,for smaller game and a couple for bigger prey,,,when i trapped a lot i used aircraft cable,,,believe it was 7 strand 1/8 inch,,,was good for beavers on up to deer sized game
 
#13 ·
im not a big fan of those saws its hard to cut branches up for firewood while standing on it to hold it,,, and i hate trying to break the branch frozen pieces can fly pretty far and a branch cracking is noisy,, i like my sierra saw for quiet fire building .. if noise is no problem i mostely use my axe...nice kit though
 
#14 ·
Trash all the rope, straps, and most of the fishing line and replace it with 550 cord. Get rid of the zippo like lighters and lighter fluid and replace with a BIC mini, a ferro rod, and some matches. Ditch one of the mylar blankets. ditch the rope saw or whatever because you already have a hatchet. you have a fixed blade a multitool and a folding knife....ditch the folding knife. ditch most of the spices and and all of the backup spices. ditch most of the vitamins and put whatever you keep in a smaller container. ditch the two spare water bottles and invest in a platypus container. get rid of the soap as well. ditch most of the fishing kit. keep a few small hooks and a few sinkers. you dont need different sizes and you def dont need lures. you will catch more quicker with live bait. ditch the tape measure. ditch the grappling hook. ditch the tripod. ditch the 3 flashlights since you have a headlamp or at least ditch two flashlights.

Losing all that should save you almost 10 pounds or so.
 
#16 ·
one thing i say is keep the rope.. i use 3/8 nylon its easy to grab even wet and when i use it for a ridgeline on my tarp i can put a lot of pressure on it and not worry about snow load. or sagging to much ,, i use 550 but the rope and adjustable bungi cord gets used way more.. i have 25 ft of 3/8 on each end of every canoe .. and a 50 ft throw bag in each,
 
#22 ·
Maybe I missed it, but do you have a radio ?
A small am/fm pocket radio would run off the same AA or AAA batteries that you carry, and a wind up radio with a weather band would be even better.
I think weather info, or news in a SHTF/Disaster situation, would be invaluable.
Hm. That would be a good idea. Perhaps I could find one that also incorporated other features, like a light that is powered by the crank...
It'll take some shopping to find one that's versatile, rugged, and waterproof, but when I do, I think I'll add it. It'll be good to have in the house even when I'm not bugging out.
To much rope, cord string, knives, seperate packs, flashlites, no need for GPS, No need for grappling hook either.
Yeah, I've got too much of that. Working on whittling it down.
Probably will keep this.
Undecided - may or may not keep it.
If there is a need at a predetermeined location bury a stash to save weight and energy to get you to the destination in a quicker manner.
Good idea, but don't have any specific bug out location. Will be staying home unless forced out, and then choosing a site based on the circumstances.
(Am I able to drive anywhere? Do I need good concealment? Do I need heavy shelter? Do I need to be deep in the woods, or is near civilization okay? -- All these things could influence choice of location.)
I would use plastic bags to seperate the gear instead of all the different pouches/packs.
Been meaning to add some plastic bags, but not for gear storage. I think they would be too fragile and rip prone for that.
They would be good for food storage, and for protecting the few items in the pack that aren't 100% waterproof though.


I apologize if my post came off as a little ****y. I just read it and it seemed that way to me. I wasn't trying to be!
Don't worry, I'm not easy to offend.
How could I be offended anyway when I was asking for advice?
Some advice I'll take, and some I won't. But I certainly won't hold it against anyone that they offered advice when I asked for it.
next time you go fishing use a stick and a piece of line for a couple of hrs then use a good colapsable fishing rod 1st) see how you like the stick vs the rod for getting the lure over to where the fish are.. 2nd) see how many fish you catch with each,,
I know a real rod is superior, but rodless methods should be workable, despite not being ideal... and that saves me from carrying a relatively heavy/bulky item that is also complicated and breakdown prone... and is strictly single-purpose to boot.
always use your gps... get used to it most ppl have no idea how they work or how to set up waypoints or how to put in positions ,, you can record a bunch of destination on your map and then put them in your gps
On it already. ^.^ I bought it recently, but I'm learning how to use it well. I find that it's most useful when combined with a compass, which helps me be sure of the orientation of the map.
I'm also gradually adding more waypoints. I intend to eventually have a variety of good campsites saved, as well as recognizable landmarks. Getting into the local caving club opens up more opportunities. The hills are full of caves, and I'm also saving all the cave entrances I know of to the GPS. Not only would they make good shelter, but some have drinkable water inside, and all would make good (nearly impenetrable) improvised bunkers.
,, keep a few xtra flashlights there light and when setting up camp in the dark you can duct tape them to small trees /limbs etc. so you can see better .belive me it helps a lot
Ah, that's a use for them I hadn't thought of... perhaps I won't get rid of them so quickly... Though the headlamp goes a long way towards making this unnecessary.
...my pack has quite a lot of stuff in it compared to most of you.. but im comfortable when im camping ..
If you don't mind me asking, how far are you comfortable traveling in a day with your pack? Mine is pretty heavy compared to my low weight, and I can only make about 10 miles per day (through brush and over hills/boulders) carrying it without wearing myself out to a point that would impede the next day's progress.
i also have a lighter good for winds of up to 80 mph use whats the best /fastest/easiest thing to start your fire, practice with the others but use whats easiest while you can..
What kind of lighter is this, exactly? I'm in the market.
You say it's good for wind, but is it also good for damp/very cold/long periods of storage?
 
#19 ·
To much rope, cord string, knives, seperate packs, flashlites, no need for GPS, No need for grappling hook either. If there is a need at a predetermeined location bury a stash to save weight and energy to get you to the destination in a quicker manner. I would use plastic bags to seperate the gear instead of all the different pouches/packs. Just a few thoughts..
 
#21 ·
next time you go fishing use a stick and a piece of line for a couple of hrs then use a good colapsable fishing rod 1st) see how you like the stick vs the rod for getting the lure over to where the fish are.. 2nd) see how many fish you catch with each.. survival means using the tool that works the best..,,always use your gps... get used to it most ppl have no idea how they work or how to set up waypoints or how to put in positions ,, you can record a bunch of destination on your map and then put them in your gps ,, keep a few xtra flashlights there light and when setting up camp in the dark you can duct tape them to small trees /limbs etc. so you can see better .belive me it helps a lot...my pack has quite a lot of stuff in it compared to most of you.. but im comfortable when im camping .. it dosent take much extra to make a huge difference if the weather gets bad.remember any body can go out and stay overnight if its nice.. if its raining or snowing a little bit more equipment can keep you from running home a day or two sooner than expected i have fire steels ect, but i also have a lighter good for winds of up to 80 mph use whats the best /fastest/easiest thing to start your fire, practice with the others but use whats easiest while you can..we do hardly any overnight camping mostely 5/6 days or 12/14 day canoe camping /wilderness trail and some pack horse trips not many now though. oh ya keep the seperate pack thing you have going but mark whats in each one its way easier to pull out a few packs to get whats needed and always seemes to be at the bottom of the pack..than dump stuff all over then have to repack and it never fits in as good as it did in the house..
 
#23 ·
10 miles a day is plenty... most ppl will never hike 10 miles through bush at one go in there lives .. most dont want to do it on a trail lol .. my fav lighter is a brunton windproof with a led light on one end ive had it for 12/15 years and still works great..a head light works great but sometimes not everybody in your group has one...i use a headlight that has different series of lights for more /less light and i carry a small coin battery operated spare its called a cyclops ... out here a lot of the lakes are shallow for a fair ways out and if you cant cast 30 yrds or more you will be a hungery camper. oh and my pack is an old red rocks lugger .. a bunch of pockets and i love it
 
#38 ·
10 miles a day is plenty... most ppl will never hike 10 miles through bush at one go in there lives .. most dont want to do it on a trail lol ..
Ah... Good point.
my fav lighter is a brunton windproof with a led light on one end ive had it for 12/15 years and still works great..
Sounds good, I'll look into it... Especially like the light built in; you could arrange your fire in the dark without wasting fuel for light.
a head light works great but sometimes not everybody in your group has one...
Since my group size is almost always 1, that won't be a problem. ^.^
(Yeah, I know it's better to not go alone, but the main reason I go to the woods is for solitude, bringing others defeats the purpose.)
i use a headlight that has different series of lights for more /less light
Mine has two settings:
1- Bright, with 7 white LED's
2- Dim, with 2 red LED's
I really like using the dim setting at night. It gives just enough light to clearly see where you're walking (to avoid tripping), but doesn't ruin your night-vision, so you can still see beyond the beam. It also gives enough light to work with without making you unduly easy to see to others.
and i carry a small coin battery operated spare its called a cyclops
I think I'll just stick with the small flashlights as backups though, especially since they share the same battery type as the headlight.
... out here a lot of the lakes are shallow for a fair ways out and if you cant cast 30 yrds or more you will be a hungery camper.
Just differences in areas I guess then. In my area the few lakes are narrow and very deep, more often the fishing opportunities would be the deeper holes in streams.
[qutoe] oh and my pack is an old red rocks lugger .. a bunch of pockets and i love it[/QUOTE]
Can't find any reference to that anywhere else, but I'm intrigued...
The thing I hate about most commercial packs is that most of the capacity is just one big pocket, with only a few extras on the outside. If I used one like that, it would be very difficult to organize.
The one you mention sounds different though...
I would tell you to ditch alot of that stuff, but seeing how its all hanging off the pack in every direction, you will more than likely lose half of that crap within a couple hours.
Not likely.
I've hiked with this pack many times, it has been through countless hikes of several hours or more through brush, over/through boulders, up and down cliffs, over/under fallen logs, et cetera, and nothing has ever fallen/ripped off.
In an emergency, I would use trails (for better speed), so there would be even less chance of damage to the pack.
Save yourself the trouble and the guy trailing you picking up all your crap,
Again... nothing has ever fallen off before.
go on ebay and get a real pack, and learn how to pack it like an adult who has done this kind of thing before
I am an adult who has done this kind of thing before... so how exactly does one pack it then?
if you ever had to boil your water a couple of xtra containers is nice .. you can boil xtra when your at a good spot
My larger water bottle is stainless steel, so it doubles as the main boiling pot.
If I've got the luxury of a good camp set up, I could also boil water in the cookware.
,a good compass is nice.. any compass is prefered to none
Still, I'd like to get a really nice one, and make the one I have now a backup.
i like the towel they dry fast and are pretty durable i have one..
And they have so many uses!
(To the point where I've considered carrying two.)
i always have a folding shovel just because i hate using my axe in the dirt not that i wouldnt if i needed to..
Curious, why a folding shovel rather than a small spade like mine?
A folding shovel seems much bulkier and heavier, and I don't plan on much heavy digging.
led lightsticks are good to hang in the tent..
Been thinking about getting a couple of those ever since I found out about them.
i carry a whistle and whats called a pen flare ,bear banger small and loud sometimes you want to be found . in the canoe i have a flare gun cause in a canoe weight is not as much a concern..
Curious... what is this pen flare like, how large is it, and is it durable/waterproof?
It sounds like not only a good way to be found if you want to, but also a great way to start a fire when conditions are really horrible and you need one badly.
Some folks here couldn't find a good water bottle to buy.
I do really like that klean kanteen... I'll replace the other water bottle with one sooner or later.
I would think if you packed bags, you wouldn't have to mark them.
True, but I've been considering marking mine. You never know what knowledge might rush out of your head when you're in a panic, and there's a chance that you might be disabled, and need someone else to find something in your pack for you.
I can't get over guys with straws, for real? Zombie site stunt.
Sounds like it to me too.
Straws would be lighter... But they would also be a lot less durable and waterproof than my pillboxes are... Less reusable too.
Just read that thread a minute ago, actually.
But, it seems like something better suited to a pocket kit that's always on you, rather than a well-equipped pack... Unless perhaps I made a set of 10 of them to use as spearheads or something.
-Ditch the hook.
Maybe, maybe not; this is a multipurpose pack, and the hook is great for climbing.
-Get a and reliable knife.
On the wish-list, but for now the AK bayonet will suffice.
-Get a good backpack ASAP! this setting is inefficient and dangerous... weight don't distribute as it should be, I am really surprised you can hike 10miles with THAT on your back.
You're right about being inefficient, but out of 3 packs I've had, this is actually my favorite for being useful.
(and it only cost $20 for all of the components)
Even given an unlimited budget, my ideal pack would be similar, though I would work on the weight distribution some.
-Ditch the useless peanut lighter (I have one and its junk) and get 2 bics, waterproofed matches (better storm matches) and a firesteel+tinder
Working on it, though I think I'm going to go with a stormproof lighter + firesteel.
-Get a good compass and map and learn how to use them, ditch that toy compass you have.
Also on the wish list, though the one I have would become the backup, rather than being ditched.
-Ditch the spade (u can use the hatchet to dig)
Seems like that would dull the hatchet pretty quickly though...
-Ditch the bulky towel and get one of "sea-to-summit" pocket towels
I'm not too concerned about bulk, really. I still have an empty pocket, after all.
-Spices can be stored in sealed drinking straws, less bulk and weight
(slightly) less bulk and wight, yes...
But also, less capacity, less durable, and less waterproof.
-Get a good multitool (leatherman, sog, gerber) and ditch that Chinese junk
Good plan, but remember I'm on a budget here. ^.^
Another item for the wish-list.
(Also, given that I have other blades and other pliers, the multitool is a low priority; it's just a backup.)
-Ditch all that cordages, straps, threads and so on... get a good rappelling rope and Paracord, thats it!
Yeah, I want a good high-capacity flat cord. It would allow me to carry more length with less weight and a lot less bulk.
-Didn't see any sleeping bag, how do you want to sleep in the cold?!
Collect small pine branches, lay out a bed, cover with towel, lay on it, wrap up in the mylar blanket(s). Use the tarp for a tent if I brought the extended-stay bag.
Preferably, next to a fire, with a boulder/cliff behind me.

I've been thinking about getting one of those combination hammock/tent/sleeping bags to put in the extended stay bag though.
-Get rid of the bulky empty bottles and get a hydration bladder instead.
Will be doing that, but will be replacing with caver's water bottles.
-Get rid most of the spices containers, useless!!! get salt, a few straws of spices and a bottle of Tabasco
The bottle of tabasco alone would be larger and weigh more than most of my spices!
I'll just stick with a pill-box of red pepper flakes, thank you.
-2 good flashlights are more then enough
'more than enough' would be a good way to sum up my kit. ^.^
-get some signaling devices, signaling mirror, good whistle, lightstick etc..
Already added a whistle, polished knife blade could serve as a mirror, and flashlights are at least as visible as lightsticks are.
(Though I'm thinking of getting some of those LED lightsticks because of their long life.)

i like the bow saw... but in my pack the same place that the bow saw folds up and fits nice
Been thinking about replacing the hatchet with a saw...
holds my pistol grip 12 ga . oh well i guess i can do without it..
I didn't even get into the gun collection. ^.^
i second paying the couple hundred and getting a good pack ..once you are used to putting things in there own zippered pocket . it dosent take long to either.. set up camp .. start fishing.. get ready to eat,,, or get your pump gun out pdq.. find a flashlight etc...
Most of those 'couple hundred' dollar packs don't have a lot of exterior pockets though. One thing I like about this setup is that everything is well organized, yet can be gotten to from the outside of the pack.
i always carry a set of rain gear usualy if it looks like rain i strap the jacket with a hood (a rain jacket without a hood is in my opinion next to useless)... on top of my pack..
If rain is a possibility, I wear one of my carhartt jackets. They're waterproof, and rain in this area is almost always accompanied by cold.
I've spent hours in the rain with them before; it isn't pleasant, but it's a heck of a lot better than no protection.
forsure a good sleeping bag (mine is minus 40 rated) and yes i use it all year around id rather uncover than shiver myself to sleep and a waterproof stuff sack.ya its a pain to carry but so what i get a good sleep...
Yeah, like I've said above, I'm thinking getting a combination tent/hammock/sleeping bag.
It would be relatively easy to set up, and give good protection against wildlife/insects. The right kind would also be nice and warm too.
Lots of 550 cord. You can strip the cord down to one of the inner strands to make traps and such.
Yeah, been meaning to get some good cord rather than the rope.
I'd replace the multi tool with this
http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/ktfetoco.html
That a shingle hammer, and a ka-bar do it for me.
The pliers have most of that functionality already, plus they're useful for fishing tasks.
(Also, that tool looks really heavy.)
A word about cutting wire/fences though, I don't care if SHTF, walk around my fencing. God help you if cut my fence and walk away.
Even Pre STTF, I can justify to a deputy a lot if you are cutting my fence. Cows and cars do not mix.
I generally go over fences, toss the bag over, then climb over.
If forced to cut it, I've got my pliers; I'd try to fix it after going through.
First off... I envy you for being so close to the hills.
It is very, very nice!
Okay, now on to your question my friend. Suggest you get a good large pack built for the task instead of cobbling things together. (large ALICE, CFP-90, ILBE,) Why? Because everything outside of your pack will 1. get lost 2. get hung up on things and slow you down while making a lot of noise.
I hike with this pack all the time, through the worst terrain my area has to offer. Nothing gets hung up, it doesn't slow me down much, and I've designed it to not be very noisy... there are no hard objects that can hit each other. It does make some noise, but not any louder than the sound of me walking through the woods if I'm not trying to be quiet.
Put everything inside your pack except for a few things that you need in an emergency that are on your belt.
That's what all the exterior pockets on the pack are for.
(good sturdy full size carbon steel survival knife, firesteel and Bic lighter, Isreali bandage, and whistle)
Knife is on the top of the pack, can be quickly drawn with an overhead draw.
You'd put both firesteel and a lighter on your 'things I might need at a moment's notice' list!?!
I like the Israeli bandages; used them in the last exercise. I should get one.
Already got a whistle; it goes in one of the exterior pockets. If I'm in a situation where I want to be found, I'll move it to a pants/jacket pocket for quick access.
Get a good 18 to 24 inch forest axe and a good bow saw.
The larger axe sounds heavy...
The hatchet you have will work...but you will be limited at doing any substantial work and are more prone to injury.
Have used it in the past, so I know what you mean. I'm reluctant to replace it with something even heavier though; it's already the heaviest thing in my pack by a long shot. (Besides water)
The hand chain saw works for falling trees, but isn't as useful as a good 24-36 inch bow saw. Besides, the width of the blade will make you expend a lot of energy.
What do you think of a machete with a saw blade on the back?
I'm considering replacing the hatchet with that.
Get a spare survial knife - like a RTAK II that will serve well at both collecting prairie grass and chopping/splitting pine.
The machete would also serve nicely as a spare knife. ^.^
For now though, I've got the folding knife, and the blades on the multitool as backups.
Get a good Military Poncho and poncho liner.
Not a fan of the military ponchos. Anyway, in this area rain almost always comes as a package deal with cold, so I prefer waterproof jackets/coats coupled with waterproof pants.
(That setup is also less likely to impede my progress through brush than a poncho is.)
Also get a military sleeping bag and bivy bag w/ a compression bag.
I think a combo hammock/tent/sleeping bag will be my choice for sleeping arrangements.
Get ~100 ft of para cord.
Definitely will do something like this.
As far as rope - if you are going to use it for suspending yourself you should get a good climbing rope, harness, and rated locking carabiners.
Should, yes. But that stuff is expensive, heavy, and bulky.
I realize that climbing with the gear I have now is risky; I rarely trust my full weight to it, and never climb more than 20ft or so.
I will be replacing the rope with stronger flat cord though.
The grappling hook is nice in theory, but in practice they usually result in injury. I know you like it...so keep it. Knowing your terrain I can see it could be handy.
I can definitely see how it could result in injury.
I do practice with it though.
I throw carefully, with an eye out for it coming back down, and I always test my full weight against it before beginning to climb.
Keep the fishing kit. Keep your food spices, vitamins, soap, etc. But eliminate the excess things that will require you to carry more weight to support those individual items. (IE - all electronics need to take the same battery type,
I used to have everything standardized to AAA, but the new GPS uses AA... makes me sad.
eliminate un-necessary things because you will be humping ammo for your AK and the more food you can carry the higher your survival rate will be).
Yeah, I plan that if I'm carrying gun(s), then my progress will be much slower.
The plan, though, is to get to a good campsite and stay there. In that case, it wouldn't be too bad to be heavy in the beginning.
The eating utensils - are pretty flimsy. I like sturdy eating utensils but hey... they will work. (btw - I have a set of those..)
Yeah, sturdy would be nice, but sturdy also means more weight/higher price.
For something as relatively unimportant as eating utensils, I think these are fine.
Recommend you get a 1-3 liter stainless steel cooking container, these are invaluable.
My main canteen is 1 liter, and made entirely out of stainless steel, so it can be used for cooking/boiling if needed.
Larger pots would be useful, but also very heavy.
I would also add a 3 person tent (yes keep the tarp too), some 50 gallon drum liners, good length of wire for snares and utility purposes, snow shoes w/ snow sled and army shovel in winter, tea candles
o_O I really would need a mule to carry all that!
I think I will get some wire for snares though (and learn how to use it).
Snow shoes and sled? I think no. I hike in the winter already without these, and do fine. I may get some of those elastic cord things that you strap over boots to improve traction in snow/ice though. Would be a good addition to the cold weather bag.
and trade the fuel in for some 190 proof alcohol b/c it is multiuse for starting fire, first aid, bartering, etc.
Good idea... I'll do this.
 
#24 ·
First off... I envy you for being so close to the hills.

Okay, now on to your question my friend. Suggest you get a good large pack built for the task instead of cobbling things together. (large ALICE, CFP-90, ILBE,) Why? Because everything outside of your pack will 1. get lost 2. get hung up on things and slow you down while making a lot of noise. Put everything inside your pack except for a few things that you need in an emergency that are on your belt. (good sturdy full size carbon steel survival knife, firesteel and Bic lighter, Isreali bandage, and whistle)

Get a good 18 to 24 inch forest axe and a good bow saw. The hatchet you have will work...but you will be limited at doing any substantial work and are more prone to injury. The hand chain saw works for falling trees, but isn't as useful as a good 24-36 inch bow saw. Besides, the width of the blade will make you expend a lot of energy.

Get a spare survial knife - like a RTAK II that will serve well at both collecting prairie grass and chopping/splitting pine.

Get a good Military Poncho and poncho liner. Also get a military sleeping bag and bivy bag w/ a compression bag.

Get ~100 ft of para cord.

As far as rope - if you are going to use it for suspending yourself you should get a good climbing rope, harness, and rated locking carabiners. The grappling hook is nice in theory, but in practice they usually result in injury. I know you like it...so keep it. Knowing your terrain I can see it could be handy.

Keep the fishing kit. Keep your food spices, vitamins, soap, etc. But eliminate the excess things that will require you to carry more weight to support those individual items. (IE - all electronics need to take the same battery type, eliminate un-necessary things because you will be humping ammo for your AK and the more food you can carry the higher your survival rate will be). I would get rid of the key chain extras, chain saw, digging trowel, etc but looks like you are already doing that)

The eating utensils - are pretty flimsy. I like sturdy eating utensils but hey... they will work. (btw - I have a set of those..) Recommend you get a 1-3 liter stainless steel cooking container, these are invaluable.

I would also add a 3 person tent (yes keep the tarp too), some 50 gallon drum liners, good length of wire for snares and utility purposes, snow shoes w/ snow sled and army shovel in winter, tea candles and trade the fuel in for some 190 proof alcohol b/c it is multiuse for starting fire, first aid, bartering, etc.
 
#25 ·
I'd replace the multi tool with this
http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/ktfetoco.html
That a shingle hammer, and a ka-bar do it for me.

A word about cutting wire/fences though, I don't care if SHTF, walk around my fencing. God help you if cut my fence and walk away.
Even Pre STTF, I can justify to a deputy a lot if you are cutting my fence. Cows and cars do not mix.
 
#27 ·
i like the bow saw... but in my pack the same place that the bow saw folds up and fits nice holds my pistol grip 12 ga . oh well i guess i can do without it.. i second paying the couple hundred and getting a good pack ..once you are used to putting things in there own zippered pocket . it dosent take long to either.. set up camp .. start fishing.. get ready to eat,,, or get your pump gun out pdq.. find a flashlight etc...i always carry a set of rain gear usualy if it looks like rain i strap the jacket with a hood (a rain jacket without a hood is in my opinion next to useless)... on top of my pack.. forsure a good sleeping bag (mine is minus 40 rated) and yes i use it all year around id rather uncover than shiver myself to sleep and a waterproof stuff sack.ya its a pain to carry but so what i get a good sleep...
 
#28 ·
-Ditch the hook.
-Get a and reliable knife.
-Get a good backpack ASAP! this setting is inefficient and dangerous... weight don't distribute as it should be, I am really surprised you can hike 10miles with THAT on your back.
-Ditch the useless peanut lighter (I have one and its junk) and get 2 bics, waterproofed matches (better storm matches) and a firesteel+tinder
-Get a good compass and map and learn how to use them, ditch that toy compass you have.
-Ditch the spade (u can use the hatchet to dig)
-Ditch the bulky towel and get one of "sea-to-summit" pocket towels
-Spices can be stored in sealed drinking straws, less bulk and weight
-Get a good multitool (leatherman, sog, gerber) and ditch that Chinese junk
-Ditch all that cordages, straps, threads and so on... get a good rappelling rope and Paracord, thats it!
-Didn't see any sleeping bag, how do you want to sleep in the cold?!
-Get rid of the bulky empty bottles and get a hydration bladder instead.
-Get rid most of the spices containers, useless!!! get salt, a few straws of spices and a bottle of Tabasco
-2 good flashlights are more then enough
-get some signaling devices, signaling mirror, good whistle, lightstick etc..

and welcome to the forum!
 
#30 ·
Hell, when it's survival time, use a gill/seine net, trot line or yoyo reel to catch fish, don't give them a chance.
Did Jesus use a rod and reel?
Some folks here couldn't find a good water bottle to buy.
I would think if you packed bags, you wouldn't have to mark them.
I can't get over guys with straws, for real? Zombie site stunt.
 
#31 ·
if you ever had to boil your water a couple of xtra containers is nice .. you can boil xtra when your at a good spot ,a good compass is nice.. any compass is prefered to none ..i took a shortcut once through dense bush it got black dark so dark you just put your hand out and walked slow till you hit something i could hear a logging crew slashers and skidders so just went toward the noise .. i dont think 2 flashlights is to many after that.. there light and cheap and if you have xtra batteries they may as well be in something as loose in a bag in your pack...i like the towel they dry fast and are pretty durable i have one..i always have a folding shovel just because i hate using my axe in the dirt not that i wouldnt if i needed to..led lightsticks are good to hang in the tent.. and hot sauce or tabasco even makes my cooking taste ok...i carry a survival candle it works ok in a tent and lasts forever it seemes like..i carry a wineskin instead of a canteen... i carry a whistle and whats called a pen flare ,bear banger small and loud sometimes you want to be found . in the canoe i have a flare gun cause in a canoe weight is not as much a concern..