My gear for a day or 2 in the woods

[nicodemus3d]

Hi all,

I've just had a bit of a splurdge and bought some new kit so thought i'd share what's in my bag at the moment, and get any feedback/suggestions/see what you guys think.

My Pack, made by F-Stop. A great company who make bags for active photographers. The bags come with inserts for your dslr, but even with these removed the bag is still great. The perfect size for a short trip. I added 2 large pouches to the sides using the molle and strap my roll mat to the bottom;
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1822/lbcw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/lbcw.jpg/)
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2054/g2s3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/g2s3.jpg/)
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/3118/o6w7.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/o6w7.jpg/)


The whole thing weighs in at just over 14kg which I find very comfortable even over large distances.


The front pouch holds my waterproofs. Lightweight waterproof trousers and hooded jacket, nice and easily accessible for those sudden downpours;
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8433/w1kf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/w1kf.jpg/)



The top compartment of the pack also holds stuff I might need in a hurry;
Gloves, Hat, Sunglasses, Spare Compass, Firestarting Kit, Spork and Gerber Multitool.
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/117/l3wb.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/826/l3wb.jpg/)



The back of the bag unzips and opens up so that the whole length of the bag is accessible. In this main compartment I have my clothing, sleeping kit and cooking kit;
2L Platypus Hydration system with insulation cover, Sleeping Bag (red compression sack), Full Set of dry warm Clothes (black compression sack), DD Tarp, DD Travel Hammock, Headlamp + spare batts, Knife Sharpener, Shemagh, LightSticks, Platypus 1L collapsible Bottle, Solostove + Solo Pot, Windshield for Stove, Backup Trangia Stove with small bottle of Meths, Half-size Mess Tin containing tinder, cutlery, waterproof matches and lighter, FOOD, R+R Kit (waterproof playing cards, small battery powered speaker, usb backup battery for phone/speaker etc)
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/1125/p6ce.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/p6ce.jpg/)
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2650/mpt9.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/855/mpt9.jpg/)



Side pocket;
1L Nalgene Bottle, Bungees, Paracord, Bin Liners, Plastic Bags and Cloths, Collins Gem SAS Survival Guide and Food For Free.
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4486/p5qx.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/p5qx.jpg/)



Other Side Pocket (mostly campcraft);
Gloves, Knife with Fire Steel in handle, Bahco Folding Saw, Gelert Folding Shovel, First Aid Kit, Wash Kit.
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8673/3hrr.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/21/3hrr.jpg/)
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5510/mya0.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/51/mya0.jpg/)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3553/9m3i.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/5/9m3i.jpg/)

Survival pouch attached to belt strap that can be easily removed to drop into a pocket;
Compass, Leaterman multitool, LED torch, Firesteel, Tampon, Waterproof Matches, Whistle, Survival Blanket, Signalling Mirror, Arrowhead, Water Purification Tablets, Paracord.
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5679/yu2v.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/yu2v.jpg/)

[markal17]

T^ looks like a great kit thanks mate

:camping:

[Johnnyboy1971]

Looks a great setup and especially the pack, nice to see something other than a military style pack.
Thankyou for sharing this.

[JEEP]

Looks like a very sensible kit - maybe a tad heavy and a tad many "nice to have" items for a 2-day hike ;)

If you don't mind some constructive criticism, I would personally remove the following items (and add one or two):

1. One of the mulittools. Multitools are not essential items, but nice to have - do you really need a backup?
2. The windsheild for the stove. Why not just use the windshield from the Solostove w. the Trangia stove? (that is; if it is detatchable like on the Bushcooker)
3. The speaker. I truly detest when people bring noicemakers like this into The Nature...
4. The playing cards. My guess is you will never use them, why haul them around? There is always something to do in The Nature.
5. The Bungees. They are heavy - and whatever they can do, paracord can do it just as good for half the size and bulk.
6. A few of your means of making fire. For a two day hike, you do not need 5-6 different ways of making fire. Stick to a few; a "primitive" one and a lighter - train with the primitive method and use the lighter for emergencies/when you are in a hurry.
7. The 1L collapsible bottle. You already have a 2L hydration system and a 1L solid bottle. Really, you could do with the hydration system alone. Ideally I would carry a small water purifying system, like a Lifestraw, even on a 2-day hike.
8. The LED torch. Most of the time you will be using the headtorch anyway - which I btw. would move to your belt pouch. If you feel that you need another light source a small candle- og battery powered lantern would imho. be a better choice.
9. I don't know what is in the large yellow bottle in your washkit. But my bet is that you will not need near that much on a 2-day hike. I would transfer the needed amount to a smaller container, like a Gotoob bottle.

It is, however, nice to see a sensible FA-kit among your kit.

[Johnnyboy1971]

Yellow bottle is talc/foot powder.
I like bungees especially strapping extras onto my pack like my jacket and sometimes my tarp when its wet so it's not inside my bag.
I agree on the multi tools one is enough.
The speaker Mmmm well its a personal thing really, if others are about deffo not but if alone and when its dark early on long nights yeah why not.

[JEEP]

The speaker Mmmm well its a personal thing really, if others are about deffo not but if alone and when its dark early on long nights yeah why not.

Excuse me for being ever so slightly brash here; but why?(!) Because of animals (especially at night) - and, secondly, other hikers that may be in the area. You are a guest in The Nature - playing music is imho. not respecting your hosts and other guests. The same goes for the habit of flashing 100+ lumens torches around, at any given moment, at night. In The Nature music and strong light are nothing but forms of pollution, just as bad as leaving trash behind...

Leave the noicemakers at home - and turn off the lights... The reward may be a badger or a fox visiting your camp :)

[Johnnyboy1971]

Sorry but three of the venues I use are less than 100mtrs away from a motorway and find the noise of music better than that of cars. Don't get me wrong the music isn't loud but surely its what the individual wants to do with their time out.
Have you thought that The Nature where I am and others could be a vastly different place to where you are.

[Sylvanbilly]

Great post by the way, and really good feedback, I will be taking this on board when I come to compile my own,
Thanks for posting

[JEEP]

Sorry but three of the venues I use are less than 100mtrs away from a motorway and find the noise of music better than that of cars. Don't get me wrong the music isn't loud but surely its what the individual wants to do with their time out.
Have you thought that The Nature where I am and others could be a vastly different place to where you are.

I am sorry, but I must respectfully disagree with this argument; it is simply not how animals behave.

Animals are, generally, extremely adaptable - which means they will, over time, get used to constant noise, like that of a road - but strange and unfamiliar noises, like music, will still be very disturbing for them. Considering that most animals have a hearing that is many times better than ours, even music played at a low volume, will be quite loud to them. But, it is really not the volume that is the big issue here, it is the unfamiliarity of the sound.

It's the same thing with light; animals will, over time, get used to the sharp lights of a road going through the forest - but shining a bright light in an area where there is normally no light, can greatly disturb the animals' nocturnal activities.

It is all about respect - and accepting that once you are in The Nature, you are merely a guest. Accepting and honouring this premise, will reward you with a closer contact to the environment you emerge yourself in - and it's inhabitants.

[treefrog]

Hey, good for you for travelling light. I try to see how light I can go sometimes on summer canoe trips; like Jeep said, remove anything
you likely won't use. Most of the redneck boys around here would start their 2-day kit list with: quad bike, generator, prospector tent,
300 rounds of ammo.....:guns:

[Johnnyboy1971]

If its all about respect then respect what an individual wants to do with their own time and how they want to spend it.
As human we are responsible for the destruction of these habitats in one way shape or form by just about all we do and buy these days so that little bit of music is in such a small amount that it will hardly be noticed.

[JEEP]

If its all about respect then respect what an individual wants to do with their own time and how they want to spend it.
As human we are responsible for the destruction of these habitats in one way shape or form by just about all we do and buy these days so that little bit of music is in such a small amount that it will hardly be noticed.

So, if I understand you correct; in your view it is not respectful to politely (and backed with facts) inform a person, that what he is doing may be a lot more harmful to his surroundings, than he might be aware of?

And, am I further correct in understanding that you are of the opinion that just because humans do other things (and yes; worse) to disturb and damage The Nature, one should not concern one self greatly with one's personal behaviour and impact? Or to say it slightly more brashly; that your urges outweighs the concern for the health of the habitat you are wisiting?

It is a fact that music is highly disturbing for wild animals, simply because music is a repetitive array of strange and unfamiliar noises. Imagine working next to a person operating a powerdrill - yet not understanding what a powerdrill is. This is what music (even when played on what we consider a low volume) is to most wild animals.
Try this experiment, if you must; play music at a place where birds sing. You will notice that most of the birds will stop singing (and some will go berzerk, over exerting themselves, trying to compete with the noise) - and that even after you have stopped the music, some species of birds will not sing in your emmidiate area for quite a while.

[Johnnyboy1971]

I think your under the impression that this music will be played as loud as a concert would be. Oh and I suppose all the indigenous people who live and have lived in the woods who celebrate by signing and dancing, including those from around Europe did it wrong too. How many times has a rabbit or squirrel been startled enough to run away by a humans presence while in there environment. Same thing really isn't it, we moved out of the trees and left them to it so for us to go back and terrorise them is wrong too.

[jus_young]

Johnny, chill out! You are reading the posts out of context my friend. The comments are not meant as derogatory or aimed at you personally, such actions are frowned upon on the forum. It is purely a way of asking your opinions, reasons and bringing differing views open to all.

[nicodemus3d]

Thanks for all the feedback guys T^

I know there's a lot in here that may not get used, so the kit will no doubt evolve and gain or lose items depending on the hike/environment. There are definitely things in here that I don't NEED but that make a stay more enjoyable.

I definitely have too much fire making kit in here, haha, but it doesn't weigh much at all and better to have and not need than need and not have :)

Regarding the amount of water, I would actually prefer to carry more than this. My camping is usually at the end of a long hike so having enough water is crucial. A life-straw is definitely next on the shopping list.

The large yellow bottle? Yep foot powder. Havent worked out a way to take a smaller amount of this yet apart from pouring some into a ziplock bag which is not ideal.

As for the speaker argument. Well I don't want to prolong the debate but I can assure everyone that I am not blasting out Miley Cyrus and making all of the local wildlife commit suicide.

I'll keep this post updated as my kit evolves.

[biker-bri]

Could I suggest a pair of earphones, then everyone's happy T^
Cheers Bri

[Tigger004]

thanks for sharing, I tend to mule it, just in case (especially in winter) but the pack can be a bit of a burden now I'm getting older

[alvino78]

great post, well thought out kit and if it makes you happy....enjoy!!T^

[jacko1066]

Great kit there pal!!

Just an idea for the foot powder, have you ever thought about decanting it in to old film cannisters? If you pop to a boots etc they will give you a load for free!!

Cheers
Steve

[Adam Savage]

Great display of fairly minimal (or at the very least, compact) kit there. I think the items you have are pretty much spot on.
I always carry and extra torch, as water can damage your head torch, and it can be damaged when you walk into a low branch (it's in the perfect spot really), so a backup is always handy.
Some sites I go to have only tidal waters near them, so lots of bottle water, and means to carry it should you find a fresh water supply, are very important for these areas.
I tend not to use bungees at all myself, but they do come in useful for some things, when a bit of "give" is needed.
Also it is advised to carry at least three forms of fire lighting, so you have that area well and truly covered I think lol.

[Stevie B]

Great post mate, thanks for sharing.
Kicked off a 'lively' discussion too! :)

[ammo]

Great post this mate. With regards to kit. If the items someone takes with them, give them the confidence, or the comfort to stay out longer, then I'm all for it. With regards to the speakers, it's in our nature to sing and dance, and as we are part of nature, well you enjoy yourself.

[Stevie B]

it's in our nature to sing and dance, and as we are part of nature

Spot on fella, though some of us better than others! :)

[headshot]

i'm afraid i'm in the no noise club but hey its your kit and everybody has their own ideas so thanks for sharing and well done on the kit...atb kev

[ammo]

I am myself, I go the woods to get away from it all. Although I can distinguish between, song and dance,as opposed to noise,ie parties and drunken disregard for your surroundings.
When a human dances and sings, can you not identify that with a songthrush, or peacock. We need to encourage people to get back in touch, not only with nature, but our own natural state.
Incidentally, if you ever are in the wilderness, it can often be to your advantage to make animals aware of your presence. ( not if your out bird watching ext)
i'm afraid i'm in the no noise club but hey its your kit and everybody has their own ideas so thanks for sharing and well done on the kit...atb kev

[Silverback]

a radio is a useful tool....particularly a wind up one.....for the weather reports, and to find out if anyone is bothering to look for your sorry behind

[David_JAFO]

hello,
"My Pack, made by F-Stop. A great company who make bags for active photographers." I had a browse at these in the camera store Glasgow quite a good pack BTW, I like how you've utilised such for TGO. I'll go along with the radio 'rule of thumb' in the Armed Forces always have some sort of white noise emitter for weather & other useful data (wear an ear piece for listening) & be careful with the 'Lifesystems' first aid kit the Red dye bleeds out of the canvas like nothing else when damp or wet & spoils the contents & your kit if your not careful. Lifesystems they do a rubberised waterproof version, but I prefer to use one of my single PLCE webbing pouches for my basic first aid kit, the contents packed in waterproof/tight zip bags. Thanks for sharing & personal experience will tell what to remove or keep through time.
Regards
David