Originally Posted by
Lonewolf44
(Not sure if its the right category. Also, Ive posted exact same topic on a different forum, hope its not considered as spam. If any of these - sorry)
Hello everyone. Im gathering my kit from scratch. Here are the goals:
- Terrain: Northern Poland (seashore, forests, lots of flat terrain, very few hills and wet areas)
- Season: Late spring , summer, early autumn
- Trip duration: 24-72 hours
- Other: I tried to go very minimalistic and simple by, for example, discarding any electronics (apart my phone which i do not consider a kit part)
1. Essentials (held on sturdy leather belt, around my neck or wrist, on me generally)
- Knife (4 inch scandi laminated Helle blade with wooden handle made by me + leather sheath)
Will be perfectly fine :-)
- Firestriker (Solo Scientific Aurora worn as pendant) - Agreed
- Whistle (Helikon, but planning to change as its not really loud enough. Also carried on neck) Ok.
- Canteen (Not sure yet, something around 1 liter capacity and made of stainless steel probably) OK
- Compass (I'd like a simple vintage one, but they are all for display now, so probably some Silva): Silva compasses works :-)
- Paracord wristband (Not a fan of "tactical gadgets" but it might be lifesaver if i lose my backpack or something like that): Keep it dry. Paracaord soaks up water like crazy and gets heavy.
- Notebook + pencil (Rite in the rain, to write memos about gear along the way. Repair this, change that and so on): OK
- First Aid Kit (Not sure if i will carry that on me or in backpack. It will contain antiseptic, tape, bandages and compresses, some bandaids, small tongs for ticks, stomach ache pills and painkillers): If you are going to be alone, using an axe, bring something to suture yourself, or some surgical strips, to close bigger or deeper wounds.
- Survival Tin (It will contain stuff for emergency situations which will likely never occur, but better to be prepared. Fishing kit, matches, water purification tablets, signal mirror - generally survival stuff): Fun to make and have but completely useless in my oppinion.
- Tinderbox (camera film box stuffed with some good pre-made tinder. Might be consider cheating, but i might not be able to find good dry tinder and be in great need for quick fire one day, so I will carry it): OK...bring a water proof bag/zip lock or whatver to collect some birch bark on your way.
- Clothes: For now I will be using just normal "civilian" clothes, some cheap hiking shoes - I can't afford quality wool clothing and with good layering I'll go along with cotton garments.: Charity shops, army surplus? I hope you will manage to stay dry.
+ might add a Rambone slingshot to the survival tin one day, but thats just an idea for now: fun to have, and lets face it...when the oooh and aaah...have faded over the view (takes me 5 minutes), it's pretty boring out there, so nice to have something to do. All for it.
2. Backpack - Karrimor Sabre 45. One day I will upgrade to Osprey Aether 70 for longer hikes.:OK
- Sleeping system (DD Tarp, simple foam mat and Snugpak Navigator sleeping bag. No hammock needed): OK
- Additional clothing set : OK
- Axe (Hultafors Hunting Axe): Nice
- Lunchbox (Zebra 14): OK
- Paracord (30 meters): Keep it dry, it soaks water like a spunge and gets heavy.
- Sewing kit (BCB probably): OK
- Sharpening stone (EZE one with wooden plate at the bottom): Do you really need it for sucha short time out?
- Storm lantern (Feuerhand): Cozy but I'd just use some candles for that purpose. if windy just cupt open the side of a soda/ beer can, and stick the cvandle inside.
- Personal stuff - Phone, toothbrush, natural soap: OK
- Food and water of course: Wise :-)
That would be all I think. Im not really asking for opinions, because kit is very personal, depending on what You do, how You work and stuff like that, so my kit won't probably suit anyone else. Im just asking more experienced guys to check "kit goals" and point out some stuff that I will definitely need, yet didn't mention. Or something to throw away. However, opinions are also of course very welcome. Thank You.
P.S. The other forum guys already told me that storm lantern is a very bad idea for backpacking and that I should go with a torch, which I really wanted to avoid. What do You guys think? I won't be marching anywhere at night without need, the lamp is supposed to be there for night camping works or reading. Will really everything get stinky eventually, even if I transport the lantern with empty tank and keep the fuel sealed tight?