$10 Camping/Survival Challenge

M

Mustang11

Joined
Jun 12, 2011
Messages
69
First of all let me start by saying that I have been camping for the last 20 years of my life (im 22, lol), and over the course of my time in the great outdoors I have been getting bored with the same old things, gear, experiences, etc. I have some of the greatest gear one could own, and enough of it to supply a couple of families, but with all of these things camping has become mundane and predictable. So, I came up with the 10 dollar challenge:

1. You can carry nothing with you from home
2. You can spend no more than $10 for gear

So, for me, I like to take $10 to a dollar store such as dollar tree etc. and buy different things to help me camp overnight, sometimes I change it up and make it harder on myself. My typical load out looks like this:
1. Razor Blades
2. 1 Gallon Water
3. Jute twine
4. Fishing Line
5. Fish hooks
6. Pot or Pan
7. Lighter
8-10. Whatever else I can afford for the remaining money!

By doing this I can hone my skills at creating survival shelters, fishing, etc. It is especially fun to buy strange items and find uses for them (some party favors can make a fire!) All while having fun on the cheap!

Disclaimer: I usually only do this with great weather forecast, however I DO CARRY EMERGENCY SUPPLIES just in case, my jeep is always stocked for the apocalypse :D and I'm usually no more than 20 yds from it.

So what do you guys think? Is this something you would do yourself or am I just crazy:cool:

Ps. all items that I have left over are usually given to my nephews, who like to horde all things strange :)
 
Good idea.:)
Although I spend more money than I have on knives, I seem to get some odd thrill of going cheap with all the other gear, so I think you're on the right track.
 
Who u calling ''odd'' there Stabman! LOL :)


That sounds like some good practice...if nothing else it adds to your fun factor, and maybe gets u out in the woods more. Which is a Good thing LOL
 
"1. You can carry nothing with you from home"

Can I take out from my household trash?
  • Empty soda bottles for water carying
  • Empty tin cans for cooking
  • Old newspaper for sleeping pads and fire starters?

And from the $10 , you cannot take food?
You have to be self sustaining
 
Cheap and limited gear can make you hone your skills. At the same time, if your tired of the same ol camping, why not change up the location and mode of travel?

Go backpacking. Do the PSK challenge, teach others from your experiences, or add another activity, like hunting, or rock climbing.

IF you have too much gear, find a family to donate some gear to. Share your stuff and it'll make you happy.
 
Neeman: I never have, but I don't see why not, I just enjoy the limited-ness of it, and going one night without guaranteed isn't so bad, I usually always bring in some pan fish! It's just a fun new way to play in the woods, you can edit the rules anyway you want too!

Foxx: You're very right about the donations, I have given things away many times, (and should do so again soon) but I've been to many places and plan on going many more so I like to keep things in preparation for those travels. I love trying new things, living at the base of the smokies lends itself to a lot of cool new places to explore :) ! The only reasons I haven't gone and explored more of the world is because I am one poor college student! I have done the App. Trail from Georgia to Tenn, and backpacking is my true love, just can't afford major trips.....yet! I'm new to bladeforums and I plan on having a lot of gear up for sale or trade over the next year or so, so keep an eye out if you want anything, and maybe if I get enough money saved up you'll read a story about my trip on the Muir!
 
Last edited:
1. You can carry nothing with you from home
2. You can spend no more than $10 for gear/QUOTE]

Interesting challenge, but what about clothing? How much clothing? Does sales tax count? It is 9.25% here!

Real reason why I'm asking is that you can do a lot with your clothing & shoes if prepared, also, with Summer being here, there may not be a need for tent/tarp, but a hat would be necessary.
Click to expand...
 
CWL: it doesn't matter as far as clothing, although doing it in ur birthday suit would make things much more interesting, lol. I say don't include sales tax if its that high!
 
foxx said:
Cheap and limited gear can make you hone your skills. At the same time, if your tired of the same ol camping, why not change up the location and mode of travel?

Go backpacking. Do the PSK challenge, teach others from your experiences, or add another activity, like hunting, or rock climbing.

IF you have too much gear, find a family to donate some gear to. Share your stuff and it'll make you happy.
Click to expand...

You can also change it up by going with more traditional gear. A lot of guys here have done that and enjoy there experience in the woods a great deal more. Also, welcome to the forums.
 
Sounds like a great time. I will have to try it soon... The local goodwill is always well stocked
 
SO:

From my household trash
•Empty soda bottles for water carying
•Empty tin cans for cooking
•Old newspaper for sleeping pads and fire starters

For $10
Plastic Drop cloth
String
Plastic disposable 'stanley knife'
a couple of boxes of matches
1 lb red lentils
1 lb rice
1 lb pasta
Any spare money on more food or tea
 
I have wanted to do this for a while, I always keep my eye out for things that would work with this.

At the local Deals dollar store they have
a stainless teel water bottle for $1 ( I got one and bioled water in it and it held up)
10 boxes of matches $1
2 rolls of electric tape $1
painters plastic tarp $1
can of armor chilli $1.50
nylon rope (10' I think) $1
at walmart
I can get a crappy ozark trail folding knife for $1
 
Biggest bottle of booze I can get for ten bucks,


...fire starter, aniseptic, coolant, insect repellent, courage builder and sleep aid.



Any additional funds go towards asprin.







Big Mike
 
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