- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,516
Part 1.
I posted this trip in another forum but maybe this community might like it. Here are 10 items I took for a trip. The FAK counted as 1 and clothing items didn't count. I didn't pack any food or water.
1. Ridgerest ground pad
2. FAK.
3. Paracord setup for a tarp ridgeline/tie-offs. Maybe 50-60 feet total.
4. Fenix HL20 on a camo PT headband.
5. A mostly empty pack of snelled fishhooks.
6. 70 oz platy bag.
7. MSR Ti kettle with stuff sack.
8. Hobo stove with stuff sack/plastic bag.
9. Blind Horse Knives large scandi Tiger Knapp neck/EDC knife.
10. Strike Force firesteel.
Why I picked this stuff.
The ridgerest will save me the time and effort of making a bushcrafty bed. I carry amy FAKs inside ziplocks because I fear getting them wet. Paracord is a no brainer. A headlamp will extend my work time. The hooks are for fishing because I am not packing any food. The Platy can carry about the same as two wide mouth Nalgenes but this one will start the trip empty. A kettle with hanger would work better over the fire but this one works great with the Hobo. The hobo stove will save time over small scout fire. I put both the cook pot and stove inside stuff sacks to keep ash off the pack. The small knife isn’t the most ideal pick but it needs to be tested before becoming part of my primary gear. Most of my field knives have cordage/line on the sheath.
I took the small Blind Horse Knives scandi Tiger Knapp to see if a neck knife alone could cut it, pun intended with minimal gear. I was wearing a synthetic short sleeve shirt and shorts, wool socks, USGI gortex over pants, synthetic hat, synthetic insulated vest, light windbreaker and silnylon poncho. The light showers and chill past therefore the outer garments got tossed into the medium ALICE pack. I packed no water or food to increase the difficult however I would NEVER recommend anyone head out into the woods without water. My first priority was to scavenge for more gear, food and most of all water.
The scavenging process started fast. I found this Wood Sorrel right in the lawn and not having any food decided no time better than the present.
By the edge of the driveway I took these wild grapes. Once again I was looking for any opportunities.
I found two cans and a water bottle right away. The water bottle wasn't needed but took this beer can plus an Arizona orange drink can found not too far away. I found other junk during the outing but didn’t need any of it.
This apple tree was found at the start of my hike. It’s fighting for sunlight with an Eastern White Pine.
Most of the apples were too high. I tried to throw rocks and sticks but after nearly getting hit by my own inaccurate fire gave up on those. Whatever on the ground would have to do.
I didn’t pass by the White pine without taking some pitch.
Wild scallions. The blubs have a very strong onion flavor but I have plans for this wild edible.
[video=youtube;DBRgFy0D3uU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBRgFy0D3uU[/video]
I found some hickory nuts and stocked up. If the nuts pull away from the husk easily they’re ready. If the husk sticks to the nut and there is a greenish tint then more time is needed. This one is ready.
One big concern is containers. I was regretting leaving that old water bottle behind but remembered the Ziplock bags in my FAK. I packed everything up and continued my search for something to eat.
I have those three # 12 fishing hooks and know of a small brook which leads to a river but have limited gear. Maybe not so limited after all. :wink: There is the fishing line on my neck knife’s sheath.
I also have a needle and thread in my FAK along with 3 safety pins and a woods full of saplings. First thing is to select a sapling. This one will do.
I used the safety pin, thread and pine pitch glue to make an eye for the pole. Only one was needed.
This video will show some of how it was done.
[video=youtube;UBHlBgwVxKk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBHlBgwVxKk[/video]
Success! This looks like a male Brook trout in fall spawn. A nice sized fish for such a small brook. It was the right size plus wouldn’t survive bleeding like that so looks like food to me.
I think this is a naturalized Brown trout. The fish was a short so got released.
I took the keeper and headed down to the river. It was hard to fish with all the blown down trees, thick brush and flooded banks.
Picked up some more Silver/Paper/whatever birch bark along the way. Birch bark was always on my mind.
Someone was also making stuff in the woods. Guessing it didn’t work out for them but I could have used the cordage and duct tap. There was also some rope and a small fishing net. Heck I even saw an old tarp and a trash bag under the leaves. Not sure why I bothered to pack anything. :lol:
It was getting late and started to look for water. The river and first brook looked dark with tannins. That hasn’t ever hurt me in the past but liked the looks of this 3rd stream. I filled up my 70 ounce Platy here.
It wasn’t a bad place to clean my trout and hands. I removed the guts and gills but left everything else.
The last things on my list was firewood and Hemlock needles for tea. I was happy the headlamp was packed.
The Golite poncho was setup as a lean-to. There are pros and cons to a high pitched lean-to but was willing to gamble the weather wouldn't be all that bad. The fire ring was placed far enough from the poncho to avoid damage but near enough for heat. My plan was to sleep near the fire and move back a few feet if it started to rain. One down side to using a poncho for a shelter is the temporary loss of my raingear.
I used the birch bark and fire steel but for the first time in a looong time it didn’t want to light. Everything was beyond wet and the bark would flare up then die off. I could have fluffed the bark up and it would have worked but got some tissues out of the FAK and it started. The fire was in critical condition until there was a coal base.
My pillow. This isn’t going to be my most comfortable night in the woods.
Time to check out my foraging. Not a bad return for the calories expended.
With the fire burning my hobo stove wasn’t needed. I modified one of the cans into a cup. The top edges were folded over and one side left higher. This kept my lips from burning and made the cup easier to pick up when hot. Boiling water was added and the tea was left to steep for 10 minutes. It was downright good.
The trout was stuffed with scallions and wood sorrel. The sorrel has a lemon flavor and hoped it would combine well. The apples were tossed on the same Black birch cooking stick.
Here is something I never tried, fire roasted wild scallions.
The grapes were a bit past season but they still had sugar and moisture. The real tragedy was the hickory nuts, about ½ of them were full worms. I will have to find another area in the morning.
Some very poorly done Black birch chop sticks. Well they were good enough to do the job.
I posted this trip in another forum but maybe this community might like it. Here are 10 items I took for a trip. The FAK counted as 1 and clothing items didn't count. I didn't pack any food or water.
1. Ridgerest ground pad
2. FAK.
3. Paracord setup for a tarp ridgeline/tie-offs. Maybe 50-60 feet total.
4. Fenix HL20 on a camo PT headband.
5. A mostly empty pack of snelled fishhooks.
6. 70 oz platy bag.
7. MSR Ti kettle with stuff sack.
8. Hobo stove with stuff sack/plastic bag.
9. Blind Horse Knives large scandi Tiger Knapp neck/EDC knife.
10. Strike Force firesteel.
Why I picked this stuff.
The ridgerest will save me the time and effort of making a bushcrafty bed. I carry amy FAKs inside ziplocks because I fear getting them wet. Paracord is a no brainer. A headlamp will extend my work time. The hooks are for fishing because I am not packing any food. The Platy can carry about the same as two wide mouth Nalgenes but this one will start the trip empty. A kettle with hanger would work better over the fire but this one works great with the Hobo. The hobo stove will save time over small scout fire. I put both the cook pot and stove inside stuff sacks to keep ash off the pack. The small knife isn’t the most ideal pick but it needs to be tested before becoming part of my primary gear. Most of my field knives have cordage/line on the sheath.
I took the small Blind Horse Knives scandi Tiger Knapp to see if a neck knife alone could cut it, pun intended with minimal gear. I was wearing a synthetic short sleeve shirt and shorts, wool socks, USGI gortex over pants, synthetic hat, synthetic insulated vest, light windbreaker and silnylon poncho. The light showers and chill past therefore the outer garments got tossed into the medium ALICE pack. I packed no water or food to increase the difficult however I would NEVER recommend anyone head out into the woods without water. My first priority was to scavenge for more gear, food and most of all water.
The scavenging process started fast. I found this Wood Sorrel right in the lawn and not having any food decided no time better than the present.
By the edge of the driveway I took these wild grapes. Once again I was looking for any opportunities.
I found two cans and a water bottle right away. The water bottle wasn't needed but took this beer can plus an Arizona orange drink can found not too far away. I found other junk during the outing but didn’t need any of it.
This apple tree was found at the start of my hike. It’s fighting for sunlight with an Eastern White Pine.
Most of the apples were too high. I tried to throw rocks and sticks but after nearly getting hit by my own inaccurate fire gave up on those. Whatever on the ground would have to do.
I didn’t pass by the White pine without taking some pitch.
Wild scallions. The blubs have a very strong onion flavor but I have plans for this wild edible.
[video=youtube;DBRgFy0D3uU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBRgFy0D3uU[/video]
I found some hickory nuts and stocked up. If the nuts pull away from the husk easily they’re ready. If the husk sticks to the nut and there is a greenish tint then more time is needed. This one is ready.
One big concern is containers. I was regretting leaving that old water bottle behind but remembered the Ziplock bags in my FAK. I packed everything up and continued my search for something to eat.
I have those three # 12 fishing hooks and know of a small brook which leads to a river but have limited gear. Maybe not so limited after all. :wink: There is the fishing line on my neck knife’s sheath.
I also have a needle and thread in my FAK along with 3 safety pins and a woods full of saplings. First thing is to select a sapling. This one will do.
I used the safety pin, thread and pine pitch glue to make an eye for the pole. Only one was needed.
This video will show some of how it was done.
[video=youtube;UBHlBgwVxKk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBHlBgwVxKk[/video]
Success! This looks like a male Brook trout in fall spawn. A nice sized fish for such a small brook. It was the right size plus wouldn’t survive bleeding like that so looks like food to me.
I think this is a naturalized Brown trout. The fish was a short so got released.
I took the keeper and headed down to the river. It was hard to fish with all the blown down trees, thick brush and flooded banks.
Picked up some more Silver/Paper/whatever birch bark along the way. Birch bark was always on my mind.
Someone was also making stuff in the woods. Guessing it didn’t work out for them but I could have used the cordage and duct tap. There was also some rope and a small fishing net. Heck I even saw an old tarp and a trash bag under the leaves. Not sure why I bothered to pack anything. :lol:
It was getting late and started to look for water. The river and first brook looked dark with tannins. That hasn’t ever hurt me in the past but liked the looks of this 3rd stream. I filled up my 70 ounce Platy here.
It wasn’t a bad place to clean my trout and hands. I removed the guts and gills but left everything else.
The last things on my list was firewood and Hemlock needles for tea. I was happy the headlamp was packed.
The Golite poncho was setup as a lean-to. There are pros and cons to a high pitched lean-to but was willing to gamble the weather wouldn't be all that bad. The fire ring was placed far enough from the poncho to avoid damage but near enough for heat. My plan was to sleep near the fire and move back a few feet if it started to rain. One down side to using a poncho for a shelter is the temporary loss of my raingear.
I used the birch bark and fire steel but for the first time in a looong time it didn’t want to light. Everything was beyond wet and the bark would flare up then die off. I could have fluffed the bark up and it would have worked but got some tissues out of the FAK and it started. The fire was in critical condition until there was a coal base.
My pillow. This isn’t going to be my most comfortable night in the woods.
Time to check out my foraging. Not a bad return for the calories expended.
With the fire burning my hobo stove wasn’t needed. I modified one of the cans into a cup. The top edges were folded over and one side left higher. This kept my lips from burning and made the cup easier to pick up when hot. Boiling water was added and the tea was left to steep for 10 minutes. It was downright good.
The trout was stuffed with scallions and wood sorrel. The sorrel has a lemon flavor and hoped it would combine well. The apples were tossed on the same Black birch cooking stick.
Here is something I never tried, fire roasted wild scallions.
The grapes were a bit past season but they still had sugar and moisture. The real tragedy was the hickory nuts, about ½ of them were full worms. I will have to find another area in the morning.
Some very poorly done Black birch chop sticks. Well they were good enough to do the job.
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