A most unusual item in a BOB...

[foxyrick]

I've just watched 'Encounters at the end of the world'. It's a documentary filmed in Antarctica - all real people etc.

There's a guy who escaped from behind the iron curtain; he works there as a mechanic. He keeps a rucksack packed and ready to go at a moment's notice, although he didn't call it a BOB. I got the impression that it wasn't just an Antarctic thing, but that he would have this ready wherever he was.

It has the usual sort of things that might be expected: clothing, a small tent, food, etc. etc.

Interestingly he kept the weight to 20kg - he said that's the weight limit on 'planes. Not sure if that's correct as I don't fly much, but it's something I hadn't thought of planning for.

In the bottom it had...




...an inflatable canoe and a folding paddle!

 

[T.O.M.]

Why have a canoe when you can board the ark?

(I'm not religious, but actually just using sarcasm.)

I'm surprised at how much he put in there, with the bag looking like a normal duffel one..

 

[neeman]

The ultimate BOB
Never be up a creek with out a paddle.......

 

[spoolup]

Cant remember where I read it at but I want to say it was this forum back in Aug or so?? Of a guy who did a multiple week trek and used one something like this. Being I do not have access to my home PC right now or for the next few weeks, I can not dig up the thread but I know I saved it in my favorites. Really an interusting read, I will seach for it here a little bit but dont hold me to it if I cant find it. Really a nice little setup. And his writeups/ story was amazing. Made me start looking at them!

EDIT*** not the story I was looking for but its similar, the one I have saved at home has a dozen videos and a few hundered photos. These guys are ready to evac! Still it looks like a blast

http://www.aktrekking.com/trips.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5yXhh_EZjM&feature=related

 

[Moving Target]

Do a search for a guy called "Dubside" and his "commando kayaking"...

...basically some cool canadian paddle-bum who carries his folding kayak around cities paddling canals and other out-of-the-way urban places in all sorts of weather. He commutes by bus and on foot.

His kit looks a lot bigger and heavier than the OP's pictures though.

 

[rinos]

Maybe some of this

Apaka raft review

 

[ROCK6]

It’s really not a bad idea, especially if your route to home or bug-out destination includes multiple, swamp-areas or large water ways. A bridge is a man-made choke point and one you may want to avoid if the situation is more severe than anticipated. Traveling via waterways is also pretty covert, often faster and less taxing than on foot. It’s actually pretty cool.

ROCK6

 

[Shoki]

Interesting idea, to say the least. It appears to be a simple vinyl raft, like you'd find at WalMart, but I'd be worried about durability. Vinyl inflatables don't hold up to well and aren't that easy to repair, from my experience. Does anyone know of a rubber alternative of comparable size that could be repaired with a bicycle tube kit?

 

[NorCalMtn2]

I've just watched 'Encounters at the end of the world'. It's a documentary filmed in Antarctica - all real people etc.

This was a great documentary, I've seen it about three times.

It appears to be a simple vinyl raft, like you'd find at WalMart, but I'd be worried about durability.

When flying to and from Europe, or on domestic flights within Europe and surrounding areas most airlines provide you with a strict upper limit on checked hold baggage of 20kg. (44 lbs). Any emergency bag under 75 lbs is most likely going to be less than complete, but vastly better than nothing.

I think this guy's escape bag was more for emotional therapy/comfort than something that was routinely implemented. I got the feeling this guy had been through some pretty tough times in the past.

 

[Shoki]

This was a great documentary, I've seen it about three times.



When flying to and from Europe, or on domestic flights within Europe and surrounding areas most airlines provide you with a strict upper limit on checked hold baggage of 20kg. (44 lbs). Any emergency bag under 75 lbs is most likely going to be less than complete, but vastly better than nothing.

I think this guy's escape bag was more for emotional therapy/comfort than something that was routinely implemented. I got the feeling this guy had been through some pretty tough times in the past.

No doubt. I'm not knocking him for his choice, I was just wondering if I could improve upon it for my own use.

 

[paperairplane]

I could see this as very viable for an Alaskan bush pilot. Flying around in a piper cub with floats... backup boat not a bad thing.

 

[Joezilla]

Yeah, if I were around areas with LOTS of rivers, that would be pretty cool too. My first thought was thats crazy, but then again, traveling down a river at 4 miles an hour, vs navigating the jungle or rocks around it. You may have something there. Cool thought

 

[redpoint]

Yeah, I've seen this before. I don't think it was a BOB, it was just that he was ready to head-out for a "backcountry" trip at a moments notice. Awesome idea, getting ready for a trip can kill a lot of time for me.

 

[collecter]

After the recent floods in australia and south america I've been thinking about something that floats to keep for that type of emergency. An inflatable kayak would work in a pinch.

I live directly on the coast so a flood is very possible.

Keeping a gear bag packed and ready for the next adventure is the only way I would ever get to go. I normally repack my gear as I'm breaking camp and anything that needs washing gets washed as soon as I get home. I'm packed and ready at all times.

 

[shangchi108]

Interestingly he kept the weight to 20kg - he said that's the weight limit on 'planes. Not sure if that's correct as I don't fly much, but it's something I hadn't thought of planning for.

Weight limit on American domestic flights is 50 lbs (22.6 kg). If you go over, they just make you pay more (a lot more). 20 kg is a good rule of thumb, though.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

Interesting idea, to say the least. It appears to be a simple vinyl raft, like you'd find at WalMart, but I'd be worried about durability. Vinyl inflatables don't hold up to well and aren't that easy to repair, from my experience. Does anyone know of a rubber alternative of comparable size that could be repaired with a bicycle tube kit?

I have two Alpacka Rafts, and you could not be more wrong about the material, or the sheer strength, capacity and capabilities of these incredible wilderness boats.

Google is your friend...