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CONTEST -- How many Survival Mistakes did I make?

The bottom of the shoes have a steel track with teeth--great for gripping into ice. If you could break the shoes apart you could use the track as a saw perhaps. But those tracks are riveted in pretty good and the plastic is tough. Might be able to use a hot rock or burning stick to melt the plastic and separate the tracks....

If I had broke my leg, might be able to use them to make a splint.

But I think in this situation they are most valuable as snow shoes.
 
I think I agree with that. I was thinking if they were aluminum grid - you could perhaps make a grill for the meat you would have killed with your Breeden. ;)


TF
 
Talfuchre said:
Forgot about the Tin for heating water - but you have to admit - that would be LABORIOUS. ;)



TF
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Depends on the situation and need and fuel. 2 tealights will melt a bunch of water in soup can sizes- not boil, but get you above freezing and probably better than 65-70 degrees. I'd have to test in a given environment. Sterno or a paste fuel, wood- any heat source, including an MRE heater, would be good.

Using an altoids tin would be iffy. any small steel cup with a volume of 8-16 ounces would be nice.
 
Rotte said:
:o


I'm glad you brought this up; I wondered if someone would. I have mixed thoughts about this. After a couple cups of coffee, I usually have to pee like the proverbial racehorse. However, it's my understanding that several studies have shown that coffee or caffeine does not cause dehydration--this is apparently one of those old wives tales. This is good news for me and you, unless anyone knows different?
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you're right about the dehydration being largly inconclusive eitherway with dehydration. Surley water would be better to drink, but coffee is not negative for hydration. but what I wanted to bring up was that caffeine and cold weather do not work nicely together. the caffeine causes your blood vessels to constrict. impairing circulation. the fact that you did not wear gloves at the start, while not critical in your case, could potentially contribute to bad things happening. loss of dexterity and although an extreme in your circumstance as you did have gloves , frost bite. now did you carry 2 pairs of gloves? because I'd consider that an error myself.

you could fall into some slush, wool gloves are done for. you'd be left with bare hands with poor circulation.

come to think of it you didnt have a backup if you did get wet, and you were wearing cotton. a space blanket and candle (or zippo) would be sufficient, so thats not a hard task to fufill.
 
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It's good to carry paper towels to grab a lot of moisture from your boots, since you live in the rockies I expect you know what happens when a vehicle goes in a ditch, same for waking around before a full freeze, in the same instance an extra pair of socks with some plastic bags to keep the water out is another option for freezing/wet feet.

Hand heaters of chemical or burning variety also great to have, I prefer the solid fuel ones.

Did you take sunglasses, I don't know if it was overcast or not, sun sure gets bright on fresh snow.

How about sun block before you left?

Wet snow can ball on our dogs paws, it was a short trip, so I can't blame you if you didn't have booties for your pooch.

I don't know your area, so I can't say much else, except I want to do some winter camping again.

I'm not in it for the contest, just my observations.
 
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I didn't see anyone post yet unless I missed it...
• Didn't bring a gun in the event you run into hungry wildlife (I never go anywhere without the heater).
 
racegunner said:
• Didn't bring a gun in the event you run into hungry wildlife (I never go anywhere without the heater).
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There are bears and mountain lions in the area. I didn't see any tracks. More concerning would a rutting moose. Didn't see one of those either. It would tough to explain shooting a moose without a tag.

I've never felt the need to carry a gun here and don't think I'll start; some how a gun just doesn't seem like the answer to me. Maybe it's that I don't want to kill any of these dangerous creatures. I wonder if I came eye to eye with a lion if I'd feel differently?
 
OK, contest deadline is coming to a close. I think Talfuchre did the best job enumerating my mistakes and illustrating my stupidity to date. So I'm declaring Talfuchre the winner -- outstanding job thinking of several small mistakes, e.g. leaving the gaiters at home, in addition to the big, obvious mistakes.

Now I'm curious to see what knife and maker you choose, Talfuchre!
 
Rotte,

Thank you so much. It is crazy that I won this. I never win anything. I am so greatful for your SUPER GENEROUS offer.

I think I will choose Fiddleback Forge as my maker of choice - I don't have one of Andy's awesome knives.

I also think I have picked out the pattern:

scandi100_0910-vi.jpg


His new Scandi ground Bushcrafter in 01. Oooooo I am DROOLING!


Thanks man - I will PM you for more details!

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
Rotte,

Thank you so much. It is crazy that I won this. I never win anything. I am so greatful for your SUPER GENEROUS offer.

I think I will choose Fiddleback Forge as my maker of choice - I don't have one of Andy's awesome knives.

I also think I have picked out the pattern:

scandi100_0910-vi.jpg


His new Scandi ground Bushcrafter in 01. Oooooo I am DROOLING!


Thanks man - I will PM you for more details!

TF
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Good job Tall Man.:) Nice choice of blade too.

Rotte, my cranial cavity was not functioning well enough to get into this one but, in my personal opinion, you come up with the best contests.:thumbup:
 
Thanks guys. It was a fun contest. And when I read TF's design over on Andy's forum, I thought, "hey, I could use a bushcrafter....."

Nice work TF!
 
Rotte said:
Thanks guys. It was a fun contest. And when I read TF's design over on Andy's forum, I thought, "hey, I could use a bushcrafter....."

Nice work TF!
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Perhaps that tall guy could make a nice sheath for one.;)
 
OK. This was a cool contest, and its a great honor to be the chosen maker. Tal is designing a pretty neato combo of my Ladyfinger and Bushcrafter. The knife will have a scandi grind, and I'm throwing in wood upgrade for free. Rotte is getting a matching one also!

You guys rock!
 
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