Day Gear

You're geting a lot of good advice here, and I'm glad you're open to it. Remember, the whole idea is to have fun and be safe. The more you're in the woods, the more you'll know what you need and what's dead weight. Get the experience and enjoy yourself.
 
twoism said:
Your gear set up is basically what I do as well.
Click to expand...

Shotgun said:
That's my thought as well.
Click to expand...

For sure... it's common sense and nothing new. I just know that I am constantly evolving and refining my kit and it helps to keep in mind the separations. I find the lines get blurry and before I know it, my items are mixed between the three levels. I like the freedom of dropping my ruck or shoulder bag and not needing to wonder if I still have the essentials.

Rick
 
Rick Marchand said:
...
Primary keeps you alive... Secondary makes life easier... Tertiary makes it all just "camping". This is something to work with. Items change with season, the environment, situation and personal preference/skill level.

I hope I didn't forget anything (I'm just typing as I think) and that you can find something useful from it.

Rick
Click to expand...

+1. Great quote, Rick. I think I should start telling the people I go hiking with this. They say they are roughing it when they have tents and sleeping bags. :eek:
 
Rick, I'm curious as to why the whistle wouldn't make your primary kit? Are you often hiking in remote areas where there won't be others that are likely to hear you?
 
The whistle is attached to my shoulderbag strap... and more often than not, I'm wearing my bag. I also have the talent of a "no fingers" whistle that can give the Fox40 a run for its money. You are very right about the importance of a whistle... I feel confident I am covered.

Rick
 
Damnit damnit damnit, I had listed out what I carry, and accidentally hit backspace after hitting tab....Will redo it later. Basically, I approach it like Rick does. I'm more of a Primary on me, secondary in the pack, and tertiary being activity-specific (camping, cutlery play time, wildlife viewing, beach/coast trips, etc.)

Anyway, thanks for the respons, Rick :thumbup: I can whistle decently through my teeth, but my face becomes even less endearing while doing it :D
 
Hmmm, weird, I lost it that time, and it's not the first time that's happened. I always thought it was an IE thing. I just tried a short string right now and it worked fine indeed. :confused:
 
Mine screws me when I accidentally hit ctrl-R instead of shift-R for caps. I really gotta stop typing my name at the end... That what a sig is for....

Rick (damn)
 
Interesting gear lists. I dont think id go hiking if i carried as much stuff as you guys. In any case, I generally hike in pretty easy hiking areas, so I definatly dont need as much. That being said I almost always have a cople knives and a basic first aid kit :)
 
what Ive found is the more time I spend in the field the less I realize I actually need so subsequently the more I leave at home

on my person I carry a belt Knife, PSK(with a SAK included, med kit, fire kit , signal kit etc), a folder knife, map, compass, GPS, insect repellant, and a water bottle and thats it.

I know with the items on my belt I could survive for days, maybe weeks if I really had to.

In my pack I carry, food, cooking gear, shelter, sleeping gear, hatchet, folding saw etc.

everything in my pack is a just there to make my life comfortable in the field, if I lost my pack I would still be able to survive with the gear on my belt, So its not vital.

I like the theory of the redundancy system but I cant be stuffed carrying shit I dont use, if its not used it gets left at home.

when I first started out I would carry alsorts of extra crap I didnt use but I carried it with the thought of what if something happened in the back of my mind. I then started hiking and hunting with some old bushmen, and they looked at all my fancy kit and extra knives and just laughed, these guys would be in the bush for five minutes and have the Hilton built and a good dinner on before you could blink an eye with what we consider the bare minimum of kit.

the point is what we think we need and carry can be very different to what we actually need and carry.
 
not directed at anyone in particular as what we carry is very dependent on where we are carrying it (and when), but I see a lot of "kits" posted w/ no mention of clothing

of course when we head out we're wearing some clothing (I hope :)), but that clothing should be aimed at the temp we are expecting and optimized for moving (if you're not moving when out ie ice fishing, duck hunting in a blind, etc then that's a little different)

where I hike the risk of dying from exposure ("summer and "winter") is probably the number one factor to mitigate for- a fire is definitely part of that equation, as is a suitable shelter, but clothing is also part of that equation- even in "summer" I wouldn't think about heading into the backcountry w/o a light wool hat and gloves, light shell and and an insulating layer- this certainly adds to the volume (and a little weight), but I wouldn't trade that clothing for 5-6 extra knives, flashlights, etc
 
...I would drop some of that weight in steel - say down to 2 folders, one fixed and add a light-weight hatchet & a quality, light-weight sidearm with extra ammo. I used to carry as much stuff as you, but I couln't even remember to use all the stuff I brought. I would also bring some extra food on a dayhike too!

i like your hat though!
 
Thanks for all the reply's, tips and advice folks! I have re-work my gear a bit and have arrived at something I am happy with for now, I just have to get out and test it! I am away from the woods this weekend :( but will get some pics up next week.

Thanks again, this place sure is a good resource! Cheers!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top