Essential Camp Gear Suggestions

DarkReazon

DarkReazon

Joined
Jan 15, 2003
Messages
202
Some questions...

I went for a 6 day camping trip to Tobermory for May long weekend with a couple good friends of mine, I would like to extend my thanks for the advice I recieved that helped me prepare for it (in terms of gear, where to look, things to read, etc).

I come once again thirsty to the trough of knowledge that is Wilderness & Survival Skills :D...

I've read Greg Davenport's Wilderness Survival book, and am working away on Wiseman's SAS Survival Guide. I've got my Serratus 65 pack, my lightweight cookware and stove (Whisperlite), my knives (Howling Rat, SERE2000, and others ;)). Everything has been tested and used at Tobermory, we did some off the trail hikes (4.5 and 5 hour treks) with day packs across some REALLY rocky terrain. Boots used were Doc Martens, with no ill effect (no blisters, no sprained ankles).


One of those friends and I are planning a several day hike through Algonquin (Ontario,Canada) this August. It is gonna be hot, but at least no (or few) black flies (minions of the Devil, for certain). I'm a fit guy, but I know there is a slim chance for us to carry enough water for the journey. This will be my first trip without a supply depot (the vehicles), so I was hoping for some advice on proper boots, water filtration device/method for the trail, and anything else my neophyte hiking brain is going to forget.


I enjoy exercise (5.11.5" 190lbs right now), am a physically capable guy, but I defer to the combined knowledge of the forums to help me make this trip safe, and more enjoyable... A list of gear for the real world (no armageddon, no undead zombies to contend with, just Canadian Wilderness a few days out ;) would be very much appreciated, as we are beginning to plan for early August (gives me time to order anything I'm missing :) Is there a preferred sock for marsh land :) Any advice would be appreciated :)


Regards,

Shaun.
 
I'll stick my neck out.

Boots: Use your Doc Martens if they are up to the trip or get yourself some decent hiking boots that fit well and make sure they are broken in well ahead of your trip. My personal preference is as few pieces of leather and as few seams as possible--ideally a one-piece upper. Vasque's Sundowner is a common example, but for long-term water resistance, I personally would avoid Gore-Tex. The PTFE membrane will eventually wear out or otherwise fail and then it will leak. Your Doc. Martens should suffice if you will be on a good trail and do not carry too much weight. You don't want to drop big bucks on boots unless you are going to keep hiking or will use them for something else . . .

Last time I bought hiking boots, I violated my own rules and got Asolo 95 GTXs. They have the support of much heavier boots and do not leak yet, BUT, the soles are toast after less than two years.

One more thing on boots. Once you know the boots fit right and you will not be returning them, seal any exposed seams with SeamGrip or the like. It will protect the seams and make the boots last longer.

Water: For your first "real" backpack I would use Potable Aqua tablets, AquaMira, or another decent chemical treatment. Again, you don't want to spend money on a water filter or purifier unless you know you will continue to backpack enough to justify the cost. FWIW I use a Pur Hiker and I like it a lot.

I don't know what to tell you about the black flies. We only have Mosquitoes, deer flies and the like down here in Washington state (and a few ticks on the east side of the state). DEET works fine here.

You might also check out www.backpacking.net. There are some checklists and a couple
FORUMS that may address your other questions. That site focuses on recreational backpacking rather than tactical or survival situations.

Have fun :)
 
Try this web site

http://www.monmouth.com/~mconnick/chklist.htm

Do not go wild and buy new gear. Take just what is available to you that you already own. You need to go on a half dozen trips before you really figure out what you need. You will develop your own style, and that part of the fun.

One recommendation I can make is do not buy cheap inferior gear or gadgets that won't be used. Backpacking does not require a lot of gear.
 
Oops, sorry darkreazon. The link address was from my reply screen. Oh well ... it takes you there anyway.

Another suggestion for your pack is a folding pruning saw. I have added one to my kit and found it exceptionally useful for firewood and shelter/gadget building.
 
If you were told there won't be any bugs in the Park in August, you were misled. Black flies won't be the problem, but there will be mosquitos for sure. And there is a bit of a West Nile scare. Also, if you're in the southern part of the Park there could be bears by then - these aren't the wild ones we usually see that aren't too tough to deal with [unless it's a rogue or a polar bear], but bears used to people. So, I would certainly take a mosquito repellant [something with DEET or citronella, if you prefer] and you might want to take a bear spray for emergency purposes only. When I used to go to Algonquin, many years ago [too crowded for me now] I never used either. In retrospect, I should have.
 
Hey,

Fist of all I have to tell you I've done those things overhere in Europe for several years now.
If you are searching for boots I would recommand you the Belgian Military Boots (old version), I don't know wether they can be found over there, but those boots are the best I have used. I wouldn't use Doc Martens, they have a not solid grip and you may slide away when you can't afford it. If you can't find the ABL boots you should try to find Salamon Hicking boots! They are the Next best thing!!!
If there is one thing you should always try to take allong it's plenty of wather and food, as you may not be able to find some on your path!!! If your bergan is to small, I should recommand you to search a bigger backpack! The Berghaus Vulcan for instance!!! It's one of the best rucksacks used by the British SAS and the Belgian and Dutch Special Forces!
Further more your kit should consist of:

1 first Aid Kid
1 sleeping Bag
1 Bivi tent (because they are small and easy to use in case of emergency)
2 pair of spare clothes & underwear
1 Knife (Bk&T, Swamp Rat, ...)
1 Utility knive (Leatherman, Victorinox, ...)
5 Emergency Rations
X Rope
1 compass (you might want to take a button compas as backup)
2 light sticks
1 flash light
X water proof matches
X Cooking gear
...

Loose the Gas fire!!!! It only takes space, and you can always build a fire, whereever you are. If not try to practice!!!
If you have some more questions just ask!
 
Sometimes there are fire restrictions so check before you go as to whether you need to take a stove or can chop wood.
 
If so you can always use a can to start a fire in, it works as good as a gas fire, it only takes LOTS of practice! But once you know how to do it! You'll never carry a stove with you again, not even when it has been raining for days!!! You 'll always find a way to start a fire and cook on it!!!
 
Thanks guys,

I'm packing Muskol for the mosquitoes. (I've read the concerns about high concentrations of DEET, I try to make sure it's on my clothes, and not dripping out of the pores)

For bladeware, I will be bringing :

1 Swamp Rat Howling Rat (in a OST sheath)
1 Al Mar SERE 2000
1 Leatherman WAVE
1 Takedown Saw

I have first hand experience starting fires with a magnesium fire starter, it's a bit of a PITA, but that's what the Brunton Helios is for (in addition to the magnesium).

I've got a Silva compass.

I've got a hikers' 2 man survival kit (as does my friend), which has been repacked with additional supplies.

I need to buy some paracord, however, I'm just about out. I will be putting together a survival kit for this trip, for certain. (and aquainting myself with the various components).

Well, it looks like the most important thing right now is food, boots and water.

I've got some Coglan's purifying tablets, but I'll get the Iodine, and Vit-C (though I'm kinda interested in the blue oatmeal trick...)

For boots I've been looking into Vasque's and Solomon's, though despite the grip factor, the Doc's worked well enough for bouldering along the Bruce :) It looks like it will depend on how much "spare" money I have floating around next month. I have a wide foot (proportionally) and was told that Vasque's might not be accomodating. I'll just have to see, I guess.

thanks,

Shaun.
 
IMHO a good pair of hiking boots is an excellent investment, even if you use them only a few times a year. If the soles are not glued/fused on, you can replace them if they wear out. You might also want to take a walking stick or trekking pole, or cut your own when you get there. They really do reduce the load on your legs and feet over long distances.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Tell a few people where you're going and when you should be back. If you get into trouble, it won't take days to realize that you're missing and days to find you. You never know what can happen out there. Have a safe and fun trip!
 
Go and get you that pair of Salomon's you won't regret it, I have mine since 1999 and they are still in a good condition!! Still waterproof and the grip is still nice, altough they are getting old, I'm planning on getting me some new ones soon.
Tell me what you have packed in your 2 man, survival pack! Most of you guys take allong way to much, I've ones seen a guy who packed a survival kit allong on one of our survival trips and most of he's kit was build for sea survival. Loool

You may not only trust on paracord, you might aswel need climbingcords aswell!!!

I have one more question, are you moving trough rocky territory??? If you are, you might want to purchase climbing gear aswell! You never know when it may come in handy!!!
 
Originally posted by DarkReazon
Thanks guys,

...For boots I've been looking into Vasque's and Solomon's, though despite the grip factor, the Doc's worked well enough for bouldering along the Bruce :) It looks like it will depend on how much "spare" money I have floating around next month. I have a wide foot (proportionally) and was told that Vasque's might not be accomodating. I'll just have to see, I guess.

thanks,

Shaun.
Click to expand...

Based on recommendations from various outdoor forums, I've been looking at Danner (I own a pair of Vasqe and a pair of Merrill) since I want something that can be resoled. I have a foot that's wide across the ball with a high arch and vamp - hard to fit. I agree with the Vasque advice - better for low volume feet. The Danner vary in fit from model to model, even when the boots use the SAME LAST.

FWIW, The best fit I could find in Danner boots was the Quarry. This is the result of trying on like 2 or 3 sizes of six or more models (that I can recall off the top of my head) of Danner boots.

Edited to add: I always seem to need to by one size larger if it's a Europen made boot or shoe...
 
You can try an insole for that high arch. It would be best to find a boot that just fits by itself, but a lot of factory insoles don't seem to be designed for real feet :rolleyes: .
 
Originally posted by SteelDriver
You can try an insole for that high arch. It would be best to find a boot that just fits by itself, but a lot of factory insoles don't seem to be designed for real feet :rolleyes: .
Click to expand...

I agree...I've tried various insoles. THe real problem with fit (for me) is the vamp? (top of foot above arch) and the fact that even though I have no bunions, etc, my foot is wide enough (or maybe curved enough)that my big toes hit (press) the side of the boot - this gets very uncomfortable.

Back when I bough cheap boots (high tech, etc) I used Spenco orthotic inserts that I form fitted with boiling water... But the Merril Summit's fit nearly perfectly - I just want the durability and protection of a heavir boot.

I can REALLY recommed the Spenco Orthotic inserts.

The real point is, I guess, to try on boots until you find "the pair."
 
spiderken,

My kit is based around this kit from MEC.

In addition to a small SAK, a bic lighter (small), Tincture of Iodine, antisceptic ointment, extra Butterfly bandages, extra 1.5" athletic tape, 35ft fishing line, 3 fishing hooks, small mirror, 2 power bars (emergency ration only), 50 ft paracord, space blanket, small compass, 1 candle.

That's about it. For this trip, it's not going to be terribly cold at night. At most, we will be 2 days out from a trail end point (we are looking at roughly 55km in 4 days). I have a few things on me constantly, and that is food, some water, and my Swamp Rat Howling Rat in a shoulder harness rig. I have a Brunton Helios at hand as well (in my experiences, very reliable), and an Inova X5T.

Bear in mind, my friend is comparably prepared as well. If, for instance, one of us loses all our gear (fall in the water, have to bail?) the other still has enough supply to see us out. That's the plan anyway. Oh yeah, a foghorn sized can of Bear spray might be in the pack as well :)



Regards,

Shaun.
 
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