I survived, detailed log of my entry for the survival contest

Naked,
I am using a TrueNorth Loadmonster (http://www.truenorthgear.com/product_detail.php?path=5&p_id=60). It is a "fanny pack" with shoulder straps. For me, it is better than either the "fanny pack" (I previously used the same one you have) or the day pack I used to use. The side pockets carry Nalgene 1L bottles with a metal cup, and the metal cups make it easier to get the bottles in and out. Thus I carry two bottles and two cups. I like the Practical Tactical cups (http://www.practicaltactical.net/prostores/servlet/-strse-237/MSR-Stainless-Steel-Nalgene/Detail). If you are upgrading, please give these items some consideration.

Spud
 
Mentor said:
naked's remarks about getting smacked in the face by the branch and popping a lens out of his glasses got me thinking about how important vision aids are for some of us. I have poor eyesight, and I wear glasses all the time. Without them, everything is blurry and my depth perception is off. If I were in a survival situation and my glasses broke, I would be pretty SOL.

For those in similar circumstances - do you regularly pack a spare pair of glasses in your PSK or regular wilderness gear setup? A hard-shell glasses case takes up a lot of room - too much for most small PSK containers. But I'm now convinced that I need to revise my setup in order to accommodate this item.

So, thanks again naked! Your report has inspired me to add spare glasses and another light source to my kit.

All the best,

- Mike
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Hey Mentor,

My eyes may not be as bad as yours, but when I canoe, I always carry spare glasses, not because of survival considerations, but because not having glasses would greatly detract from my enjoyment of the trip.

Doc
 
The pad is a really old closed cell foam pad. It works great! Most of my other pads are air pads, and those don't insulate from the ground much, so this one is my beater pad. It had some tie straps glued on to make rolling it and tieing it easier.

The smaller black Cabelas bag is an XPG Bivy sac. It's pretty good, and a great entry level bivy sac. I've not had to use it in the rain yet, but it says its water proof, though it's an open face design w/o a bug screen. I'm just starting to experiment with bivys, if I end up liking them, I might upgrade to one that has a full closure with a bug screen.

The orange bag is a Cabela's XPG Ultralight Wing tarp as pictured above.

My lumbar pack is a Mountainsmith Tour, I LOVE the quality and the size. But I don't really like the lumbar aspect of it. Tough as nails and high quality construction.

My leather gloves are just some cheaps picked up at a hardware store. And the black ones are some thick polartec factory rejects that I got for $4 via Sierratradingpost. Very crooked seems, but they keep me pretty toasty as long as there aren't high winds.

L!
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Hey Mentor,

My eyes may not be as bad as yours, but when I canoe, I always carry spare glasses, not because of survival considerations, but because not having glasses would greatly detract from my enjoyment of the trip.

Doc
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I'm really new to wearing glasses, not quite 2 years yet. I got contacts earlier this year, but when my package ran out, I never got any more. I don't mind them too much, glasses are just quicker for me in the morning.

If I take contacts, I always have an extra set. But in the bush, I'm weary of touching my eyes at all.

I only have one pair of glasses, and I got them from http://www.39dollarglasses.com/. They often have $10 off w/ free shipping. My glasses are definitely cheap, but they come with all the extra options for cheap, and they've held up really well to my abuse. Might be a cheap option for a backup pair. My vision isn't to the point where I wouldn't consider an extra pair as necessity yet. But they sure make nature a LOT more enjoyable.
 
Great report, and good lookin' gear too.

That your pants melted, just verifies why I don't like to wear synthetics. - you learn something on every trip.

Thanks for the pics.:thumbup:

peter
 
naked said:
I'm really new to wearing glasses, not quite 2 years yet. I got contacts earlier this year, but when my package ran out, I never got any more. I don't mind them too much, glasses are just quicker for me in the morning.

If I take contacts, I always have an extra set. But in the bush, I'm weary of touching my eyes at all.

I only have one pair of glasses, and I got them from http://www.39dollarglasses.com/. They often have $10 off w/ free shipping. My glasses are definitely cheap, but they come with all the extra options for cheap, and they've held up really well to my abuse. Might be a cheap option for a backup pair. My vision isn't to the point where I wouldn't consider an extra pair as necessity yet. But they sure make nature a LOT more enjoyable.
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Hey naked,

I've worn glasses for 53 years. They have saved my eyes on countless occasions. If I go without them for even short periods outdoors, it feels like every bit of dust and dirt knows :eek:.

Screw contacts (BTW, your reasoning is sound), I love glasses.

Doc
 
This has been one of the best posts I have read on this forum. It is a true - put your money where your mouth is PSK post.

Thanks for this one - very cool and inspiring!

TF
 
Great post and pics. I am going thru a lot of surgerys right now and have been in a nursing home for 5 months ,at least a few more to go. I have AVN in my hips and legs .Posts like yours really brighten my days. Thanks.
 
:eek:Naked.....Man what a great thread. Looks like a very nice time. Glad you made it ok. Pics are wondefull, and that Breeden is freakin awesome.:thumbup:
 
Outstanding trip report! You did a great job and great pics as well!
 
Thanks for the scoop on the gear. Ever considered lasik surgery? I had it done a few years ago and after over 30 years of glasses or contacts, I can see again! Adds an element of freedom I had forgotten.
 
great trip report, thanks very much for sharing!

about the lumbar pack, i got a basic one and found i liked it more slung over one shoulder so that the load was across my back. it seems to work alright when it was snugged up.

glad you made it out alive, and still naked!
 
dipbait said:
Great post Naked. So, are you going to bring the pocket chainsaw next trip?
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I'm not sure. It did get the job done, it just took a ton of my energy. I've had this one for years, and abused it quite well. So it might just be time for a new one. I'd really like to try a Silky Saw, so this might be a good time to get one.

Rockywolf said:
Thanks for the scoop on the gear. Ever considered lasik surgery? I had it done a few years ago and after over 30 years of glasses or contacts, I can see again! Adds an element of freedom I had forgotten.
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I haven't considered this yet, as my eyes are still changing. I haven't had much chance to look into this as an option though, but I'd love to free of glasses and contacts. There are numerous times when my glasses have protected my eyes though much like Doc has said. But, being around children and youth all the time... my glasses get knocked off, bent, and trampled fairly frequently, which is crazy annoying. Nothing kills glasses like dodgeballs!
 
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