I think I've been hit

[Rick Marchand]

My pack is heavier in the summer than in the winter. Water being the culprit, here.




Rick

 

[Bigdumplings]

i dont understand this sydrome really, im into gear and knives and things because of my experiences in the woods... I would spend time in the woods and think, well i dont think i need to be carrying this whole tent, BAM id get a tarp, or i would think this pack is awfully uncomfortable i think i would like something else, Bam new pack... my gear selections are based on my time in the woods... how/why do people get into getting new gear, if they dont spend time in the woods?

 

[baldtaco-II]

Suffering Neurotypicality syndrome cured my list making / collecting right up.

 

[bikermikearchery]

1972, In 1970 I used to teach my fellow Boy scouts how to make a survival kits. in 71, I flipped my raft on a river trip. Lost half my gear and every thing was soaked to the point of being useless. Learned to make a bow-drill fire that day. Slept under a big pile of oak leaves while the sleeping bags dried out. Made fish traps and eat fish cooked right on the coals that night.
I had been given the skills by my Step-dad, but this was when I learned there value. When I returned from that trip I really started to rethink the kit idea. Kits can be real cool, very comforting, convenient, and a lot of fun to make, but they can also be lost, destroyed, or ruined. The knowledge in your head is yours to keep. If you happen to loose your head that kit wouldn't have been much help anyways. After that trip I started to earnestly learn things I couldn't loose.

Again I am not advocating giving up your toys and gadgets. As a knifemaker/blacksmith, and bowyer nobody likes tools and widgets more than I do, but a complete list of outdoor skills should include some traditional/primitive skills.
(YMMV)
1. Fire by friction
2. natural no tool shelter
3. cordage from natural fiber
4. knapping an edge in stone, (you don't have to be good at this, just be able to make a crude edge)
5. 1 or 2 simple traps.
6. Simple basket, (finding a blueberry patch and not having anything to carry them in taught me this one)

 

[pitdog]

Sometimes I take a lot of stuff, but really only if I am going to be in one place for more than a night.

As has been discussed in other threads, I is not unusual to run into those folks that have to have everything in the latest model and colors. Not knowing what they will use all that gear for, they still have it with them even on short hikes or just overnighters.
Personally, I think more folks would get out more often if they could just get it into their mind to throw a bottle of water and and energy bar into a small pack and take off for the trail. I doesn't require much.

Robert

I have not read all the posts here so forgive me if you have clarified this elsewhere but I'd like to stress that most survival situations happen from day hikes that go wrong. Yes that's right, day hikes not big planned expeditions and such.For this reason I feel it of most importance to take along at least a basic PSK when tackling day hikes even when in familiar territory !

 

[longbow50]

I have not read all the posts here so forgive me if you have clarified this elsewhere but I'd like to stress that most survival situations happen from day hikes that go wrong. Yes that's right, day hikes not big planned expeditions and such.For this reason I feel it of most importance to take along at least a basic PSK when tackling day hikes even when in familiar territory !

Absolutely correct pitdog.

Never leave home without the ability to keep yourself alive and if that takes having some gear with you, even a minimum of gear, have it on your body.

I was made a firm believer that having water with you, even on a short trip around a local wood is very important. A Ranger had to bail me out one hot day, when I only intended to be an hour on a short hike. Lost track of time, got over heated and fortunately there was someone there to help me out.

 

[midnight flyer]

I have not read all the posts here so forgive me if you have clarified this elsewhere but I'd like to stress that most survival situations happen from day hikes that go wrong. Yes that's right, day hikes not big planned expeditions and such.For this reason I feel it of most importance to take along at least a basic PSK when tackling day hikes even when in familiar territory !

I agree to some extent. You quote needs to be considered in context of my post. It was not meant to be a precis on day hike camping, merely a casual comment of my observations.

When I say Personally, I think more folks would get out more often if they could just get it into their mind to throw a bottle of water and and energy bar into a small pack and take off for the trail. I doesn't require much.

I was not advocating that some put on a Speedo, stick an energy bar somewhere in the elastic, and go willy nilly through the trails with nothing in their "small pack" but their energy bar.

I took for granted when I used the term a small pack that those in WSS would know that a basic pack, even a fanny or sling should have a PSK and a few other essentials. I have one in my work truck for my jobsite, one in my car, and one in each of my three packs. Each pack has its own so I will be sure that I don't ever forget them. Taking a PSK on the trail..... now that's something I take for granted when posting here.

As far as more folks getting hurt on day hikes, I haven't had that experience so it must be the difference in our environment. Hiking a lot of places here in South Texas is the same as hiking on a well maintained, paved road. As I have seen with the beautiful pictures you have posted, a couple of thousand miles can really change the terrain and environment. I love your pics just for showing how different the local surroundings can be.

I seems around here that more folks are hurt or injured when they stay overnight. A 6-8 mile hike is literally "a walk in the park". Walk in, hike for several hours, and turn around and walk out.

But overnight, symptoms can set in that many less experienced (or unlucky) don't recognize. Mild dehydration, over tired responsiveness due to lack of sleep (from sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings), soreness from the previous day's hike, all seem to manifest themselves the next day and can affect judgement. I'll bet tired, dehydrated folks make the worst decisions and take more chances than anyone as they are ready to be finished with "the outdoors" and being uncomfortable.

Not so for the experienced hiker/camper as their experience will easily carry them through. After a few miles of trail time, a chance to play with my gear and a cup of coffee on a chilly night, I sleep the sleep of the dead myself. But to clarify, my observations and opinions (as opposed to facts) meant folks that don't go out as often as you do.

Of course, if I lived where you do, I would go out every opportunity (as you apparently do!) to do as much as possible out on the trail as well. It makes me a bit green with envy when I see your pics.....

Robert