Jungle Living Gear

B

bearthedog

Joined
May 17, 2006
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Jungle Living Gear
This is just an example of my personal gear that I take into the jungle. This is in no way the only way or the right way to carry items, just what works for me. For those that are going on one of the upcoming RAT trips, this may help you get a general idea of what could work for you. I will keep it short and simple and if anyone has any questions or wants me to go further in depth feel free to email or PM me. All the gear has already been proven to work in the tropics with the exception of the knives since this is the first time for these ones! On with the show!

Backpack –Fanatic Fringe Alpine Trail. Total Capacity 2400 cu.in. Body-2000 cu.in, Pockets-400 cu.in. This Pack uses No See-um Mesh for the pockets, and Sil Nylon for the top closure. This pack is constructed of coated 1.9 oz Nylon Ripstop and coated 200D Nylon Oxford. It features three nylon mesh pockets, padded shoulder straps, top draw cord, and a haul loop. The pack is double stitched, shoulder straps are reinforced, and all stress points are bar tacked. This ack carries a load rating of 20 pounds.

This will be the second trip to the jungle for this little guy. It weighs 5 oz. and is extremely comfortable. Mesh pockets for quick grab items. I used these pockets last time for wet ponchos and storing vines for lashing poles together.

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The Guts
Most of the gear is in plastic bags for water protection. Flash light, socks, first aid kit, bandana, gloves, hammock, bug net, poncho, and head net for around camp. I use two ponchos in the jungle for times when the shelter is set up with poncho/tarp and we go for a night hunt or for walking around camp when it’s raining, then I use the plastic disposable type. It really works for me and I recommend this system.
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Shelter
Byer Hammock (11 oz.) with blue campmor poncho/tarp (8 oz.) and a mosquito net. I prefer to sleep in a swamp bed but when on the boat or need a fast shelter, this works great.
Gallon Zip Lock
This is where I keep my first aid, emergency type of items. I also keep them separated so it’s easy to find what I need.
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Glucose Tablets
Jeff Randall gave me this idea for quick energy, there were a couple times last trip when these really came in handy.
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Hydration
Platypus 2 L hydration bladder. I use this as a pillow when backpacking.
Press 2 Pure filter and water bottle. Good for Crypto and Giardia.
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Pocket and Neck Gear
This is the gear that is always in my pocket or around my neck. TOPS firesteel with magnesium rods, multifunction whistle/compass/thermometer, TOPS signal mirror, and a LED light. Silva compass in pocket with mini-kit. Belt made of 550 cord .
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The mini-kit is simple with duct tape, LED light, firestriker, Bic lighter, pj cotton balls, small fishing kit, and iodine tablets.
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Knives for working and having fun!

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More at the W&SS forum http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=569772
 
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Nice set up mate. Is this the total kit you carry into the jungle? Do you take other stuff on the boat like spare clothes etc. And what happens with travel items and town clothes/ shoes?
 
This trip for Bear and us will be really laid back and easy. After we train up the TV show participant, we will take him a long ways up the Itaya River to primary jungle, kick him out of the boat in the middle of nowhere with a survival vest that includes a compass, mosquito net, poncho, water bottle, knife, and small pocket survival kit, and a set of instructions that include bearings and courses (no maps), and leave him. We will go back down river to a designated camping spot and spend the next few days waiting and hoping the guy (and his cameraman) make it back. This is what the Dutch TV show wanted, although we advised against it. So, Bear and us will just be playing and fishing while we wait on our participant to make it to us. If he doesn't make it to us then we will go find him. He doesn't know it but we pretty much boxed him in with the course. Unless he goes 180 degrees in the opposite direction then he will find "civilization"...eventually ;)
 
LOL. Jeff, at first your post almost read like it was Bear you were gonna abandon and kick out of the boat! Laid back and easy, my ass! :D
 
R.A.T. said:
This trip for Bear and us will be really laid back and easy. After we train up the TV show participant, we will take him a long ways up the Itaya River to primary jungle, kick him out of the boat in the middle of nowhere with a survival vest that includes a compass, mosquito net, poncho, water bottle, knife, and small pocket survival kit, and a set of instructions that include bearings and courses (no maps), and leave him. We will go back down river to a designated camping spot and spend the next few days waiting and hoping the guy (and his cameraman) make it back. This is what the Dutch TV show wanted, although we advised against it. So, Bear and us will just be playing and fishing while we wait on our participant to make it to us. If he doesn't make it to us then we will go find him. He doesn't know it but we pretty much boxed him in with the course. Unless he goes 180 degrees in the opposite direction then he will find "civilization"...eventually ;)
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SO my question is, does the guy and the cameraman know you are going to do this or is it a cruel joke from the office?:D
 
We had advised originally that they should do our standard survival course since getting lost in the jungle is real easy to do. But they demanded they wanted their star and his cameraman to be left alone in the middle of the jungle after training. We argued the point. They came back and said that's the way it's going to be so we said "sign the release forms." So, to answer your question the star and the cameraman know what's going to happen but they don't know where we're taking them, how far in they will be inserted or how much trouble it will be to get out. I think they all have this idea in their head that it's sort of like a fantasy ride at Disney World or something. While the jungle is one of the easiest places in the world to survive, it's also one of the easiest places to get lost. No one ever calculates the heat, humidity, bugs and the general environmental misery they have to put up with while trying to navigate though a thick forest and inevitable secondary jungle that is just a bastard to go through. It's their show though.
 
Hey Bear, see you in Lima at the bar upstairs where we all met up last time. I'm signing off of the forums until we get back. Time to go pack gear since we head out early in the morning. Fly safe, amigo.

Jeff
 
Bear, its interesting to see your kit. One question: How do the leather sheaths hold up to the jungle?
 
R.A.T. said:
Hey Bear, see you in Lima at the bar upstairs where we all met up last time. I'm signing off of the forums until we get back. Time to go pack gear since we head out early in the morning. Fly safe, amigo.

Jeff
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See you there, I am about ready to sign off my self. Be safe!:)
 
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