jungle photos, knives, info, and other stuff

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We got back in the States this morning after a long trip home from Peru. The new security and Immigrations standards are making for some long lines at the airports, both domestically and international. Security got a little nervous about the solar chargers and big knives we had packed in our bags ;)

Except for a small bullet ant sting and nearly electrocuting myself by turning on a shorted 240 volt light switch in a hostal shower stall, it was a great trip.

We have many photos that will be on the web site soon, but for now we're posting a few digital shots that we took in the jungle.

Also wanted to give everyone a heads up on a short trip we have for September. We are accompanying the Peruvian military into Colombia for a joint SAR jungle training session with the Colombian military. We have some space available but not much since we're limited to the number of folks the Air Force Twin Otter will carry from Iquitos to Colombia. If someone is SERIOUSLY interested then drop me an email. The training session will only be two days long in Colombia but we will be out of the United States for a week. No firm dates yet but will have them soon.

We also completed deals with Group 42 base colonel for joint operations with RAT on supplying military flights for our clients. Another thing we finalized is with the survival school commandante concerning new trip schedules. We can now take clients into the school anytime they want to go, with no minimum numbers. We can handle from 1 to 20 clients at a time for the survival school.

Look for updates on the web about new SAR courses, military only schools, a new 10 day survival/adventure trip with the Peruvian military, and other training schedules.

One last thing...we wrapped up a deal on the property we are buying in the jungle. Some of the houses and lodges are finished and they are putting the RAT signs up now. So now we have our own place in the middle of the largest jungle in the world.

BTW: we used serveral different blades down there to do everything from chopping through undergrowth to retrieve some monkeys for soup (sopa de mono), to cutting up jungle rats for dinner, to building camps. Look for it in a future issue of Blade magazine. Yes, the new Becker is awesome.

Below is a photo of the jungle camp we were at during the last trip
june4.jpg


This is a photo of a Rinaldi blade cutting up a jungle rat for dinner
june2.jpg


This is RAT team memebr Patricia Tadder fanning the cook fire to get the damp wood to burn
june3.jpg


This is me and one of our indigenous family members, Jairo, posing for a shot with the Rinaldi blade
june1.jpg
 
That looks pretty good, Jeff. What's the weather like in September? Hey Trace, do I get a free knife if I go down there?
 
Jeff,

When you take these trips, what is the recommended packing list?

Also, why South America? I'm not dissing it, I'm just curious. It seems like dangerous times down there with all the political upheaval.
 
Great pics. Is that a Rinaldi Gambit? I have one, and it's an awesome little blade. Can't wait to see more on the new Becker.
 
Great pics, Jeff!

Say, Jairo looks a little nervous there with you holding the knife like that....;) He must've seen your handiwork there with that jungle rat...LOL!
 
Originally posted by NorthStarXO
Jeff,

When you take these trips, what is the recommended packing list?

Also, why South America? I'm not dissing it, I'm just curious. It seems like dangerous times down there with all the political upheaval.
Click to expand...

Packing list:

Mosquito Net
Poncho
Flashlight
Machete
Compass
Water bladder
Sheath knife and/or folding knife
Water purification tablets
Valid Passport
Yellow Fever Vaccination
Malaria Medication
Personal First Aid Kit
Personal Toiletry Kit

Why SA? Because you're not as restricted to what you can do as you are in the states. Kill a gator w/o a permit in florida - go to jail. Kill a gator in SA - time to eat. Plus all of our trips are run through the government by using the Air Force of Peru so we have access to Air Force planes for transportation, radio and helicopters for evac if needed, and access to some restricted areas that normal tourists cannot go. The last reason is because the wilderness areas there are still truly wild and not chnaged by "civilization."

Really not that much political problems where we go. Even in some parts of Colombia. I would rather be in most parts of Colombia than any part of Newark New Jersey ;)
 
ROFL!! I totally hear you on the New Jersey thing!

Now I completely understand and I think it's awesome!
 
That pic is a keeper!, I will use it on my site..
Glad to hear the trip was a good/safe one bud!:D
I still think yer a crazy bastard..
Hummelbaugh if I gave you a knife you wouldnt be able to get it out of the sheath!HAHAHA... Cant think of anyone who could make you a good one neither...LOL...:p NOW GET BACK TO THEM OVENS AND VISES!!! I dont want to hear how far behind you are when I call for comic relief next time;)
 
Great photos, Jeff...

Though the last photo looks like you're in the process of shanking your friend Jairo.... ;)
 
I think I could make short work of the jungle with the TRACE RINALDI ARMAGEDDON!!!. Of course I would probably reach muscle failure unsheathing it so I couldn't chop anything above waist level. Perhaps if a BETTER sheath were designed....

Can't... reach... knife.... Sheath... too... tight.... Trace? Why trace? Could've... used... Robert... Snake... already... eating... me....
 
Island Boy, you are even funny in text man!! I can see you in your Capn. Kirk voice doing that routine...LOL.. Your the ONLY guy I will let dis my sheaths...:D See ya in Vegas next year, and dont forget your better half this time!
 
Now I know, the real reason why you go to SA-

BECAUSE YOUR'E SCARED TO COME TO NEW JERSEY!! HAHAH!

Try the swamps of the 'Pine Barrens' for a real challenge-if the mosquitos don't get ya the 'Devil' will....(well maybe not, but the Sunday tourists that's another story....well it used to be wilderness).

Seriousy, Jeff-great stuff. Always appreciate the real-world testing of equipment and gear.

Mongrel
 
Hey, some parts of New Jersey are not that bad, but others...whoa...too much for me amigo!

As far as the Trace Rinaldi Gambit, it has become one of my favorite small sheath knives. One helluva nice piece. Also used a large fix blade from Jones Knives down there. The one we had was a loaner from Terrill Hoffman. In fact it's his design. Good stuff! We have it pictured in some of our new photos up on the web at http://www.jungletraining.com/june_2002_trip.htm
 
I wish I could take credit for the design of the Jones Brother's knife. I just told them what I was looking for and they did the rest. Those boys know knives! After a short chat in a motel while at a knife show, they went home and got to work. A few months later I got a package in the mail. All I can say is that I have been impressed ever since. For being a BIG knife, it handles better than any other I have tried. After testing it on my tree farm, I did what no man should! I let my hunting partner, Mike Break-a-knife try it. He cleared saplings for me until he couldn't swing anymore. He didn't have to voice approval, the silly grin said it all.
Maybe it had to do with his birth place, New Jersey.
 
Great Pics Jeff! What the heck is a jungle rat? Is it actually a rat or slang for some other critter?
 
Yes, it is a rodent named a Paca. Very large but looks similar to a very large Guinea pig.
 
How'd you like the Jones blade? I got one just like it back in May, and the Jones Bros. do awesome work. My two favorite knives are my Rinaldi Arm, and the Jones survival knife. The sad part is, I don't think I'll need to buy any more big blades!:(
 
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