Mini day hiking kit!

s500yards

s500yards

Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
286
Picked this pouch up today at the surplus store. Turned it into a little day hiking comfort kit. Sometimes I just don't feel like toting a pack. $6.00 well spent :)

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RITR pen. This thing rocks
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Wrapped some snare wire around my RAT fire starter. The inside is stuffed with petro-soaked cotton balls
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A couple excerpts from the track notebook I have been making
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That little white square is stink bait wrapped in plastic and taped shut
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This is the underside of the tin. There are 3-0 sutures taped.
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Good looking kit, and GREAT looking illustrations. If they're yours, you should be proud. I can't even draw stick-men to scale, and I'm truly envious of anyone who can render what they see onto paper. If you did that on waterproof paper with a WITR pen, I'm just damn impressed.

The only thing I see lacking is stormproof matches or a lighter. I love firesteels, but when you're cold and wet and the wind is blowing and for any of a hundred reasons you're unable to forage good, fine tinder, it's about the last thing I'd want to have to start a fire with. Been there and done that, as they say, and while I still use a firesteel regularly, I don't count on one to make a fire when I REALLY NEED a fire.

Also, sutures are of no use without forceps. There's no point in carrying one and not the other. There's no point in carrying either if you haven't sewn up at least two-dozen or so wounds under the supervision of a physician. It's a lot easier to make things worse than better when you're putting needle to flesh.

Great kit, all in all.
 
sutured said:
Good looking kit, and GREAT looking illustrations. If they're yours, you should be proud. I can't even draw stick-men to scale, and I'm truly envious of anyone who can render what they see onto paper. If you did that on waterproof paper with a WITR pen, I'm just damn impressed.

The only thing I see lacking is stormproof matches or a lighter. I love firesteels, but when you're cold and wet and the wind is blowing and for any of a hundred reasons you're unable to forage good, fine tinder, it's about the last thing I'd want to have to start a fire with. Been there and done that, as they say, and while I still use a firesteel regularly, I don't count on one to make a fire when I REALLY NEED a fire.

Also, sutures are of no use without forceps. There's no point in carrying one and not the other. There's no point in carrying either if you haven't sewn up at least two-dozen or so wounds under the supervision of a physician. It's a lot easier to make things worse than better when you're putting needle to flesh.

Great kit, all in all.
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Thanks! I did do those drawings. Regarding the sutures, I've been a Corpsman for nearly 6 years now. I've probably installed 1000+ simple interrupted/variations of mattress sutures in the field... some with, and some without drivers. The tweezers on my SAK would make due in a pinch. If for nothing else, the Prolene can be used for clothing or gear repairs. It's such a flat and light package it felt foolish not to slap them on there. I think I might add a lighter/storm proof matches to the mix though, you are certainly right about that. I have plenty on hand. I just put this together today so I am happy to hear any critiques to get it squared away.
 
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Cool little set up, I like kits like that. A lot of the time I carry a shoulder bag rather than a pack.
 
Great job on your kit. with that kit and it looks like you have some woods time you could make a night or two or 3 out etc lol you get the idea, than having nothing with you just that more bearable.

I love the drawings you have there. Wow.

Bryan
 
I like that bag. Mine is slightly larger, but I have carried it (or one like it) on quite a few hunting, fishing and other day trips. It is either Swiss or East German. I like the shoulder strap and have added more inside pockets to keep things organized.

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sicily02 said:
Great job on your kit. with that kit and it looks like you have some woods time you could make a night or two or 3 out etc lol you get the idea, than having nothing with you just that more bearable.

I love the drawings you have there. Wow.

Bryan
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Thanks a lot, Bryan. I really appreciate it
 
Nice little day kit, and a very nice notebook you are making. I can't even draw flies. I think one of the SAK's with the pliers on it would make a heck of a field expedient needle driver if needed.

I can vouch for the sewing abilities of our Devil Docs, they do a GREAT job. Much respect for them, they did everything us Grunts did, and then fixed us when we were broken.
 
Awesome kit, man. I think you've got it covered for a day hiking kit, and even if you get stuck out there over night I think you'll make it through just fine. One thing I can suggest, don't know if I saw any or not, is some paracord. I see you have the jute twine sort of cordage, but paracord is great and has so many uses it's hard to pass up. Roll up 20' and stick it in that bag somewhere.

By the way, I absolutely love that tracking notebook. Your illustrations are great and I can tell you're really taking your time with it. I think it's going to come out great. I also love doing things like that aswell, but I can't draw anywhere close to you. Especially when it comes down to the details like that. Great job, and if you plan on getting that thing published. I'm sure it'll do great. Put me down for one. I'm always interested in those sort of reads.
 
gruntmedik said:
Nice little day kit, and a very nice notebook you are making. I can't even draw flies. I think one of the SAK's with the pliers on it would make a heck of a field expedient needle driver if needed.

I can vouch for the sewing abilities of our Devil Docs, they do a GREAT job. Much respect for them, they did everything us Grunts did, and then fixed us when we were broken.
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Thanks, Deke. We need the Marines and they need us. It's a bond that cannot be broken or duplicated as you obviously know. I am so happy to do what I do, and even happier to be state side at the moment :thumbup:.
 
OpKey said:
Awesome kit, man. I think you've got it covered for a day hiking kit, and even if you get stuck out there over night I think you'll make it through just fine. One thing I can suggest, don't know if I saw any or not, is some paracord. I see you have the jute twine sort of cordage, but paracord is great and has so many uses it's hard to pass up. Roll up 20' and stick it in that bag somewhere.

By the way, I absolutely love that tracking notebook. Your illustrations are great and I can tell you're really taking your time with it. I think it's going to come out great. I also love doing things like that aswell, but I can't draw anywhere close to you. Especially when it comes down to the details like that. Great job, and if you plan on getting that thing published. I'm sure it'll do great. Put me down for one. I'm always interested in those sort of reads.
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Funny thing, I actually tossed in the paracord (probably about 20' haha) when I woke up this morning! Checked my BF and there you were. Were you invading my sleep somehow last night? Thanks for the encouragement on the track notes.
 
s500yards said:
Funny thing, I actually tossed in the paracord (probably about 20' haha) when I woke up this morning! Checked my BF and there you were. Were you invading my sleep somehow last night? Thanks for the encouragement on the track notes.
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Well, that's awesome. Great minds think alike?
 
Since Gruntmedik, mentioned the small SAK pliers, I carry a piar every day in my Mini kit, I took apart a big SAK knife that I had and did not use it much and so I took it apart and took the Pliers for that very reason for using for sewing.
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It is a great itiem for a kit.

Bryan
 
Did I miss it or do you not have a space blanket? In a pinch they really are better than nothing for keep the rain off you even if you are just sitting with one draped around you. Is there one in your kit?

Just wondering.

Bryan
 
sicily02 said:
Did I miss it or do you not have a space blanket? In a pinch they really are better than nothing for keep the rain off you even if you are just sitting with one draped around you. Is there one in your kit?

Just wondering.

Bryan
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No space blanket, but that's not a bad idea. It's a fairly compact way to stay dry in a pinch. I will try and integrate one into the system. Thanks!
 
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