My Camping/Bug out backpack (for now)

J

Jake Bauer

Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Messages
4,293
Hey everyone, I started putting together a few things that I'm going to keep in my truck at all times for last minute camping trips mostly but could also be useful win the fit hits the shan. I'm not done with it by any means and would be greatful for your suggestions on what to lose or what to add.

From the outside..
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ditch the doubles, i.e. first aid kit(s), pan(s), and flashlight(s), and use the space for additional batteries for the remaining 1 light, and whatever might not be included with your first aid kit. no sense in carrying doubles.

also, since you plan on leaving it in your truck, be prepared to lose everything you put in the bag, in the event of a theft. otherwise, it looks like a good start. you should have a container for water (Going Gear sells a 8/18 stainless water bottle which can be cooked in - no liner) and maybe some food, such as energy bars or mountain house meals. a small notepad (I like Rite-in-the-Rain) and pencil, and maybe a deck of cards. the notepad for taking or leaving notes, and cards can be used to amuse yourself if need be in the event of a strung-out stay.
 
Contents:

1 folding steel camp shovel
2 rolls tissue on the go
1 Heavy duty ponch
1 roll of 12 yr gorilla tape
4 boxes Waterproof matches
1 Victorinox Swisschamp
1 4oz bottle hand sanitizer
2 Heatsheets emergency blankets (1 for personal use, one for emergency shelter)
30 tablets Micropur MP1 water purification tablets
1 Estwing 14" sportsman's axe
2 rolls 50 yd rope
1 Princeton Tec Eos LED headlamp
1 AMK/Ritter pocket survival pak
4 glow sticks (orange and yellow)
1 MiniMaglite 2 AA LED flashlight
1 SAS pocket survival guide
1 Silva companion compass
1 lensatic compass
1 AMK light and fast trail FAK
1 AMK first aid 1.0 FAK
1 LMF Scout firesteel
1 pack SPF30 sunblock
1 LMF Spork
1 bottle camp soap
1 camp towel
1 aluminum mess kit with bowl and cup

NOT PICTURED

Paracord
insect repellent
BIC Lighter
Nalgene 32oz water bottle
MREs/Mountain House
extra batteries

The backpack is a bag I bought a LONG time ago at cheaper than dirt. Its pretty durable and has plenty of room. It will suffice until I get a Pygmy falcon II. Of course the knife on the back is a Becker BK11. I'm still debating whether to put my BK2, or KA BAR Camp Knife inside. My RC4 will be on my belt of course when camping and the Izula will be around my neck. Just so everyone knows I wont have 2 FAKs in the bag, I just had both of them in the picture because I havent decided which to keep in the bag.

Thanks for looking and for your suggestions.
 
Im not so easy to please...
lose the waterproof matches, get NATO lifeboat matches (buy them and you will see why!)
Lose the nylon cord and replace with paracord (its more useful considering you can remove the core cord for smaller chores)
You have 3 compasses and no map and the compasses are Ehh?
Your much better off with 1 good compass than 3 bad ones. (2 good ones are better than 1)
I would lose the hatchet and get a large knife, it works for more chores and you can batton through firewood. A large knife would be lighter too. Great start!

On the thought of putting your good knives in this pack, remember what Lapp Dance said, be prepared to lose it unless you can store it where no one can see.
 
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Why the map. Standard maps are what, 1:35000 or 1:50,000. If you are within 20 miles of your house and you cant find your way home, no BOB or compass will help you.
 
I like your kit a lot, you should enter it in the PSK contest thread. (For the ESEE lighter)

All in all it is a terrific kit . You'll improve it as you find weak spots, everyone always does. The nylon cordage is in addition to your paracord, right? I did the same thing for years, thinking that I didn't want to waste the paracord on small things, and after a while, you'll just end up using plain paracord for everything. More exspensive then nylon rope, but not so much that it matters. I happen to like your Hatchet, so if you decide to dump it, send it my way :)

One thing that was mentioned, and I will as well, make sure you can store the knives INSIDE the kit when not in use. If they are visibile, and you have the kit in your car, it's gone. But the BK11 and the BK2 are fine knives and either will serve well, especially if you have an RC-4 on your hip. I think in that case, I would leave the BK11 with your kit.

Cheers!
MrC
 
milani74 said:
Why the map. Standard maps are what, 1:35000 or 1:50,000. If you are within 20 miles of your house and you cant find your way home, no BOB or compass will help you.
Click to expand...

TOPO maps are 1:24000 and can direct you from around the corner or just over the hill. They can also lead you to very tiny streams that you would never see on an "Atlas" map. The OP says this is for SHTF too. NEVER trust just gut instinct when your under that kind of stress, trust training instead.
 
I would keep the bag ,looks bigger than the PFII ,
I do not mind doubles if it works for you keep it,I have some doubles as well, I find a light stick holderinstead of 360 degree lighting you can direct the lighting and even shut off lighting if needed. I would opt for a larger fixed blade than the BK11. add a bandanna. maybe a head net from mosquitos and knats.... hat & sunglasses. small fishing kit & sewing kit. lansky sharpen puck,dual grits and works great. I would keep the RC4 and ax, not the bk2 ,the bk 2 is stout and thick and split small wood ,the short stumpy blade is it's downfall to me, you have a good trio,folder,axe ,rc4....I'd build around that
 
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something that works well for me when i am attempting to sort the chaf out is to go on a small one or two day trip, see what is most useful and toss the stuff that doesnt suit your needs. Take notes while out there on which items you believe could have made your trip less cal demanding and gave you more options. Bigger knife, folding saw....I read and loved Gary paulsens novel as well when i was a kid but i would lose the hatchet.
As fore mentioned lose the 2x's unless your in need of those 2x's.
I like that bag alot, i am currently looking for one just like it for a few overnighters this hunting season. If anyone has any good suggestions please shoot them at me.
Good kit though!!well done.
 
Some folks have two FAKs... One Boo-Boo kit, one OMG-I'm-Bleeding-Out kit.

4 boxes of matches seems excessive with the other methods you have...I would ditch a few of those and carry a bit of tinder and fatwood or a candle.

Maybe another water container? I think Nalagene makes colapsable ones.
 
I usually carry doubles - but my second items usually compact and seperate (on my belt) to the rest of my pack kit

except blades I carry 3 1 on my belt and another around my neck under my shirt and the third in my pack but thats probably so i can justify all the rats :)
 
Necrodamus said:
Im not so easy to please...
lose the waterproof matches, get NATO lifeboat matches (buy them and you will see why!)
Lose the nylon cord and replace with paracord (its more useful considering you can remove the core cord for smaller chores)
You have 3 compasses and no map and the compasses are Ehh?
Your much better off with 1 good compass than 3 bad ones. (2 good ones are better than 1)
I would lose the hatchet and get a large knife, it works for more chores and you can batton through firewood. A large knife would be lighter too. Great start!

On the thought of putting your good knives in this pack, remember what Lapp Dance said, be prepared to lose it unless you can store it where no one can see.
Click to expand...

NATO matches rock! :thumbup::thumbup: best matches on the planet bar none. i have held them under water for 10 seconds and still lit a good fire with it
 
Thanks fellas. Just a few responses..

- The Bag will be in my toolbox of my truck so it wont be visable
- Yes, the polypropylene rope is in addition to the Paracord
- I will be keeping the Axe. I think they are better suited for chopping/splitting wood than a knife (even though i do see your point necro)
- as far as the compasses go, the silver lensatic is one I have had for years and it has never failed to point north. Neither has the Silva so far. The button one in the survival pak has worked well so far.. so I think they're all pretty good.
- There will be a bigger knife than the BK11, I just dont know which yet.
- I dont plan on keeping 4 boxes of matches in the pack, I just havent taken them out of the package yet :P

I will look into the NATO matches, zip ties, bandanna, mosquito head net, sewing kit (the survival pak has a mini fishing kit in it), and I do need to get a sharpening stone like the lansky. I had planned to keep my croc sticks in there. Thanks so far fellas. keep em coming!

wow.. I cant believe they still carry the backpack.. I think I bought mine about 7 years ago! http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/PACK206-1.html
 
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Looks good. Just my 2 cents.

1 small SPF cream .....suggest a hat. What about a small Bic lighter? Fire Tinder?

4 boxes of matches ....... with firesteel & tinder and Bic, I would opt for a single box.

Something to touch the edge up? Arakansas stone maybe?

I also like my mil poncho ..... in a pinch I can make a tent and it can attach on the outside. Great when it rains as well and you are mobile.

Agree that paracord works great ...can even remove inners for fishing line so yes, consider a fishing kit.

Nalgene bottle ....... I would loose this one and get a S/S one I can cook in with a GSI cup ...I use a Klean Kanteen ..... attached outside if possible.

Maybe 2-3 days supply of rations ...Datrex or Mainstay? Some high GI sweets in a sealed packet for a quick energy boost.

I like to have a small bottle of water purification drops at hand if I am mobile and cannot boil water. Tablets also work fine so you are covered.

I also like my Shemag .....scarf when cold and shade when hot. Great to lift hot pots off the fire.

I would loose plastic plate/mug and get a GSI cup (as for Klean Kanteen above and a Ti plate (small)

Compass ...I echo ...one good one is better than 3 small ones. I also suggest a map.

I have found lightstick just about useless and would dump them and add more spare batteries. Lithium AA has a long life on the shelf and a good run time.

On cutlery ...I would start with a small knife (ala Izula/Rc-3) and add a bigger one RC-6 or so to the pack for heavy work. How about a Ti spork for eating?

And once this is sorted ....practice the skills to use all of the items. I have been amazed at how some stuff works beyond what is expected and others fail. My biggest failure to date must have been light stick. Bulky, low light output and hard to dispose off in the bush ...AA LED light works better. I have found the Zebralights work great as they can double as a headlight ...handy for when light fails and camp is not done yet :D Have a look at Streamlight Sidewinder .....great kit and tough. Mine travels everywhere in my bag.

OK, I am in Africa so my kit is more savanah/arid desert ...... but hey, I should go and unpack my stuff and rethink some :D

Regards from Africa

Aubrey
 
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