My setup with pix

[akennedy73]

just a thought - you could sell the pistol and get a Henry AR-7 or a Marlin Papoose, both would fit in your pack. You're going to have much better luck feeding yourself with a .22 than a slingshot unless you've been practicing with your slingshot a lot. But if the slingshot is just for the occasional opportunity to put some extra meat in the pot, then that's fine - just don't depend on it unless you know you're really good at taking game with it.

 

[omniviking]

Umm.. well that is a nice razor. how do you see where you are shaving?, no mirror.

can't see where to put the bandaid, o mirror, oh crap , no bandaids,

OK, can't see where to put the little piece of spit on toilet paper,

Dang it you forgot the toilet paper..........




Pat

 

[Horned Toad]

I won't exchange my bivy for a cheap stuff sack (although I have thought of that). The bivy's quality is too much to sacrifice. It does stick out a bit though. Perhaps I will fold the sides in just a bit which will make it more fat but it will be slightly less wide and more compact.

Thanx for the tips.

Put the bivy in a stuff sack or a compression bag so it takes up less space when you are not using it.

 

[maxkimber]

This set up reminds me on my days in the corps...

It looks a little different from most other pack posted in this forum. I believe you need to go through each item and ask yourself why that item is in your pack, can this one item do something else (multi-purpose); just basically evaluate why its there and could something else serve that purpose, and consider need vs. want?

Also, what is the pack for? How long? BOB? Once the 'type' of bag is defined, you can better pack it. The pack seems to have a very military-feel to it - I am not saying that is good or bad, but in the bush (wherever) you will not have a supplies arriving when you run out...

The hygiene pack seems excessive, e.g. shaving brush, etc. This is great stuff for a weekend trip, but if this is a BOB, I would nix it. Try dehydrated baby wipes for self cleansing - just get them wet and use.

At any rate, I like it, but seems a bit on the heavy side

 

[texastonydobbs]

I like your set up , if you can handle packing all those items that is good for you...I like to stay under 25lbs. I love the wodsman PAL Machete,I need to buy one...had one when I was younger but it walked off....Thanks for sharing....

 

[mystical woodsman]

just a thought - you could sell the pistol and get a Henry AR-7 or a Marlin Papoose, both would fit in your pack. You're going to have much better luck feeding yourself with a .22 than a slingshot unless you've been practicing with your slingshot a lot. But if the slingshot is just for the occasional opportunity to put some extra meat in the pot, then that's fine - just don't depend on it unless you know you're really good at taking game with it.

Since I am traveling, the revolver is more concealable, but I do have mixed feelings about potentially being arrested because of some stupid state law that prohibits me from carrying (even in a reciprocal state!), especially since I would be considered a vagrant at times whenever I am in between jobs. Get this... to get a concealed carry permit, you have to have a valid address in order for to receive one here in Florida for five years but if you ever move, you will need to acquire an address for that particular state, and then register to vote, before you can acquire a new one for that state (which is mandatory or risk carrying illegally)... Concerning the one you just got prior - the second you register to vote in the other state, will only last 90 days until you have to get a new one for the new state (including an new, valid address and registration to vote). :grumpy:

I like the Marlin, but to be honest, I didn't ever have to practice much with the sling shot. I was hitting telephone wires when I was 12. Somehow, I have pretty good aim thank God, although I will need to brush up on it since it's been a while. Like I said, I would love to have a .22 rifle, but I don't think it will fit in my pack the way it is already. I am trying to fit everything I can get by with in one pack on my back (all my worldly possessions if you will). I am still new to the bug-out mentality so that is where I stand.

I contacted quite a bit of people on www.survivalblog.com, but so far, no one has taken me up on staying on their property provided I earn my keep for board if you will. Most of them live miles from the city and me not having a car or an ex Special Forces vet is a set back for them as far as I can tell. Check out the blog, and go to links in the top right corner. Look at all the links (very interesting ones indeed) Also, scroll down the page and check out the Survival Groups Matchmaking at: http://www.survivalistbooks.com/survivalistgroups.htm

Hoped this helped.

 

[mystical woodsman]

Put the bivy in a stuff sack or a compression bag so it takes up less space when you are not using it.

It acts as a shell to waterproof my sleeping bag (while on my pack and of course on the ground). The bivy really doesn't take up much space as it is thin and already zipped around my sleeping bag.

Thanx.

 

[Horned Toad]

It acts as a shell to waterproof my sleeping bag (while on my pack and of course on the ground). The bivy really doesn't take up much space as it is thin and already zipped around my sleeping bag.

Thanx.

I am not sure if I am not being clear or what and it is your gear so do what makes you happy. But I know what a water proof cover is I still have mine. I am not sure if your post above means you are claiming ex SF or not but you did say you were in the military so there is no other way to say this but bluntly.

For being ex military you gear looks about as squared away as a band of traveling gypsies!

 

[Fieldtestornothing]

Ok bro,

Everything I shoot at ya you can take or leave.

I spent considerable time in the field in the Army and now in my civilian Job I spend almost 1/4 of the year sleeping under the stars in some very remote and rugged areas. I carry very heavy packs for a living so I'll throw in my .02.

The ALICE is a very dependable ruck and can be somewhat comfortable to carry. I used one religously while in the Army and it served me well. Mine jumped with me about 75 times and never became unservicable. However, it's comfort seems to be determined by the porportions of the user and how much work and aftermarket upgrades you may be interested in doing on it. My advice is to spend a lot of time with it on your back and see how it treats you.

You don't need so much shaving/trimming/cleaning stuff. All I carry is 1/2 of a toothbrush a travel tooth paste, camp suds, and wet wipes (I HATE wiping my ass with leaves).

Sharpening is way excess. I'm down to a foldable DMT sharpener and that is MORE that suitable for field use.

In my General purpose Kits I use a wicking layer, polypro, a med fleece and lightweight gortex. Carry at least an extra 2 pairs of socks. Take your undies and throw them in the Garbage. T shirts? You only need one! The one on your back.

You carry way to many cutting impliments. I carry a foldable saw, small tramontina, folder and leatherman. Total weight is 19 oz. I sometimes live in the field for 30 days on end. If I lived up north I would definately bring a large axe or hatchet and drop the Tram.

It appears that your carring a GI 3 layer bag. Good rugged bags, but very heavy and bulky. Your next purchases may be here for a much lighter bag and bivy. A similiar Bivy can be purchased that will take up 1/10 of the space and is still gortex. Take your Puss pad and cut it down to your width and the length of your top of your head to your knees. Everything else is just excess.

Lots of matches. I would recommend a Bic and a firesteel.

You need a first aid kit. It is essential. Now don't focus only on all these pussy things like bandaids and ect. Focus on real world emergencies, major trama, bleeding, broken bones, ect...

Possible additions: Poncho, Poncho liner (I've switched to a down quilt), Stove, wire, Firesteel, Bic, first aid kit,

My philosophy is versitility first. Always. I could write forever but this is already to much. Good luck.

 

[Fieldtestornothing]

It acts as a shell to waterproof my sleeping bag (while on my pack and of course on the ground). The bivy really doesn't take up much space as it is thin and already zipped around my sleeping bag.

Thanx.

Just my .02

But keeping your bivy exposed will definately put it at risk for a tear. Protect it!!

 

[Fieldtestornothing]

Hey there Horned Toad! I was just in your neck of the woods!!

 

[Cpl Punishment]

MW:
Is this the bag you're doing your walkabout with?

My first advice would be to s-can the sleeping pad. Take the sleeping bag/bivy and re-roll it so that it's no wider than the width of the pack. Then get yourself a shelter half (they are cheap on eBay), roll the bivy/bag in the shelter half. Put this on top of the bag, not the bottom. When you sleep, gather leaves/grass, etc into a bundle about your height. use the shelter half as a ground sheet. This gives you a "sleeping pad" and protection for the bivy sack. I know guys are going to complain about the weight of a canvas shelter half, but you need it to be durable enough for such use.

Get an Equinox or other silnylon tarp (yes they are $80+) to pitch over yourself to protect from precipitation. They roll up to about the size of a liter water bottle and weigh next to nothing.

Shaving stuff: cut back to the straight razor (bring a strop), toothbrush, tooth paste and soap. I bring a washcloth and hand towel (like a 1/3 size bath towel). Bring some Desenex foot powder. However, if you plan on shaving your head (helps keep you from getting lice), keep a disposable razor or the refillable one you have. Straight razors are tough to use for this.

Get a first aid kit.

Get one of those mirrors that comes on an extendable handle (can get them at most hardward store/Sears). Good for shaving and checking various parts of yourself you can't otherwise see.

Think about adding a good .22 handgun to your pack. Keep the .38 (.357?) for protection.

Messkit? 2 GI 1-qt canteens with nested canteen cups and stoves (all fit in the canteen carrier). They can go on a pistol belt or attach to the ruck.

I like to have a GI e-tool attached to my ruck. YMMV

It looks, by the size of it, that you have only the patrol bag in the bivy sack. If you are heading up to Vermont like you said, that probably won't be enough for winter. Consider getting the intermediate bag as well. Might think about getting the GI compression sack for the whole deal (and wrap that in the shelter half). For those that have never used them, the GI MSS that he has is a bit bulky but not heavy.

Have to get off to work, I'll check in later.

 

[Horned Toad]

Hey there Horned Toad! I was just in your neck of the woods!!

Cool beans, I have been out here for almost 10 years now. I really like this place and the climate but it could be a bit greener.

Outside ¼ of the year, boundary surveyor?

Nice post above.:thumbup:

 

[mystical woodsman]

I am not sure if I am not being clear or what and it is your gear so do what makes you happy. But I know what a water proof cover is I still have mine. I am not sure if your post above means you are claiming ex SF or not but you did say you were in the military so there is no other way to say this but bluntly.

For being ex military you gear looks about as squared away as a band of traveling gypsies!

Oh, lol. I guess I can see how it would sound like that, but I didn’t mean to sound like I thought you didn’t know what it is. My bad dude. :foot: What I meant was that for now I think I am going to keep the bivy on to keep my bag from getting wet in case it rains while I am hiking.
When I referenced SF, I meant to say that with all the people I contacted on the survival blog, it seemed that since I wasn’t an ex SF, or hard core HOAH and know how to make the grass more green, than they stop communicating with you about having you stay with them. That’s what I meant.

Gypsies huh? Lol I know… tell me about it. I thought that too. Like painting a big red X on my back lugging all that around, yeah?

 

[mystical woodsman]

Mine jumped with me about 75 times and never became unserviceable.

Gotta love those night jumps. I don’t miss being a sardine.

You don't need so much shaving/trimming/cleaning stuff. All I carry is 1/2 of a toothbrush a travel tooth paste, camp suds, and wet wipes (I HATE wiping my bleep with leaves).

You’re probably right. Maybe I can put it all in a bag and not use the leather case since it rigidly takes up space? Since they are little/light items, I don’t see the problem with taking them though. The philosophy is to have stuff that will be serviceable for a long time but maybe I can get by with the are minimum and just do without some stuff perhaps.

Sharpening is excess. I'm down to a foldable DMT sharpener and that is MORE that suitable for field use.

For the straight razor, I have a field stone and strop. I have a separate system for my knife. They are light and don’t take up much space but maybe overtime I will work it out. Some of the items are for potential bartering too.

In my General purpose Kits I use a wicking layer, polypro, a med fleece and lightweight gortex. Carry at least an extra 2 pairs of socks. Take your undies and throw them in the Garbage. T shirts? You only need one! The one on your back.

Perhaps I have too much clothing. Maybe I do only need two shirts, two pairs of pants and some polypros. I don’t think I want to have just ONE shirt though lol.

You’re carry way to many cutting implements.

I am actually only going to have my knife, machete and I might keep my small axe for butchering? Still considering that last one.

It appears that you’re carrying a GI 3 layer bag.

Yes, it’s the modular sleep system, although I gave away the patrol bag. I thought I could just keep the intermediate (black) one since it is warmer (in case I get stuck in a cold region for a bit), and use the bivy too for the rain/snow. When you say Puss pad, are you referring to the thermarest? I never heard it called that before if you were. I also never thought about cutting it, although it is actually fairly slim when I actually lay down on it.

Lots of matches. I would recommend a Bic and a firesteel.

I have those, but since matches are so small and light, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to carry them for the Hell of it. Also, for bartering perhaps?

You need a first aid kit. It is essential. Now don't focus only on all these pussy things like bandaids and ect. Focus on real world emergencies, major trauma, bleeding, broken bones, ect...

Good point, but remember, that even a small cut can get infected and when you’re way out yonder, that could mean life or death. As for the major trauma scenario, for now, my only backup is a good prayer that never happens.

Possible additions: Poncho, Poncho liner (I've switched to a down quilt), Stove, wire, Firesteel, Bic, first aid kit.

I have a poncho and tarp. Don’t think I need a liner though. As for a stove, I have a pocket cooker.

Thanks for the tips my friend.

 

[mystical woodsman]

MW: Is this the bag you're doing your walkabout with?

Yeppers!

My first advice would be to s-can the sleeping pad. Take the sleeping bag/bivy and re-roll it so that it's no wider than the width of the pack. Then get yourself a shelter half (they are cheap on eBay), roll the bivy/bag in the shelter half. Put this on top of the bag, not the bottom. When you sleep, gather leaves/grass, etc into a bundle about your height. use the shelter half as a ground sheet. This gives you a "sleeping pad" and protection for the bivy sack. I know guys are going to complain about the weight of a canvas shelter half, but you need it to be durable enough for such use.

So basically I would exchange my thermarest for a shelter half? I never thought of that, but the thermarest is VERY light (although it is a bit large), and I can just do away with the leaf bed.

Shaving stuff: cut back to the straight razor (bring a strop), toothbrush, tooth paste and soap. I bring a washcloth and hand towel (like a 1/3 size bath towel). Bring some Desenex foot powder. However, if you plan on shaving your head (helps keep you from getting lice), keep a disposable razor or the refillable one you have. Straight razors are tough to use for this.

That was my plan. I am NOT going to attempt shaving my head with a straight!

Get a first aid kit.

I know, I know… I might get around to it.

Get one of those mirrors that comes on an extendable handle (can get them at most hardware store/Sears). Good for shaving and checking various parts of yourself you can't otherwise see.

I have a signal mirror. I think that will work just fine.

Think about adding a good .22 handgun to your pack. Keep the .38 (.357?) for protection.

I was considering buying an airsoft handgun for the furries. The .357 is for protection, although I am nervous because even with a Florida permit, some states don’t recognize it, and being a vagrant, it is illegal to CC regardless if you have an out of state license or not…

Mess-kit?

Don’t need one.

It looks, by the size of it, that you have only the patrol bag in the bivy sack. If you are heading up to Vermont like you said, that probably won't be enough for winter. Consider getting the intermediate bag as well. Might think about getting the GI compression sack for the whole deal (and wrap that in the shelter half). For those that have never used them, the GI MSS that he has is a bit bulky but not heavy.

Good observations, although I have the intermediate. I have polypros and some clothes I can wear if that is not warm enough. Also, don’t forget that I can use the terrain to keep warm too, like nestle up against an outcrop out of the wind, and if need be, make a small shelter to keep off the frost. I am no expert in this, but I am sure my instincts will take over. If they don’t… lol I guess I had a good life!

Thanx!

 

[Cpl Punishment]

So basically I would exchange my thermarest for a shelter half? I never thought of that, but the thermarest is VERY light (although it is a bit large), and I can just do away with the leaf bed.

Yep, I have a ridgerest fro camping. It's nice. IMO it's too bulky to carry all the time. The leaf bed doesn't ahve to be carried. The shelter half is also treated for water resistance (or should be if it's real GI), BUT NOT WATERPROOF. But it will help protect and keep dry the MSS. The bivy is good for water protection, but the bivy is the priciest and hardest to replace part of the system. I guard mine like it's my child.

I have a signal mirror. I think that will work just fine.

OK missed that. Good enough.

I was considering buying an airsoft handgun for the furries. The .357 is for protection, although I am nervous because even with a Florida permit, some states don’t recognize it, and being a vagrant, it is illegal to CC regardless if you have an out of state license or not…

Remember me saying to have up to date ID? If you have an address, you're not a vagrant, you're a hiker/camper. You're on sabbatical/researching for college, etc, remember? There's more reasons behind that than just being more palatable as a hitchiker.

Don’t need one.

Re: Mess kit. What are you carrying your water in? I figure if I'm carrying canteens or Nalgenes, the cups make an acceptable kit, and take up no more room. Good to have, IMO. Couple canteen cups and a spoon really make life easier living off the land, and there's very little downside to having them.

Good observations, although I have the intermediate. I have polypros and some clothes I can wear if that is not warm enough. Also, don’t forget that I can use the terrain to keep warm too, like nestle up against an outcrop out of the wind, and if need be, make a small shelter to keep off the frost. I am no expert in this, but I am sure my instincts will take over. If they don’t… lol I guess I had a good life!

Thanx!

You'll get by fine just about anywhere in the lower 48 with the intermediate bag. You'll be too warm in mild seasons, but you can leave the bag open to vent in those cases. I thought you had the patrol bag, which would have been simply too cold in the northern winter, wind breaks or not.

Overall, except for the lack of first aid, I think you've got a pretty good kit. Certainly not top-of-the-line everything, but that would require a MUCH larger outlay of money, and the cost/benefit ratio starts to steeply decline.

 

[Horned Toad]

Oh, lol. I guess I can see how it would sound like that, but I didn’t mean to sound like I thought you didn’t know what it is. My bad dude. :foot: What I meant was that for now I think I am going to keep the bivy on to keep my bag from getting wet in case it rains while I am hiking.
When I referenced SF, I meant to say that with all the people I contacted on the survival blog, it seemed that since I wasn’t an ex SF, or hard core HOAH and know how to make the grass more green, than they stop communicating with you about having you stay with them. That’s what I meant.

Gypsies huh? Lol I know… tell me about it. I thought that too. Like painting a big red X on my back lugging all that around, yeah?

If I would have said compression sack at the start it would probably have avoided some confusion.

Some pics for consideration on the puss pad. Our commo guys used to get this thin foam and you could cut it down and fold it up and store it like in the pics. I have also seen guys cut down the green sleep pads and do something similar. The pad only goes from your head to you butt and is as wide as you are. You can stick it in the bivy but under the sleeping bag so you don’t slide off it, only down side with storing it in this spot is it generates some heat and doesn’t let you back breathe.

The extra padding on the shoulder straps helps and so does the padding on the hip belt. I have never bee able to wear an LBV or LBC and use a hip belt.

 

[mystical woodsman]

Yep, I have a ridgerest fro camping. It's nice. IMO it's too bulky to carry all the time. The leaf bed doesn't have to be carried. The shelter half is also treated for water resistance (or should be if it's real GI), BUT NOT WATERPROOF. But it will help protect and keep dry the MSS. The bivy is good for water protection, but the bivy is the priciest and hardest to replace part of the system. I guard mine like it's my child.

Yeah, I will have to make a mental note that it is quite an expensive item, and it can easily tear and get punctured carrying it the way I have it now. Hhmmm….

Remember me saying to have up to date ID? If you have an address, you're not a vagrant, you're a hiker/camper. You're on sabbatical/researching for college, etc, remember? There are more reasons behind that than just being more palatable as a hitch hiker.

Well, basically, these days a cop can search you and you don’t have the 4th anymore… About 2 months ago I was walking to the gas station about a mile from my house. The only thing is, is that it was 1 AM. I was wearing black military boots (I wear them all the time), green cargo pants, and a polypro top with knit cap on since it was cold. One cop drove up to me, and put on his lights. I was very polite and friendly. I did have my RAT TAK1 on my hip (even when I don’t need it, sometimes I just wear it for the Hell of it since I can’t go camping as much as I like) and he asked me if I had any weapons on me as he approached me looking at me from head to toe, making the comment that I am dressed very suspiciously (I can't blame him for thinking that, although that is how I dress all the dang time lol).

“Supposedly”, there was some guy lurking around near by and was causing problems… hhmmm, how convenient I thought. Well, I said, I am not that guy (although I probably would fit the part perfectly with how I looked). Anyways, the way he was talking to me, he was a rude butt licker, and I knew that if I didn’t comply, he would arrest me and take me in on suspicion. Considering the fact I was so polite, and cooperatively respectful, they let me go on a warning not to carry my knife. They said there is a law in Florida that you can’t carry anything longer than 4 in (I have yet to verify that with our Commissioner), even though it is .25in longer… sigh.
Depending on the region, traveling by night is better due to it being cooler. I can just imagine having Rambo dejavu’ walking into some small town with my pack. Even better, walking at night and being pulled over (or would that be walked over lol) and them say something along the lines like: There was some reports someone is over here peeping in windows, blah blah, I need to search you. Regardless if I have an up to date license, and even if I have a permit for my handgun, I still could be arrested if I accidentally walk on private property, much less shot out right for doing so… Ahhh, I guess the danger in all these possibilities comes with the dang territory.

Re: Mess kit. What are you carrying your water in? I figure if I'm carrying canteens or Nalgenes, the cups make an acceptable kit, and take up no more room. Good to have, IMO. Couple canteen cups and a spoon really make life easier living off the land, and there's very little downside to having them.

I have an Omega Camelbak… and I have an REI SS pot with a pocket cooker.

You'll get by fine just about anywhere in the lower 48 with the intermediate bag. You'll be too warm in mild seasons, but you can leave the bag open to vent in those cases.

I figured the same thing, although I think you said that before which initially gave me the idea.

Overall, except for the lack of first aid, I think you've got a pretty good kit. Certainly not top-of-the-line everything, but that would require a MUCH larger outlay of money, and the cost/benefit ratio starts to steeply decline.

Yeah, and then have some of the stuff stolen by other hobo hikers and/or cops. That's where the gun comes in.

Thanks for the replies dude. You always have quality suggestions with substantial essence.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Well, basically, these days a cop can search you and you don’t have the 4th anymore… About 2 months ago I was walking to the gas station about a mile from my house. The only thing is, is that it was 1 AM. I was wearing black military boots (I wear them all the time), green cargo pants, and a polypro top with knit cap on since it was cold. One cop drove up to me, and put on his lights. I was very polite and friendly. I did have my RAT TAK1 on my hip (even when I don’t need it, sometimes I just wear it for the Hell of it since I can’t go camping as much as I like) and he asked me if I had any weapons on me as he approached me looking at me from head to toe, making the comment that I am dressed very suspiciously (I can't blame him for thinking that, although that is how I dress all the dang time lol).

“Supposedly”, there was some guy lurking around near by and was causing problems… hhmmm, how convenient I thought. Well, I said, I am not that guy (although I probably would fit the part perfectly with how I looked). Anyways, the way he was talking to me, he was a rude butt licker, and I knew that if I didn’t comply, he would arrest me and take me in on suspicion. Considering the fact I was so polite, and cooperatively respectful, they let me go on a warning not to carry my knife. They said there is a law in Florida that you can’t carry anything longer than 4 in (I have yet to verify that with our Commissioner), even though it is .25in longer… sigh.
Depending on the region, traveling by night is better due to it being cooler. I can just imagine having Rambo dejavu’ walking into some small town with my pack. Even better, walking at night and being pulled over (or would that be walked over lol) and them say something along the lines like: There was some reports someone is over here peeping in windows, blah blah, I need to search you. Regardless if I have an up to date license, and even if I have a permit for my handgun, I still could be arrested if I accidentally walk on private property, much less shot out right for doing so… Ahhh, I guess the danger in all these possibilities comes with the dang territory.

Well again, with proper ID, including a FL CCW, it's moot. First of all, there aren't that many states that don't recirprocate with FL, plan your route. You have 5 years from date of issue before needing to apply for an extension.

As to the knife, local municipalities may restrict length of knife as far as what is carried openly legally, or may define something 4" or under as a "common pocket knife" for concealed carry without a permit. IF YOU HAVE A FL Concealed Weapons License, you can carry any size blade in Florida, so long as it's concealed, regardless of the local ordnances. Now, how reciprocal states rule that, you need to check before you head out.

One of the reasons my EDC is a Ka-Bar Mule, is because it's just under 4" in blade and legal just about anywhere you can carry any knife at all, permit or no. It's also $50, not real pricey, and you'd have to really try to break it.