Hey guys I'm planning a trip to try out wilderness survival and wanted to know if anyone had any tips for what to bring or expect. If it helps I'm packing in and am going to be in Michigan around springtime. I would appreciate any tips or resources to look at. Thanks.
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New to W&SS. Advice?
- Thread starter mshost13
- Start date
You'll want to keep warm, dry, hydrated, fed, and happy. Pack accordingly, this is your trip so don't rely too much on what others bring along. It's not wrong to overpack the first time out. As you get more comfortable in the woods you'll see what works for you and be able to add or remove stuff to improve the experience. Eventually you will start to look at the weight of your setup but for now, opt for comfort.
General outdoors tips:
- Dress in layers. Base layer, insulation, Wind and waterproof shell.
- It is always colder and wetter than the forecast. Unless it's daytime in the desert in which case the opposite applies. Desert nights are cold.
- Bring enough socks and underpants
- Stay dry. A fire will dry your wet gear but it is better to not get wet in the first place.
- Bring enough water and food
- Don’t rush out and spend your money on the latest and greatest until you know what you need
- Plan to spend the night outdoors. Bring a tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag even if you plan on sleeping in a brush shelter.
- Have several ways to get back to civilization
- Bring toilet paper
- You will not always have access to fire
- Keep your feet clean and dry
General outdoors tips:
- Dress in layers. Base layer, insulation, Wind and waterproof shell.
- It is always colder and wetter than the forecast. Unless it's daytime in the desert in which case the opposite applies. Desert nights are cold.
- Bring enough socks and underpants
- Stay dry. A fire will dry your wet gear but it is better to not get wet in the first place.
- Bring enough water and food
- Don’t rush out and spend your money on the latest and greatest until you know what you need
- Plan to spend the night outdoors. Bring a tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag even if you plan on sleeping in a brush shelter.
- Have several ways to get back to civilization
- Bring toilet paper
- You will not always have access to fire
- Keep your feet clean and dry
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Whithout knowing anything of your background or experience and not being familiar with the area- the only substantive thing I can offer is to have a plan, share the plan and stick to the plan.
Write down where you will park, where to intend to go from there and when you intend to be back. Give this to someone you trust, family or close friend. So if you do not return on time, they can alert police and start looking for you.
There is much to learn by searching here and reading- then experience is your best teacher to learn what works for you and in your area.
Bill
Write down where you will park, where to intend to go from there and when you intend to be back. Give this to someone you trust, family or close friend. So if you do not return on time, they can alert police and start looking for you.
There is much to learn by searching here and reading- then experience is your best teacher to learn what works for you and in your area.
Bill
VTguy17
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You never realize how important this is until you forget it. With many many years of wilderness experience this is still something I fail at miserably, especially the toilet paper. I've had to wipe with things...well lets just leave it at that, it can be very unpleasant.I almost always come home with less socks than I left the house with if you know what I mean. TP can make or break a man in the woods
My advice is try and practice some basic skills before you go on a trip. Weather it's in your back yard or a park, nothing is worse then being deep in the woods and relying on something you read and not being able to do it. Things like trying to start a fire, you could have read 100 articles on fire starting and think it should be easy but if you have no experience and your trying to start your first fire deep in the woods when your hungry, cold, and wet your going to have a bad time.
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I appreciate the advice. I plan to bring a tent just in case as sideways suggested, but what are some relatively easy outdoor shelters? Looking online I've found a quick set-up with a tarp as weather protection layered with space blankets for warmth. Has anyone tried this, or is a simple lean-to the way to go?
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Go to youtube and look up Iawoodsman's videos. A lot of great info to start with!
There are lots of options. Experiment, whatever you choose will have to keep the elements out. Wind, water and mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are an element aren't they? Beyond that you may or may not want the shelter itself to provide some insulation value. Using a tarp requires some skill. The smaller the tarp, the more skill involved but it is doable. You'll have to set the tarp up in different ways depending on the situation.
I tried a space blanket as a kid and preferred my sleeping bag because it was soft and quiet. I have not touched one since so I can't speak to their effectiveness.
Shelters off the top of my head:
Tent (many models)
Tarp (many ways to set it up)
Lean-to
Hammock
Bivy bag
Poncho shelter, similar to using a tarp only less material to work with
Tipi
Yurt
Sleeping under a tree
Sleeping in a snowbank
Brush shelter
Igloo
Further reading
I tried a space blanket as a kid and preferred my sleeping bag because it was soft and quiet. I have not touched one since so I can't speak to their effectiveness.
Shelters off the top of my head:
Tent (many models)
Tarp (many ways to set it up)
Lean-to
Hammock
Bivy bag
Poncho shelter, similar to using a tarp only less material to work with
Tipi
Yurt
Sleeping under a tree
Sleeping in a snowbank
Brush shelter
Igloo
Further reading
You specified "wilderness survival"- so what event do you intend to be participating in when survival becomes an issue?
This will determine what to take on a planned test run.
If you take things on the test that you would not carry, say...hiking or hunting. Then your test is invalid. Many guys on here have spent an overnight in the cold with the same items they routinely carry hiking--- to simulate and test themselves on how well they can do with the bare essentials.
I test myself to see if I can survive my car breaking down at the edge of a wilderness in nice weather- so I bring LOTS of comfort items in the car
JK, but maybe you understand what I am saying.
Bill
This will determine what to take on a planned test run.
If you take things on the test that you would not carry, say...hiking or hunting. Then your test is invalid. Many guys on here have spent an overnight in the cold with the same items they routinely carry hiking--- to simulate and test themselves on how well they can do with the bare essentials.
I test myself to see if I can survive my car breaking down at the edge of a wilderness in nice weather- so I bring LOTS of comfort items in the car
JK, but maybe you understand what I am saying.Bill
Excellent list! I will add to slightly.
As far as fire goes, have multiple ways to start a fire, don't rely on only one. This is important if you are planning on using a primative method for the first time. Have a backup.
Water: You don't absolutely have to carry enough if you know there is more available in the area you are going to. But you must bring a method of treating what water you collect at that location.
Bring LOTS of TP. Butt wipes can be nice as well for an over all clean up.
Always write down your plan and give a copy to someone reliable that is not going with you. Detail where you are going (be specific in details) and when (day and time) you should return by. Allow 2-3 hours after that and then they call for assistance. Let them know ASAP when you are back to civilazation so they don't call out a rescue for you. Most of all stick to your plan as much as possible.
HAVE FUN and learn. That's the best part of going out.
To answer your question Bill, I'm planning to take mostly hunting gear. Due to the cold weather, however, some extra equipment will be necessary for warmth. I'm really looking to gain experience with survival skills, like fire-making, water purification, food scavenging, etc. Are there any other skills I should try?
Sideways, the lists are great; they're very helpful.
Sideways, the lists are great; they're very helpful.
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Do you mean a "backpack" by means of "packing"? The others here will give you good advice and ideas. My contribution will be thinking about a basic lightweight emergency kit to go along with the other stuff.
Fleece or wool watch cap, including gloves.
Basic water filtration such as a filtered H20 bottle.
Emergency bivy sack or a space blanket, with one of those big contractor debri bags as a fast emergency shelter.
extra pair of smartwool socks.
caloric dense energybars.
Again this is basic, but very portable and would get you through a "night out" in spring and summer inclimate weather.
Fleece or wool watch cap, including gloves.
Basic water filtration such as a filtered H20 bottle.
Emergency bivy sack or a space blanket, with one of those big contractor debri bags as a fast emergency shelter.
extra pair of smartwool socks.
caloric dense energybars.
Again this is basic, but very portable and would get you through a "night out" in spring and summer inclimate weather.
Excellent point Imalterna. In a real situation you might only be carrying some form of basic kit on the off chance you need it. I'd still argue that it is a good idea to take a bunch of stuff with you. That way you can test for yourself where you belong on the weight vs comfort scale of things. Getting from a camping kit to that basic kit is a process that requires some sweat equity and experimentation.You specified "wilderness survival"- so what event do you intend to be participating in when survival becomes an issue?
This will determine what to take on a planned test run.
If you take things on the test that you would not carry, say...hiking or hunting. Then your test is invalid. Many guys on here have spent an overnight in the cold with the same items they routinely carry hiking--- to simulate and test themselves on how well they can do with the bare essentials.
I test myself to see if I can survive my car breaking down at the edge of a wilderness in nice weather- so I bring LOTS of comfort items in the car
Bill
I also forgot to mention earlier the importance of keeping your feet clean and dry.
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There is nothing wrong with having back-up gear in case a test of a minimal approach fails.
Wilderness survival is Pass/Fail.
Wilderness survival is Pass/Fail.
I agree not to risk your health during a test. Many guys here will test themselves in the backyard or close to a parked car during inclement weather. So if things hit the suck factor too fast, you are out of it without risk.
My main outdoor activity these days is hiking. Since we like to plan a nice lunch around a hike, I am already carrying a container to boil water(either pot or stainless Guyot) and either an alcohol stove, Jetboil or fire kit. If the area alloys, I prefer fire kit to get extra practice. I also have instant noodles and drink mix. Because I want to have rain protection and privacy for my wife and daughter to have bathroom breaks, I carry 1 GI Poncho for every two people hiking. I also carry a small first aid kit, strobe, chemlights and whistles--- all to call for help should someone be injured off trail. Some of our hikes push 6-8 hours so we have extra socks, UA balaclava for each, and cereal type breakfast bars. I and my kids have nut allergies so these and hard candy take the place of energy bars. Toss in a little paracord, assume since we are planning the hike- we are dressed for outdoors.
You can see how the things I normally carry serve the expected purposes as well as being useful should things turn bad.
Poncho, para and balaclavas serve as shelter from elements.
Ability to boil water should we need to use ground water, mixes to make it palatable.
calories to help stay warm.
Both visiual and audible signaling.
Add the practive of improvising lean to's and debris shelters as well as firemaking & decent navigation skills. And a comfort of being outdoors goes a ways to keeping things calm.
Because we are hiking, we are likely less than 10 miles from people- even if the trails are empty mid week and we are off trail. So the above should suit our needs- barring two footed predators or serious injury. We use other devices for two footed threats and pray the cell phones have signal in case of serious injury. Our aid kit can only cover so much.
This is my situation and what works for me.
Bill
My main outdoor activity these days is hiking. Since we like to plan a nice lunch around a hike, I am already carrying a container to boil water(either pot or stainless Guyot) and either an alcohol stove, Jetboil or fire kit. If the area alloys, I prefer fire kit to get extra practice. I also have instant noodles and drink mix. Because I want to have rain protection and privacy for my wife and daughter to have bathroom breaks, I carry 1 GI Poncho for every two people hiking. I also carry a small first aid kit, strobe, chemlights and whistles--- all to call for help should someone be injured off trail. Some of our hikes push 6-8 hours so we have extra socks, UA balaclava for each, and cereal type breakfast bars. I and my kids have nut allergies so these and hard candy take the place of energy bars. Toss in a little paracord, assume since we are planning the hike- we are dressed for outdoors.
You can see how the things I normally carry serve the expected purposes as well as being useful should things turn bad.
Poncho, para and balaclavas serve as shelter from elements.
Ability to boil water should we need to use ground water, mixes to make it palatable.
calories to help stay warm.
Both visiual and audible signaling.
Add the practive of improvising lean to's and debris shelters as well as firemaking & decent navigation skills. And a comfort of being outdoors goes a ways to keeping things calm.
Because we are hiking, we are likely less than 10 miles from people- even if the trails are empty mid week and we are off trail. So the above should suit our needs- barring two footed predators or serious injury. We use other devices for two footed threats and pray the cell phones have signal in case of serious injury. Our aid kit can only cover so much.
This is my situation and what works for me.
Bill
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The 10 essentials is always a good basis to start with. REI and the Boy Scouts both have info on it.
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
I understand why dry feet would be important in preserving body heat, but why are clean feet important?
Yes, basically the layout is a parking lot outside the forest and then hiking out a few miles to find a clearing. This way the truck will be within range if I need to get out quick, but not so close that it's a camping trip where supplies are just thrown in the bed. The plan was then to use a backpack to take all supplies out into the woods.