Newly Assembled Winter Kit (lotsa pics!)

S

siguy

Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
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i learned that shelter is very important in my area, as is gathering firewood quickly. i also learned that sometimes the wind is whipping around so much that a fire doesn't do much but choke you with smoke. as such, i have built a kit to accomodate those difficulties, so that if it came to it, i would be able to spend a somewhat comfortable night out.

i built it around a small school bag style backpack that i got on sale at Old Navy when i was browsing through one time. it is pretty cheap construction, one of the seams fell apart immediatly (i fixed it). i wouldn't mind getting a better bag with more organization, but this will do fine for the time being.

on the outside:
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in the outside pockets:
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headlamp
PSK (firesteel, striker, fatwood matches, bleach, small bandaids, braided nylon cord, athletic tape pieces)
wetterlings 19 inch hunter's axe (could be replaced by fiskars 14" hatchet or other similar sized chopper)

in the front zipper pocket:
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granola bar (there's plenty of space for a proper lunch)
aluminum pot lid
Fiskars slide saw
Pocket Cooker
6 pack instant heat hand warmers

in the main zipper pocket:
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(note that the nalgene is nested in my billy can, so that i can remove and replace it without shifting the contents of my pack around. makes taking a drink much faster and easier)
airline blanket (makes a great scarf/headwrap/extra layer of insulation)
rehandled Mora Viking (i wanted a strong knife that i like, but wouldn't miss having it packed away)
AMK fiber survival blanket
AMK space blanket
5x7'(smaller actual size) tarp with semi-reflective underside
billy can with bail
nalgene
pencil pouch with goodies

pencil pouch with goodies:
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granola bar
Altoids tin sharpener
Krazy glue (love this stuff!)
athletic tape
ball of cotton mason's twine
non-deet bugspray
braided nylon cord for ridge line and corner lines for my tarp
spoon
pen
tea bags (not really a fan, but it is nice to have warm something with a bit of flavor to sip sometimes)
bits of fatwood
rubber bands
 
in addition to a well dressed me:
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i feel, based on my area in winter conditions (provided i am properly dressed) i will be able to survive almost indefinitely, as long as i had a source of water and food. without sources for food and water (carrying a dayhike amount) i could probably be comfortable for a day or two.

a benefit to this kit is that even if i somehow hurt myself i can still make use of it single handed to provide some shelter and fire (albiet akwardly and difficultly).

the areas that this kit are lacking in are in signalling and in navigation. i still don't have a good whistle :o and i don't usually have a map for the areas i am in anyways (so a compass wouldn't do me much good). i can signal visually with my silver and safety orange space blanket as well as my headlamp, and i can walk in a straight line without a compass (meaning i know how to avoid walking in circles), so i feel that i am at least somewhat covered in those dimensions.

thoughts, questions, concerns, etc always welcome ;)
 
Nice setup!

I am only finding one thing that is striking me as odd. I have never needed bug spray in the winter. Is there some multi-use for it that I am missing out on? Or do just grow some super cold resistant bugs out that way? :D

B
 
i figured i would stick it in there, since this is basically my luxury kit for the summer. it can also be used when you need a fire really fast!
 
Being that it's a winter kit I would also throw in a pair of wool socks.

You do have cold feet don't ya :D
 
i do have cold feet, but that's what the 6 heat packs are for!

it is a good idea to have a pair of spare socks, which i usually do on dayhikes. they are all in my sock basket though, i usually grab a pair before heading out.
 
Your kit did grow from last time but you got everything covered. Dont forget something to keep you busy while sitting in the shelter when it rain or nighth time.. I always carry a book with me on every hike. Some hard candy might be good to have as well.. If you have any asian store in your area you can get some miso soup. I love that stuff on a cold night and you actualy feel that you had something to eat.

Sasha
 
That looks a great kit but did ya have to go and scare me with that close up face pic when I wasn't expecting it !!! LOL !!!!!

Please take some more pics of the stuff in use !
 
pit, last time i was so focused on videos that i almost totally forgot to take pics. i will try to take more pics in the future though.

sorry for the scare!
 
KuRUpTD said:
Being that it's a winter kit I would also throw in a pair of wool socks.

You do have cold feet don't ya :D
Click to expand...

a pair of wool socks + ziploc bag = good insurance

things get wet - especially feet when carefully crossing a cold stream by balancing on slippery rocks or logs

you can dry out your shoes and socks with a fire - but it's real nice to have dry socks to wear in the meantime

even a long hike will put a lot of moisture into a pair of socks just from perspiration - slipping into a dry pair when you bed down in camp is really nice.

the only thing i'd suggest is a balaclava - the kind bicyclists wear. combined with a good wool knit cap and a scarf and you've got pretty good armor against the wind. there's just something about balaclava's that make a world of difference - keeping all that blood flowing between your head/face/neck and the rest of your body nice and warm.
 
akennedy, a balaclava style mask is something that i typically wear as part of my clothing in the winter, so its not packed in the bag. good suggestions though,
 
Hey Simon, I saw a pair of battery powered heated wool socks the other day that instantly made me think of you for some reason. The were at ACE hardware.......Incidently the only place in my city that sells strike anywhere matches:rolleyes:

They werent that expensive either....Anyways just reminded me:thumbup::)
 
Nice! One thing that I include in my winter kits, which usually revolve around water, is some small glad bags, the ones that are really simple, that have no built in closure, wrapped in rubber bands. I use these for when I feet get REALLY cold, like from sitting in a canoe all day, getting poor circulation, or that are slightly damp.

I use them as vapor barriers to keep warmth in. I don't use them unless I have too, but it keeps them quite a bit warmer. Works well with a moister wicking base layer, synthetic/wool outer layer, then the bags. 2 bags takes up less room than a mini-bic.
 
I'm with Pitdog, that face shot freaked me out! :eek: :D

I like how the axe is the noticeable centerpiece of your pack. :thumbup:
Looks pretty serious to anyone coming up behind you.

+1 for the Nature Valley Nuts & Honey, my choice too in that brand.
maybe add a couple more high-calorie goodies for a winter pack?
Seal blubber?? :barf: ;)

Add as much dry tinder as you can. You can never have too much tinder in the winter, especially if it's rainy or snow covering the ground.

That is a good size for a pack, not overburdening, but big enough to keep all the extras you might need for colder weather when compared to a smaller wamr-weather PSK.

thanks for the pics, they always get me thinking.
 
Simon, as I am sure you know by now, I am just an old Codger. But looking at your fleece hoodie and imagining it to be the total top insulation puts chills up and down my spine. Now I grant that you just likely put that on to model it with the new kit, and didn't intend for it to represent your cold weather attire (you mentioned the balaclava not shown). I have a fleece jacket and I love it. I've had one since Patagonia introduced them back in nineteen hundred and seventy----, well, they are super for keeping you warm and dry. But being an old guy who gets cold just looking at pictures, I'd suggest that you scout out a hole-in-the-wall military surplus store and try on at least a M-65 with quilted liner. Get it big enough to go over the hoodie. Adding the extra layers will keep me warmer when I see your pictures!:D

Oh, and take the time to look at the quilted poncho liners and wool goods there too. And a cheap but useful mil-surp butt pack. Like five dollars for those. Add a shoulder strap and you got it made.

Don't misunderstand, I know you are starting out and doing it on a shoestring. I know you can't lay out big bucks for top of the line gear. But you might be amazed at the armload you can walk out of a mil-surp store with for not much money at all. Particularly if you talk up the owner. He/she can point you to the best deals in flawed/repaired items. These guys often toss in free goodies from a box under the table too. Some of the stuff you may have to sew up yourself when you get it home. Just watch out for the new imported junk made to look like issue items. Most of these stores have to carry a certain amount of that in stock to satisfy that market.

I really, really like the kit you've put together. An excellent job! Keep us posted. Watching your fast progress and growth in knowledge is very encouraging to us old Codgers.


Codger
 
codger, i dream of the day i get to walk into a milsurp place...

unfortunately, the few that i have come into contact with were out of business or closed...

and there aren't any close to me at all.

one of the biggest things i'm looking to get this year is some better cold weather gear. i'm looking at some of the jackets that Duluth is carrying, as well as some fancy runner's tights for a baselayer (which will also come in handy for running).

the sweater is just what i was already wearing, i had my hood up so that my hair wouldn't confuse the top of the pack (its the same color as my axe handle).

thanks for all the comments guys!
 
I just noticed that Codger hit the 8500 post count! WOW.
This is especially noteworthy because he always posts good thoughtful information!
Congrats Codger, my hat goes off to you.

Along the lines Codger was mentioning, if you don't have a true Army-Navy type surplus store, you can also check thrift stores, it's amazing what some people will drop-off to those places.

My son wears the cold weather UnderArmor and swears by it. Sometimes I see him wearing what appears to be not enough when it's cold out, then I am reminded of the UA underneath.
 
Great post codger. I love the US split tail parka with the fake fur around the hood. They are way to stylish now with the skooter kids and the US not exporting military gear right now though.

Canadian army surplus gear has some great cold weather gear and the best stuff is the older pre 1980's stuff that is all wool and other natural materials. However these new winter gloves are awesome.
picsofgloves001.jpg

They are the heaviest winter gloves you can operate machinery with and are gore tex with goatskin.
 
Codger_64 said:
Oh, and take the time to look at the quilted poncho liners and wool goods there too. And a cheap but useful mil-surp butt pack. Like five dollars for those. Add a shoulder strap and you got it made.


Codger
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I always enjoy your posts Codger! I'm just curious, are you recommending the butt pack-turned-shoulder bag as the main winter-kit pack? Or in addition to another pack?
 
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