no food, no shelter this time. going on vacation this week

[Moddoo]

Hello Everyone.

I wanted to share a bit about a hike I am going on with a friend this week.

We are going to the Border Route Trail in the BWCA.
We will hike about 25 miles of the trail over 4-5 days.

We are just bringing some bare necessities.

daypack
knife
pocket saw
fire steel
flashlight & headlamp
4'x9' piece of tyvek
rain gear
water bottle and camelback bladder
Ti cup
some cordage
fishing line & hooks
camera
small first aid kit

That's roughly it .
pack is about 7.5# without water.

We are not bringing any food, and will forage along the way.
water is somewhat accessible most of the time.
We will be wearing some bug out mosquito suits.

This is my first outing without any food, so it should be interesting.
We've been in the BWCA plenty before, but not with minimal gear like this.
I did a similar solo hike there before, but had a small tent and food.

I'll be departing Tuesday 8-3 in the afternoon.

I'll post pics when I return.

Please ask questions or share comments.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

First Aid gear

Cell Phone or other way to call for help

Emergency Blanket

 

[Moddoo]

First Aid gear

Cell Phone or other way to call for help

Emergency Blanket

first aid, check, we have a small first aid kit coming along.

There is no cell phone coverage up there

don't have an emergency blanket, but the tyvek and rain gear should suffice.

 

[fishshooter]

Sounds like a great trip! I'd have to throw an MRE or something in the pack in case something goes south. Pack it and forget it. Stay safe and enjoy yourself!

 

[KEmSAT-Survival]

Establish a base camp some place (easy for you to find, and within walking distance) with extra food, water, shelter, & medical supplies.

If nothing else, geocache the stuff someplace in case you need it. That'll keep thieves away from it. Hang the food from a high branch to keep bears out of it. But for God's sake have a back-up plan. A good outing can go from "zero" to "shitstorm" in a heartbeat.

There's a fine line between brave and stupid.

Good luck!

 

[PropThePolecat]

Pack some MRE's with you, they could prove invaluable and provide your body with some energy when you need it most. Of course, im assuming you have the selfdiscipline to leave it alone, untill you need it.

Dont forget a whistle and a signalling mirror for emergencies.

 

[RescueRiley]

Howdy Brother.. Please don;t mistake questions as me not being supportive.. But the information you are giving is somewhat vague.. and I don;t want to give unsolicted advice.
First off If I where to attempt a sustainable living scenario with minimal gear .. I would do it in a fixed location rather than placing an aditional caloric demand on my body by covering distance over mountainous terrain.. after several excursions like that I might try Longer excursions that involve covering small amounts of space.. being out in the bush eats up the calories adding Hiking along to the Normal survival activites of harvesting food. Gathering wood building shelter etc is gonna be demanding..

Are you well versed in wild edibles.??
are you experienced in fishing with a handline?
are you well versed in using your ferro with natural tinder?
are you and your partner well vered in first aid? navigation? etc?
I'm not being confrontational, so please donot misconstrue, I however do not know you so I'm Just asking.. have you practiced all of these to the point of tedious exhaustion?
It's one thing to test yourself and quite another to place yourself in harms way.. mastery of some basic concepts might determine the difference between the 2.

I used to bring allot of gear.. than I wanted to test myself and my skills and began cutting stuff back to silly levels.. now as I gain experience and skill.. I find myself discovering a happy medium.. where I am consistantly able to test my skills while having enough gear with me to prevent disaster if it should arise..
Mother nature is not out to get us... but she is not out to see us succeed either.. Nature is indfferent to those without knowledge or skill, and she only shares her secrets to those who have taken the time to know her many moods (ok enough hippie crap)
So those are my reecomendations and questions.. I would also reccommend bringing some means of communication in case things go south.. and as always leave a detailed itinerary including where you will be and when you plan to return with your family and the rangers ... Good luck

 

[Chris Pierce]

As long as you have lots of water, the weather cooperates with you, and you know your own capabilities, I don't see any problem with foraging your own food along the way. Its not like you're going to starve to death in 4 days. If your only going to be hiking 25 miles then the worst case scenario is if both of you are injured at your turn around point and one of you has to crawl out for help. If your both unable to walk or crawl, then your dead anyway since you'll die of thirst long long before you starve.

It would be a good idea to have a back up fire source and batteries for your lights. Glow sticks are also good.
I don't know where "the Border Route Trail in the BWCA" is but of course you have to make sure you have appropriate clothing for the season and weather etc. But I'm sure you know all of this stuff. But I like to think that it helps to have reminders sometimes.


So what knife are you gonna bring along? What's a pocket saw? Are you planning on eating a big meal before you go?

PS (more questions) How do you plan on cooking your food? In your TI cup? Leaves? Are you going to be putting together a thread about your trip when you come back? Take lots of pics! And good luck!

 

[Warriorsociologist]

I've done a couple 7-9 day canoe trips up there with minimal food once (most times I bring plenty). One time I had a difficult time finding enough food (fish weren't biting, frogs were few & far between -- clams weren't supposed to be eaten, etc.). Anyway, I bring "spare" freeze dried food now & try to not use it. Good luck!

As far as your gear...

• do you really need a flashlight AND headlamp? I just bring a headlamp (usually a Zebralight H50 or Tikka).
• I'd toss in a few panfish poppers / surface flies. I've caught everything from sunnies to suckers up in the BWCAW on them.
• What are you wearing? I usually wear a pair of quick-drying cargo-type pants (TNF) and a smartwool t-shirt, underwear, & socks... I bring a extra shirt, boxers, & socks...mostly to wear while I wash & dry the other set. However, your trip is short enough that you won't need a change (esp. if you wear wool).
• Also, a flatened roll of TP (in a baggie) is nice...
• What about a map & compass? You are sticking to the trail, so you *might* not need it as much...but I'd take them before bringing a flashlight or a camera...

 

[carspidey]

+1 on what RescueRiley said...

it's always good to take some precautions... you never know what can happen...

 

[skab8541]

I'm right there with Riley, too many unanswered questions. I would do the back up food thing, just in case or How about taking something like Bannock mix, maybe a little sugar and salt as well. That way it would be like the woodsmen/explorers of old packed with them.

 

[bwcaq]

Sounds like a great trip! I'm a little bit fond of the area myself.

Maybe the TP is assumed, maybe I'm a big 'ol Nancy, but that is close to being the last thing I would want to leave out of my pack.

 

[Moddoo]

Good questions, let me try to answer them.

Gathering wood building shelter etc is gonna be demanding..

Shelter is mostly unnecessary unless it is raining. But I agree that it can be demanding.
There are plenty of downed trees in the area, and this makes shelter construction and wood gathering fairly easy.

Are you well versed in wild edibles.??

I have studied quite a bit, and have identified and tried several things in the wild.
Food is not a big issue on this short hike IMO.

are you experienced in fishing with a handline?

No, not really. If we get lucky, we may have a fish dinner.
the supplies weigh almost nothing, so we will bring them and try it.

are you well versed in using your ferro with natural tinder?

Yes, we have practiced plenty in sun and rain.

are you and your partner well vered in first aid? navigation? etc?

We feel comfortable with what we do know.
We were both in scouts as kids, and haven't stopped enjoying the outdoors since.
He is an eagle scout.
We spend dozens of nights in the woods every year.

. have you practiced all of these to the point of tedious exhaustion?

some yes, some no. This trip will certainly add to our experience.

I would also reccommend bringing some means of communication in case things go south.. and as always leave a detailed itinerary including where you will be and when you plan to return with your family and the rangers ... Good luck

We'll leave our itinerary with family. we are expected at the end of the trail by the outfitter that will give us a ride back to the car.

As long as you have lots of water, the weather cooperates with you, and you know your own capabilities, I don't see any problem with foraging your own food along the way. Its not like you're going to starve to death in 4 days. If your only going to be hiking 25 miles then the worst case scenario is if both of you are injured at your turn around point and one of you has to crawl out for help. If your both unable to walk or crawl, then your dead anyway since you'll die of thirst long long before you starve.

It would be a good idea to have a back up fire source and batteries for your lights. Glow sticks are also good.
I don't know where "the Border Route Trail in the BWCA" is but of course you have to make sure you have appropriate clothing for the season and weather etc. But I'm sure you know all of this stuff. But I like to think that it helps to have reminders sometimes.


So what knife are you gonna bring along? What's a pocket saw? Are you planning on eating a big meal before you go?

PS (more questions) How do you plan on cooking your food? In your TI cup? Leaves? Are you going to be putting together a thread about your trip when you come back? Take lots of pics! And good luck!

I believe that back-ups like food, or fire, only take away from your experience.
If you don't NEED to deal with your limited supplies only, then the experience isn't real.
The fire steels are pretty much a luxury for many people.
I am not accomplished with a bow drill yet, so we needed something.
again, food is a luxury. I look forward to really getting hungry for once.

The cup will be my pot, he has one also. he may bring a small aluminum 1 liter pot too.

I'll update this thread when we return. Plenty of pics for sure.

 

[Chris Pierce]

Right on. Sounds like it should be a good experience. I'd like to try something like this myself. And maybe I will soon.

 

[Shotgun]

If you know what you're doing I don't see anything wrong with it. I personally wouldn't go without any food though. Think about standing up too fast on the 4th day and passing out from low blood sugar and then cracking your head on a rock. To each their own. I'd like to see a gear review when you get back. Good luck.

 

[omniviking]

Maybe throw in a small frog gig for small fish or frog.

4 or 5 days out, take a little food, even if just a few snack bars & some jerky or some mre's. and supplement rest of food intake, low blood sugar is bad for me.

AND toilet paper, got to have luxury. don't want a rash in the private spots.

and a few coffee filters to simplify removing lumps from the water supply.


Pat

 

[MrPan]

If it was me, I would at least take some bouillon cubes just for the salt that you will be sweating out. Your body will need to replace this to keep things running smooth even if you have no food.

There is little to no salt in fish and plants that you are going to be eating along the way. I learned a long time ago, that if salt tastes good to you, your body more than likely needs it.

I always pack one bouillon cube per day in all my kits, but that's me and I'm in very good health with no blood pressure problems or anything like that to worry about salt in take.

 

[jekostas]

Well, this sounds like a fantastically bad idea, and should not be supported in the manner the OP is suggesting.

 

[Moddoo]

So what knife are you gonna bring along? What's a pocket saw? Are you planning on eating a big meal before you go?

here's my knife. It's about a 6" blade, just enough to do a little chopping if needed.
I'll also have a smaller pocket knife handy.

this is the little saw.
http://knradventuregear.com/miscproducts/knivestools/gerbsportsaw.htm

We'll eat well before we go.

do you really need a flashlight AND headlamp? I just bring a headlamp (usually a Zebralight H50 or Tikka).

Gotta have a backup. I will have the zebralight H30, and a much brighter handheld.
Extra batteries too.

I'd toss in a few panfish poppers / surface flies. I've caught everything from sunnies to suckers up in the BWCAW on them.

I figure that we can make some "flies" etc from found materials, and/or cordage.

What are you wearing? I usually wear a pair of quick-drying cargo-type pants (TNF) and a smartwool t-shirt, underwear, & socks... I bring a extra shirt, boxers, & socks...mostly to wear while I wash & dry the other set. However, your trip is short enough that you won't need a change (esp. if you wear wool).

I'll be wearing some synthetic convertible pants, and a synthetic shirt. some wool socks and well ventilated shoes.
we won't have a change of clothes.

Also, a flatened roll of TP (in a baggie) is nice...
What about a map & compass? You are sticking to the trail, so you *might* not need it as much...but I'd take them before bringing a flashlight or a camera...

TP, maybe.
Map and compass, yes. It is a trail, but it is hard to tell in some areas. The map will be helpful when leaving the trail for water.

If it was me, I would at least take some bouillon cubes just for the salt that you will be sweating out. Your body will need to replace this to keep things running smooth even if you have no food.

I've been thinking about salt. I usually carry it.
Consider the advice taken.

 

[Erasmus]

You need to put a big old can of food in each person's pack, so that in the case of emergency, you have a fall back. Something that you are unlikely to eat, except in extreme emergency. Like a large can of Alpo.

At the end of each day, you can present your unopened can for viewing, to show that you have not "weakened".