NW Survival Kit Help

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Bayd

Joined
Jun 24, 2004
Messages
23
I've been lurking around here, trying to find the info I need, but I would like some more help :o .I'm trying to assemble a survival kit and some hunting gear for use in Oregon, specifically the Mt Hood National Forest. Mainly will be used in fall (deer/elk season), but also needs to have gear I can rotate in/out for spring and summer. Any suggestions welcome!

Current Gear

BM Griptilian (the Doug Ritter version)
4" "Old Timer" fixed blade for skinning (never actually used, was a gift but prefering the grippy atm)
Brunton Classic compass
NATO "Lifeboat" Matches and light anywhere matches (will be wax dipped soon)
Small fishing kit (just hooks/weights/needles/small lures in 35mm case)
Signaling mirror (dunno which)
Candles
Some crappy space blankets (soon to be replaced, see below)
Snare wire (but looking back I don't have a good way to cut it)
Mag block + flint
Small SAK (no idea on name, small with no saw :eek: }
Some of those great cotten balls + vaseline
Misc energy food
Some >VERY BASIC< medical supplies

Gear I'm Considering

REI
Topo maps of the area (definetly :p )

Omaha’s
CLAYMORE MINE BAG (hopefully will be big enough?)

Brigade Quartermasters
SPACE® BRAND ALL WEATHER™ EMERGENCY HOODED BLANKET/ PONCHO
TRIOXANE COMPRESSED FUEL
POTABLE AQUA® WATER DISINFECTANT TABLETS
LUMINOUS ''CAT-EYE'' MARKING TAPE 6'' STRIPS
550 SURVIVAL CORD™

PS. Any "homemade" gear suggestions VERY welcome :p

Thanks!!
Bayd
 
Just some ideas. Others will chime in.

1. Last time I was in the area, it rained EVERY day. That would seem to dictate rain gear, which I'm sure you would have included, and a way to get to the inside of branches to find dry wood. Small axe? Stout knife to baton through branches? Folding pruning saw?

2. Home Made: Do a Google.com search for "stove" and "alcohol." There are plans galore for home-made stoves that weigh little and work well enough for one.

3. A whistle would be good.

4. Hiking stick!
 
A few items I'd add would be:

Star flash signal mirror
Disposable lighter w/adjustable flame
Another type of tinder in addition to....
Canteen (military w/pouch, cup and stove)
Esbit fuel (w/stove if another canteen choice is made)
Cup/pot if another canteen choice is made
US military issue poncho
couple of contractor grade drum liners
Folding saw or quality SAK w/saw
A better fixed blade to compliment the Ritter blade.
Extra pair socks
 
Thx Thomas & Longbow..

1) Any Oregonians know what age you can buy bics and such lighters? I think its 18 but not sure (i'm 17 :().

2) Whats a quality SAK with a saw blade?

3) Where can i get a cheap tin cup/pot set? Anyone tried the Fold-A-Cup? The site says they are unaffected by heat but it seems like they would melt..

4) Longbow - are you suggesting a poncho in addition to the brigade quartermasters heavy one?
 
Bayd, A quality SAK would be a Victorinox or Wenger, I prefer the Victorinox. Or, like Thomas suggested and my preference, get a stout knife capable of being bataned, for splitting dead but wet wood to get to the dry wood inside. On a wet and cold day in the field and during stressful survival situations, a warming fire will save your life and sometimes we have to work for the dry wood to get it going and keep it going. If you're on a strict budget (I usually am) the Cold Steel Bushman is a good beat it up knife that takes a beating and keeps on going.

The Coleman stainless steel cups at Walmart or Kmart are a few bucks and they do a decent job. Primarily you'd want to use it to boil water for drinking and to cook in, so the coleman is a minimum size that I'd go with.

I'm not familiar with the emergency hooded blanket/poncho you've listed. I carry a space blanket as well as a military poncho and industrial strength drum liners when hunting. My survival kit is ditto plus a poncho liner. If the one you're writing about is heavy enough for repeated use, then it might be OK. As long as it'll help to keep you dry, provide shade and shelter when needed, it should be fine. If not, then you should seriously think about another piece of gear.

What do you use as a weapon to chase them elk and deer with? I'd love to be able to chase Elk. Played with them some while in Idaho, but wasn't licensed, so didn't carry a weapon.
 
I wanted to add that I carry a good amount of gear in a 9X11X5 Finnish gas mask shoulder bag, so if the bag you're looking at is about the same size, it should work out just fine for you. Throw a flashlight in your pocket. I carry a small keychain LED (red light to save night vision) on me and an AA minimag in my kit.
 
Rain gear is a must and I'd replace the small magnesium block striker with a full size Ferricium rod. Bigger is better when trying to light a much needed fire. The other advice is to practice with your gear. Find out how long it takes to start a fire with your chosen methods(yes methods,always have more than 1).Try different types of natural tinders too in case the stuff you brought runs out. And for the cotton balls make sure you get 100% cotton other wise they won't burn as well if at all. Also practice shelter building and signals(a whistle is another must have). You can throw a strip of the blaze orange tape in a kit and it takes up little space but can really help you be seen. For maps if you have the funds buy 1 of the CDROM maps and that waterproof paper for your printer. You can customize your maps and leave a copy of where you are going with whomever would call for help just in case. For a cup I still like the old military canteen cups. They are plenty tough enough and if you mate it up with a military canteen and cover you can carry it all together along with purification tablets :)
 
I spent several years working outside in the Southern and Central OR Cascades. Played on the Hood NF a little, but never worked it.

My advice would be to keep your kit as light as possible, make sure everything has multiple uses. For example, a comfortable long sleeve shirt will degate the need for bug dope or sunscreen. Using your candles as a second fire starter is perfect. You don't need a survival stove, there is enough wood there to burn the rest of your life. Its easy to find dry dead wood in the cascades any time of year, even buried under snow.

The whistle, flashlight and cell phone (you might be able to borrow one for a weekend) are all great suggestions. Don't forget your watch!

As I recall the rain was either showers/T-storms in the summer or steady rain/snow (depending on elevation) in spring and fall. A poncho was great for showers and doubled as my survival shelter. For the solid rainy times good rain gear with synthetic shirt/pants is a must.

Have fun!
 
The SAK you should look at is the Rucksack. It's one of the longer Victorinox knives with a longer stronger saw and a locking blade.
 
Thanks for the help guys!

Longbow : i use a 30'06 for the deer/elk in general season and a .50 cal muzzleloader during muzzleloader season.

Updated Kit

BM Griptilian (the Doug Ritter version)
BKT Crewman or Campanion.. or mebbe even the BKT 7
Brunton Classic compass
NATO "Lifeboat" Matches and wax dipped light anywhere matches
Small fishing kit (just hooks/weights/needles/small lures in 35mm case)
Star flash mirror
Whistle
Candles
Space brand all wear emergency hooded blanket/poncho (seems this one would drag on the ground if actually used as a poncho :()
Heavy duty GI poncho
Snare wire (but looking back I don't have a good way to cut it)
Mag block + flint
Small SAK (no idea on name, small with no saw }
Some of those great cotten balls + vaseline
Misc energy food
Some >VERY BASIC< medical supplies
Some trioxane bars
550 paracord
Portable aqua water disinfectant tablets
Claymore mine bag to hold it all
100oz camelpak for water
Maps of area
Blastmatch (forgot to mention but already had this :) )
Small tin cup for boiling water
Cellphone
A couple mini bics scattered around

Now i just need some money to get this gear :eek:

As always, more suggestions welcome!
 
Bayd I carry the crewman on my fanny pack as a hunting/hiking knife. The weight is about right for that use, and the price can't be beat. The crewman comes out of the box with a nice high grind, with just a little work it will take a razor edge and hold it fairly well. Overall a respectable knife for the price asked. Just my two cents on the subject.
 
Doug Ritter Griptillian is a good choice, but you still need a small saw. That's what the larger SAK's like the Rucksak and Outrider have going for them.
 
One thing I would include is a small tube of Vaseline. If it pours down there and you get sodden and then get chaffing or blisters on your feet its going to be uncomfortable. A little Vaseline can prevent chaffing if you start to feel it coming on.
 
Try to talk to other hunters/outdoors people in your particular area, they would be able to provid you with some great insight.

Why dont you try to spend a night or two in the wood with your survival kit and see how it performs. I would bring a regular pack and supplies just in case the weather turns sour.
 
Just remember to bring your on tinder and fire starting material:
Waxpaper
Twine birdsnests with cotton ball "eggs"
VERY FINE steel wool
Esbit Stove fuel tabs

Store all this in a waterproof container, Decon kits works well. Tape and waterproof with 90 MPH tape.

Don't forget 1st Aid kit.
 
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