Out and about with minimal gear today !

pitdog

pitdog

Joined
Apr 13, 2007
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When I emptied out my pockets, this was all the gear I had with me today, sometimes it's nice to travel light eh !

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I used my little ML to split some fatwood ready to make a fire. The more I use this little blade the more I realise that for most outings it's really all I need.

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I soon had a nice little fire going and placed some Mussels on a rock near the fire to cook....

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One cooked their shell pops open, I then give them a little longer just to be sure...

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Snicker explored...

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While Maisy just chillaxed.....

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I then decided to try some Cedar bark again and see how easy it took a spark......

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As from my previous attempts it took a spark fairly well but just smouldered rather that providing a fatwood type flame.If I rated Fatwood as 10 outta 10 I'd only give Cedar bark about a 3 !:thumbdn:
 
Millhouse said:
Nice pics again. Wish I could go minimal gear. I think I have OCD and always pack too much.
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Yeah it does get ya like that eh !

I can remember reading about a guy who writes/used to write for one of the british outdoor mags and he spent so many months doing all the Munro mountains in one go and the only blade he carried was a Vic Classic !!!

Edit to add: Just remembered what his name was....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Townsend
 
Everytime I go out I take more than I really need. Even if I am just going out back, I always have at least a 55GAL garbage bag with me for shelter. :o
 
LOL! IT looks like three firesteels and three blades in that picture and thats minimal gear. . . :) Looks like a good time was had by all - as usual. :thumbup:
 
Pit,
I have always been a bit envious of where you live, now those fresh steamed mussels make me more so. I think my minimal gear would include a little horseradish and a lemon wedge. ;) Chris
 
Hey pitdog,

Couple of things - you must have way bigger ones than I do, because there's no way I'd be hiking in cougar/grizzly country with only that in my pockets. Rocket launcher, maybe :rolleyes:.

I don't know your type of Cedar, but here in Ontario, dried Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) bark works well as a tinder with friction fire techniques. The bark is quick to blow into flame from an ember, but just as quick to go out again, so you have to mix it with something that will better support continued flame (such as Birch Bark).

How big are those Mussel shells? Mussel shells make a great container for a natural oil lamp (using Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) wicks ).

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Doc
 
Thanks for the pics pitdog. Sometimes your photos are the only color I see all day :).

Cool little knife too. Looks like a paw-full. :thumbup:
 
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