Ultimate Survival Scenario - What do you bring?

I'm not sure you can even begin to answer a question like this without first knowing why it is exactly that you've decided to spend a year living in the woods. What is the scenario that would motivate you to do this? The basics of food, water and shelter will apply regardless. But the fugitive from justice will have to address an additional set of needs different from the ones facing the person who is fleeing a catastrophic plague affecting all the major cities. I'm not trying to take the fun out of the question, but let's face it, if you happen to have the extreme fortune of coming across a doe in May, and you're in a true survival situation, then you pull the trigger no questions asked. But if you're out there just because you want to be and you shoot that doe, you just might end up spending the rest of that year back at home doing your community service after paying your fine and having your rifle confiscated. Hell, being a Californian, I couldn't even build a damn campfire without first evaluating the potential legal ramifications. Answering this basic question will also give you some idea whether you're going to have the woods to yourself, or whether you're going to competing for resources with 10,000,000 other refugees.
 
Serrinon said:
Excellent start, can you elaborate on your FAK and what other items you would bring along?

I think that the tools bigbcustom mentioned are a great idea. Which would you bring?

Would you bring any shelter?
Click to expand...

My blanket and my water-resistant parka are my shelter. Yes, I have a tent roll in my truck as well, and would take it along if I was near my truck at the time. It would still fit under the weight limit.

My glock is always with me so that one is a no brainer. I also always have my BM, AFCK and my leatherman on me at all times so those are no brainers. The 22 LR handgun or small rifle is the ideal weapon.

FAK, well I have several in my truck but the one in my bag is this:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...&parentType=index&indexId=cat20132&hasJS=true


I have several because I always tear into them to get stuff in emergencies, so the one in my pack stays intact and I never see it.
 
I'ed bring plenty of cold weather gear i hear its cold in the colorado rockies even in the summer at night.a good felling axe and a large swedish bow saw to process wood for winter. Bolt action 30/06 or 308 win. for hunting LEE HAND PRESS & DIES OR LYMAN 310 TOOL to reload ammo. powder, ball & primers. meds, first aid a few good knives mess gear rope 22 cal. colt huntsman 1000 rds.ammo hook, line & sinkers spices diamond hones & file to keep sharp's sharp cleaning gear for firearms
 
Bronco said:
I'm not sure you can even begin to answer a question like this without first knowing why it is exactly that you've decided to spend a year living in the woods. What is the scenario that would motivate you to do this? The basics of food, water and shelter will apply regardless. But the fugitive from justice will have to address an additional set of needs different from the ones facing the person who is fleeing a catastrophic plague affecting all the major cities. I'm not trying to take the fun out of the question, but let's face it, if you happen to have the extreme fortune of coming across a doe in May, and you're in a true survival situation, then you pull the trigger no questions asked. But if you're out there just because you want to be and you shoot that doe, you just might end up spending the rest of that year back at home doing your community service after paying your fine and having your rifle confiscated. Hell, being a Californian, I couldn't even build a damn campfire without first evaluating the potential legal ramifications. Answering this basic question will also give you some idea whether you're going to have the woods to yourself, or whether you're going to competing for resources with 10,000,000 other refugees.
Click to expand...

Hummm, good point. Lets assume it's for "fun" or science. But in a remote location, not in CA, where the laws are relatively loose.

I think the major plabue situation would be interesting to talk about later though.
 
I guess I may not have been as clear as I should have. What I meant was more along the lines of 10.00 dollar thrift store rain coat vs duluth trading special rain jacket vs Arc'teryx theta. Different levels of functionality/durability at different price points.



Cobalt said:
I don't think money is the issue, weight is. What can you carry in that 55 lbs pack? regardless of what the brand is and who cares. If I carry a G-shock and you carry a submariner more power to yah.
Click to expand...
 
MIKE MACINTOSH said:
I'ed bring plenty of cold weather gear i hear its cold in the colorado rockies even in the summer at night.a good felling axe and a large swedish bow saw to process wood for winter. Bolt action 30/06 or 308 win. for hunting LEE HAND PRESS & DIES OR LYMAN 310 TOOL to reload ammo. powder, ball & primers. meds, first aid a few good knives mess gear rope 22 cal. colt huntsman 1000 rds.ammo hook, line & sinkers spices diamond hones & file to keep sharp's sharp cleaning gear for firearms
Click to expand...

Nice, hadn't thought about a reloader.

Is "Spice" the brand of the diamond hone and file you'd go with? I'm not familiar with them. But definitely critical items.
 
Serrinon said:
Nice, hadn't thought about a reloader.

Is "Spice" the brand of the diamond hone and file you'd go with? I'm not familiar with them. But definitely critical items.
Click to expand...

SORRY :foot: ment spice's for food as in salt, pepper,maybe jerky flavering to attempt home made jerky and smoked meat that your going to need to get through the winter which also means more wood, to smoke food all this prep for winter is gonna cut down on how much time you have to find a permanent camp and get set up
 
if u are going to stay that long, then u want ur stuff to be as useful as possible. i would not bring a gun, cause i cant make bullets appear out of no where, so i would bring a bow instead.
then i would bring some aluminum foil, which could be used for a lot of stuff such as cooking, building shelters, making reflector, etc.
then some kind of digging tool. i have this trench tool thats both a pick and a shovel. with something like that you could build yourself one of those french trench shelter things or some kind of little mud/turf hut.
a poncho is a must for me.
knives of course
a pocket chain saw, if you can, else an ax or heavy chopping knife will do
bring a pot to cook and to boil water, but dont put this in your bag, just tie it to the bag's handle or something.
for fishing, bring hooks and lines and all, 'cause for me, fishing is a pastime, but a net, as somebody suggested to me the other day, is much more effective than hooks and could be used for trapping birds and small mammals.
bring a trap kit for catching meet
fire kit. duh... first aid
bring books! books on survival and plants, just read when u got nothing else to do (though you'll probalbly find more than a lot to do every day) and try to remember as much as possible. books on edible plants and herbal medicine would be really important if you stay that long, especially if you are not already good at it
compass, unless u can see the stars through the trees
plastic bags, to help you build rain proof walls.
i would worry about keeping warm the last, unless if it was cold when i headed out, cause u can always just shoot some deers and ducks and use their hides and feathers...


i could probalbly think up something better if i were actually going to do this...
 
Serrinon said:
Hummm, good point. Lets assume it's for "fun" or science. But in a remote location, not in CA, where the laws are relatively loose.
Click to expand...

So, if this experiment is to take place in an area where the "laws are relatively loose", can we interpret this to mean that the individual in question is free to violate all backcountry laws and game regulations at will? Or should he be taking prudent steps to hide his illegal activity? I'm only harping on this because, while you've specified a "remote location", the fact of the matter is there just aren't that many areas left in the country remote enough that you can engage in this type of activity without having a park ranger or game warden up your ass in relatively short order. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that, by and large, the majority of these remote areas in the contiguous 48 have been set aside as Wilderness areas - a designation which greatly increases the rules and regulations.

Just for fun sometime, grab one of those topographical DeLorme map books of any mountainous western U.S. state and try to find a point anywhere that isn't within twenty miles of a paved road. :)
 
I'm thinking that your tools alone will weigh close to the 55# if you add in your rifle(s) with ammo. Cause, you're gonna have a lot of work to do, just to make a shelter that'll keep you alive from all sorts of weather and critters. Best to take a woman with you too.
 
As Serrinon further specifies the ground rules, I'm curious what the survival experts would recommend with respect to mobility versus a fortified shelter. From the responses thus far, I'm thinking the wisest strategy might involve devoting a fair amount of your resources toward the building of a strong, weatherproof, critterproof shelter near a reliable water source. Is that about right?
 
I don't have time to write my complete list, but this thread got my attention. I'm out a lot, love the topic and am always learning.

If I'm out for a year, I won't plan on constantly moving. Rather, I'd find a good spot and constantly work to improve my situation. I'd skip the matches and go with flint/steel - it's never failed me yet, including in the rain (so long as there's pitchwood available). I also carry a Leatherman Wave, good ol' Ka-Bar and a smaller Gerber fixed blade w/gut hook for skinning. I'd carry plenty of 550 cord - preferrably 500 feet (worth the weight). A whole lot of .22 guage snare wire (I'd have several going at once and expect a week or so for each to hit). By the way, it is entirely feasible to funnel a deer into a snare made of 550 cord triple braided for the strength. Then you just knock the deer out with a log (avoiding those fast and furious hind legs w/razor hoofs) and go from there, but I digress. As for the water, I'd take two 1L Nalgene with a SteriPen and batteries. Perhaps a collapsible 5g plastic container to stash some water. I'd also take 20 or so very large, very thin plastic leaf bags to use as transpiration bags, in case I ran into a pinch and couldn't purify (they weigh virtually nothing). Definitely would include the fishing gear and a good saw. I've carried the Woodsman's Pal instead of an axe, but that might not be sufficient out for so long. Must have a sharpener for the blades. I would carry a tent, but also a 10' x 14' thick plastic sheet as a back up. The rest would be the clothes, tent, ground cloth, utensils, favorite book, playing cards, pics of my loved ones (keeps the morale up), etc. Oh yeah, don't forget the first aid kit, including the essential antihistamines, foot care products and anti-diaharetics. I also agree with the .22 and a sidearm.

That's certainly not a comprehensive list, but enough to hopefully get some feedback. Thanks for starting this.
 
blood_constellation said:
if u are going to stay that long, then u want ur stuff to be as useful as possible. i would not bring a gun, cause i cant make bullets appear out of no where, so i would bring a bow instead.
then i would bring some aluminum foil, which could be used for a lot of stuff such as cooking, building shelters, making reflector, etc.
then some kind of digging tool. i have this trench tool thats both a pick and a shovel. with something like that you could build yourself one of those french trench shelter things or some kind of little mud/turf hut.
a poncho is a must for me.
knives of course
a pocket chain saw, if you can, else an ax or heavy chopping knife will do
bring a pot to cook and to boil water, but dont put this in your bag, just tie it to the bag's handle or something.
for fishing, bring hooks and lines and all, 'cause for me, fishing is a pastime, but a net, as somebody suggested to me the other day, is much more effective than hooks and could be used for trapping birds and small mammals.
bring a trap kit for catching meet
fire kit. duh... first aid
bring books! books on survival and plants, just read when u got nothing else to do (though you'll probalbly find more than a lot to do every day) and try to remember as much as possible. books on edible plants and herbal medicine would be really important if you stay that long, especially if you are not already good at it
compass, unless u can see the stars through the trees
plastic bags, to help you build rain proof walls.
i would worry about keeping warm the last, unless if it was cold when i headed out, cause u can always just shoot some deers and ducks and use their hides and feathers...


i could probalbly think up something better if i were actually going to do this...
Click to expand...

I like a number of the ideas you proposed. Seems like the bow and fishing equipment would be critical. Are there specific brants/models of the different items that you'd snag?

longbow50 said:
I'm thinking that your tools alone will weigh close to the 55# if you add in your rifle(s) with ammo. Cause, you're gonna have a lot of work to do, just to make a shelter that'll keep you alive from all sorts of weather and critters. Best to take a woman with you too.
Click to expand...

Yes its definitely going to be tight for the initial hike to a location you decide to call home, seems like 100Lb's will be pushing it. What specifically would you bring?

I like the woman idea...but for now lets just assume solo, we can add other variables once we get the initial solo list down. Maybe we can get Mike his bike in another scenario ;) And anyone who read misanthropist's "I was sick as a dog" thread knows he'd bring his "assistant" with him.

Bronco said:
So, if this experiment is to take place in an area where the "laws are relatively loose", can we interpret this to mean that the individual in question is free to violate all backcountry laws and game regulations at will? Or should he be taking prudent steps to hide his illegal activity? I'm only harping on this because, while you've specified a "remote location", the fact of the matter is there just aren't that many areas left in the country remote enough that you can engage in this type of activity without having a park ranger or game warden up your ass in relatively short order. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that, by and large, the majority of these remote areas in the contiguous 48 have been set aside as Wilderness areas - a designation which greatly increases the rules and regulations.

Just for fun sometime, grab one of those topographical DeLorme map books of any mountainous western U.S. state and try to find a point anywhere that isn't within twenty miles of a paved road. :)
Click to expand...

That is a very good point. While I'd like to play "pretend" and imagine a location where we could hunt etc... without worry, it probably is best to take some minor steps to hide any illegal activity.
 
A gill net and nylon cord to repair same is a lot of bang for the weight.

Frog gig(s) w/screws to attach to pole you find.

Salt - enough to keep you alive for your period.

Aspirin. Magic pain and inflamation reliever and fever reducer.

Wrist Rocket and spare tubing for small game.

Needles,asstd. + tread.

Take knowledge:
Become an expert archer and knapper. (Take only bow strings and a few game points to hold you until you make your own.) Lots lighter than a year's supply of .308.

Become an expert on medicinal plants in area.

Become expert on edible plants in area. Cattail roots anyone? (Lacking that, a compact field book appropriate for the area would yeild many times its weight in food.)
 
Serrinon said:
...can you elaborate on your FAK...
Click to expand...

That does seem to be an area that's been neglected thus far. I would think a number of medications (prescription type) would need to be included in there as well. Possibly antibiotics, painkillers, etc.
 
Bronco said:
As Serrinon further specifies the ground rules, I'm curious what the survival experts would recommend with respect to mobility versus a fortified shelter. From the responses thus far, I'm thinking the wisest strategy might involve devoting a fair amount of your resources toward the building of a strong, weatherproof, critterproof shelter near a reliable water source. Is that about right?
Click to expand...

this i my thinking also i live in snow country and its gonna take a lot of time and chopping to put enough wood up to last the winter then you have to think of a three or four month food supply. hunting, fishing ,trapping, smokeing, drying, it dosent leave alot of time for treking through the woods just surviving for a year with just whats in even a 100 lb. pack is gonna be a tough job with the odds being about 70/30 against ya. but its fun to play what if once and awhile you still might pick up some usefull ideas that might help out in a short term situation
 
I'll just list tools because I'm lazy and don't really want to type that much.:D
Leatherman Wave
SRKW Howling Rat LM
Gossman PSK
Gransfors small forest axe
.22 rifle. I'd prefer a shotgun but if you have a weight limit, .22's the best way to go.
 
Thomas Linton said:
A gill net and nylon cord to repair same is a lot of bang for the weight.

Frog gig(s) w/screws to attach to pole you find.

Salt - enough to keep you alive for your period.

Aspirin. Magic pain and inflamation reliever and fever reducer.

Wrist Rocket and spare tubing for small game.

Needles,asstd. + tread.

Take knowledge:
Become an expert archer and knapper. (Take only bow strings and a few game points to hold you until you make your own.) Lots lighter than a year's supply of .308.

Become an expert on medicinal plants in area.

Become expert on edible plants in area. Cattail roots anyone? (Lacking that, a compact field book appropriate for the area would yeild many times its weight in food.)
Click to expand...

I like the list you came up with. Definitely some different items. Do you have a book on how to make bows, or archery that you'd recommend?

If so please post it here (we've been compiling a list of survival books):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494407

As far as plants go, we've got a couple on our list:

The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants by Samuel Thayer
A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and central North America by Lee Allen Peterson and Roger Tory Peterson
A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs: Of Eastern and Central North America by James A. Duke, Steven Foster, and Roger Tory Peterson
A Field Guide to Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster, Christopher Hobbs, and Roger Tory Peterson

Personally, if I was to choose just 2 I'd go with the forager's harvest, Thayer really knows his stuff. But I'd also take the Peterson guide to Medicinal plants and herbs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top