What survival gear when hiking?

A

ABN

Joined
Nov 28, 2003
Messages
91
I have always been a casual hiker, just taking along a good coat, boots and a SAK. A few weeks ago, I got a little turned around in the woods, but was able to find my way back okay. However, the anxiety of the experience made me think a little more about being prepared outdoors. I am trying to put together a light backpack of necessities should I get lost, snowed-in, injured, etc. on the trail. This is what I have come up with so far:

* SAK
* Large folder
* Lightweight hatchet
* Small flashlight
* Emergency whistle
* Maps
* Waterproof matches
* Compass
* Small First Aid Kit
* Water bottle
* Small amount of food
* Some way to purify water (suggestions?)
* Cellphone

Is this list overdoing it? Is there something I should add or remove from it? If there is another thread on this subject, I apologize for the repetition of the subject matter. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Regards, -Alex
 
There are probably several other threads, but I like seeing new ones because it updates how people are thinking and what gear they are carrying now.

I'm not much of a folder fan, except for authentic SAKs, unless there's a fixed blade or small axe along. If you are carrying quality tools, you're ok. If you are carrying cheap (not price) tools with you, I'd suggest upgrading. I carry a victorinox SAK w/saw and a fixed blade like the Swedish Army Knife and Mora 2000, but when I get a workable sheath for my BRKT NorthStar, it'll go with me. I've given some thought to a quality axe, but GBs are out of my budget range, so am looking at Wetterlings. I'm also considering a good Hawk.

I'd add some sort of ultralite shelter. I carry an industrial grade 55gal. drum liner with me while on short, local hikes. When away from home, I add a USMC poncho. They not only keep you dry, but will collect water, block bone chilling wind, hide you from the Sun, add another layer for extra warmth, etc.

Along with the usual stuff, your FAK should have personal prescription meds as well as OTC meds like asperin/ibuprofen, Imodium AD and benedryl. If alergic to bees, a sting kit. Customize it to you and whoever will be with you.

Instead of, or in addition to waterproofed matches, I'd add either a disposable lighter w/flame adjustment, a ferro rod like the BSA hotspark or Swiss firesteel, a spark-lite firestarting kit (size of credit card) w/tinder and I'd add some easy lite in all weather tinder.

Water purification can be done by boiling (you'll need a cup or kettle of some kind), bleach/iodine or other chemical treatment (a way to separate sediment from the water, so bandana or coffee filters), as well as a pump type of filter system. I carry a couple of ways to purify water.

Lots of flashlights out there. I carry the beam adjustable AA minimag as well as a small LED.

I'd also add some type of cordage. Twine is good and is lite weight, but my preference is parachute shroud line (paracord) that has 7 strands inside of the outer sheath. The 550# strength, the fact that 50' can become 350' once you remove the guts and the multitude of uses make it a good choice in my opinion.

Don't forget the TP :D

If you aren't familiar with orienteering, pick up a book on it. There are probably several on the market. I can't find mine, probably got packed into a box, but I believe the title is "Finding your way in the Wilderness". Can't remember the author.

Another recommendation I'd make is to buy a book on survival. My favorite is by Cody Lundin and is named 98.6 Degrees The Art of Keeping your Ass Alive.
 
(copied from my post the thread below http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2885073&postcount=4)

the following a list of items that I always have with me while hiking. I might add more based on the season and location, but other than the bug dope(which only comes in bug season), it all comes wherever and whenever.

top pocket of pack (multi-tool is often on my belt though):

multi-tool
lighter
flashlight
pencil/pen/marker
waterproof paper
lip balm/sun block lotion


in a poutch inside my pack:

water tablets
bug dope
lighter
fire tinder
space blanket
cord ( 10 m, 2 mm)
power bars
survival cards
toilet paper
duck tape
flagging tape
whistle


in my pack:

rain shell
water bottle
1st aid kit
map/compass

-Will
 
My Gear would be something likes this:
-50 ft of duct tape in a small roll
-50 ft of para cord
-large trash bag
-CRKT M-16 Z
-Cold Steel SRK
-emergancy blaket 9space blanket)
-food
-compass
-USGS maps
-rain jacket and pants
-mirror (can use old CD)
-fleece pullover (microfleece for wind)
-binoulars
-Nalgene bottles (2)
-Katlian Hiker purfier
-petzel Myo 3 headlamp w/ batteries
-small stuff for bear bagging
-matches and magniesum starter
-first aid kit
 
I might suggest you read Cody Lundin's book "98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive".

A very easy and interesting read that will help you understand why you need what you need.
 
kenk said:
I might suggest you read Cody Lundin's book "98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive".

A very easy and interesting read that will help you understand why you need what you need.
Click to expand...

Good book and a fun read.
 
Thanks to everyone who replied, and to M.C. who provided the link to the other thread. Great information. :)
 
ABN, I would consider going with a folding pruning saw rather than the hatchet. It's lighter, safer to use, and probably cuts faster. Silky, Felco, and other companies make some that are inexpensive, but good quality.

I would also probably go with a small-moderate sized (smaller, say a 5" or so if you do carry a hatchet or saw, and larger, say 7", if you don't) fixed blade rather than carry two folders, as long as this is a "woods specific" type kit.

Since you mentioned "snowed in" as a possibility on your hikes, I heartily second Longbow's suggestion of a super-lightweight shelter (can liner or similar) and enhanced firestarting gear.

For your flashlight, consider getting a Petzl Tikka, Zipka or similar headlamp. Great battery life, varying light levels to conserve battery life, water resistant, and you have both hands free to work on whatever you need to work on.
 
I think it depends on where you day hike. A lot of my day hikes are in wooded areas that are just outside the suburbs, so I would have to really work at getting lost. Bt a fall, or a sprain or other emergency is always possible. I always bring a big folder (Strider or Emerson) a small first aid kit, the small survival kit designed by Doug Ritter and plenty of water. If I'm a little further out, I will include some shelter material and a GB Mini hatchet.
 
FoxholeAtheist said:
ABN, I would consider going with a folding pruning saw rather than the hatchet. It's lighter, safer to use, and probably cuts faster. Silky, Felco, and other companies make some that are inexpensive, but good quality.
.
Click to expand...

A pruning saw is only a fraction faster than a hatchet and try and split and pry wet wood for the fire with a saw. When limbing a tree large knives and hatchets leave saws in the dust.

For a woods kit a larger 7 inch plus blade is hard to beat for weight and overall utility.

Everything else requires combos and usually ends up weighing more or has less utility.

Skam
 
skammer said:
A pruning saw is only a fraction faster than a hatchet and try and split and pry wet wood for the fire with a saw. When limbing a tree large knives and hatchets leave saws in the dust.

For a woods kit a larger 7 inch plus blade is hard to beat for weight and overall utility.

Everything else requires combos and usually ends up weighing more or has less utility.

Skam
Click to expand...

Hi Skam.

First, I love my big blades. Heck, I collect khukuris. Busse - YES. etc. They can make wood chips fly. But they don't go backpacking except for short hauls.

A folding prunning saw (e.g. gerber "pull-out"), SAK (or small multi-tool), and 4-5" stout fixed blade will usually weigh less than a 7" "chopper" and give greater utility - not less. I've used a scale to discover that fact.

The wood needed for shelter or fire is not large diameter.

I've never had to "limb" a tree when backpacking, but I have no problem doing that task with a prunning saw -- that's what they are built to do - prune. Usually 2-3 strokes for a branch up to 2". Total control. Little energy expended.

Wood can be split by sawing half-way through the wood and striking the wood against a stop (rock, log, hard ground) or can be batoned with the knife. I have done it many times in California, Ohio, Michigan, PA, and Washington.

If you are cold, wet, exhausted, afraid (How could that happen in a "survival" situation?), the smaller, lighter tools will forgive the loss of fine motor skills much more than 7-10" of chilly steel that would make a Roman legionaire proud.

If I knew I was going to have to do serious chopping, my GB SMA would go --with the prunning saw.

And I still love my big blades.

Tom
 
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