Wife ran off...unprepared!

ROCK6

ROCK6

Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
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Well, she didn't really leave me, she just assisted in a teen-girl's camping trip this last Friday night and Saturday. It was an overnighter in a semi-private camping area. She said it was pretty remote with tent accommodations. My wife did the fire, but they mainly had pre-arranged activities (one was a Bible-based scavenger hunt that my wife put together that tied scriptures to natural objects such as various plants, rocks, a feather, nuts/berries, etc.) which was a big hit.

Well, all the fun and games aside, I was a little upset that my wife went out unprepared (at least in my mind:D).

She has her backpack pretty much fully packed and ready to go for weekend trips minus water and food. Since this was more of car camping and just an overnighter with a couple of large tents, she just packed a smaller bag with clothes and toiletries. She told me she forgot her knife, pistol (legal CCL holder), firesteel and Bic, flashlight...!!! Yeah, she "survived" just fine and was even the fire guru (with matches and lint tinder she took from the dryer), but she failed at planning. Yeah, I know, she was rushing from work and didn't have a lot of time...almost a true "bug-out" scenario :D

We didn't even see each other as I was taking my daughter to a Military Ball that evening and my son was going to a friend’s house; she didn’t do her Pre-Combat Checks and I failed to do my Pre-Combat Inspections (PCC’s and PCI’s). :D

So, my challenge is to figure out a way to put a small essentials kit that could attach to her regular backpack but still be disconnected for trips such as this one or even a an overnighter when she does 5K runs with friends (I'm doing one with her next weekend along with a camping trip), an afternoon during the summer at the State Park swimming area or the hiking trail that we often frequent.

I have some size limitations and won't be able to cover all the basic "essentials" but some items she doesn't often carry due to work (teacher). I'm going to restrict the size to a waist pack. I'm going to try a Maxpedition Octa waist pack...something I can rig up to her regular backpack (Osprey 65 liter), but also something she can detach for other quick trips or even day hikes when we are backpacking. She has no problem with this type of bag for outdoor activities; she’s “borrowed” my Emdom waist pack which is very similar. I do need to address some other options, but here is what I'm consolidating for her "grab-kit":

Surefire G2 LED
LED headlamp, currently a Petzl Tikka (soon to be an E-lite)
Benchmade mini-Grip in Yellow
Leatherman (Juice model)
Bic Lighter
Fire-Steel
Tinder (tin with cottonballs/Vaseline)
Duct tape (flat role)
Small FAK (includes tweezers, needles and thread)
Small tin of sun-screen
Mini pump tube of Insect repellent
Knot tying card (really cool and something she's already used)
Whistle
Hand Sanitizer
Tampons (two...yeah, something she recommended)
Length of 1/8" shock-cord (2 feet) and a couple of cord locks
Zip-Ties, 14" (two)
Burt's Bees chapstick (her favorite)
Mini Sharpie pen
Small notepad and pen
Katadyn Micropur tablets (half dozen)
Bandana

*Bersa .380 and extra magazine (optional and her spare pistol)

Some thoughts and ideas I'm considering

I'm considering a pair of light work leather gloves
Her Mora 2K knife or other small fixed blade
Tea light candle (need to see how much room I'm going to have)

A U-Dig-It trowel is a handy tool, especially for a lady in the woods:D

I'm going to try adding a Mini Rolly Polly pouch that she could put a small Kleen Kanteen water bottle in. It could be an optional attachment, but I'll have to find out if it's something she won't mind having on the waist pack.

Also thinking about adding a smaller pouch for her phone and/or camera.

I'm not considering shelter and doubt there will be much room except for one of the cheaper folded foil blankets. This is more of a go-bag for numerous types of activities. It will augment her regular backpack or travel bag. I do have a spare Sil-Poncho which is a great piece of kit that serves as a pouch and can even serve as a compact shelter. If I can figure out a method of attachment (second Rolly Polly?), I'll see what I can work out, but I don't want it too bulky or awkward.

I know wet wipes are a great asset to most women and if I can find the really small, compact packages, I'll see how they fit in as well. It's not an essential, but a comfort item and something that is good to have to assist others who are not prepared. Plus it would replace TP in an emergency which is a much coveted item when supply is limited:o

So for the men here what are items your wife would like to have for a quick overnighter or day hike? Without rifling through their purse, do you have any other recommendations?

ROCK6
 
Just a note...if you are considering replacing your Petzl with another Petzl, as it appears you are... The Zipka is a pretty cool unit and you still stay in the realm of AAA batteries instead of going to a totally different type of battery...button cells. I was considering the smallest of the Petzls until I found the Zipka. 8-)
 
if she's a runner I'd consider something she can use for that as well- if she likes waist packs, the Osprey 8 is a pretty nice little pack and would fit the kit you describe (along w/ having two ready bottles)

less "manly" than Maxpedition :)

those small disposable ponchos actually work pretty decently for unexpected rain and take up no more room than a deck of cards, also go heatsheet vs cheap e-blanket- they're the same size and much better
 
I agree with mtwarden..the "cheapie" poncho's from your local Box store are perfect for a one time use...caught in a rain storm or emergency quickie shelter they will do the job just fine & they don't take up very little space. Another idea I thought might help you in your "space saving" is to replace the tin with petrocotton balls with a couple of Petrocotton filled straws. another "space saver" idea would be to replace the Mora with a KaBar/Becker BK11 or ESEE Izula. Both are bomb proof & they both come with Kydex sheaths so they are pretty flat & can be attached to the outside of the pack if need be. Also the "cheapie" space blanket makes for a quicke emergency shelter & don't take alot of space.
 
Thanks...I actually forgot to include some cordage...it's in the pile, just not on the list.

Don, I'll look into the Zipka. I'm fighting the "same-battery" challenge for what she likes. She had an older coin-cell headlamp that she really liked; we'll try out these others and see which works best and keep the battery type in mind.

Thanks mtwarden, I'll take a look at the Osprey-8...it's definitely her favorite pack company (she has both a 65 and 35 liter). I avoided those types of lumbar packs because the water bottle holders are too small for quart-sized Nalgenes. Fortunately, she actually prefers the Kleen Kanteens and they are the same diameter as the biking water bottles and will fit. Biggest challenge is to figure out a way to "piggy-back" attach it to her larger bag without it being too cumbersome or not secured well; that will be a small challenge, but a little shock cord really helps. One of those disposable ponchos is s good idea and I actually think I have one stashed away...

My wife's favorite fixed blade is the Mora 2K. I have both an older BK11 and an Izula which is why I'm open to some different ideas. I like the idea of a slightly smaller fixed blade such as the Izula in her "grab-bag", but she's not getting mine!:D

ROCK6
 
Wouldnt something like the maxped waterbottle pouch work?
All that stuff you listed you fit inside it or in the pockets.
She doesnt need to carry a bottle in it,just the grab bag stuff.
the shoulder strap can be stored inside it.
She can attach it to the botton 2 straps on her osprey,those
should weave through the molle webbing.
The maxped has that built in pouch,also
you could add something like a large rolly polly pouch
so if you use it as a dayhike grabber,you can have extra storage for a jacket etc....
maybe there are other companies other than maxpedition that make something similar.
I hope you understand what Im saying....
doesnt have to be the waterbottle pouch,
could be any pouch sized for her needs,with the option of adding extra pouches and
the ability to add a shoulder strap.
seems like it would work great.


tad gear expandable pouch
you can attach to the "main" pouch (maxped waterbottle holder)
media.nl

media.nl
 
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If space is at a premium, have you looked into a CRKT Ritter RSK? I just ordered one today, it looks like a good knife for the price and takes up almost no room....

edit: I meant the MK5. I'm looking at putting together a waist pack too. Something to keep some "essentials" in, but separate from my work bag...
 
fugawee said:
Wouldnt something like the maxped waterbottle pouch work?
Click to expand...

That's a good idea fugawee. I'm going to try the waistpack, but will keep this idea in mind. I do like TAD's version of the Rolly Polly...


PARKINGLOT said:
If space is at a premium, have you looked into a CRKT Ritter RSK? I just ordered one today, it looks like a good knife for the price and takes up almost no room....

edit: I meant the MK5. I'm looking at putting together a waist pack too. Something to keep some "essentials" in, but separate from my work bag...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've more knives than I could every use. She like here current set, I'm just debating on getting a smaller fixed blade for the waistpack. My personal favorite is the Fallkniven WM1, but I have a couple of older Ontario/RAT-3 knives that may fit the bill as well.

Thanks again for the ideas and feedback...different ideas really makes the old noodle get a work out:D

ROCK6
 
+1 on a pair of lightweight gloves..actually I would say 2 pairs. 1 pair being lite leather, they will save your hands from thorns,stickers or bug bites/ant stings/poison ivy ect when handling fire wood or spark/ember burns tending a fire. Helps too if you need to get the fingers out of the wind rather quickly. :) My personal kit always contains at least 1 pair of heavy surgical gloves (you could sub some yellow kitchen gloves I guess), These are for game cleaning in my kit but you never know when you might need to deal with an injured party too.
 
Hey there Rock. I didn't see it on your list, but you know what happens when you assume...If she is car camping, I'd ensure she has a good tool box, tow rope, jumper cables, Chilton's (sp?) manual and signal flares for the car. I'd think it's way more statistically feasible that she has car issues than any other catastrophic event. That said, I'd also recommend a head net for skeeters!
 
milani74 said:
Hey there Rock. I didn't see it on your list, but you know what happens when you assume...If she is car camping, I'd ensure she has a good tool box, tow rope, jumper cables, Chilton's (sp?) manual and signal flares for the car. I'd think it's way more statistically feasible that she has car issues than any other catastrophic event. That said, I'd also recommend a head net for skeeters!
Click to expand...

Hey Milani, hope all is well and you'll have a pretty good new BN Commander coming in next year...

Yeah, my wife has a decent car kit (when she's not pulling it out to make room for school stuff!). I'm really looking at local events, day hikes, etc. But you're right, she won't be too far from her car, so a decent car kit would provide a smart backup for needed items whether it's really an emergency or just a recreational inconvenience.

ROCK6
 
Rock I was talking to my fiancee and the only thing she thought to mention were any medications she might be on...her specific example was birth control since she takes it for more than just the obvious reasons. Also, I bet you could pick up one of those small packs of wet wipes from the PX assuming you don't have a unit going out to the field in which case the privates will have purchased every baby wipe in a 100 mile radius.
 
Alan2442 said:
Rock I was talking to my fiancee and the only thing she thought to mention were any medications she might be on...her specific example was birth control since she takes it for more than just the obvious reasons. Also, I bet you could pick up one of those small packs of wet wipes from the PX assuming you don't have a unit going out to the field in which case the privates will have purchased every baby wipe in a 100 mile radius.
Click to expand...

Good recommendation Alan (well, give credit to your better-half:D!). No meds and I've alraedy been sent to the "butcher", but I did consider putting an extra set of her prescription contact lenses in the kit (rotate out when a new prescription is picked up). I did pick up a few small travel packs of baby wipes...always handy:thumbup:

Thanks,

ROCK6
 
Put a couple of condoms in her purse. Then she'll be prepared the next time she runs off! :D
 
got my girlfriend this thing they sell at EMS its to allow girls to pee standing up without getting it all over themselves. it fits in a little tube smaller the a toilet paper roll and has everything she needs in it. she loves it when we are hiking and camping cus she doesn't have to go lean againt trees or squat in bushes and stuff. but I guess they are really popular with girls who spend a lot of time in the outdoors and she finds it useful. its very light and small so a good addition to any females kit
 
Hey, if you can still see her running off, this must be the prairies, because she left two years ago tomorrow ... sigh
 
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Killinumsoftly said:
got my girlfriend this thing they sell at EMS its to allow girls to pee standing up without getting it all over themselves. it fits in a little tube smaller the a toilet paper roll and has everything she needs in it. she loves it when we are hiking and camping cus she doesn't have to go lean againt trees or squat in bushes and stuff. but I guess they are really popular with girls who spend a lot of time in the outdoors and she finds it useful. its very light and small so a good addition to any females kit
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She's been more than prepared and her "shenis" is part of her backpacking kit. She actually just used a simple Coleman fuel funnel and it works quite well for her. Yes, it's odd when your wife can pee on the same tree standing beside you! Another odd addition is her silicone menstrual "cup"...don't ask me to go into details, but it's great for long term use on the trail. She's doing a 180+miles of the AT in a few weeks; I'm only going to get about 4 days with here though due to work.

taldesta said:
Hey, if you can still see her running off, this must be the prairies, because she left two years ago tomorrow ... sigh
Click to expand...

Hahaha! She's still hanging around...but this is pretty funny to dredge back up:D

ROCK6
 
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