Working on my 72-hour/Wilderness Survival kit

[wildmanh]

Hey guys, I've been working on my Wilderness Survival/72-hour kit on the weekends. I've compiled a list of things in it and wanted to know what you thought of them. First off, let me explain about my pack and ideas for it. There's a lot of stuff I carry when hiking and backpacking thats also found in a 72-hour kit so I thought why not combine the two. So my 3+ day Backpacking kit is also part of my Survival kit and is my 72-hour kit when not on a trip. Figured why should I duplicate stuff?

When out hiking or backpacking I normally have a Blackhawk E&E pouch with a basic survival kit, small FAK and food. A Fire-steel, Bandanna and knife are always on me. Here's my list of stuff and things I know I need to buy:

Blackhawk S.O.F Ruck Pack

Top Flap Round Pocket: Empty
Top Flap Rectangle Pocket: Glove Liners, Knit cap, Leather Gloves
Top Left Pocket: Water Filter
Top Center Pocket: First Aid Kit, Fire kit, Match case, Folding Trowel, Bathroom kit.
Top Right Pocket: Mess Kit
Bottom Left Pocket: Empty
Bottom Center Pocket: Glow stick, Tri-pod, Spare batteries, EZE-Lap Diamond Hone.
Bottom Right Pocket: Empty
Bottom Underside Pocket: Red Nylon Space blanket, Green Poncho
Main Compartment: Sleeping Bag, 1L Water Bottle, two 0.5L Water Bottles, two 1L Nalgene bottles
Mounted Right Side: Canteen Pouch with Cup and Canteen, Pouch with Head Lamp.
Mounted Left Side: Nothing - sometimes a Machete or Hawk
Frame pocket: 8.5' x 11.5' Tarp

*Mess Kit: Optimus Crux Lite stove, Optimus Weekend pot/pan, Wash Cloth, 4oz Fuel canister, LMF Titanium Spork + LMF P.C. Spork

*Fire Kit: Fat Wood, PJ Soaked cotton balls, GoingGear.com Fire steel, Supper Striker.

*First Aid Kit (black stuff sack): Assorted Band-Aids, two rolls Gauze, Neosporin, Medical shears, Ace-Bandage, four 2x3 gauze pads, cotton balls, cotton face pads, Q-tips, Sports Tape, Alcohol cleaning pads.

*Bathroom Kit (purple stuff sack): Toilette paper, Deodorant, Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Liquid Soap.

Stuff to buy: 100’ 550 cord, Compass, Fuel, 1oz to 2oz squeeze bottles (soap, cooking oil, rubbing alcohol etc..)

I currently have 2 ways of making water drinkable, boiling in my mess kit or canteen cup or the filter. Do you think the Purification Tabs would be a good idea to add? I'm thinking of adding some to my E&E kit.

What about the Para cord, Do you think it's better to have one 100' hank or two 50' hanks? Price sure is better on the 100' hanks, but which do you think is better to actually carry?

I keep wondering if a Tarp, Space Blanket and Poncho are overkill, but want to keep them so I probably will.

Will be adding some shorts and socks to the pack after I do Laundry this weekend. Don't have either of the removable side pockets on right now but can add them when/if I need the extra room. So what do you all think of my setup for a 72-hour/Survival/Backpacking Kit?

 

[Rockywolf]

I like it. Is the pack very heavy? Have you walked a lot with it on? Anything you think you might be able to lose and still be ok? E.g. I carry a trowel in the car kit, but if travelling under my own power, not going to use it--I'd just use a stick to dig with instead...

 

[wildmanh]

I like it. Is the pack very heavy? Have you walked a lot with it on? Anything you think you might be able to lose and still be ok? E.g. I carry a trowel in the car kit, but if travelling under my own power, not going to use it--I'd just use a stick to dig with instead...

Hi Rockywolf, The pack weighs about 9.5 pounds empty. Not sure what it weighs with my full load out. I've carried it on a 1.5 Mile (3 mile round trip) up Provo Canyon last Spring, 4 Miles and Back up Mount Nebo in September and 4+ miles up Spring City Canyon last month. Have not had to many problems handling the weight, but wouldn't mind if I could shed a few pounds off it.

Leaving the Trowel home to shave some weight is an interesting idea. I always have a Fixed Blade on me on trips so I could use it to make a digging stick. That try pod has been on 5 trips with the pack (3 backpacking trips) and never used once. Maybe it should be left home?

My spring and summer sleeping bag weighs around 4lb and my winter bag weighs 6LB+ and they take up a lot of room in the pack. Got a thread in the Gadgets and Gear Forum asking about smaller lighter bags.

 

[mtwarden]

view observations

seems like a lot of water containers- counting six, you could save some weight w/ fewer or substitute a larger one for a couple of smaller ones- platypus "bottles" are nice in that they are light, but can also be rolled up small when not in use- you can get them in 2 and 3 liter sizes

I'd recommend something to sleep on- closed cell foam pads are cheap and do a good job of insulating (a sleeping bag w/ your weight on it has no loft and thus little to no thermal value)- even if you are able to find good natural insulation a closed cell pad will still be worth having

I use a poncho/tarp as it allows one piece to function for two uses

In Utah I'd being adding an appropriate insulating layer(s)

a small folding saw can come in darn handy and takes up very little room (and doesn't weigh much)

I'd also add a small repair kit- heavy needle, fishing line, some small gauge wire, duct tape, etc

as far as cordage I prefer to have hanks in smaller lengths, few short ones and a few medium ones- easier to use that way

 

[ohski]

What about the Para cord, Do you think it's better to have one 100' hank or two 50' hanks? Price sure is better on the 100' hanks, but which do you think is better to actually carry?

I learned the best way to keep 550 cord... make a line kit. Precut lengths bundled together (6)2'-3', (6)5'-8' , (4)10'-12' and in a small stuff sack. IA Woodsman is the man, so props to him on this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Av_751ysI

Ski

 

[fixer]

i'd skip the expensive FOLDING trowel and get a 97¢ Gerber/Fiskars zytel trowel form wal-Mart (garden department)

it doesn't fold, but it's hardly huge. the end cap on the handle is removable so you could stash something inside.

the .5: water bottles seem kinda pointless, but i'm in the desert. here, those are one gulp and gone.

#9,5 for an EMPTY pack is a ton. especially for a three day pack. it's a big, expensive pack for a 3 day pack.

don't know what tripod you're packing.. some are small, light and can be lashed to branches, etc... some are dead weight unless you're on a photo safari.

don't know what kind of tarp your're packing, but it seems big... unless you're in a very wet area. i'd consider a GI poncho, or one of the ultralight sil-nylon tarps, but the later is expensive. very light and packs small tho.

the distances you list seem short. not trying to pick on anyone, but i'd want a smaller, lighter pack and gear and to be able to cover more miles. i've done 15 or 20 mile hikes with old school frame packs, packing cast iron pans and another hikers pack when someone twisted an ankle. long before there was any ultralight titanium gear. lighter gear lets you cover more distance and be less worn out when you get there.

precut lengths of cord are a VERY good idea. been doing that for a while and it saves having to cut stuff all the time, melt the ends, etc.

 

[wildmanh]

view observations

seems like a lot of water containers- counting six, you could save some weight w/ fewer or substitute a larger one for a couple of smaller ones- platypus "bottles" are nice in that they are light, but can also be rolled up small when not in use- you can get them in 2 and 3 liter sizes

I'd recommend something to sleep on- closed cell foam pads are cheap and do a good job of insulating (a sleeping bag w/ your weight on it has no loft and thus little to no thermal value)- even if you are able to find good natural insulation a closed cell pad will still be worth having

I use a poncho/tarp as it allows one piece to function for two uses

In Utah I'd being adding an appropriate insulating layer(s)

a small folding saw can come in darn handy and takes up very little room (and doesn't weigh much)

I'd also add a small repair kit- heavy needle, fishing line, some small gauge wire, duct tape, etc

as far as cordage I prefer to have hanks in smaller lengths, few short ones and a few medium ones- easier to use that way

I do have a bunch of bottles don't I? LOL!! Probably should switch two to four of them out for 2 Liter bottles.

Shoot, I Took my folding saw out of the pack for some reason a few months ago and forgot to put it back. Thanks for the reminder. Now to figure out which day pack I put it in.

A repair kit is a great idea. Thanks!

I have a Therm-A-Rest Ridge rest foam pad that straps to the bottom of my pack. Just forgot to add it to the list. I store it next to the pack just not attached.

I learned the best way to keep 550 cord... make a line kit. Precut lengths bundled together (6)2'-3', (6)5'-8' , (4)10'-12' and in a small stuff sack. IA Woodsman is the man, so props to him on this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Av_751ysI

Ski

Thanks for the information on the cord. I may try something along those lines.

i'd skip the expensive FOLDING trowel and get a 97¢ Gerber/Fiskars zytel trowel form wal-Mart (garden department)

it doesn't fold, but it's hardly huge. the end cap on the handle is removable so you could stash something inside.

the .5: water bottles seem kinda pointless, but i'm in the desert. here, those are one gulp and gone.

#9,5 for an EMPTY pack is a ton. especially for a three day pack. it's a big, expensive pack for a 3 day pack.

don't know what tripod you're packing.. some are small, light and can be lashed to branches, etc... some are dead weight unless you're on a photo safari.

don't know what kind of tarp your're packing, but it seems big... unless you're in a very wet area. i'd consider a GI poncho, or one of the ultralight sil-nylon tarps, but the later is expensive. very light and packs small tho.

the distances you list seem short. not trying to pick on anyone, but i'd want a smaller, lighter pack and gear and to be able to cover more miles. i've done 15 or 20 mile hikes with old school frame packs, packing cast iron pans and another hikers pack when someone twisted an ankle. long before there was any ultralight titanium gear. lighter gear lets you cover more distance and be less worn out when you get there.

precut lengths of cord are a VERY good idea. been doing that for a while and it saves having to cut stuff all the time, melt the ends, etc.

My mom found a Medium Alice pack in storage this summer. Been thinking of using it on short trips, 2 days and the like. Sometimes the SOF Ruck is overkill for sure. But for 3 days it's not. I eat 7 meals a day plus snacks on the trail so I need plenty of space for food and water.

The .5L bottles actually hold 2.5 cups of water which is what my Gluten free noodle soups call for. Having the right amount of water ready for a meal is worth the weight of those bottles for me. But the others will get consolidated. Have only used a water bladder when mountain biking. Might have to add one to my pack.

My Tarp is about 8x11 and the normal size I've been packing for decades. Never tried using my Poncho as a ground cover or rain fly because the old one I had in scouts was to short for me to do that with. My GI one might be long enough. If it works for me, that would eliminate the tarp and save 1.5 pounds. Something new to try this spring.

My expencive folding trowel was $2 so the money has already been spent. LOL!! If that Zytel trowel weighs less, then it's worth getting. Guess I'll have to weigh my current trowel and compare it to the one you recommend. Will be getting LJ's at Walmart tomorrow and will try to check it out. Thanks

 

[beef]

Hi Wildmanh,
Interesting list. I personally think clothing is one of the most important parts of survival gear, so I always pack a beanie, fleece vest and thermal top on day walks, as this is by far the easiest way to get warm even when you've lost all fine motor skills. On my last trip, my hands became so cold walking in the rain that it was challenging to use a lighter. Much easier to put on my vest.

Just an idea, as I'm unfamiliar with your area/ temperature range.
Also, two sporks, is that right?

 

[wildmanh]

Hi Wildmanh,
Interesting list. I personally think clothing is one of the most important parts of survival gear, so I always pack a beanie, fleece vest and thermal top on day walks, as this is by far the easiest way to get warm even when you've lost all fine motor skills. On my last trip, my hands became so cold walking in the rain that it was challenging to use a lighter. Much easier to put on my vest.

Just an idea, as I'm unfamiliar with your area/ temperature range.
Also, two sporks, is that right?

Thanks for the clothing ideas. I'm in the process of getting new Thermals and cold weather clothes so I'll keep my kit in mind.

Yep, I try to carry 2 LMF sporks on trips. When I was up Mount Nebo in September a friend and I were at Base camp which is 9,400 feet. While we were having our lunch on Saturday before heading down another friend saw our camp and stopped to say hi. He was on his way down and had run out of food and water. So I refilled his bottles and shared some soup with him. His food was power bars so he didn't have any utinsels on him, but since I had my extra spork and canteen cup, it worked out okay. Long story short, the extra spork is mostly for sharing.

 

[beef]

Nice. I'll bet that made his day. I did powerbar food early on. Never again

 

[wildmanh]

Nice. I'll bet that made his day. I did powerbar food early on. Never again

It surely did! I too used to do the Powerbar/Energy bar thing on trips and it works, but isn't nearly as satisfying as a warm meal on the trial. Now I use them as snacks on the trail if I don't want to stop to eat.

I believe that my pack is pretty good except for a pair or two of thermals. Saw a few Froot of the Loom brand at Walmart the other day but they were 60% Cotton and 40% synthetic. Actually I've worn them before and they work, I'd just like something with my synthetic or wool if I can find them for a good price. If not, I'll get them again.