Walking in the woods - don't die...

[bae]

Prompted by this thread:

http://www.simplelivingforum.net/sho...Missouri-trail

To avoid death, here's the wee pack I grab whenever I'm going for a hike/run/dog walk through the woods here in the Pacific NW. Total weight is 8 1/4 pounds without water in the bottle(s), or lunch thrown in:





Now, from the outside pockets to the inside:



Metal water bottle and cup. Can be turned into an expedient cooking setup without much trouble.



Outer compartment: (clockwise) gloves, headlamp, fatwood sticks for tinder, fire steel/magnesium block/tinder, binoculars, Mora knife, Condor multi-wrap (hat/neck warmer/bandana - many uses)



Inside compartment: (clockwise) hat, bright orange 550 cord, compass, whistle, signal mirror, axe, medical kit, emergency bivy shelter, wind/waterproof parka

[Jilly]

I am thinking that this would be useful for just about any time, especially when I have that long drive to my daughter's.

I already have some stuff in the car. It all fits in a medium tote, except for the litter.

gloves
those silvery space blankets, 2
matches
candles
compass (on dashboard)
thermal blanket
fluorescent orange fabric, ripstop nylon, two yards
scissors
knife, multipurpose
canned nuts
bag of dried fruit
granola bars
cat litter
flashlight and extra batteries
a box of lightsticks
first aid kit
plastic drop cloths, the light-weight ones, 9x12, 2

[Blackdog Lin]

Nice kits, both of you.

Preppers get looked upon as crazies.....but we know, don't we, that having some supplies always on hand can make all the difference? It's just common sense.

[Mrs-M]

Super posts, Bae and Jilly!

Whether we go out berry-picking, for a hike, fishing, or whatever, my husband ALWAYS carries-along a small day-pack with emergency/necessary items (like yours).

Another thing my husband did with all our boys, is take them out into the wilderness and hand them one match to start a fire. He'd play on the single match idea, telling them "one match was all they had", then he'd get them to try and start a fire.

When they failed (and they did), he showed them what to do and how to do it, what types of twigs and things to gather, how to find pitch on a tree, and where to look to collect a few ribbons of Birch bark.

He also taught them how to set-up camp, what sorts of warm natural plants (ferns, etc) to use, and how to make a basic covered shelter.

[Jilly]

Where I live it is just for the bad winters and if I should get stuck anywhere on the road, any time of year.

When my daughter was young, we went on a day trip along with a friend and her son. The car broke down on the highway, not near to anyplace. All I had was a blanket in the car. I walked a half mile through a snow storm to a gas station, called home and my ex would not come to fetch us. I then called a fellow teacher and she and her husband came.

In the meantime, that one blanket was not helping much and when the local police happened by they took my friend and the kids to the station and I stayed in the car so that my other friends would not get to the car and wonder where we all were. I am so stupid, and I guess the police too, that I did not think of putting a note on the side window, but when the police came back to check on me I went with them, leaving a note. Lordy.

Anyway, that experience taught me to be prepared as much as possible. Now that I have a cell phone, calling for help would be much easier.

I also keep a GPS in the car in case I get lost or there is construction or something.

As for prepping, my daughter and her family are doing that in a very serious way. I think of it as them having a really big pantry.

[Gardenarian]

Thanks for postin, folks. I have a hard time getting dd to even carry a poncho and space blanket. (The knife and hat are non-negotiable.)

13, and she thinks she's immortal. I guess I did too.

[bae]

Fir you "space blanket" fans, I recommend you take one it on a cold, damp, windy night, and see how well they work...

Then once you've learned, update to something at costs just a few dollars more, and weighs only a teeny bit more, that actually holds together in the wind and performs.

[JaneV2.0]

Fir you "space blanket" fans, I recommend you take one it on a cold, damp, windy night, and see how well they work...

Then once you've learned, update to something at costs just a few dollars more, and weighs only a teeny bit more, that actually holds together in the wind and performs.

Ha! Remember, I take an occasional walk in the park. In the daytime. Who knows why there's one in my back pack.

I have thought they would make excellent cat bed liners, to reflect heat and provide that satisfying crackling sound.

[Miss Cellane]

Ha! Remember, I take an occasional walk in the park. In the daytime. Who knows why there's one in my back pack.

I have thought they would make excellent cat bed liners, to reflect heat and provide that satisfying crackling sound.

Veering off topic here, but the most favorite cat bed in my house is actually a dog crate liner. It has a special zipper compartment for a space blanket type thing that reflects the pet's body heat back at them. The only time my two cats would consent to sleep anywhere near each other was on a cold day, on that cat bed. And yes, it crinkles.

[JaneV2.0]

Veering off topic here, but the most favorite cat bed in my house is actually a dog crate liner. It has a special zipper compartment for a space blanket type thing that reflects the pet's body heat back at them. The only time my two cats would consent to sleep anywhere near each other was on a cold day, on that cat bed. And yes, it crinkles.

And here I thought I had an original idea for once. Oh well...