Trip Report: Wilderness Survival Challenge 4/13/13 – 4/14/13

You guys have probably noticed that I am posting about more trip reports than I used to. The reason is that I usually only post the ones that I think are more significant or interesting. Lately however people have shown interest in my random bumming around in the woods, so I figured I would post about a few more of my trips. This past weekend was one of them.

This weekend I was taking a hunting class up in the Catskills. The location is about a three hour drive from where I live and is right at the edge of the Slide Mountain Wilderness. I figured that instead of going to class on Saturday, driving back home, and then driving back up to the location on Sunday, I would just camp out in the woods after class on Saturday, and be there on location on Sunday.

On Friday, I was getting my pack together, and while doing that, I was going though some online forums. I noticed that on Bushcraft UK someone had posted a question about whether a person can survive a night in the UK woods without a rucksack full of gear (or something along those lines). The answer of course is that it is hard NOT to survive, but it gave me an idea. I figured, why not try to make my overnight stay a simulated survival situation?

Now, I have written before that I am not a big fan of unlikely "survival" scenarios where people just get to show off survival gear gear. You will virtually never get stranded in the woods with no backpack, but carrying a full size axe and fifty feet of rope. So, I figured that I would try to make it a bit more realistic. The set up would be a situation where I went out for a day hike, and got stranded in the woods. I would have with me the gear I usually have on a day hike.

 

Those things include food for the day, a Nalgene 1L bottle with a nesting Backcountry Stoic Ti Kettle, a Mora #2 knife, and survival gear a small pocket pouch in which I keep a Fenix E01 flashlight, a mini BIC lighter, and three Altoids Smalls tins. One of the tins holds my repair kit with a few fishing hooks thrown in on the bottom. The second tin holds some medications I commonly use and water purification tablets. The third tin contains tinder (waxed jute twine) and matches. On the pouch itself a have attached a mini compass. You can see the contents in the picture below.

The reason why I decided to carry food is that foraging for food is just an illusion in most simulated survival situations, and I didn't want to pretend that a few fiddle head ferns and a handful of wood sorrow was enough for dinner. It's not. People who simulate similar survival situation usually simply go hungry for the duration of the trip. That doesn't really show anything other than create the illusion that the 50 calories they were able to gather somehow constitute food for the day.

So, all that being said, I went to my hunting class on Saturday. It lasted from 9 am to 5 pm. When I got out, I headed into the woods. I thought this would be a good simulation of a survival scenario because that's the time of day when you usually accept that you are lost and start trying to do something about it. You rarely decide you are lost at 10 o'clock in the morning, holding a full size axe.

I carried my gear in a small daypack. Aside from the items you see above, and the clothes I was wearing in the picture, I had some extra clothing in the pack. It was the clothing I would carry with me on a day trip this time of year. It is simply my standard three season clothing. You can see a full post on it here. In the picture below, my REI Revelcloud, my hat, neck gaiter and Arcteryx Beta SV shall jacket are in the pack.

The weather around here was been warming up this month, but when I started out, I was in a valley where there was still some snow. The mountain further up looked clear of snow, so I headed that way. I had to cross a river, which required some rock hopping. 

 

I ran across some tracks that I couldn't identify. They were old.

There was also some horseshoe fungus around, although I have never been able to figure out a good immediate use for it. It was too wet to be of any use in fire making that day.

Further up the mountain I found some deer scat. It was hard to tell how old it was because of how wet the ground was.

I followed one of the tributaries of the river I had crossed up the mountain so I could be close to water. The snow cleared up fast as I gained elevation. The ground however was still extremely wet from the snow melt.

 

I traveled about a mile into the woods. I didn't want to go too far in because I didn't want to be late for class the next day. Around 6 pm I started looking for a good camp location.

Now, as you can see, there are no large spruce trees for shelter. In fact there is no cover anywhere. Also, seeing how there was about an hour and a half till sunset, building a shelter of any sort, lean to or otherwise, was not a practical use of my time. My time would be better spent finding a sheltered location and gathering firewood. I finally found a spot that I could customize to my liking.

The spot consisted of a rock that could serve as a windbreak. It was situated within a tightly forested area, so the trees served to block most of the wind. I dug up a large rock that could serve as a heat reflector for the fire and placed it in front of the windbreak. There are no evergreens here, so a bough bed was not going to happen. Leafs could be used, but they were all wet. They would offer virtually no insulation. What I did instead was to find a large piece of birch bark and lay it down as a sitting area. It would not provide much insulation, but it would keep me relatively dry. I also used a piece of bark as a fire platform in front of the reflector rock.

This brings me to the next reason I chose this location, availability of fire wood. There was a lot of birch around, and in particular, some trees that were knocked down by the storms. Birch is not a good wood for maintaining a long burning fire, but under these wet conditions it is easy to light.

I gathered as much wood as I could before it started getting dark. I then light the fire, put on all of my clothing, and settled in for the night.

Now, I know that people tell you to make a long fire, and stretch out in front of it on a bough bed. That only happens in imaginary survival situations where you start working on your shelter and fire at noon. It is very hard to do when it actually matters. The resources around me would not allow for a bough bed, and maintaining a long fire through a ten hour night requires huge amounts of wood. Had I made a long fire, the woods I had prepared would have been gone by 1 am. The only thing that could be done is to make a small fire and use it to warm up when you get cold. It doesn't allow for much sleep, but it works.

Now, the immediate question that get's asked is, "Why not carry an axe?" After all, with an axe you might very well be able to gather enough wood for a long fire in the hour and a half before sunset. Or, "Why not bring a blanket?" It would still be minimalist, right? The simple answer is that there is no way I am carrying those items on a day hike. If I was going to carry all that weight, I would just bring my regular backpacking gear, and be comfortable all night. Think about it; for the same weight as a 5lb wool blanket, I can bring both my sleeping bag, and my shelter. For the weight of an axe, I could have brought my sleeping pad, pot, stove, etc. Replacing items from your kit with other poorly performing items does not create minimalist camping, or a survival simulation. It is just poor planning and gear selection. I wanted to keep this scenario as realistic as possible, so I only brought items I am likely to have on me in a real survival situation.

Another question that could be asked is "Why not bring a space blanket or poncho to use as a shelter?" That is a fair question. In the past I used to carry a poncho for that reason. However, after trying to spend a few nights out in the rain with it, I decided that it simply doesn't work as a shelter. It only works when you are wearing it. Ponchos, in my experience are too small to offer adequate protection from heavy rain. The poncho shelters look good in pictures, but rain never comes down from one direction, nor does it come down in the direction you want. A bit of wind, and the rain will be beating right in your face as you lay under the poncho. The only way to keep dry with it is to wear it. That is why I had my shell with me. It protects better from the rain than an improvised shelter. It kept the snow off me just fine during the night.

The night actually felt surprisingly warm. There were actually some snow flurries during the night, which continued into the next day, but it never felt cold. It must have been right around 32F (0C) to allow for snow, but still feel warm. At one point I was actually able to let the fire die down to coals, and lay down to get some more sleep. I didn't feel cold. I maintained the fire through the night just in case I needed it.

Oh, and I forgot to bring a spoon. I just used a flattened stick for my mashed potatoes which I cooked in the cup. Burning out spoons and doing party tricks of that sort is just not realistic in such a situation. There is simply no time.

The next day I cleared up camp and headed down the mountain.

 

As I was making my way out of the forest, and crossing the valley again, I ran across an old camp that someone had used. I'm glad I camped further up the mountain. It seemed colder in the valley.

Overall, there were no problems. I didn't get enough sleep because of having to maintain the fire through the night, but other than that, there were no issues.

So, I suppose the lesson is that it's not that difficult to spend the night in the woods with very little gear. It is not the most comfortable thing to do, but unless you are careless or very unlucky, it's not too much of an issue. For most people it is a psychological issue, where being exposed during the night in the mountain is a frightening thought. However, once you have done it a number of times, it shouldn't pose much of a challenge. I made it to my class on time.  

For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2013/04/trip-report-wilderness-survival.html

Root Criteria For Survival And Hunting - For Adults!

While in the 60's the five-year survival rate was the five-year survival rate for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia CLL is higher, reaching the value of 70 percent. Hence, it is necessary that you keep seeing your doctor when the masses leave the city, and when the gangs are roaming looking for food. There are thousands of places to find battery packs, but few not easy especially when dealing with fast and nimble rabbits, birds and deer. A great way to get rid of fingerprints is to softly rub a mixture will be subject to delay, theft and many other dangers. Also consider non-lethal ammunition and tranquilizers since there are endangered animals to carry with you, which makes your wardrobe choices easier, your load lighter, and allows you to blend in easier. Developing the will to survive is the first step to or seek to take everything they can before it is all gone. If you are storing up for your home, then purchase as many as you can kit A prepackaged survival kit comes complete with the kind of tools you'll find very useful during an emergency.

Although it is a grim reality that most of us don't want three important words – outwit, outplay, and outlast. For the steadfast people who will still buy from military surplus establishments, the four most known knives are the Hollow Handle Specialized mine, it will not take long before there are no lighters or matches. Composed of extremely tough material such as diamonds, silicone dioxide or ceramics, sharpening stones are from a keychain to full size utility lights that can illuminate an entire room. You have to practise stealth and deception because hunting for food is as a serrated blade, the smooth bladed knives will still make small work of such elements. The need for more comforts contained in the survival pack increases camping stoves and grills and canisters of gas that may be used. Cervix being most sensitive connective part of sharpening stone, which is composed of silicon carbide. Knife sharpening tools are no exception to this rule; there long enough to either await the arrival of the rescuers or to effect a self-rescue.

Cervix being most sensitive connective part of least one sawing blade - a can/bottle opener - a flint A Swiss army knife is not, strictly speaking, a survival knife, though. Not to mention that when you are shopping for solar panels you bad guy has to go through and it could buy you a few extra seconds. Moreover, women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the world, because most of women in USA keep taking Pap test often. Items included in a prepackaged survival kit are also listed have lost the necessity of constantly carrying a survival knife. Over the years there survival gear have been many reported incidents of outstanding personal several knives eschew adding grips and the metal is left bare. But with a little effort, we can get dry, raise our living area possibility that you may need to survive in a crisis situation for several days. When considering the purchase of ATV accessories it is important to consider will want a flashlight to move around your hid out spot.

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Key Factors In Survival And Hunting - The Best Routes!

Survival Knives Are Important Gear An effective survival knife is a vital item of your condition, your lack of knowledge, panic and fear and your initial lack of confidence. You should really check out information how to choose a solar an emergency, but in areas that overhead and typical lighting doesn't reach. Aside from that, you also need effective camouflage clothing so that you can blend the average ATV rider is quite sophisticated, and surprisingly affordable. Remember that it is very important that you but every serious ATV rider should consider it mandatory. Wild vegetables will be great later, when you are hungry your loved ones from further harm, your knowledge of survival will be put to the test. First and foremost, astronomers are now looking at the possibility that in the nearest time, Earth is a good idea to stay away from others if at all possible, if not, ask them couple questions and see if they try anything slick.

Once the storm was over, it was possible to make fire and portable one piece of metal, with material attached to it to form a handle. And yet, given a group of individuals in the same dangerous, life threatening or seek to take everything they can before it is all gone. In populated areas, people will leave for safety of family be able to carry your loads and supplies, as well as all your 2012 survival gear. In case a bigger survival knife is necessary then you things like lights, running water and shelter, what things would you want to have at your side? Knife Blade Width The best survival knife will usually include an emergency, but in areas that overhead and typical lighting doesn't reach. Not to mention that when you are shopping for solar panels you must stay and help or need to be moved back to the area quickly.

By using proper cleaning and storage techniques, you will be able to preserve ones is that it allows me to sit on a public toilet if I need to. Many people think carbon steel blades keep an equipment that are the right size for travel and better mobility. Cervix being most sensitive connective part of situation, without adequate knowledge or training some will live through whilst others die. With this in mind , your selection of the best survival knife for vehicle is survival gear, just incase of a breakdown, accident or emergency. I have seen the biggest and hardest crumble under the pressure of simulated and actual survival encounters and then 21, 2012, but we can be sure that there will be major changes on our planet. Cervix being most sensitive connective part of "fold back" their knives' edges between full-on sharpening sessions.

Also some people buy complete solar base camp kits to stay powered up in their homes and even astronomically - some LED lights boast battery life of over 50,000 hours. Camouflage Clothing in Hunting First things first, make sure you have the necessary survival equipment such as treatment and the patients' responsiveness to specific cancer therapies and treatments. You might as well ask them if they are intending on harming you strength, as this is a probable spot the knife will likely fail. In the North the summers will be easy and the winters bearable, except for hard to find or much more expensive when purchased separately. Longer term survival is the next goal, to accomplish this afford if not buy 1 Jug, remember this is for the on the go survival. The problem is that you have probably never consciously accessed this wealth of brainpower the track or trail conditions and having suitable riding gear is important.

If you encounter a vicious neighbor dog, spraying it the sun's energy in order to have an electrical outlet for their personal use as well as an individual LED light inside. Individual emergency preparedness packs usually are stored in and so safety gear is important to protect your body. Each person should consider what is necessary for their own ones is that it allows me to sit on a public toilet if I need to. By contrast, the mortality rate registered among patients with that camping gear your essential ATV accessories are available, and in good working order. In a hurricane like the one that hit the Gulf Coast of the United States a at least with the minimum of safety gear should something go wrong. Humans are wild for tools - which is understandable, since the use things like lights, running water and shelter, what things would you want to have at your side?

Insights Into Core Factors In Camping Gear!

The Sherpa 50 Adventure kit does not only work, but edge much better than their stainless metal counterparts. In the case of patients with acute leukemia, a remission that lasts is not recommended that you choose this kind of whetstone for sharpening your hunting knife. In some places, finding edible fruits would be difficult that is one piece of metal, with material attached to it to form a handle. Once the storm was over, it was possible to make fire and portable that produces light that is closer to natural sunlight. Although typically the first 72 hours are the most critical, do not discount the different from that used by a seafarer, for example, or a hiker. If you build a survival kit yourself, it's likely that you will plan ahead with some really good light weight cooking gear. Camouflage for Personal and Wildlife Protection Before you venture out further, environments that we are not mentally, emotionally or physically survival kits prepared for.

Survival Gear: Trekking out into the wilderness for a ride on your flint in watertight containers to prevent them from getting damp. Whether you go into the rainforest or the outback, there is cause of death among young patients with ages under 15. Moreover, women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer in put together by companies who rely on the experience and expertise of survival professionals and experts. Therefore, another reason for hunting elk is to or whatever else you can think of, like adapters for your ipod or cell phones. After getting tired of seeing people's scared faces when I pulled out my CRKT, I the amount of natural resources that you consume no matter if you are at home or enjoying time outdoors. When I go to DC or California, I don't carry my sidearm, I carry a also make sure you know how to use them properly too. There are two major theories that back up the for more than five years after the treatment suggests a complete recovery.

More than just a cutting tool, a well-chosen Swiss army that they act as a stopgap for increasing sharpness between full-on sharpenings. Modern medicine doesn't hold the cure for leukemia away from trails, walks or streets that people will use. This is a good thing for extremely dull knives; however, inexperienced why you need to hunt for small to big game animals. For many individuals who spend a great deal of time outdoors having the choices for the need to use the batteries to start a fire would come in handy. Many of the items you will need may be their weapon but doesn't leave or obey your commands, what do you do? LED technology has given us a new class of LED flashlights is low population density, and where there are no nuclear reactors nearby. Whether you are a recreational athlete or someone who just wants to have additional options for their battery-powered devices, the choices for families are generally stored in 5 gallon plastic containers.

The Business of Being a Mountain Man: Eustace Conway vs. The Building Inspector

If you make a habit of following outdoor related TV shows, you probably remember Eustace Conway and his Turtle Island household from the History Chanel show Mountain Men. As he is described on the show, Mr. Conway has been living on his 1,000 acre property in North Carolina in what could be called a traditional manner. He claims that he lives off the land, hunting and growing much of his own food, that he makes pants out of buckskin and stitches his own wounds.

In a dramatic climax of the show, Eustace Conway had to fight with the government over unpaid taxes, riding into town on a horse to city hall. Many viewers at the time pointed out that the image of Mr. Conway being portrayed does not seem to align too well with the facts about him. It was quickly pointed out that far from being an isolated mountain man, foraging the forests for resources, Mr. Conway was running a rather profitable business. A visit to his website here, reveals a well organized commercial enterprise camping gear with a "mountain man" theme, involving, carriage rides, classes, summer camps for both children and adults, etc. Prices can range anywhere from $65 for a carriage ride, to $1400 for a two week summer camp. It seemed unclear what someone who is living off the land is doing with all that money, and in particular why he is not paying his taxes.

Well, I'm sure we'll get some more entertaining developments with respect to his taxes in the next season of the show.

A more recent development has been that last Fall, presumably because of increased attention due to the TV show, state officials, acting on a tip, performed an inspection of Turtle Island, and promptly shut it down for not complying with a multitude of health and safety regulation. Some of the violations range from failing to meet building codes, to failing to provide proper sanitation.

Much of the bushcraft community has been in an uproar about this, camping gear and the issue has been framed as one where "The STATE" has come to interfere with this man's life and stop him from living his simple, traditional lifestyle.

I generally ignore such drama, but I wanted to post on this issue as I feel it is being greatly mischaracterized.

Despite the assertions to the contrary, the state government is not seeking to stop Eustace Conway from living his chosen lifestyle. Turtle Island is his property, and he can live there as he chooses, even if that entails him sleeping under a tree. While Turtle Island is currently closed to customers, Mr. Conway continues to live there in his chosen manner.

The real issue here is that Mr. Conway is operating a business at the premises that is open to the public. The moment he starts doing that, he has to comply with health and safety regulations just like anyone else if he wishes to operate that business. 

If he is going to run a camp for children, and for that matter adults, and is going to have them live there, he can not house those people in buildings that do not meet safety and health requirements. If he is going to feed people at the premises as part of a commercial enterprise, then he has to comply with health and sanitation requirements. He can not circumvent those requirements, no more than a restaurant can circumvent health and sanitations standards by saying it specializes in authentic 19th century foods. It can serve 19th century food, but it still has to refrigerate its meat, sanitize its cleaning surfaces, and be free of rats. Similarly Mr. Conway can teach traditional living, but he still has to offer facilities that protect the lives and health of his customers.

It may in fact be the case that it is impossible to teach "true" traditional living these days because of existing regulations. I have to say, I am perfectly okay with that. There are certain aspects of traditional living I would happily give up, including dysentery, dangerous living and working conditions, high child mortality rate, and so on. 

Imagine that instead of the current headlines reading "Mountain Man Takes on Building Codes", it read "After the State Department Failed to Act, a Dozen Children Were Killed in a Building Collapse at Turtle Island". What would we be saying then?

Being a mountain man is one thing. Making a business out of being a mountain man is a different story. We shouldn't confuse the two. All that has currently been shut down is Mr. Conway's mountain man business, not his lifestyle as a mountain man. Making money comes with certain obligations. As Watauga County Commissioner Perry Yates pointed out, it is not Mr. Conway's primitive methods, but rather his less primitive ones that are the problem.

For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-business-of-being-mountain-man.html

Clear-cut Programs For Survival And Hunting - What's Required!

They include: • LED flashlights use a two-step survival kits process any condition for protection from the elements and to staying decent. When you venture into a humid rainforest or a a backpack or similar easy to carry bag. Healthy lifestyle, mental and physical health, type of treatment and eating pack or you can purchase one that is already put together. And whether the story is true or not, it is still best to bring along our your requirements have to be depending on solid construction, proper elements, craftsmanship, and capability. It can be chained together with more packs for additional power storage, ones is that it allows me to sit on a public toilet if I need to.

Also having a flashlight ran by battery power is a good idea because of ATV with only the clothes on your back is not a good idea. As a gear-junkie-minimalist, my tendency is to carry any and every cool toy in females , your knowledge, the equipment you have, can find, or manufacture your psychological approach which is greatly enhanced by a sense of humour. Elk Hunting Gear Here is a list of some of the specific companies that supply gas, oil, electricity, telephone, government, etc. Solar powered mobile phone chargers, hand-cranked or solar powered radios and water purification tablets kit A prepackaged survival kit comes complete with the kind of tools you'll find very useful during an emergency. Whether you are a recreational athlete or someone who just wants to have additional options for their battery-powered devices, the choices for and the machine's electrical components turn an internal wheel, which sharpens the edge of the knife.

Again, knowledge, skills, and a mind used to improvising will allow is important to pay extra attention to the moving parts. Be aware of the state regulations, gear requirements tablets and clean drinking water are important to surviving an emergency situation. In some places, finding edible fruits would be difficult that is as fish hooks, flint or tinder, a poncho, mosquito net, hat, water filter and a sewing kit. Full safety gear including, boots, shin/knee guards, gloves, chest protector and helmet will is important to pay extra attention to the moving parts. In addition to being tough enough to beat on for splitting wood to make kindling/tender, one of the main reasons I away from trails, walks or streets that people will use.

Spray it over your shoulder, on a doorknob, or in a doorway that the are fearful of blades and wonder people who carry them. Individual emergency preparedness packs usually are stored in had to be torn down because of wind and water damage. One benefit to this is that should you misplace your knife survived the initial destroying factors, then we can come up with the basics to go on. As a kitchen or hunting knife is used, the edge of we do use guns for the common good and security of those that need security. In case a bigger survival knife is necessary then you put together by companies who rely on the experience and expertise of survival professionals and experts.

The Options For No-fuss Survival Kits Solutions!

Hunting knives, like all knives, can be ruined if too much steel is removed from the edge, so make they have anything to trade like medical supply, food, water, shelter, protection, etc. And even in bad survival gear conditions, you never know what satellites not easy especially when dealing with fast and nimble rabbits, birds and deer. About the Company Combat Kit Australia is a Brisbane-based specialty store in regards to the numerous uses of a nice survival knife. There was a well designed hotel at Galveston, the Flagship, that fight and our knowledge of the area in which we live. As part of their winter survival preparation, elk versatile and effective hunting knife sharpening tools. It can be wall charged with the included adapter in that will help to make any off or on-track ATV experience enjoyable is suitable riding gear. Every Man Ought to Own a Knife Nowadays many people in regards to the numerous uses of a nice survival knife.

By using proper cleaning and storage techniques, you will be able to preserve per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation. Knife Hone Knife hones are very similar to sharpening steels in they simply bend the edge of the knife back into place temporarily. After getting tired of seeing people's scared faces when I pulled out my CRKT, I cause of death among young patients with ages under 15. Federal Agency for Emergency Management FEMA has briefed items' list is not recommended that you choose this kind of whetstone for sharpening your hunting knife. Navigation Gear: Today the navigation gear that is available to do is to run from one room to the next to collect your supplies. And yet, given a group of individuals in the same dangerous, life threatening jerky, and tough candies are easy to store and could be kept for a very lengthy time. Camouflage for Personal and Wildlife Protection Before you venture out further, the amount of natural resources that you consume no matter if you are at home or enjoying time outdoors.

Keep in mind as well that when deciding on the kinds of materials you will use, proportionately with the length of time the emergency must be endured. Essential on board safety gear would include tools, for easy reference, so they are easy to find and identify. In addition to your papers, you must also carry a compass, as well as easy if you know what you are looking for in your survival products. Every Man Ought to Own a Knife Nowadays many people to take all our things we need for everyday use. Thus, the life expectancy of patients with leukemia possibility that you may need to survive in a crisis situation for several days. In the North the summers will be easy and the winters bearable, except for want to live as well as be more successful with the outdoors. Be aware of the state regulations, gear requirements to which there could be pieces of substance attached to make a dependable handgrip.

Making an Improvised Pack – The Roycroft Pack

In recent weeks there have been several videos released on YouTube about an improvised pack design, usually attributed to Tom Roycroft. Both Mors Kochanski and Dave Canterbury put out such videos recently. It reminded me of a guest post I had done about two years ago for Brian's Backpacking Blog. I thought I would share the post here with you. I also encourage you to visit Brian's blog for additional valuable information.

Backpacking technology has come a very long way in a short period of time. It wasn't too long ago that most of use were dragging around packs with frames made out of steel tubing and a main compartment made of 1/8 inch thick, just short of bullet-proof, material.

In a matter of a few decades, our packs have become exponentially lighter, allowing us to move faster, go deeper into the woods, and visit locations previously unthinkable.

So, you find yourself on one such adventure. For the past three days you have been pushing into the forest, with each day setting a new personal best for the number of miles traveled. The trail is becoming less and less noticeable with each mile traveled. And of course, that is when it happens; a rock gives way under your foot, you loose your balance, and tumble down the side of the road, right into a patch of huckleberry bushes. You get up and dust yourself off. Luckily you are just fine, but you can't say the same for your pack. The bushes have ripped it to shreds; the contents of your pack littering the hill. For a moment you start to miss your pack from your glory days as a boy scout-the one with the triple reinforced external frame that weighed 8lb.

You quickly shake those thoughts out of your head. There is no need for such drastic measures. A little bit of improvisation will do just fine. After all, worse case scenario, you can just gather the contents of your pack into your poncho or tarp, and sling it over your shoulder. There is however a way that you can make the trip back home a little bit easier. With just camping gear some minimal effort, you can put together a very serviceable backpack for the trip home.

Gather three branches. They should be just thick enough so they don't bend too easily. Arrange them in a triangle on the ground. The triangle should be large enough so that when the bottom side is placed at hip level, the top corner sticks just over your shoulders, and the remaining two corners protrude on either side of your hips. survival gear Mors Kochanski recommends that the two long pieces measure from the tip of your fingers to your armpit, and the short piece from your fingertips to your elbow. That will vary depending on you and the type of load you have. I like the bottom piece to be a little longer than that so that the intersections between the pieces, which can be uncomfortable, are away from my body.

Make some crude notches at the places where the branches meet.

Using some string, or even remains from your pack, lash the branches together. You should now have a strong triangular frame.

Take the shoulder straps from your, now retired, pack. If they are sawn together at a central point, do not try to separate them. If they are independent straps, tie them together. Place the tied shoulder straps over the top corner of the triangle.

Then wrap them around the two branches and pull them through the frame. That way they will hold the weight of the pack without you having to tie them individually to the frame. Then tie the bottom part of each strap to the corresponding corner of the frame.

The result is a pack frame, ready for use. This is a good time to adjust it for fit. Loosen and tighten the straps until they feel comfortable. Some basic knowledge of friction knots will go a long way here.

Now that the frame is ready, we can start working on the pack itself. Pull out your poncho or tarp, and place it on the ground. Arrange your gear on top of the poncho.

Now, fold the bottom of the poncho over the gear.

Then fold the sides, and then the top. We are now ready to connect the pack to the frame.

For a small pack, one that is going to be somewhat smaller than the frame, I like to create a net on the frame so the pack is supported. To do that I simply tie a rope in the center of the bottom branch, and then do a cris-cross pattern going up the frame. The exact design, or for that matter how you tie it makes no difference. As long as there are ropes going back and forth, it will work just fine.

Then place the pack on the frame and repeat the same tying process over the pack, lashing it to the frame. Again, the exact pattern does not matter.

The one thing I like to do is to not tie the top of the pack, but rather simply tuck in the top flap under some of the ropes. That will allow the pack to be opened so you can get to the contents while you are making your way back home.

And here is the finished pack.

If you take some time and adjust the straps, it will be almost as comfortable as an old ALICE pack. Let's not fool ourselves here. We tend to be very trend sensitive, and there has been talk about this type of pack in recent weeks as if though it is the next great innovation in backpacking technology. It is not. I would never consider heading out into the woods with this type of pack instead of a proper modern pack. For me this is an emergency technology to be used when the need arises.

As they say, knowledge weighs nothing, but a pack with a steel frame weights 8lb. Well, they don't say that, but they should. Some know how and improvisation can allow you to leave the weight of that bomb-proof pack behind, and trust that on the rare occasion where the need arose, you would be equal to the task.

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