Suffolk Bushcraft Group

[crosslandkelly]

Can anyone remind me, which post the future meet dates are on. Cheers.

 

[mikesmith777]

Colin,

if you go to the February or March Thread, then the future dates are at the bottom of the 1st post outlining the meet.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Cheers Mike.

 

[SJStuart]

Just ordered the 2013 DD Tarp S in Coyote Brown.

2.8m x 1.5m

Should make a handy lean-to tarp for my ground dwelling adventures, and should fit in even my smallest pack without any problems at all.

Not the kind of tarp I'd like to use for the hammock from the sounds of it, but I could always give it a go just to find out if it's viable for the warmer months.

 

[ceryni]

I know they're small and won't last as long as others, but you'll still probably be more likely lose it than wear it out, and at £1 with free delivery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Steel-Flint-Striker-Survival/dp/B006A1YOD2/ref=pd_sim_diy_4

I got mine already, hangs off my bag.

 

[SJStuart]

I know they're small and won't last as long as others, but you'll still probably be more likely lose it than wear it out, and at £1 with free delivery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Steel-Flint-Striker-Survival/dp/B006A1YOD2/ref=pd_sim_diy_4

I got mine already, hangs off my bag.

Ordered a bulk supply of what're supposed to be top-quality ferro rods last week, but they haven't arrived yet (getting concerned, actually).

I was thinking of giving them away to students, perhaps making some custom hand-holds for others, and I want to pair one ferro rod with each of my bushcraft knives so that no matter which I grab, I'm guaranteed to have one with me.

 

[Big Stu 12]

Can anyone remind me, which post the future meet dates are on. Cheers.

Always at teh OP of the Monthly meets bud at the bottom but here you are

Other Dates
7th & 8th March 2014 - Monthly Meet
15th & 16th March 2014 - RAT Challenge - PM For Details
4th & 5th April 2014 - Monthly Meet
2nd & 3rd May 2014 Monthly Meet - we may make this a 3 night if enough are interested, due to the bank holiday
23rd May to 26th May 2014 - 4 Night Boone Challenge.
6th & 7th June 2014 - Monthly Meet

I would liek to Start to get together the FAmily Meet dates/info for JUne, Maybe a small group of organisers as well.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Nice one Stu.

 

[Cromm]

Been keeping the ash from the wood burner, do the group want it for the loo at the wood?

 

[Big Stu 12]

Been keeping the ash from the wood burner, do the group want it for the loo at the wood?

Thank you bud, I think we still ahve abotu 1/2 durm left from the Decmeber meet.. some how think we are not going to get through much....

 

[Big Stu 12]

Toby cam round last night with his chopper head.... its now sitting in a nice sweet acoholic bath of Molasses.. the bite is a bit worn down on the heel end of teh bit but think it could have years of service left in it , the poll has some mushrooming on it but a quick tidy up with a file will sort it, the finish is a bit stange, its not paint, it looks like some sort of blueing on it, we will wait and see how it cleans up.

Good to catch up with you Toby, and chew the fat about things, see you in a couple of weeks

 

[Big Stu 12]

Nice one Stu.

No problem Bud..

 

[ozzy1977]

I am going to start working out what I can actually fit in to a response pack this afternoon, its got to be everything except water, right ?

 

[Big Stu 12]

I am going to start working out what I can actually fit in to a response pack this afternoon, its got to be everything except water, right ?

Thats the one bud... ,

I have started to look at mine as well

 

[ozzy1977]

Stu, Would it be considered cheating to wear a poncho and use as a tarp?

 

[SJStuart]

Would it be considered cheating to wear a poncho and use as a tarp?

Nope... I did that during last winter's snow.
Poncho to keep me warm and dry, DD XL to keep my hammock and gear from being flooded with snow.

Consider: if you're ONLY using the poncho, then either you have to sacrifice your outer layer to set up your pitch, then collect your firewood (and any other external resources) exposed to the elements, or you're unable to set up your pitch until you've gathered all your external resources (which, in the winter, would mean pitching in total darkness, perhaps even with snow billowing down all around you).

I don't see it as cheating in inclement weather. If you're carrying both in nice conditions, well that seems a bit pointless doesn't it?

 

[Iambosscat]

Toby cam round last night with his chopper head.... its now sitting in a nice sweet acoholic bath of Molasses.. the bite is a bit worn down on the heel end of teh bit but think it could have years of service left in it , the poll has some mushrooming on it but a quick tidy up with a file will sort it, the finish is a bit stange, its not paint, it looks like some sort of blueing on it, we will wait and see how it cleans up.

Good to catch up with you Toby, and chew the fat about things, see you in a couple of weeks

Yep good to see you bud, see you in a couple of weeks, as you know, I'm up for the family meets, and if there is anything I can do to help I would be pleased to do so. Thanks for dipping the Axe head, looking forward to seeing how it comes out.

 

[Iambosscat]

I was just reading the above posts about a response pack...... was not sure what this was so had a search and found a review on bcuk on snug pack response pack. Over xmas I bought something similar to enable me to just use my pack for my sleep system and put all my essentials in the bum bag type pouch so I could wander off and have stuff to hand but leave my pack at camp. So I think I may be in the process of setting up a response pack unless I have missed something.

I have got my hygene kit in there, which now I'm thinking is a bit daft as this could stay with my pack.

Have I missed something or have I inadvertently created a response pack? ie enough stuff to get by if you lost your main pack?

 

[SJStuart]

I was just reading the above posts about a response pack...... was not sure what this was so had a search and found a review on bcuk on snug pack response pack. Over xmas I bought something similar to enable me to just use my pack for my sleep system and put all my essentials in the bum bag type pouch so I could wander off and have stuff to hand but leave my pack at camp. So I think I may be in the process of setting up a response pack unless I have missed something.

I have got my hygene kit in there, which now I'm thinking is a bit daft as this could stay with my pack.

Have I missed something or have I inadvertently created a response pack? ie enough stuff to get by if you lost your main pack?

Basically, yes. A "response pack" is a cut down version of your kit.
You can leave your main pack (with your main gear) at your camp site, and take your response pack on a day hike. That way you have at least some degree of:
1) Water collection/purification
2) Shelter/cover (mini poncho or some mylar blankets)
3) Fire lighting (even if that's just a ferro rod, tube of matches or a lighter)
4) Tooling (knife, saw etc)... assuming you don't keep that on your belt separately anyway.
5) Minor first aid (I just keep a good healthy supply of plasters, as well as one roll of gauze bandage and a roll of micropore tape in mine)
6) Navigation (if relevant)
7) Cordage (I carry a good amount on my packs, in the form of a "grab strap wrap")

And any other comforts you feel like having in there.

Up to now I haven't bothered taking my response pack to the group meets because we haven't really been out rambling away from camp. That's going to be changing for me as of this meet, though... new pack and new system I'll be testing over the next few weekends which will change the way I do things quite significantly

 

[Big Stu 12]

Stu, Would it be considered cheating to wear a poncho and use as a tarp?

Nope... I did that during last winter's snow.

Sorry but who is setting the Challenge......?????