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Ray Mears’ - Outdoor Survival Handbook is broken down into seasonal activities. It’s a good read and I think it fits in with the question you are asking.

Any chance of some pictures?

I’ve had both but now own neither! The Roc pockets have a stiff plastic backing with a molded loop for the side strap, they fit the Munro too. The SMG pockets lack the backing and it’s a tunnel of fabric to put the strap through. IIRC the spacing isn’t correct so you could use them but it won’t...

Might be worth having a look at Aguille Alpine www.aiguillealpine.co.uk - Their bags are very high quality and they have various back sizes to suit. SF 45 has some adjustment but it depends on how tall you are - as they only offer one size.

I travel a lot so use Outdooractive which is absolutely brilliant. Basically complete OS mapping plus lots of extras depending on what package you go for. I get it free as a MR volunteer but I think I would get it anyway even if I didn’t. I still carry and use a paper map and compass and use OS...

The bed / duvet concept does work but in the UK a lot of leaf browse is very damp and this is noticeable straight away when you lie on it. Dead bracken / grass works better as long as it has been dry. IMO wool blankets have been romanticised by some clever marketing, nice for sitting around the...

If you can’t find on a maker using ash strips then a lady called Karen at https://www.naturallyuseful.co.uk/ could probably make you a wicker version perhaps.

I had one for a while and they are high quality tools but I agree with TLM wrt use. I found the edge profile made overstrike easy to do and I trashed the helve on mine a bit. Probably down to user error but less of an issue on axes with a large bit (like GB etc).

Ha, I’ve been wearing them for the last 30 years, maybe you get used to a bit of itch.

Used a 400 and 200 for about 15 years. They’re quite pricey now, my new set cost twice as much as the original - that can’t be all down to inflation! Like everything it’s up to you if you want to spend the money. I don’t think I’ll use my new set out in the woods - I have a mil surplus merino...

Yes, we got them to make a bespoke pack for RAF MRT personnel. I think we got about 30 made in the end. We basically copied the old POD Black Ice pack when that Peter O’Donavon stopped trading. Not many companies make a decent 50 ltr pack with a floating lid (for rescue loads). I still use mine...

Depends on what you want them for. If it’s for part of a kit for walking in hills / climbing / mountaineering then buy a Blizzard Survival Bag / tube (or blanket if you as part of a FAK): https://www.blizzardsurvival.com/ The traditional foil blankets are useless in the hills. Some folk on...

Dave, I’ve been a ML(S & W) for 20 years and regularly work with other ML and MCI and I’ve never heard of anybody failing for having kit on the outside of their pack. I do agree however that your more likely to lose or get soaked anything dangling !

I’ve a variety of lanterns including a Vapalux, Tilley and Veritas (I used to have a Bialladin too before it died) as well as a couple of Coleman’s. IMO the Paraffin lamps have much the same light output and I’ve not noticed (having owned them all a number of years and all bought second hand)...

Sorry it’s sold. I changed the post title to sold once it had gone.

Get an old Cyclops Roc they are the precursor to the Crusader then Vulcan. They are about 65 ltrs and you can pick them up off EBay for £40-£50

Yes you’re correct. The course was with Woodlore and Uncle Ray was inspired by Graves and the design is in his book ‘Bushcraft’ too. It was a pretty fun group exercise.

I’ve made an improvised one on a survival course. We made two rings of stakes then filled the gap with brush and branches. It was then covered in a tarp and flipped over and binded. Worked well for floating around on flat water trying to catch fish.

See they all the time at the local car boot sales (often for little money) - anything similar where you are?

Just the Karrimor Pack left folks. Any offers? Thanks