Hang on a tick, I'm just buckling the Kevlar vest on...
Thank you all for responding, and for doing so with the grace and thought so often typical of this site. Many good points have been raised, although since most of the activity tends to happen when I'm away from the computer there's a bit too much for me to address all at once.
One thing I would like to clarify, though, is my stance on gear. I have a lot of it, and I really have nothing against it. Although I do my best to travel light I do not compromise on quality or leave behind items I consider essential, or even highly desirable, and I do not claim to have found the perfect kit list or wander into the wilds with nothing but a figleaf and a paring knife. What bothers me about kit, and about some of the discussion on the subject, is that it can get in the way if we are not careful. Take a tarp, for example. A few strings and a square of waterproof material and there you go, a wonderful versatile shelter. You can buy a fancy expensive one (mine's a GoLite), find an army surplus bargain, sew your own or just use a big sheet of polythene, all approaches provide you with something to keep the rain off. Unlike the average modern tent, however, tarps require some skill and thought to erect successfully. Regardless of type there is a need to practice, to experiment and to learn, or else you'll find yourself with either a kite or a shroud the moment the weather worsens. Learning how to use a tarp is very much a bushcraft skill, and someone looking to buy a tarp will certainly be interested in finding out about different models, but isn't it more important to focus on the skills required?
Of course, very often this happens, and I have learned a truckload since finding this site. I suppose I just wonder if we are not sometimes so eager to discuss the things we are carrying that we are in danger of forgetting why we lug them out into the woods in the first place.
Thank you all for responding, and for doing so with the grace and thought so often typical of this site. Many good points have been raised, although since most of the activity tends to happen when I'm away from the computer there's a bit too much for me to address all at once.
One thing I would like to clarify, though, is my stance on gear. I have a lot of it, and I really have nothing against it. Although I do my best to travel light I do not compromise on quality or leave behind items I consider essential, or even highly desirable, and I do not claim to have found the perfect kit list or wander into the wilds with nothing but a figleaf and a paring knife. What bothers me about kit, and about some of the discussion on the subject, is that it can get in the way if we are not careful. Take a tarp, for example. A few strings and a square of waterproof material and there you go, a wonderful versatile shelter. You can buy a fancy expensive one (mine's a GoLite), find an army surplus bargain, sew your own or just use a big sheet of polythene, all approaches provide you with something to keep the rain off. Unlike the average modern tent, however, tarps require some skill and thought to erect successfully. Regardless of type there is a need to practice, to experiment and to learn, or else you'll find yourself with either a kite or a shroud the moment the weather worsens. Learning how to use a tarp is very much a bushcraft skill, and someone looking to buy a tarp will certainly be interested in finding out about different models, but isn't it more important to focus on the skills required?
Of course, very often this happens, and I have learned a truckload since finding this site. I suppose I just wonder if we are not sometimes so eager to discuss the things we are carrying that we are in danger of forgetting why we lug them out into the woods in the first place.