After my monster review on the Maxpedition bag I got a while back was published on the site (I’m not sure what it says about someone who can enthuse about a shoulder bag for 4 pages…
, I thought I’d better mention what I carry in it! Especially as I said I would earlier in this thread.
First of all, a few assumptions: I only really use it at the moment for days out (although I have done a summer overnighter with it) so that will dictate largely what goes in it. Also, you’re not allowed to light fires in the woods where I live in Germany (pah!) so a small stove is necessary for brews/cooking. Finally, depending on how I’m feeling, I can either cover a lot of ground or stay in one place and just concentrate on practicing specific skills.
So, what have we got for a typical day out?
Bag
Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack with 1 litre Nalgene bottle (not shown) of water in side pouch.
I also carry my Midland Alan 42 CB radio (in a Maxpedition pouch) for two reasons: I can call back to the missus in case of emergency, clean pants requirement, whatever; and, I can sit back and listen to the local chatter and improve my German. Earlier in May, I could also talk to operators in the UK as the skip was fantastic in early evening.
OK, from the picture below from top left to right:
Depending on what I’m practicing, I might carry a fixed blade (Gerber Huntsman – great blade, awful sheath) or just a nice little spear-point Opinel penknife. For the UK, I would probably change the Opinel for a SAK Soldier – I’ve just swapped some stuff for one recently and they’re very nice and legal. Occasionally, I’ll also add a handsaw.
Next a small bag with some wet wipes, toilet paper and alcohol hand wash – just in case I get caught short and also to clean up with before I eat. By the way, did you know that alcohol handwash will burn?
Then insect repellent (deet) and sun cream…although I might not bother with that anymore considering it’s rained solid for weeks.
A choice of lights (I wouldn’t normally take both): a Petzl E+Lite if I expect to be out late (white/red, flashing and steady) as this really is a fantastic bit of kit; or the even smaller Inova LED light (red, steady/flashing).
A whistle in case I see a pretty lady…or get hurt and need to attract attention.
The white box contains a small, basic first aid kit (plasters, burn aid, safety pins, tweezers, antiseptic cream, etc). Next to it is a tick remover (it lassoos ticks so you can twist them out by the neck – ye-haa!) and below is an old-style field dressing – essential when carrying a fixed blade. They also burn very well and contain massive safety pins.
Next to that is a monocular for checking stuff out at distance and bird/animal identification.
From the left side again, across the bottom:
‘Food for Free’ for obvious reasons, and then Collins Trees as I’m doing lots of tree ID practice at the moment. I will sometimes use a wild flower/shrub guide instead of the tree guide.
A plastic bin bag. Why? It’s light, waterproof, can be used to carry dry or wet items, it can be worn as a poncho, it makes a small waterproof shelter as a tarp, and you can sit on it when the ground’s wet. It cost’s nothing and you just recycle it when it rips. Do I need to say more?
The wooden spoon was a swapsy from Dougster – thanks mate, I love it!
Next, just because I can’t make an open fire doesn’t mean I can’t practice firecraft. I’ve been messing with the flint and steel lately, but also have a Zippo and a mini-firesteel with part of a junior hacksaw blade to strike it. The hacksaw blade is the metal/plastic cutting variety and is long enough to actually still cut with.
The firesteel was made from a mini-steel from the recent group buy, which is then soldered into an electrical terminal block with a key ring on it. Crude but effective. All the fire stuff goes in a leather pouch with tinder of birch bark, char cloth, and thin strips of rubber from a bike inner tube (burn well when wet – how appropriate).
Next, some paracord – useful for loads of stuff.
A small digital camera. You know we go on about 'leaving only footprints', etc? Well, if I come across something I can’t identify, like a fungus, rather than pick it and take it home, I take pictures of it instead and make notes on the location, smell, etc. I’ll then look it up when I get home and have a nice photographic record for the future.
Finally, notebook and pen and a small, v simple compass. It’s always good practice to walk on bearings, triangulate objects on the map, etc. There is also a small, flat, credit-card sized magnifying lens tucked away in the notebook for looking at small features on plants and fungi (gills, usually) - and it will also make a flame in strong sunlight.
As I mentioned, no fires in the woods! So, rather than mess about with hexis or meths (p-choh!), I have a mini gas stove that I also use for alpine climbing trips. Inside a titanium pot sits the gas canister, a small strip of cloth for cleaning, drying, picking up hot things, etc. Then a small brew/condiments kit (sugar, coffee, tea, salt, pepper) and a luxury Swiss Miss hot chocolate sachet. Tastes great, loads of sugar, and makes you happy when you are cold. The stove itself is tiny, has peizo ignition, and is kept in a small plastic box. The whole lot, with a lighter and titanium spork, is kept in a mesh bag.
Everything above fits in the Versipack with room to spare.
I like to think of my kit as modular and I expand/contract it as required. There is no such thing as a single, do-all kit. It doesn't exist so don't bother looking for one You have to tailor it to your activity and environment.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread - it's one of the most enjoyable and useful I've read for ages.
