Weekend out........ a work in progress!

[Pignut]

Inspired by "Stuart f" post I am going back to basics on this weekends trip out.

I am taking 14 explorer scouts out for our winter camp but will be using only basic minimum kit for myself.

I am going to get my kit together now. and will post some pics up shortly. ready for the big event on friday!

Watch this space

 

[Pignut]

Well here is my usual bag all the bits of kit I have chosen to take are well used and make an outing on every camp I go on (the knife was a gift from Barnie so it is new to me and I am looking foward to testing it!

Firstly my 2.7m x 3m cotton tarp

kit of choice

UCO lantern, case and candles (the nights are long and dark this time of year

Fire steel and match set (from last years brantub I think, another bit of kit i love)

Billy, crusader mug, brew kit and bannock mix (will add a large chunk of salami to the food later)

Tinder and pouch (we have had a lot of rain!)

The cutting crew (The trusty Granny B and my new knife)

Rope (the cotton tarp is heavy when wet and I am going to try a different configuration this time)

Water bladder (A gift from a friend)

All the bits bagged up (with sleeping and Bivvi bag)

Now....................

Sleeping bag compressed amd inside bivvi bag placed on the outstreched tarp

All the other kit layed above the Bags with the Axe, knife, saw and rope left out

Now fold up the bottom of the tarp in a bathtub style

secured with sliding loop and turn

once secure you can stand it up and have think about what you have forgotten

the bits I forgot where my kuksa, wool blanket jumper, bottle of rum and salami (both wrapped in the jumper)

secure with a couple more wraps

fold over the excess to form a lid

A few wrapps round the lid with some top to bottom and a couple of loose turns at angles for the shoulder sraps

Slot in the knife and axe and ready for the weekend!

Hope that is of use to someone....

Will post the results of the Weekend on sunday or monday

 

[andybysea]

Look forward to seeing the results, i think ill give that sort of kit/outing a try but think i will wait till summer to give it a bash (not as brave as you) Id like to try only taking what you can carry in you pockets some day.

 

[stuart f]

Inspired by "Stuart f" post I am going back to basics on this weekends trip out.

I am taking 14 explorer scouts out for our winter camp but will be using only basic minimum kit for myself.

I am going to get my kit together now. and will post some pics up shortly. ready for the big event on friday!

Watch this space

Hi Pignut,good on you,a nice set up you've got there,i hope the weather gods are kind for your weekend.

Now for the disclaimer. IF FOR ANY REASON PIGNUT DOES FREEZE HIS BUTT OFF WHEN OUT TRYING MINIMAL KIT, I STUARTF CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM,FOR INSPIRING HIM TO BE A NUTTER LIKE MYSELF.

Phew!!!!!! thought i had better get that out of the way before he heads out,you know you've got to exonerate yourself of all liability these days

Anyway looking forward to the photos though.
Have a good one Pignut.

Cheers Stuart.

 

[Pignut]

Nice one!

Will keep you posted

Hi Pignut,good on you,a nice set up you've got there,i hope the the weather gods are kind for your weekend.

Now for the disclaimer. IF FOR ANY REASON PIGNUT DOES FREEZE HIS BUTT OFF WHEN OUT TRYING MINIMAL KIT, I STUARTF CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM,FOR INSPIRING HIM TO BE A NUTTER LIKE MYSELF.

Phew!!!!!! thought i had better get that out of the way before he heads out,you know you've got to exonerate yourself of all liability these days

Anyway looking forward to the photos though.
Have a good one Pignut.

Cheers Stuart.

 

[MartinK9]

Nice one!

Will keep you posted

Can I have your fire-lighting kit if you don't make it?

 

[Pignut]

Martin K9 Indeed I will leave it to you! (If it all goes wrong)

Why does all my kit look shiney new in the pics (all bar the knife) in the flesh it is a bit on the battered side

 

[Barney]

looks like you are in for a fun weekend !

 

[Peter_t]

i gess that is an advantage of haveing a cotton tarp, i wouldnt want to do that with a thin nylon tarp. the only drawback of not useing a rucksack is what to do with the rest of your kit once you pitch your tarp? i would probably end up loosing something but your probably more organised lol
is that tarp home made?

hope it goes well

pete

 

[Pignut]

i gess that is an advantage of haveing a cotton tarp, i wouldnt want to do that with a thin nylon tarp. the only drawback of not useing a rucksack is what to do with the rest of your kit once you pitch your tarp? i would probably end up loosing something but your probably more organised lol
is that tarp home made?

hope it goes well

pete

Yep!
Check search for "tarp tie on points" in "DIY and Traditional Crafts"

You will find a link

 

[MartinK9]

Martin K9 Indeed I will leave it to you! (If it all goes wrong)

Why does all my kit look shiney new in the pics (all bar the knife) in the flesh it is a bit on the battered side

Have a great time

 

[Mistwalker]

Looks like a great set-up PN, can't wait to see the after pics. Though I am glad to learn they make them (outfitters here only carries the plain ones) I wouldn't think you'd need citronella candles in the lantern this time of year.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

looks like you are goig to have some great fun mate

wish i could do what you have done with my true north outdoors tarp

 

[Pignut]

Well I am still here so I get to kep the fire lighting Kit!

Arrived to find a cold, wet but lovely site!

I then selected this spot for my camp

But found something was already resident, so moved along a little way

Dropped the bag and had a little think about siting, wind direction, etc

Unloaded the tarp and set about putting it up, ridge line first

layed over the tarp and secured each end

made a couple of quick and dirty pegs to secure the back

secured and streached out

Next a couple of poles for the front (secured with a couple more pegs

A couple of 3m poles for the bed

And a nice selection of Spruce branches for the bed

Looking soft and springy

now the bag and bivvi bag thrown under

Now a few homely touches

After an hr or so relaxing (thinking about gerring a brew on) a friend arrived and set up home

after the first warm night (with a fire infront of the bivvi) the wind and weather turned prety rough so a new configuration was needed

So we managed to stay alive in the wild on our own with minimal kit with no outside help at all.................................

What................................

Support Crew.............................

No! no! Honest...........................

Oh the 11 explorers plus kit they needed! never utilised em............ Honest

In all seriousnes thelimited kit was more then adequate for the weekend and I would happily head out on my own with it. the spruce bed was warm and I had no need for a ground mat.

oh and Barnie.... The knife was a stunning piece of kit to use!

Hope you enjoyed my story

 

[tommy the cat]

Superb!
Dave

 

[stuart f]

Hi Pignut,you made it then ,looks like a good time had by all there.
Thanks for keeping us posted and for the photo's.

Cheers Stuart.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

looks like you had an ausome time

 

[Mooseman1]

Wow looks like you had a great time, i thought the cops had got you in one of the shots. lol.

 

[MartinK9]

Glad you survived; and it looks like you had a great time

 

[andybysea]

A great update to the orignal post,thanks for sharing.