TimboKhan
Member
It's not a matter of how long you can survive, it's a matter of how long you would want to survive without beer...
mountain survival pack?
- Thread starter ArcherandShooter
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Vern Humphrey
Member
First of all, tailor your load to your situation. You say you're going on horseback -- how much walking will you do? If you ride to an area, then hunt on foot for a bit, you can have full saddle bags on the horse readily accessable. If you're going to hike over the mountain, and don't expect to be back until dusk, then you need a lighter load.
TimboKhan
Member
Vern, that's a very good packing list. Mine is a touch different than yours, but not in any way that really matters.
Seconded. Not only will a good pair of wrap polycarbonate sunglasses or goggles protect your eyes from glare, fatigue and snowblindness, they will help keep out particulates when the wind is strong, and maybe keep you from getting stabbed in the eye with a pine needle etc. Even getting "brushed" across an eye with a regular leaf can turn into a real irritating problem.
I would add a small sharpening stone, for the elk, as you can wear out a knife cleaning them.
- A water filter
- Some trail mix, one bag of dehydrated food and some granola bars.
- Cell phone or ACR
- I am for bringing a sidearm (BTW) So leave that there.
- Compass, maps
- Shoe laces. They have too many uses and it sucks to have them break on a hunt.
- e tool (again a lot of uses)
** Not in your survival bag, but a small gun cleaning kit.
I would get an army pistol belt, and use the old alice pouches, butt packs and all to carry the gear.
Just for Drill, bring some extra clothes and socks... Getting wet out there ain't fun.
Vern Humphrey
Member
You need a saw -- you can't twist an elk's neck or joints off.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I was once caught in a blizzard and learned a folding saw is much better than a pocket knife for getting enough wood to keep the fire up. So that's another reason to carry a saw.
WayneConrad
Member
The go-to place for survival packs and strategies (because the most important things are in your head, not in your pack) are the forums at http://equipped.org. Nice folks, well run forum, and experts there with varied experience so you you will get different great answers. If you ask about a backpack, you will get answers from he sandbox, Alaska, and Canada, and the reasons why. They are friendly to shooters and hunters, so don't be afraid to head over there and search the forums or ask questions there.
Speaking of saws, those little saws on the genuine SAKs cut like blazes - as do the quality garden pruning types.
The ones on the SAKS can, like the larger pruners, with some methodical work, cut limbs somewhat thicker than the length of the blade.
The ones on the SAKS can, like the larger pruners, with some methodical work, cut limbs somewhat thicker than the length of the blade.
Kipling79
Member
I myself am just now building my own Bug Out Bag... but have spent a lot of time thinking about and collecting the items to put in it.
I think there are some overlooked items which could be very helpful (and light).
1) Seeds
If you bug out long term, a garden could be a great source of easy food.
2) Lock picking tools (illegal in some states)
Your only shelter (or food and H2O) could be behind a locked door.
It is not illegal to pick locks, but in my state it is illegal to own or make the tools required, so this is tricky for some.
EDIT - oops, i landed on this when i was searching for bug out bag info, didn't realize it was primarily for mountain bags. I welcome this post be deleted or moved, but will leave it up just in case it is helpful to someone.
I think there are some overlooked items which could be very helpful (and light).
1) Seeds
If you bug out long term, a garden could be a great source of easy food.
2) Lock picking tools (illegal in some states)
Your only shelter (or food and H2O) could be behind a locked door.
It is not illegal to pick locks, but in my state it is illegal to own or make the tools required, so this is tricky for some.
EDIT - oops, i landed on this when i was searching for bug out bag info, didn't realize it was primarily for mountain bags. I welcome this post be deleted or moved, but will leave it up just in case it is helpful to someone.
Last edited:
The bug-out-bag/survival kit threads offer some decent insight for this query, and they're in Strategy and Tactics.
I'd highly recommend a good bright flashlight that you can carry by hand or clip on the brim of a hat.
Also, methodically go through the list you make and cull what you don't need. You will probably cut something, and that's good - if you don't need it.
I'd highly recommend a good bright flashlight that you can carry by hand or clip on the brim of a hat.
Also, methodically go through the list you make and cull what you don't need. You will probably cut something, and that's good - if you don't need it.
I do a lot of multi night backpacking, and could add a couple easy little things that I've picked up along the way. I'm gonna try to not kick a dead horse & repeat alot of the things I've already seen, just add a couple things I haven't...
First off is Duct tape: Just take a fresh roll, and roll some around something else in your pack. I wrap mine around a water bottle, but you could use a flashlight, axe handle etc, just about anything really. There's no sense in taking a whole roll that you'll probably never use anyhow.
Secondly is a fire "kit": This seems to be emphasized quite a bit here, but fire is important!!! It will keep you warm, dry & there is the "Feel Good" factor too. Fire can make you exceptionally "Comfortable" alone in the woods. It keeps your mind from wandering & the monsters lurking in the dark at bay LOL!!! I just carry a bic style lighter (If it gets wet, it'll work when it dries). And a water proof match tube with some ohio blue tips. I always pack a couple of trioxane fuel bars also, they're great fire starters, will dry and ignite wet tinder, and weigh next to nothing. I've tried the striker kits, as far as I'm concerned they suck... Nothing beats a good Bic, or some Ohio blue tips...
Water Bottle: even though you may have a camel back, they're pretty handy (Wide mouth Lexan "Nalgene" style). They're obviously water tight, so you can keep your fire kit, batteries, fresh pair of socks, etc in the bottle & it will stay dry. If the need arises, you also have a bottle for whatever reason. They're also super light weight...
Poncho: In the "Ultra Light" backpacking world there is a great product. It's silicone impregnated nylon or "silnylon". You can buy ponchos & tarps made of the stuff. I have a tarp I use for backpacking 8'x10' and weighs less than a pound!!! Stuff made from this product is kinda pricey, but it's the most water proof light weight gear you'll ever find!!! The tarps have grommets & tie downs along the center, so you can make a handy little shelter if needed. The Poncho can double as a tarp to keep weight issues to a minimum, if you don't want to carry both...
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___20069
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___20275
Ace bandage: Aside from the obvious use, you'll be amazed at how handy a long piece of elastic can be at times!!!
Para cord: I shouldn't need to explain this one.
Personally I wouldn't bother with a stove, mess kit etc... Too much bulk & weight, just for an emergency kit. Just get ya a good old fashioned ceramic coated steel mug. If the worse case really happens, you can warm your water next to your fire in the mug, break up some ramen, put it in the water bottle & add hot water,,, voila!!! Then make some coffee or whatever in the mug.
That's all I can think of for now. I hope this helps. Happy Hunting!!!
First off is Duct tape: Just take a fresh roll, and roll some around something else in your pack. I wrap mine around a water bottle, but you could use a flashlight, axe handle etc, just about anything really. There's no sense in taking a whole roll that you'll probably never use anyhow.
Secondly is a fire "kit": This seems to be emphasized quite a bit here, but fire is important!!! It will keep you warm, dry & there is the "Feel Good" factor too. Fire can make you exceptionally "Comfortable" alone in the woods. It keeps your mind from wandering & the monsters lurking in the dark at bay LOL!!! I just carry a bic style lighter (If it gets wet, it'll work when it dries). And a water proof match tube with some ohio blue tips. I always pack a couple of trioxane fuel bars also, they're great fire starters, will dry and ignite wet tinder, and weigh next to nothing. I've tried the striker kits, as far as I'm concerned they suck... Nothing beats a good Bic, or some Ohio blue tips...
Water Bottle: even though you may have a camel back, they're pretty handy (Wide mouth Lexan "Nalgene" style). They're obviously water tight, so you can keep your fire kit, batteries, fresh pair of socks, etc in the bottle & it will stay dry. If the need arises, you also have a bottle for whatever reason. They're also super light weight...
Poncho: In the "Ultra Light" backpacking world there is a great product. It's silicone impregnated nylon or "silnylon". You can buy ponchos & tarps made of the stuff. I have a tarp I use for backpacking 8'x10' and weighs less than a pound!!! Stuff made from this product is kinda pricey, but it's the most water proof light weight gear you'll ever find!!! The tarps have grommets & tie downs along the center, so you can make a handy little shelter if needed. The Poncho can double as a tarp to keep weight issues to a minimum, if you don't want to carry both...
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___20069
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___20275
Ace bandage: Aside from the obvious use, you'll be amazed at how handy a long piece of elastic can be at times!!!
Para cord: I shouldn't need to explain this one.
Personally I wouldn't bother with a stove, mess kit etc... Too much bulk & weight, just for an emergency kit. Just get ya a good old fashioned ceramic coated steel mug. If the worse case really happens, you can warm your water next to your fire in the mug, break up some ramen, put it in the water bottle & add hot water,,, voila!!! Then make some coffee or whatever in the mug.
That's all I can think of for now. I hope this helps. Happy Hunting!!!
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