Just curious to see what everyone is carrying with them in the field. Thought it would be fun to see what items you use and why. List A-Z.

The "Ten Essentials" are in my pack, here's a break down of what's in my pack.

Map – sometimes, depending on where I’m going (I have maps for most areas I backcountry, or almost always get them prior)
Compass – Silva Ranger, always
Flashlight / Headlamp – I carry both a headlamp and flashlight
Extra Food – just enough to make me comfortable for a night and don’t have to be cooked, because you can last about 3 weeks without food
Extra Clothes – something specific to the climate, extra wool, hat, etc. and I carry one of a couple bivys I own and large “gardenâ€� sized trash bags and I usually bring a change of socks
Sunglasses
First-Aid Kit – pre-made kit I supplement some extra items with
Pocket Knife – I use a Leatherman, possibly a belt knife too
Waterproof Matches/Firestarter – I’m required to carry three fire starting things (i.e., matches, lighter, candles, magnesium/flint)
Water / Filter / Bottles – I carry a liter or more of water with me, and water purification tabs or my filter
Whistle – much louder than screaming for help
Comfort stuff, like sunscreen, Chapstick – depending on the situation, time of year, etc., trekking poles

I carry some other things from time to time, depending on forecast, or how long I plan to be out. If I know I'm out overnight (i.e., going camping) my bivy changes to my Goretex one and I'll bring other stuff, like a pistol, rifle, snow shoes, ice axe, hatchet, etc., just depends.

Sounds pretty good Ace!

In pockets for day trips

Water
Granola bars in wrappers, the kind that have lots of fat and nuts. Lightweight and very nutritious
An eye drops container of bleach in case I need to sterilize more water
A lightweight sip siphon with a tiny carbon filter as backup for water requirements (ok, you can tell I'm a bit obsessed about clean water)
waterproof container of matches
lighter (backup, again, a bit obsessed about a fire source, I'm not good at rubbing two sticks together)
Candle stub to help with fire starting
3 or 4 tiny very bright emergency battery operated flashers
very good small LED flashlight headlamp
a small handheld mirror
a whistle (on my keys!)
an emergency blanket
a wire saw
3 bandaids to hold a wound together, or wrap up a cut finger, small cuts, baciguent ointment (very small)
3 Tylenol 3's for pain control in case I have to walk out injured
a couple of tampons in plastic wrap (good tinder, wadding to staunch wounds, and hey, I am a woman, you never know)
small roll of heavy duty duct tape folded small
a small slingshot (in case I am stranded and need to eat squirrels and birds for awhile)
a small flat square tin container for holding hot water over a fire. It holds my first aid kit in my pocket, double duty
a tea bag and foil bag of dry beef buillion
a tiny fishing kit (the very basics)
a multiplier tool, plus a third knife in a separate pocket (ok, I also obsess about knives, though I realize I could smash a rock for a blade or axe if I had to)
sandwich bag of wet wipes
notepad and pen
measuring tape
camera with filming option

I don't usually take a map or compass because I memorize it before leaving, and I only go into places that I know very very well. Also I can tell direction from the moss, trees, direction of sun, slope, etc. I think I acquired the skill as a kid in Africa. I just haven't found myself a small compass that works as well as my own head.

Ummm I probably forgot something really important...

For 3 day trips I add my lightweight backpacker's hammock and sleeping bag, air pillow, big plastic garbage bags, rope, and a camper's saw. Oh, and I dress very very carefully, no cotton, in layers, waterproof and windproof even in summer here in the mountains. You never know when you're going to be spending the night involuntarily. Good boots and socks! Waterproof, light, comfortable. If it is hunting season I might also have my bow and guards. Sigh..haven't done that in a while, and it is high time.

I use a bicycle on occasion if my trail is level and I can't get somewhere by vehicle. It works!

Things I want to get:

A winch, a small canoe or kayak that is highly portable.

vilnoori: Just a heads up: they make inflatable kayaks. But don't think pool toys. Depending on how much money you drop and inflatable kayak can be just as [or more] durable than a solid one. And once the air is out they'll pack up small. I haven't used one personally but I've heard some good stories and read a lot of good reviews. It's definitely on my list as well.

Really! Do you have some links? Well, but what if it gets a puncture. I guess you'd have to carry the repair kit too. I was looking at collapsible bikes and kayaks:

http://www.montagueco.com/technology/folding-demo.html

This kayak holds 600 pounds and assembles in 1/2 hr.

http://www.folbot.com/kayaks/greenland_ii/

I actually don't have links, most of the material I read was in paper form and it was a while ago. From what I remember they're made from various materials - almost all of them are extremely puncture resistant. This makes sense, because as long as the Inflatable Kayak isn't pumped up overfull, it will give a certain amount when it hits a solid object [like a sharp rock] instead of carbon fiber or polyura-whatever. I also remember reading that IKs are popular with several world-class kayakers who travel the same Class V rapids in their IKs with no problem, so I'm assuming that it's not too big of a problem.

I like to travel light but I always take at least half a gallon of water. Sometimes I will take up to a gallon if it is hot. I could go days without food but not water so I tend to take twice as much as I will need. It always has my camera and a few filters and extra memory card. I have pepper spray in a specific easy open pouch. I always bring an extra pair of two of socks. Sweaty socks dramatically reduce the number of miles you can walk. I usually have sunscreen, about 10 bandages in case of blisters, medications, reading glasses, some spare cash, MP3 player, lighter and a compass and GPS if I might go far from the trail.

Camping items, such as tent clothes jackets, ect and food and water.. and finally my smokes. if I meet a sass, I just might feel like having a big fat cigarette, once I got my bearings..

First aid kit
Chem light
Compass
GPS
Couple of granola bars
Extra AA batteries
Flashlight
Bottle of water
Pocket knife
Digital Camera
Whistle
Safety glasses (ever have the person in front of you let go of a branch and slap you in the eye)?
.45 ACP (on my hip)
2 extra clips

In my opinion, a good GPS is by far your most important tool. I have a Garmin Venture HC. It's super sensitive and is extremely reliable. I never have a problem getting a signal through a thick canopy.

That's how I roll....

basics: 9assuming day trip or overnight as opposed to expedition

paper bag/tweasers, notebook
rain parka
1st aid kit
knife, bear mace
2 head lamps, water, granola, etc
all weather hammock

gear:

mp3 recorder and bionic ear
pvr and helmet cam
nv illuminator
digital camera a/or camcorder
woodknocker
digital game caller + remote

wanted add on: inflatable kayak



vinoori,

shopping for inflatable kayaks

That's really interesting. Imagine the mobility of having one of those light, paratrooper folding mountain bikes, and an inflatable kayak in your pack (with a battery operated pump). No tent--hammock, good rainproof bag/clothes, and above gear. The possibilities magnify...

travel lite, spend the nite

I've heard good things about Mountain House Foods and their camping rations. A few of those wouldn't slow you down but just a pound or two and you could stay out their for days.

Here is my list of gear (carried in my Camelbak or on me otherwise) for daypack use when away from base camp or just in the field out of my car. I have omitted clothing and other items that might be carried if intending to be out overnight. This gear all fits in the Camelbak or on belt.

Camelbak Ranger 100OZ Hydration Pack (1650 cu in)

• Survival Kit (separate “cube” packing bag):
o Carabiners, small bungee cords with hook ends, zip ties
o Emergency tinder, waterproof matches, Firesteel firestarter
o Signal mirror, safety whistle
o Two lightsticks, small LED flashlight,
o Emergency space blanket, rain poncho or jacket
o Mini-compass, LED light and thermometer attached to pack
o 2 microfiber towels (12X18), Commercial “to-go” packs of toilet paper, paper towels, and moist towelettes, mini-bottle of hand sanitizer
o Compact Survival Fishing Kit
o Pocket saw, Swiss Army knife, Leatherman multi-tool
o Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Tablets - 20 Pack
o Handwarmers

• First Aid/Medical Kit:
o Sawyer Extractor Snake Bite Kit
o Adventure Series - Hiker First Aid Kit
o Four days of personal medications
o Asthma inhaler
o Added medications – Benedryl (pills and crèam), Hydrocortisone cream, Eye drops/cleaner
o Sunscreen, Chapstick,

• Binoculars
• Fixed blade survival knife
• Gerber Torch II Tanto folding knife
• Timberline Bush Pilot hatchet
• 100' Mil Spec 550 Para Cord
• String (extra-strength) – I use an orange cord for visibility
• Streamlight Buckmasters® TT2L, Trident® Headlamp
• Streamlight Twin-Task TT3C Flashlight
• Deep Woods Off Wipes/Tick Spray
• Ti Ware Sierra Cup
• Polycarbonate utensil set
• Camera – Canon 20D SLR digital with 28-300mm zoom lens
• Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass
• Garmin E-Trex Venture HC GPS with color mapping
• Sony ICD-UX80 Digital Voice Recorder
• Energy bars, jerky, hydration pack elixirs
• Notebook, pens, fine-point Sharpies
• Ziploc bags, garbage bags (2 large, 2 medium)
• Stocking cap, “watch” cap – whatever they call it
• Lightweight “Gripper dot” gloves
• A second set of batteries for everything
• Small Camelbak water bottle

• Evidence Kit (in separate packing cube):
o Tweezer packs
o Small paper bags
o Safeskin Purple Nitrile Latex-free Exam Gloves
o Magnifying glass
o Sewing tape measure
o Camera lens brush

I also have a "wind-up" battery-free Sherpa LED light that I can substitute for the large flashlight.

I always forget something when I make a list like this.

Add - extra memory card for camera
Add - my .357 revolver and ammo

I didn't mention my Gore-Tex boonie hat or my sunglasses because they are on me.

I wish I could bring a heavy revolver but we can't up here. Bear spray.

Right now...well, I'm ashamed to say, empty wrappers, stale old jerky, old batteries, and lint

lol don't feel bad, it depends how far out you go, I guess. Some places around here are pretty wild and far away, you need to be prepared.

uhh...beer

...and this paddle ball. That's all I need.

Hi

Pliers and wire striper's, A socket and wrench set, Wire and electrical tape, Penetrating oil, Motor oil 10W/30, An extra extra fan belt, Tire plug kit and small compressor, Test light, Assorted electrical connectors, Jumper cables, Antifreeze, Water, Rags, Napkins and one of those little tiny compressed rain ponchos you find in the dollar store at the register

Peace
Tim

Wow that's a great list. It is very similar to what I carry, except for the fact I never go into the woods looking for evidence. Usually I am too busy taking kids or adults who haven't camped very much, to worry about evidence.

As far as a pack goes make sure it doesn't get to the point where it is so full (heavy) that you don't want to carry it. Recently I went geocaching on a lake near home. We left the boat within a 1/4 mile of the cache site and started up the side of the mountain after it, straight up. The bad thing is I left my pack in the boat because I knew we wouldn't be gone very long. Well there was almost not way to get to the site from the direction we were travelling so we had to travel in circle to the backside. Our 1/4 mile soon became 2 miles. When we got there we were tired and thirsty, funny thing is I had a pack with an energy bar and a hydration bladder sitting in the boat. We sat at the site about 15 minutes and we were starting to feel rejuvenated when we decided to go for another cache 3/4 mile away. Anyway to make a long story short after walking 6 miles, according to the GPS, we finally made it back to the boat 4 and a half hours later. Most of this time was spent going up and down a mountain with no trail. I could have drank the entire lake by the time we returned. We ended up sharing one 20oz bottle of water between us. At least one us was semi-prepared.

Another thing to also remember is the "Rule of 3's" I carry 3 knives, 3 navigational tools and 3 firestarters. One knife goes in the pack, one on my belt and one around my neck on a string. I also carry a small compass and a small container of matches around my neck. That way if something happened and I was ever seperated from my pack I would at least have a knife, a compass and matches. Just tuck them in your shirt or jacket and you are set.

and this remote control

Good points, Just Reading. Having it all in the pack and then losing the pack would be traumatic and counter-productive, no matter how well you had prepared. The survival (fixed blade) knife, GPS, hatchet, small mag-light, and gun are belt-worn, along with a separate water bottle. I usually carry the folding knife, compass, and firestarter in my pockets. That should give me the very basics. The option on first aid carried outside the pack would be to get one of those military leg-worn first aid pouches and load that up.

I'm thinking of getting the plastic fold-out version of the Field Guide for Edible Plants to also carry in the pack. An air-horn also wouldn't be bad. I saw that Bass Pro Shops has a mini-horn that does not required compressed CO2. You just blow into it almost like a kazoo, but it generates a really loud (decibel level) horn noise like an air-horn.

PS, all this gear in the Camelbak is not overly heavy. I haven't weighed it but it's not bad to carry on extended hikes.

LOL and this ashtray . . .

I was looking for a thread like this, and as Steve Martin would say in The Pink Panther, G o o d one.

I'm only 5'6"ish and weigh near 170lbs. I don't think I could actually carry in all the stuff on some of these lists, Lazy Boy reclines, BBQ grills, surf boards . . but I've been thinking of priorities. Obviously one needs survival gear, communication gear and GPS, first aid stuff, camera, and enough food to last you back to a vehicle. One LB of plaster is still an extra pound.

I would probably bring some small solar panel to recharge batteries in case I got buggered or had some unanticipated length of stay. If I had to bring camera traps and make a long trek of it, I would probably parachute some of it ahead of me. The more you have to carry the slower you are, less area you can cover etc.

Also, it concerns me that a lot of researchers go in smelling like an entire Walmart, build big fires, smoke, drink, and pee on just about everything near them. I saw this one group on MonsterQuest, I can't imagine anything getting within miles of them. I would prefer a smore stealthy approach.



.

I wouldn't go the smore stealthy approach. Bears love smores, that would be a problem.

Bigfootie

pant pant

Well, knowing what to eat and what not to eat should your pack be unavailable is an important skill. Generally meat is always a good option, well cooked, of course, if possible. A gun or failing that a slingshot or net, (fish and line is tedious but if you have a lot of them why not) is a good thing to have.

Mushrooms and berries are more risky but usually you will just get the runs and vomits if you eat the wrong kind rather than keeling over dead, as people think. Generally with mushrooms, avoid the ones that are bright reddish orange, red underneath or completely white. If it is spongy on the bottom not gilled you stand a better chance, as long as it is not woody. Crush a bit and smell it, any acrid odor will warn you away. Also avoid those that smell cucumbery. If it smells fruity and good then it is good. If it has a stalk that breaks easily like chalk it's a pretty good bet it won't be a poisonous variety, it is most likely a Russula and there are no deadly ones though again, some may make you ill. Bite a bit off and chew it, if your tongue goes numb or peppery, spit. If not, swallow a little, and see what happens. If it smells fishy, is growing on a tree, and looks like a stack of pancakes, go to it! Oyster mushrooms!

But generally mushrooms won't feed you much. Go with meat!!!

Blueberry types and strawberries are always good, and not easily confused. Huckleberries also. Don't eat a red berry you don't recognize. You all know nettles, right? They sting? You can eat loads of them, boiled. You can eat any soft part of the cattails in low, marshy areas. Soft bodied insects and grubs that are found in dead wood are also edible, are a clean food source, and can be eaten uncooked with no risks. You can also eat crickets, but grasshoppers can carry tapeworms so they have to be cooked.

For those that don't carry firearms, learn to make some simple snares, fish traps or weirs, and if you have to, nets from cedar roots. Nets are very effective for trapping small game if you have to, and you can even do deer with them if they're strong enough. You can also make a quick, comfortable hammock from cedar roots and be at home practically anywhere. The main thing for survival is not to turn up your nose at stuff.

Water. Drinking from rain puddles and trapped water in small pockets like leaves is much safer than drinking from a stream because of Giardia. If you can, located a water source coming right out of the ground or rock, this is a natural filter. That is of course if you run out of water and are unable to boil water for 10 minutes to kill off germs. Something to boil water in is a good thing to carry, or at least a simple sip carbon filter. I always keep one in my pocket.

Keeping warm and dry is paramount. Always keep an eye out for good shelter, and use the small protected spaces you find combined with dead leaf litter as insulation if you can't build a fire. Soldiers of old were taught to cold camp and it is quite possible to do so if you don't happen to have fire-making skills or forgot a lighter/matches etc. (or just can't find dry wood). Even in our wettest Pacific forests there are dry cozy nooks under upturned logs, against leaning rocks, etc. Dig down and make a nest, build a shelter around it (not too big) and think insulation.

Well....I could go on....that's enough for now.

Took a couple years to collect this, but wife says it makes it easy at xmas time.

2001 Dodge ram 2500 v10 magnum quad cab short box 4x4 with 6 inch lift (yes I traded for this for bigfootin)
12 Ga pump
S&W 44 magnum
Delorme map
Garman Oregon GPS
2 pairs of binocs
Digital audio recorder
Parabolic
Digital Camera
Video Camera
Roll up tape measure (used this more than once)
2 way radios that NEVER get used because we dont get that far apart
Compass that I never learned to use
Leatherman
Shake-up flashlights
100000 candle power spot
1000 watt inverter (radio shack was going out of business figured I could use it but havent yet)

Those are the "always" things. I'm sure there are more little things I'm forgetting.

I hope to get a camp trailer this winter and maybe some night vision goggles and that should about do it.

Tho I dont know why, with my work schedule and the weather this year we only went out 3 times and then 2 of them were so windy we couldnt do much (the parabolic is a killer if there is ANY wind)

Sammy

Ladies stockings or nylons stretched over the parabolic may be a solution depending on design and size.

Great tip man, can't wait to try it out thanks.

Sammy

These lists are too long. All you need is a GPS, compass, compact LED flashlight, matches, knife, sidearm, pint of water, high-calorie snack, and a pouch of Redman.

Click to view attachment

I don't really get more than 2 miles from a road around here, and am typically in cellphone range. So I'll have the cellphone, turned off, a bottle of water and my pocket contents which are usually at least a multitool, some hard candies, lighter and a couple of large handkerchiefs, then whatever camera(s) binoculars etc, I feel like lugging along. If I figure I'll be more than a couple of hours I'll stuff apples and breakfast bars in my pockets, if I figure I'll be more than 5 or 6 thats when I'd go to a small pack with 2l of water, sandwiches etc.

I have the Macgyver gene though so if I broke a leg or something I'd just have to stay where I was an hour or two while I built a solar powered all terrain wheelchair.

Oh yeah, the cell phone is a must. Although, where I usually go it only occasionally works -- and only when texting. Still, better than nothing.

Excellent!!!

From now on I will just take Vilnoori and help her carry her stuff.

I still think the only thing you need in your pack is lots of beer. You're probably not going to see a BF so you have plenty of time to drink the beer. And if you drank that much beer and then did see a BF, you wouldn't care.

Seems like a logical plan to me.

Adding to the list.....

I rely to much on GPS these days and after my batteries ran out and my spares were dead also I now carry a modified VW solar panel with a AA battery holder on the back for recharging the NImH used in the GPS and cameras.

Also two digital cameras and a digital Camcorder and ...

never leave home without Jack Links Messin' With Sasquatch series of beef jerky.

In my pack eh? Well ok.

GPS
Digital camera
Flashlight
Xtra socks
First aid kit, with the addition of a bottle of Advil and a few sewing needles and dental floss and a couple Xacto knife blades
Evidence kit- Paper and plastic bags, latex gloves, alcohol wipes, tweezers, small tape measure, small roll of electrical tape
small flashlight
Notebook
Bottle of Water
Xtra batteries, tapes, and smart cards for all the electronics
Glow sticks
Small role of sawgrass rope
Xtra Bic lighter
Touke
Warm gloves
Xtra folding knife- Benchmade/Emerson CQC-7
Book
SwissChamp Swiss Army knife

Speaking of packs I just bought one of these.

Anyone here ever use one?

So I;m guessing no one does.

Robert - To answer your question, no I do not use that. I actually use a snowboard "day" pack for everything.

OK - what does that look like?

The bag I showed is actually my man-purse, or "murse" as it is better known.

I don't have that murse either. But, I can see why you might like it!

In the murse:

checkbook
wallet
5 shot S&W 637 .38 +P in black nylon pocket holster
3" Gerber folding knife (Gator) in ballistic black nylon sheath
small binoculars
small pack of bandaids and alcohol wipes
Small pack Kleenex
small LED flashlight that also clips to a hat bill
Gerber multitool
large Buck cattleman pocket knife
fingernail clippers
Bic lighter
emergency whistle
sunglasses
cellular phone
two black ball point pens

If you can start a fire you can survive. My pack is overloaded with things to start a fire and a reliable fixed-blade knife. Everything else is secondary to that. Ferrocerium rod, magnesium fire starter, flint and steel, butane lighter, lint with petroleum jelly and a small candle. Practice, practice and practice with various methods of fire starting. For example, if you have a small piece of chocolate and find a discarded coke can you can start a fire. Learn to start a fire in your sleep.

The next most important is water treatment. Iodine tablets work pretty well.

Finally, map and compass. GPS is fine but is NOT a replacement for well-honed map and compass skills.

Other things that are carried:

Powerful whistle
Small pepper-spray can ( for two-legged varmits)
Goretex shell
Gatorade
Digital camera if there is room.

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

The art of hammock camping:

http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html

Wassat vil? Holiday pinatas for grizzlies?

j/k looks comfy.



Meh, who needs 10 years supply of firemaking equipment, practice kindling fires, banking fires, carrying fire... then you won't need to "start" 5000 or so, only one or two.

LOL Yeah remember to take the pepper spray into the tent and hang the food and toothpaste well up and away. Those guys even cold camp in those hammocks, but I've never tried that.