You are dropped off in the Colorado wilderness on August 1st. You can't come out till November 1st. (No game laws, no guns, strictly traditional bows) You can take 30 lbs of equipment that you own NOW. What would you take? This is just for fun.
2 dozen arrows, two sets of camo, light tent, butane lighter and firesteel, pack hatchet, 50 yds paracord, pocketknife, snarewire, bow and quiver, water purifier bottle, steel water bottle, headlamp, spare batteries, four pairs of socks, one wool blanket. thats probably something close to thirty...I havent spent anytime in colorado, but have spent time teaching wilderness survival to boy scouts here in NC. Its my favorite way to camp!
My Quillian Bamboo Longhunter (tough as nails)
3 Dozen arrows--Broadheads, small game heads
small gorilla Glue etc
Big Jim Side Stalker Quiver
Slingshot with extra bands
Pack Rod with basic fishing tackle
Becker BK-9 (large knife)
Becker BK-2 (Mid-size knife)
2 custom small knives (skinner and hunter)
KME Sharpener and carborundum stone
Survival Lighter and Strike Force Fire Starter
G.I. canteen cup with nalgene canteen
2 gal. G.I. water bladder ( doubles as floatation devise or pillow)
Katadyn water filter and purification tabs
Recon-3 sleeping bag with goretex bivy bag in molle sleep system carrier
Stealth Bivy tent
1 wool army blamket
100' 550 paracord
3 pr. extra wool socks
1 pr. wool underwear
1 roll of duck tape (Gorilla)
Molle 2 Rifleman's pack w external frame
First-Aid Kit
As much rice and flour as I presently have, saucepan x 2, a metal plate, a cup and two good knives. A flint. Plastic bags. A couple of water storage vessels, fish netting, ropes. Blankets, clothing and two pair of shoes. Tape, glue, rope, tarp. Archery equipment. That should be about 30 lb :)
Oh, very importantly, pencils and paper. This can help you from losing your marbles when you get really lonely in the first weeks before you settle in.
I would think someone would remember to bring a compass, it don't weigh much!
Um, good idea Bawana :) I also forgot my snare wire, oops.
Other than most of the things listed I would also include spider wire, sewing needles, and gerber multiplier.
and an ax or hatchet.
Cell phone with extra batteries(for ordering pizza)and money for the bar at the ski lodge. :goldtooth:
Snares are on the list for sure. You are hunting while sleeping or actually hunting, etc.... For that long of a trip I would take 300 feet of paracord. Hennesey Hammock for tent with large rain tarp. Add small ultra light pulleys for hanging kills and cleaning kills. magnesium shavings and steel wool for fire starting.
With that much time a compass or map would seem a bit irrelevant. You have enough time time to search and learn your core areas. I would still take a map and compass.
Skinning knife, and tomahawk. First aid kit. I would not take anything that requires batteries. You will run out of them in that length of time and the device will become useless weight before your done. Use the weight for other items.
Clothing would be a mix of wool and cotton. I would carry the SAS survival guide or similar book in the small version. A small bible. I find that much time alone makes a great time to learn more about and speak with the Lord.
Dry seasonings. They weigh nothing and make everything taste better. Plus a light weight book on local edible plants and herbs. Once you have it memorized thru practice you can use it as firestarter.
My kinda topic !
All Osage Hill bow with two dz arrows .[ tough as nails ! ]
1 large camp knife 7" plus
1 skinner / utility 4"
1 folder [ drop point ]
multi tool
Sharpening stone
Spare strings / wax etc
Jack Bowers Cheif quiver
A mixture of woolen and cotton clothes inc woolen beanie / i thermal shirt and 1 Swanndri smock
1 TARP
1 Sleeping and 1 Bivvy bag
1 spork ! plate and cup
100 ft of paracord and assorted zip ties
w/ spare laces for boots
I complete version of Lord of the Rings ... reading in down time !
1st aid kit
Water pump and 2 1 litre water botttles
1 billy
Salt / and 1 bottle of tabasco
Survival kit inc fire strike matches , medicines space blanket , spare lighters etc
Headlamp w/ spare batteries and globes
Woolen blanket so i can be comfortable
Compass
tea bags and coffee
Ben, bringing salt and tea is an excellent idea. Luxury. I often think of what aboriginal people used to barter most when first contacted by foreigners. Salt, flour, sugar, blankets and steel are invariably treasured. I guess they are the things most difficult to supply from the land.
Dry . i find most problems are solved much easier after a cuppa !
Ok guys this is from New Zealand.
Hennasy hammock
spare tarp
flint
pocket knife
butcher knife
hunting pack
day bag
roberson bow
3 dozen arrows
glue
first aid kit
Sleeping bag
boots
3 pairs of socks
woolen bush shift
flannel shirts
one pair of shorts
two pairs of pants
camo suit
cooking gear
wet weather gear
writing paper
that should about do it
o yea and abit of rawhide for fixing broken gear and a spare bowstring
Somebody likely already said this and I just missed it, but bowfishing stuff, arrows, points, line, reel. Everyone remembers that scene in Jeremiah Johnson when Paints his Shirt Red happens on JJ while he is trying to fish in the icy creek, and the only thing he is catching is a cold. Later in the movie, Bear Claw tells JJ that Paints said "you fish poorly" ... not me, I'll not be a starving pilgrim if I can arrow some fish! :archer:
Ok, Here is Mine.
Wing Pro Recurve
30 Arrows 12 Broadheads/12 SG Hex Points/6 Judo
2 tubes super glue
1 stick fer-l-tite
Extra bow string
Military Ruck Sack with frame
2x 2qt canteens 1x 1 qt with canteen cup
7" Skinning Knife
Asprin
Lighter/matches/Flint
Gerber Multi tool
Military Ponch and Ponch Liner
Hammock
550 Chord x 150'
2x wool socks 2x 50/50 cottom blend
2 T shirts
1 Medium Weight Jacket
1 sweatshirt
2x camo pants (1 gortex)
extra pair boot laces
Danner Pronghorn Boots
Fleece Sock hat
light and mid weight gloves
4 trash bags
1 burlap sack
1 med size frying pan
5 lbs rice
Salt
I think that should do
100 packets of ramen noodles, 2 gallons of whisky, 100 chocolate bars & 25lb of assorted books.
My Stewart LB, with a couple dodez arrows.
Kifaru med. wood stove
" Sawtooth tipi with liner.
" KU3700 pack with all the pouches
A book to help me recognize green things and such that is O.K. to eat.
Axe
small knife
Multi tool
Fire starters
crank lantern
first aid kit
Para cord
Snares
What ever I could wear
My light weight camp set up
Wiggy's sleeping bag
Some freeze dried
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
Cell phone with extra batteries(for ordering pizza)and money for the bar at the ski lodge. :goldtooth:
jon2, you did not think your answer thru very well. You have to have an address for them to deliver the pizza & the ski resorts don't open until Thanksgiving weekend! Sorry...try again.
QuoteOriginally posted by robtattoo:
100 packets of ramen noodles, 2 gallons of whisky, 100 chocolate bars & 25lb of assorted books.
rob, I want to go camping with you. I'll bring the JetBoil for the noodles & matches to burn the books if we get cold. :campfire:
Bring yer own whisky.....
most of the above, and some soap. Also Katadyn water filters (hiker and camp models). And several layers of clothes.
I lived in Colorado for 5 years. It can snow in the morning and be 70 that afternoon (or vise-versa). Maybe a pack rod and reel. Lots of great fishing in CO.
I would have died in the wilderness sheep hunting. Never saw a single rabbit, squirrel, deer, elk, moose, ect. Saw lots of wolf and griz tracks though. Tough place to survive without Mountain House meals!
I did see sheep, but tough to get close.
toilet paper, biodegradeable soap, metal pot and lid, sleeping bag, tent, 3 pairs of under garments, coat, gloves, hat, bow, 3 dozen arrows, multi tool, 3 knives, ax, 300' cord, fishing line and hooks, snare wire, sharpener, map and compass, water purification, bladder, fire steel, 2 sets shirt/pants, poncho
Toilet paper! How did I miss that one... MUST HAVE SOME TP! :)
In addition to everything else I would take my Iphone and solar charger. It doesn't weigh much. It has a gps, Kindle(hundreds of books including the Bible), music, games, word processor for keeping notes, not to mention a phone if you have cell service and need it.
I'd take the clothes on my back, 5 pounds of salt and an axe. :bigsmyl:
I'm with you Orion except I would substitute a good knife for the salt :confused: and add some flint and steel. You can survive anywhere with those 3 items. Hatchet, knife, flint and steel.
QuoteOriginally posted by Adirondackman:
You can survive anywhere with those 3 items. Hatchet, knife, flint and steel.
It's probably pretty scary how many bleached skeletons once thought that.... :rolleyes:
I never understood the need for a hatchet, Thats a lot of weight, I'd rather have that weight in dehydrated food. You can do anything you need to do with a sheath knife, or even a pocket knife.
Motor Home! :laughing:
Here goes, since we camp 18th century, most of this is the same. May be a few pounds over, my gear weights in at 38lbs with horn and gun so exchange for bow and quiver should be close.
Osage selfbow:
(two strings)
1 dozen arrows:
with broadheads
back quiver
3 knives:
neck 3" blade
belt 6" blade (will work as spear blade)
one in possible pouch 4" friction folder
compass
2 fire starting kits:(one in possible bag one in haversack)
flint
steel
char cloth
tow
salt (in horn)
red pepper (in horn)
corn meal (2lbs)
cranberries dried (1 lb)
boiler (tin pot)
tea leaves
water purification tablets
canteen
One virgin wool blanket ( cooper blanket pins 2)
haversack
bible (never can tell when you'll need help)
note pad (record the trip)
pen
repair kit (needles, thread, leather and cloth patches, leather thongs)
fishing kit (string, hooks, and corks)
belt axe
lived up to a week this way, a months a little harder to plan for.
QuoteOriginally posted by randy grider:
I never understood the need for a hatchet, Thats a lot of weight, I'd rather have that weight in dehydrated food. You can do anything you need to do with a sheath knife, or even a pocket knife.
The Hatchet is the most important survival tool that you could have. To survive 4 months you will have to build shelters and make weapons and tools. The hatchet is vital for long term survival. I would rather have a good hatchet then a knife. The Hatchet will do anything the knife can plus way more. You can make a good knife with a hatchet. Actually you can make everything that you need to survive with a Hatchet.The amount of dehydrated food that a hatchet weighs won't last you very long but with the hatchet you will be able to provide yourself with food and good shelter.
Adirondackman is 100%.....correct....and well said....My Gransfors is as dear to me as my bow....but more useful.
Good call on the hatchet. Awesome tool.
Yea... that one has me stumped too. What's the 5lbs of salt for?
And I am with Ricky.. That's funny, I was thinking the same thing... The MotorHome! HA HA HA! :)
A month in the bush?
I'd carry a good bit of the stuff most have mentioned for water, shelter, food, but would add these items would be part of my 30#s...
1-Some sort of dry antibiotic pills (an infection from cuts or a busted tooth can kill you in short order.)
2-Big heavy gage plastic bags (they can store water and shed water) They make decent ponchos in a pinch.
3-at least eight 110 Connibear traps. I think these would have a better meat-making ratio for expended calories than all the bow or snare gear.
4-a small book on wild edibles for Colorado. (because I'm not an Indian who learned these things from a wise old grandmother) :)
5-Cutlery....a Mora carved to jam snuggly up in the hollow handle of one of those new style Fiskars hatchets. Nice light/tough combo. A short fine file (or machinist's dressing stone) in the handle to keep things sharp.
Chuck
The connibears are a brilliant idea for survival tools...
I still can't figure out Orion's 5lbs of salt and an ax... Salt? Anyone?
Tent
sleeping bag w/pad
two tarps
lantern and 2 one pound bottles
single burner stove
300' of cord
butcher kit(saw,2 knives)
folding saw
rain gear
spices
tea
coffee
folding cook stove(small)
mess kit
backpack(knife,3 firestarters, compass, first aid, 2 small flashlights, niff t seat, arrow repair kit)
full safe pac arrow box
rest of my weight would be for dehydrated food.
stay calm and work smart a person should survive pretty well...
Fortun: The 5# of salt is to season the fish and game I kill with the weapons (bow, arrows, spears, gigs, etc.) I make with my axe, which I'd also use to make my shelter, of course. I offered this tongue-in-cheek, of course. Fun to think about, and even make plans, but even with 30# of equipment, very few of us would last more than a week in a true wilderness survival situation. To me, that means going in with no food to start, though that wasn't a stipulation in the original scenario. :archer:
Snares, a small axe, butane lighter and fire stick, tarp, cloths with more socks than anything, good boots, water tabs, tin pot, salt, my russel belt knife and steel, pack rod, hooks a few lures, day pack, duct tape and first aid kit, all extra weight would be used for coffee oh and a compass along with bow and three dozen arrows mix of broadheads and blunts.
Compass
flint and steel
My bob Lee
3 dozens arrows
3 dozen broadheads
para cord
a dozen rubber blunts
5 mouse traps (pine squirrels are tasty)
a 10 by 10 tarp
sleeping bag
ground cloth
a tin cup
3 knives
and a tomahawk
fishing line and 50 hooks
It wouldn't be fun after awhile, but I would get by.
Can't agree that few would make it a week. 1rst priority-think! Then shelter(this would include good clothing). Water. Fire. Food. (I could make it a month on the "lunch" I am already packing!) Food and fire are certainly moral boosters. If not injured, Keeping warm, dry, and watered are first priorities, May not be living "high", but one cans survive.
robtattoo :D
Not near enough fishing stuff listed here....
Might find some room for a book that ids edible plants too.
I would take six carbon arrows. My survival won't depend on having 5lbs of arrows.
Big game would be out, because of spoilage for most of the time. I would tailor my gear to provide means to capture small game and fish. I would learn up all the edible plants and such. I would have a good folding saw- two blades, a small hatchet and a sharpening device.
I would also have a fire starter and a water filter.
A small tube off fletch glue and a small toothbrush. Its the little things that make life bearable. A 12 inch square of towel.
And some vitamins leaning toward supplying green.
Oh and one light down sleeping bag and one light tarp. I would probably be at 30lbs with clothing, pack, para cord, some seasonings and a cook kit. But no stove or fuel. Don't need it.
Joshua
BTW, I would take a good old fashioned watch rather than a compass. I can navigate well enough with it, while also being able to use its other functions- determine rate of travel and distances, time between nausea spells, etc.
6X10' sil nylon tarp/paracord
toothbrush
bush knife
flint/steel/cotton balls w/vaseline in film canister
compas/topo map of area
wool hat
woolrich wool shirtjack
wool pants
1 pair extra wool socks
mid weight top bottom long underwear
water bottle/ filter
2 large drum liner plastic bags
ibuprofen/bandaid/floss/first aid misc.
30 degree bag/ultralight bivy cover
snare wire
jerky/dried fruit/ crunchy peanut butter/tea bags
msr titan pot/ cotton handkerchief
wide brim hat
longbow, couple dozen arrows, quiver and 26lbs beef jerky - LOL!
Oh man! I wouldn't have made it through the first week. I didn't even think about salting the hides. I would be a gonner for sure! What about oatmeal, and brain tanning? At least the oatmeal you could eat if you had to. Just sayin! :)
jhg,
You spoke of meat spoiling...I knew a rancher from Nebr who worked as a young man in the Southern Bighorns of Wyoming herding stock from a mountian cabin. He shot antelope for meat. Even in the summer, he would hang the meat in quarters from porch during the night and wrap it in a canvas at daybreak. Then he stashed the wrapped meat under the North side fo the cabin by day. He said they would keep about two weeks this way. He said they got pretty tender by the end of 14 days. So be sure to pack a cabin along for meat storage.