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Planning my first solo backpacking trip

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Originally posted by: dmw16
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: dmw16
Are you going somewhere that it is legal to carry a firearm? If so, I'd bring one along.
Click to expand...

Already addressed this. Yes it would be legal. Yes I want to. However, I don't have anywhere to keep the thing once I buy it. Parents won't let one in the house (paranoid) and the University won't let me keep one on campus. 🙁

So I'm stuck with bear spray, a nice combat/survival knife and a moderate bit of Krav Maga training. I'm fine with that. Some random nut tracking me deep into the backwoods for the sole purpose of committing the most impractical and unprofitable robbery ever is pretty far out there as far as possibilities go.
Click to expand...

Sorry, missed that earlier in the post. You could buy it and not tell your parents or store it on campus and not tell anyone 🙂
Click to expand...

Yeah, except my parents have the bad habit of "organizing" my room when I'm not home, so they'd find it, and suffice to say my family life is complicated enough as it is. 😛

As for storing it on campus, problem there is if it was ever found under any circumstance I'd be expelled and probably arrested. Not a good risk/reward ratio IMO.

Only 2 more years till I get my salary... and I'll blow the first month of it celebrating said independence. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: irishScott
And if, say, I'm immobilized for whatever reason? What if I get a bad laceration or bite? Other folk won't do me any good if I can't get to them or signal them.
Click to expand...

That's why you inform someone of your route, expected travel time, and return-by date. As long as you don't deviate significantly (miles) from you route, you would be found by the alerted search groups within a few days after your return-by date. The proper skills and equipment I listed would allow you to survive until then relatively easily, assuming you were carrying adequate water.

In the event that you do become immobilized, the rest of that crap won't help you get moving again, won't alert a rescuer, and can't be used to regulate homeostasis. In other words, it serves no purpose outside mental comfort, and it's just going to weigh you down on the trail and sap that much more energy.

Hell with your list I don't even have disinfectant. Are you serious?
Click to expand...

Disinfectant is overrated and carried way too often. As long as you have filtered/purified water and superglue, you can flush and seal essentially any wound, and if you do it quickly the chances of an infection that your immune system cannot contain until your return to civilization are very low.

That's also the purpose of the systemic antibiotics - in the event an infection appears to be forming, or just for prophylaxis if you do acquire a fairly serious wound.

Also, many water purification tablets have a significant portion of iodine in them, making them a defacto disinfectant by default.

If I was traveling with a partner or group then I'd be taking more along the lines of what you posted, and even then other people would be picking up the slack. I'm flying solo on this one, and aside from entry/exit dates and a very general route, I won't have any itinerary or contact with the outside world. My goal is to get as far away from people as possible. To be, literally, completely on my own.
Click to expand...

Then your well being depends far more on good judgement and the ability to improvise solutions with limited resources.

Carrying splints is not an ideal solution. Not breaking your leg in the first place is the ticket. And even if you do break something, the attendant pain and inflammation will probably render that limb almost useless regardless of splinting.

The personal reasons for this are complicated, but suffice to say in this scenario I have to be prepared to deal with anything and everything on my own. Help is no longer a certainty, and thus cannot be counted on. Hell with your list I would barely have a prayer of getting any help at all if I got anything worse than a moderate sprain.
Click to expand...

You're going about preparedness the wrong way, but this is a pointless concept for me to try and expand upon here. It comes with experience.

I have years of experience in mountaineering, technical climbing, and backcountry travel. We all start the same way, thinking that massive amounts of equipment keep us prepared in the wilderness. That's simply not the case. The most effective self-rescue in wilderness terrain always comes from personal ingenuity and skill and making what equipment you DO bring serve more purposes, sometimes beyond what was intended.

A few examples from my list above:

- Superglue is not only a useful adhesive for minor field repairs, but as mentioned can be used to quickly and sterilely seal a cleaned wound. This is especially useful in high altitude environments where there is so little atmospheric oxygen that cuts and lacerations do not heal. Linville Gorge is high enough above sea-level to be nice and cool this time of year, but not so high that you really need to worry about an alpine manicure.

- Systemic anti-biotics are smaller, lighter, and less time consuming to apply than disinfectant of any kind or anti-biotic ointment. They are also less likely to be mis-applied and do not require re-exposing the wound to the environment like these other items. They also do not require multiple dressing changes, and thus remove the need to carry dressings in the field.

- Athletic tape can do so many things for you: Patchwork repairs, assistance in constructing an emergency shelter, taping sprained joints. Hell, you can even use it to leave your own temporary blazes if you're unsure whether you're taking the correct route and need to backtrack.

Edit: And I'm sorry, but I just can't get over the fact that you don't have any sort of disinfectant listed. With all due respect, that's just stupid.
Click to expand...

You need to remember: Your goal in the wilderness is not to fix the problem. Your goal is to produce a workable solution that will last until you can return to civilization, which should be your #1 expedited priority as soon as a serious problem occurs. You're never going to arrive at an optimal solution on the trail...resources are simply too limited.

The process is simple: Stabilize anything life threatening, then get out as soon as possible. In the event that you can't move under your own power, initiate a plan to survive until rescue arrives.

Anything not working for you at all times is working against you. Remember that mantra.

By the way, all the stuff we've gotten into so far is nowhere near as important as your clothing systems. What are your plans regarding clothing for this trip?

 
Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Have you guys had good experience with the magnesium block flints? I can never do it "right" and end up just using it as a regular flint.

I personally prefer this:
http://www.backpackinglight.co...ire_starter_basic.html

First aid wise, what about a bag of quick clot, or an ice pack? I usually have a little bottle of burn gel too.

Did you get the water tablets that are good for viruses as well? Aside from that, I have this little straw for "can't wait for the tablets to work" situations.
http://beprepared.com/product....ater%20Filter%20System

Tablets:
http://beprepared.com/product....%20(Package%20of%2030)
Click to expand...

I've never used a magnesium fire starter "in the field", but they burn hot and quick, which is great for damp weather.
 
Originally posted by: irishScott
Yeah, except my parents have the bad habit of "organizing" my room when I'm not home, so they'd find it, and suffice to say my family life is complicated enough as it is. 😛

As for storing it on campus, problem there is if it was ever found under any circumstance I'd be expelled and probably arrested. Not a good risk/reward ratio IMO.

Only 2 more years till I get my salary... and I'll blow the first month of it celebrating said independence. 🙂
Click to expand...

What about a bow? You could say archery is your hobby. Also a lot of fun to hunt your own food like the Indians did. 🙂
 
This is really interesting to me, I basically go on 11 mile day-hikes but I haven't done anything beyond that yet. So nothing where I'd be 3 days out from civilization. So I don't bring anything in the way of medical. When I get better I'd love to try this type of hike.
 
Originally posted by: ja1484
Originally posted by: irishScott
And if, say, I'm immobilized for whatever reason? What if I get a bad laceration or bite? Other folk won't do me any good if I can't get to them or signal them.
Click to expand...

That's why you inform someone of your route, expected travel time, and return-by date. As long as you don't deviate significantly (miles) from you route, you would be found by the alerted search groups within a few days after your return-by date. The proper skills and equipment I listed would allow you to survive until then relatively easily, assuming you were carrying adequate water.

In the event that you do become immobilized, the rest of that crap won't help you get moving again, won't alert a rescuer, and can't be used to regulate homeostasis. In other words, it serves no purpose outside mental comfort, and it's just going to weigh you down on the trail and sap that much more energy.

Hell with your list I don't even have disinfectant. Are you serious?
Click to expand...

Disinfectant is overrated and carried way too often. As long as you have filtered/purified water and superglue, you can flush and seal essentially any wound, and if you do it quickly the chances of an infection that your immune system cannot contain until your return to civilization are very low.

That's also the purpose of the systemic antibiotics - in the event an infection appears to be forming, or just for prophylaxis if you do acquire a fairly serious wound.

Also, many water purification tablets have a significant portion of iodine in them, making them a defacto disinfectant by default.

If I was traveling with a partner or group then I'd be taking more along the lines of what you posted, and even then other people would be picking up the slack. I'm flying solo on this one, and aside from entry/exit dates and a very general route, I won't have any itinerary or contact with the outside world. My goal is to get as far away from people as possible. To be, literally, completely on my own.
Click to expand...

Then your well being depends far more on good judgement and the ability to improvise solutions with limited resources.

Carrying splints is not an ideal solution. Not breaking your leg in the first place is the ticket. And even if you do break something, the attendant pain and inflammation will probably render that limb almost useless regardless of splinting.

The personal reasons for this are complicated, but suffice to say in this scenario I have to be prepared to deal with anything and everything on my own. Help is no longer a certainty, and thus cannot be counted on. Hell with your list I would barely have a prayer of getting any help at all if I got anything worse than a moderate sprain.
Click to expand...

You're going about preparedness the wrong way, but this is a pointless concept for me to try and expand upon here. It comes with experience.

I have years of experience in mountaineering, technical climbing, and backcountry travel. We all start the same way, thinking that massive amounts of equipment keep us prepared in the wilderness. That's simply not the case. The most effective self-rescue in wilderness terrain always comes from personal ingenuity and skill and making what equipment you DO bring serve more purposes, sometimes beyond what was intended.

A few examples from my list above:

- Superglue is not only a useful adhesive for minor field repairs, but as mentioned can be used to quickly and sterilely seal a cleaned wound. This is especially useful in high altitude environments where there is so little atmospheric oxygen that cuts and lacerations do not heal. Linville Gorge is high enough above sea-level to be nice and cool this time of year, but not so high that you really need to worry about an alpine manicure.

- Systemic anti-biotics are smaller, lighter, and less time consuming to apply than disinfectant of any kind or anti-biotic ointment. They are also less likely to be mis-applied and do not require re-exposing the wound to the environment like these other items. They also do not require multiple dressing changes, and thus remove the need to carry dressings in the field.

- Athletic tape can do so many things for you: Patchwork repairs, assistance in constructing an emergency shelter, taping sprained joints. Hell, you can even use it to leave your own temporary blazes if you're unsure whether you're taking the correct route and need to backtrack.

Edit: And I'm sorry, but I just can't get over the fact that you don't have any sort of disinfectant listed. With all due respect, that's just stupid.
Click to expand...

You need to remember: Your goal in the wilderness is not to fix the problem. Your goal is to produce a workable solution that will last until you can return to civilization, which should be your #1 expedited priority as soon as a serious problem occurs. You're never going to arrive at an optimal solution on the trail...resources are simply too limited.

The process is simple: Stabilize anything life threatening, then get out as soon as possible. In the event that you can't move under your own power, initiate a plan to survive until rescue arrives.

Anything not working for you at all times is working against you. Remember that mantra.

By the way, all the stuff we've gotten into so far is nowhere near as important as your clothing systems. What are your plans regarding clothing for this trip?
Click to expand...

Ah, makes a little more sense now. Never heard of using super glue to seal anything beyond minor cuts and puncture wounds, but whatever.

Also, where do you get the antibiotics? Last I checked Amoxicilan (sp?) isn't OTC... 😛

In any case, I don't plan to seriously use... well... hopefully any of the gear I listed. Obviously common sense will do more than any amount of gear I could lug. Shit still happens. I can adapt and improvise naturally enough, but when it comes to medical issues, especially severe ones, I prefer equipment that's designed for the task as opposed to jury rigging a solution from a minimalist kit. Besides, the cost of carrying what I listed is smaller than it may seem (in terms of weight/space).

As for my clothing scheme:

Hat: http://www.rei.com/product/766021

Pants:
http://www.rei.com/product/705840
Will also bring a few pairs of generic athletic shorts

Shirts:
http://www.columbia.com/Produc...irt.aspx?viewAll=False
Will also bring some of my workout shirts (short sleeve Ts, nylon/polyester).

Socks: http://www.rei.com/product/242139

Boots: http://montrail.com/Product.aspx?prod=104&cat=120&top=1

Underwear, like everything else, is non-cotton and moisture wicking.

I've also got a decent rain shell and pants, as well as a pack cover.

Edit: And a pair of Oakleys.
 
get some immodium ad so you won't have to shit in the woods 😉

how about a gun, man? rifle of some kind.

tourniquet (big latex one)

toilet paper roll

snake bite kit

knife

fishing pole
 
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: dmw16
Are you going somewhere that it is legal to carry a firearm? If so, I'd bring one along.
Click to expand...

Already addressed this. Yes it would be legal. Yes I want to. However, I don't have anywhere to keep the thing once I buy it. Parents won't let one in the house (paranoid) and the University won't let me keep one on campus. 🙁
Click to expand...
Do you have a good friend or relative that you can borrow one from? It would be strange being in the woods without a gun for me, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with that.

 
What the hell is up with everyone telling him to bring a freaking gun? I've been hiking for 25 years and it never even occurred to me that I might need a gun. Has gang violence gone up in BFE without me knowing about it?
 
Originally posted by: surfsatwerk
What the hell is up with everyone telling him to bring a freaking gun? I've been hiking for 25 years and it never even occurred to me that I might need a gun. Has gang violence gone up in BFE without me knowing about it?
Click to expand...

Actually just a few months ago my group and I ran into this weird couple on the trail. Both were dressed in camo and the guy openly carried a glock and a huge-ass knife. Woman didn't say anyhting, guy was an absolute ass. Asked us if we were drunk (we were just talking) and told us to "get out". We randomly caught up with them further down the trail at the same lookout and, for no reason, the guy took out his knife and started polishing it while giving us weird looks. There were about 20 of us, so there wasn't much he could do, but still... WTF.

There was also the comforting knowledge that even if he did draw one or the other I had a good idea of how to engage/disarm him. Obviously I didn't want that to happen, but Krav Maga = ultimate confidence booster. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: scott
We could help you better if you said type of environment.

(a) Moleskin is only half the blister fix.
Buy a small box of spenco second skin, which looks like miniature bubble wrap impregnated with jelly stuff. It?s almost weightless, cheap, in green box. Remember, it?s the small box. If you get a blister you clean it & cut some spenco second skin to cover it, and then cover that over with moleskin. Do not stick moleskin directly onto blistered skin.

(b) Nix the signal flare. If necessary, you spread out that space blanket to help the chopper see you from the air.

(c ) Nix all matches. Matches = gear from ancient past. Take 2 new plastic BIC-style cigarette lighters stowed in separate locations so if pack falls off cliff or bear runs off with it you?ll still have another.

(d) Nix the 6 Lightning Nugget Firestarters. Useless & hazardous.

(e) Nix the ACR Firefly 3 Waterbug Strobe.

(f) Nix Counter Assault 290g Bear Spray. Are you serious? Did some idiot sell you the belief a spray will deter the hungry bear? Very dangerous because it might lull you into wrongly relying on it. Maybe you list this as a joke?? I can?t tell.

(g) Nix the Magnesium Firestarter with flint strip. Bic lighters are more than sufficient - may add a sprinkle of campstove fuel if wood damp.

(h) As for your Benchmade 155SBK FixedPresidio, you can lug a big knife to be macho. I?ve done deep wilderness backpacks using just the 2.5? pocket knife on my key chain, that?s really enough.

Add:
*A cheap whistle to call for help.
*A small mirror to flash sunlight to your rescuers if in daylight. Metal mirror better. (fire & whistle at night)
*About $20 in $1.00 bills, in case you need to pay other backpackers for something on the trail, e.g.; stove gas, food, etc.
*Clothesline to hang food between trees.
*I usually take a few clothespins to hang gear on same line in morning to dry. Stuff gets damp at night.
*?Off? bug spray.
*Camera ? take only pictures, leave only footprints.
*Plastic trowel to dig holes for latrine & for dishwashing water, & coreless TP rolls.
*A few flashlights kept in separate places.
* I usually take a real lightweight thin nylon day pack or fanny pack to carry stuff while roaming away from campsite where backpack stays.
*Usually take some diversions, frisbee to play w/ others back there, star map, 1ea smallish paperback book like plant/bird identification, etc. to pass boring hours stuck in tent in rain.
*Have a damn good water filter & couple of storage bottles.
*sunscreen.
*any daily meds you normally take.
*Map in water resistant sleeve.
*Couple of pens, something to write your thoughts in.
*Stove, fuel, stainless steel cookware not aluminum (that's just me)
*food-more than you think you'll need, and plan out food budget
*clothes in layers. Night = colder ?n all get out. Day=can hike in swim trunks & t-shirt. Several pairs of sox. Maybe ski cap.
*tent, sleeping bag, inflatable mat, backpack w/ rain fly
*watch. Some take compass, I always do but don't use it.
*biodegradable dish soap & pan scrubber.
*a small sponge to help dry wet tent in morning.
* Nat?l Forest Service wilderness permit if applicable.

Be real strict with yourself about keeping food well away from tent.

You?ll have lots more fun going with a friend instead of alone.
Click to expand...

I'll be heading to the linville gorge, and surrounding wilderness.
http://linvillegorge.net/


a. I'll look into it. I've never had any trouble with blisters though. My current boot/sock combo has seen me through plenty.

b. If it's dark, that space blanket won't do much. Even in daylight a flare is much more noticeable than a red square. In addition I'm going to be surrounded by trees for the most part.

c. I like my matches. 🙁

d. And if I have to sit through a several hour thunderstorm?

e. See b

f. Better than nothing, could also help with human deterrent. My car's going to be parked in the same place for a week. Pretty prime target. In any case it is extremely rare for a black bear to hunt a human. Bear sighting are also rare where I'm going. In the very unlikely chance that I do have a violent encounter with a bear I'll be better off screaming, snapping branches and throwing rocks.

g. Always best to have a backup. Besides, it's cool. 🙂

h. Ever had to chop something? The weight comes in handy. I'm also carrying it for defense, and I have a decent bit of training in that regard.

Add:
<snip>

Whistle is a good call, and I forgot to include my mirror. Have everything else covered. This was to critique my medical and emergency survival gear only.

And I've gone with friends before and had fun. I'm going this one alone for personal reasons. I've gone weeks without human contact under much worse circumstances. This is going to be awesome.
Click to expand...

lol @ scott revising irishscott
 
irishScott, check out user nutnfancy on Youtube. He does a lot of knife and firearm reviews, but he's huge into outdoors adventures. He has a number of videos regarding first aid kits and survival gear. He seems to really know what he's talking about and is in-depth.
 
I'd personally want to bring a hatchet in addition to the knife/multitool you mentioned. Also, id make sure to take a backup compass just in case.
Also, it looks like you already have multiple ways to start fire, but if you can fit it in your pack, a Zippo might make starting fires a bit easier if it's windy or raining ...
 
Originally posted by: duragezic
irishScott, check out user nutnfancy on Youtube. He does a lot of knife and firearm reviews, but he's huge into outdoors adventures. He has a number of videos regarding first aid kits and survival gear. He seems to really know what he's talking about and is in-depth.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll look into it.
 
Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
I'd personally want to bring a hatchet in addition to the knife/multitool you mentioned. Also, id make sure to take a backup compass just in case.
Also, it looks like you already have multiple ways to start fire, but if you can fit it in your pack, a Zippo might make starting fires a bit easier if it's windy or raining ...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've got a multifunction watch with a compass that'll serve as a backup. As for the hatchet, I don't intend to do that much hacking, and my (larger) knife can probably cover that well enough.
 
Also, sounds like a lot of fun.

I'd be interested to know what your whole kit looks like. Maybe take some pictures before you leave?
 
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