What neat adventure/survival/outdoor items are on your christmas/holiday list this year?<br><br>I'm wishing for a Krill light, a Micra, and a Petzl Zipka.<br><br>What about everyone else?<br><br>

Issue M65 field jacket w/liner, Rattan hiking staff, Brass waterproof match capsule w/compass, German utility knife w/saw. <br><br>

leatherman wave, starflash mirror and fox 40

I like my leatherman Squirt S4 better than the Micra. Just trying to give food for thought.

More Survival School time! Sadly, Chris Janowski has apparently suspended classes up in Alaska. It looks like Mors Kochanski may also be considering retirement according to Hollowtop.

The question is....<br><br>Do I put something I really really want on the list make a big deal out of it and risk not getting it <br><br>or <br><br>just let the item appear as if by magic....as if I always had it but since it was stored away never been seen, yea stored that was it.<br><br>I really want a firepiston since paramedicpete nearly started his bed on fire.

Yes and his dog too... :)<br><br>Matt

I hope I get an ATAX Survival Tool.I know the price is pretty high but I will put it on my list anyway.

I'm hoping for some math textbooks - how pathetic is that? :-0

M65 field jacket with liner, new Level III bullet proof vest, another Bushmaster AR-15 with 20" chrome-lined barrel, Colt 1911A1 Target model, and a Petzl LED Duo. Donations welcome! <br><br>John McIntire

Dear Santa,

I want a new Level IIIA Kevlar Vest for work, an M65 field jacket with a Thinsulate liner, another Bushmaster AR-15 like you got me last year, only I want a 20" target barrel this time. Also, a Springfield 1911A1 "Loaded" Mil-Spec model with night sights, and a Petzl LED Duo Headlamp. I've been very good this year. Thanks! <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

John McIntire

Hey John, got my issue/used M65 early. It arrived today. Has a regular liner, but I have a thinsulate lined fleece vest I'll be wearing under it too. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Longbow50, congrats, those M65's seem to be the perfect, all-around jacket. I'll probably stick with the regular liner like you did, the Thinsulate ones are getting expensive. How do you like it so far?

John McIntire

so far so good. Already got survival stuff in all the pockets lol. It's an older jacket and am wondering what I'll need to use in case it needs to be waterproofed again. Any suggestions?

If it's an issue field jacket, it was treated with Quarpel and can be re-treated if and when needed. You can dig the info up on the 'net by searching on Quarpel - I'm pretty sure that it's available retail (but under some other cutsey brand name) nowadays. Quarpel treatment stands up to many (~15) full Quartermaster laundry cycles, so it's quite durable.

HTH,

Tom

I was wondering the same thing, but it looks like Tom answered that for us. And the first thing I do when I get mine is fill it up too...so I know exactly what you mean. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

John McIntire

John,

You seem better connected to Santa Clause than I have been recently. Mind if I have you forward my list to the big guy? :-}

John

Hahaha, right on, I'll tell him to hook you up! I've found that leaving a case of good imported beer or a bottle of Jack Daniels (instead of cookies and milk) gets my wishlist filled!<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

John McIntire

i would suggest to get a SPECRTRA SHIELD level IIIA vest instead of an kevlar one, they are a little bit lighter, and they give give better protection agains some angled impacts... and they arent as susceptible to water/ bleach, so you can wash them !! atleast that what i have read...

".......and goodwill towards man"

Sounds good PC2K, I will definately look into those. Thanks for the info.

John McIntire

Bk-7, fire piston, cuda neck nife, BLACKHAWK OMEGA TACTICAL VEST, and if i'm lucky........not,...... a sebenza. Thats some stuff but I got to think a little.

Frank <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

aardwolfe,
I'm sure every one here wouldn't mind to post a few sums for you <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

This thread reminded me of a question I wanted to ask long ago as x-mass is all about having a good time.
When are you having the best time while you are enjoying your outdoor hobby?

There are three things I enjoy best when hiking through the country side are:

1. Being on my own, seeing the hills and only hearing only natural noises.

2. When I've put my basha up ready for the night which (if put up properly) looks totally smooth.

3. Pouring the tea from my flask into a metal mug, steam escaping and aroma entering my nostrils

When are you having the best time?

Hmmmm I love camping or kayaking alone. I just feel it is so much better that way. I love having my dog around and just relaxing before I go to sleep. Hot tea is always a good idea. Unfortunatelly my outings are rarely alone since my girl tags along or some of my buddies so the silence by camp fire changes into heated discussions. Don't get me wrong my girl is great and all but becasue of her I usually have to bring extra gear when in my case I would just sleep under the stars or under a tarp on the bed made out of leafs. I climbed mountains alone and in groups and I learned to value a companion that knows when to shut up and listen.

This just reminded me of the best camping trip I ever took. It was for just one night but the weather was perfect. I rolled out a wool blanket on the ground and slept on it without any covering. Never got too hot or cold. I don't think there was even dew the next morning. I was also lucky to have friends who knew when to be quiet.

These days, I get to teach my wife about hiking and navigation which is fun. We also have a dog now that comes with us a lot. Its a nice addition as the dog is good icebreaker when we meet other people on the trail.

Chris

I know exactly what you mean.

Not quite alone, but my best camping was with my German Shepherd dog before he died. I could sit on my butt, smoke my pipe, and think or not think. He was trained to drag fire wood to the fire, and would do so all evening and night (He didn't realize he was working). I never got cold. Never got lonely. Never worried about intruders. Boy I miss that.