Well, I failed at purchasing a backpack yesterday.

When it came down to it I still need to decide a few things.

Do I want a hydration system? That's extra money and I'd probably use the pouch for other stuff any way.

Also, do I want external water bottle pockets?

How many pockets do I really need in the backpack?

Would a basic one be fine with things in ziplocks?

I am basically an urban/suburban creature.

I guess I need to decide what I really want to carry with me.

Ugh!

Hey MoBOB,

For packs, I would prioritize the access to water wether it is in the form of a bladder or bottle pockets both make it easy to stay hydrated on the move. I have been hiking without them and noticed I never drank until I was thirsty (typically meaning moderate dehydration) because I had to take my pack off to drink and then put it back on to continue it was a hassle.

On the hikes I have used packs with either a bladder or side bottle pockets I noticed I drank more and didn't have to take as many breaks, allowing me to cover more ground in a day. Making your priorities (like water) an easy task allows much easier traveling. Personal recommendation: get both...I never depend on bladders as my sole water carrier. One little hole and you're out of business.

On another note: deciding what to pack first is a good strategy. I am guilty of buying a huge pack and then deciding what I want to take second. When you have room to spare you end up putting more on your back than you intended (60-80lbs instead of 30-40lbs). It is nice to have room in your pack for extra food and clothing but that extra room is always enticing to fill with "gear" instead (e.g. I already have two knives but I better pack a multitool...just in case).

Cheers,
Nemo.

Sad to say? Wow, you just joined a short while ago. And how many college students even think of having a BOB? I think you should have a BOB, but I also think your far ahead of most for your age.

Thanks, Dan_Mcl,
it seems to me that im behind the curve and have alot of catching up to do.

We all started somewhere!!

Although my mother was telling my daughter today that I was born a survivalists.

I reminded her that although everyone who knows me also says that I am crazy, however,,,no one has ever called me "stupid"!!!!

I bought two kits with Eneloops that has only AA and AAA batteries, but it also has things like these that allow the AAs to be inserted to create a C or D cell. I did not buy it through Amazon, but the kits I bought are like these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012S5CSY?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=nextag-ce-tier1-20&linkCode=asn

I've been thinking about getting some of those adapters. Nearly everything I have is AA with the exception of a couple odd thinks like the coleman air mattress pump. it gets used so little that I hate to buy batteries for it so an adapter to run off my existing stock of AA's could work there.

I got the seeds today at a bargain! They normally went for $1.59 or a $1.79 per pack but I got 40 packs at $1.50 per pack. This brings up another point that I will bring up on the appropriate thread which isn't this one.

I also picked up a Hunting Dog First Aid Kit (HDFAK) that even has instructions for treating the dog that you accidentally shot with your shotgun, depending on the range of the shot, among many other instructions for providing 1st Aid to your dog(s).

Wildman,

Cool deal on the seeds! Where did you get them?

-Blast

At a Mom & Pop feed & seed store in Scott, La.

I find it very strange that the Burpee seed salesman has not returned since last spring. Could that be an indication of many more people starting to prepare for some economic hardtimes or a food shortage???? Perhaps that is why many of the seed companies are reporting that they are getting to the bottom of their seed supplies already.

I found both vegetable AND herbal seeds. I got about 3 packs of dill for pickling use.