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#136412 - 06/17/08 01:47 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: OldBaldGuy]
Buffalohump Newbie Registered: 09/13/07 Posts: 30 Loc: Durban, South Africa	Thanks OBG! Yes, that thought has occurred to me. I have a couple of ditty bags that could work well, allowing me to take the whole bangshoot with me. Failing that a Ziplock would do it. I am going to make a concerted effort to find a small 'vanity' mirror to take with. A signal mirror and compass are both lacking in my PSK! The water is pure mountain spring water of far better quality than what comes out of our taps. To be doubly safe though, we will only tap fast moving streams. I do have purifying tabs though that I can add if necessary but the water is considered to be good to go straight from the source. Originally Posted By: OldBaldGuy Welcome Newguy! If weight is a problem with your PSK, I think that I might lose that Ottorbox. They are great containers, but (in my opionion at least), very heavy for their size. An old CD/DVD can be better than nothing as a signaling mirror. Nowhere as good as the real thing, but much better than nothing. I would not rely on fire/smoke for signalling, too many reasons why you couldn't get one going when needed. If you really think that you need some "rescue" rope, there are many ropes in the 7mm size that can function as climbing/emergency ropes. Here is just one. You are probably metric, so the size (7.7mm) and weight (38 grams per meter) isn't tooooo heavy. You mentioned plenty of water, but do you drink it straight from the source, or treat it somehow? I don't really know what "quality is good" means, when it comes to actually drinking it. I don't see you boiling much on an esbit stove, and if fires are a no-no, boiling that way is out also. So, does anyone in your group have a filter of some type? Have a good trip! Pics are always welcome... _________________________ Wherever you go, there you are.
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#136416 - 06/17/08 01:58 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: Buffalohump]
cajun_kw Journeyman Registered: 04/25/07 Posts: 62 Loc: Southern California	Redundancy has its place ...but I feel for you when you're already looking at a heavy load. BUT ..with that said ...its hard for me to give up the backup capacity. And tossing your PSK into the pack with everything else ...brings up one facet of the personal PSK concept that I try to consider ...and that is not having all my eggs in one basket. I would try to minimize my PSK and package it in such a way that it could be on my person at all times ... in a cargo pocket or on my belt, etc. The idea being you always have when you take off your pack. MOre than one survival story has started with a trek away from camp to get water slip and fall slide down a hill blah, blah blah. Your BEST survival tools are the one you have on you. Obviously you can't have everything on you all the time ... BUT a minimalistic few key items can make a dire emergent situation much more tolerable and thus potentially survivable.
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#136417 - 06/17/08 01:58 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: Buffalohump]
Russ Geezer Registered: 06/02/06 Posts: 5357 Loc: SOCAL	If you can find a good sighting compass many have very good mirrors in them. Of the two compasses I mentioned my favorite is the Suunto MC-2G. You should be able to find something similar in SA. _________________________ Better is the Enemy of Good Enough. Okay, what’s your point??
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#136424 - 06/17/08 02:13 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: Russ]
Mike_H Addict Registered: 04/04/07 Posts: 612 Loc: SE PA	I echo Hacksaw's recommendation of a small FAK. Do you have that planned to be in a pack or on your person? _________________________ "I reject your reality and substitute my own..." - Adam Savage / Mythbusters
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#136433 - 06/17/08 02:45 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: Angel]
Hacksaw Unregistered	A good sighting compass makes a fine signal mirror. I've put away both my signal mirrors in favor of my Suunto.
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#136436 - 06/17/08 02:50 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: OldBaldGuy]
climberslacker Youth of the Nation Addict Registered: 09/02/07 Posts: 603	Originally Posted By: OldBaldGuy Welcome Newguy! If you really think that you need some "rescue" rope, there are many ropes in the 7mm size that can function as climbing/emergency ropes. Here is just one. You are probably metric, so the size (7.7mm) and weight (38 grams per meter) isn't tooooo heavy. actually, that rope is so small because it is used for a special tecnique in climbing were you use two ropes instead of just one, so it still wouldn't be safe to use alone, you would need to carry two, and the gear for two ropes...but I guess if you had to, you could use it to rescue someone, but I wouldn't like to be the one using it....just isn't safe enough. Welcome to the fire newguy!! _________________________ http://jacesadventures.blogspot.com/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - impossible is just the beginning though i seek perfection, i wear my scars with pride Have you seen the arrow?
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#136437 - 06/17/08 02:54 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: Buffalohump]
Blast INTERCEPTOR Carpal Tunnel Registered: 07/15/02 Posts: 3760 Loc: TX	Welcome Buffalohump! It seems like everyone has supplied you with good advise, so I don't have much to add. Of course, that won't stop me from giving advise anyway. What sort of elevation change will you be dealing with? Will it be very steep or more gradual? I don't know what sort of shape you are in, but excess gear weight is brutal in the mountains. Definately replace the Otter box with ditty bag(s). Will you be using a sleeping pad? Closed cell foam or self-inflating? The self inflating are comfy, but the weight is a killer. Thermarest makes a great 14oz z-fold pad that is much better for hauling up a mountain. Don't cut vital gear just because it's heavy, but definately take weight into consideration. Better yet, load up all your gear then start climbing stairs. -Blast _________________________ Foraging Texas Medicine Man Plant Co. DrMerriwether on YouTube Radio Call Sign: KI5BOG *As an Amazon Influencer, I may earn a sales commission on Amazon links in my posts.
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#136441 - 06/17/08 03:04 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: Buffalohump]
Loganenator Bike guy Member Registered: 05/04/07 Posts: 151 Loc: Sacramento, CA, USA	Hey welcome to the forum Buffalohump, I agree with cajun that you should have the basic essentials in your pockets redundant with your backpack. Some situations may leave you without your pack. Most of the essentials have been outlined already. Making a minimal rain resistant shelter (plastic 50 gallon drum/barrel liners), Purifying water (tabs or iodine + container), making fire (magnesium block + striker), orienteering (compass), signaling (mirror) and basic first aid. Cheers and good luck, _________________________ You must be the change you wish to see in the world - MK Gandhi
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#136451 - 06/17/08 03:46 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: BillLiptak]
BruceZed Enthusiast Registered: 01/06/08 Posts: 319 Loc: Canada	Take a look at our equipment list for our 100 Kilometre Survival Challenge, you might get some ideas. It is for a 5 day trip so we will have a bit more than you, but no more food. Hundred-K Survival Challenge Equipment List _________________________ Bruce Zawalsky Chief Instructor Boreal Wilderness Institute boreal.net
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#136470 - 06/17/08 04:44 PM Re: Keeping it minimal [Re: Buffalohump]
camerono Member Registered: 02/19/05 Posts: 146	I organize a group of about 1300 backpackers. I get asked this question all of the time. Thus I have created this thread on my message board. Pictures and explinations included. Here is what I use at a minimum you of course would need more food: http://backpackers.meetup.com/114/messages/boards/thread/2281318 Cameron _________________________ Publishing seattlebackpackersmagazine.com
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