Maybe some of y'all can log on to the wiki and add your input.

Camp With Less Gear

Can't add unless you are a registered user. Oh well, maybe someone else will want to comment about an FAK as an essential.

It seems to be aimed at backpackers more than survival: cut the handles off your toothbrushes, put food in plastic bags, use titanium stuff.

I'm after more gear, not less, in a survival situation: I want my stove, my fuel, my tent, my shade structure/rain shelter, my food in original boxes and cans, more clothes than two sets. My situation may be different from whoever is doing the wiki. In fact it probably is. Following someone else's rules mindlessly is not a good thing, in my very humble opinion.

In fact, I've got 3 cookstoves in case one fails. I've already got four tents and two shade structures, a tarp, a tube tent, a small shelter, a couple of weeks worth of canned groceries, ceramic water filters, buckets, wind up radios and lights ... . I plan on bailing out in place, though.

To each his own.

Well yeah, I want all that stuff and more but I might be forced to go with what I can carry on my tired ol' back.

Here's a link to Flickr's lightweight travel photo pool:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/travel-light/pool/

Here's one guy's kit for 18 days in Asia:

Link to the photo's Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raincitystudios/153209192/
which IDs each item for your browsing pleasure.

What are the cancer sticks for?

Marlboros are prime trade/tip/bribe goods in many foreign countries, and even in the US-if all the stores are closed down.

Jeff

Anyone who has served in the Army or Marines in a light infantry unit, Special Forces unit can talk authoritatively about camping light. Once you pack all of the mission essential gear and team gear, you have little room left food, water and comfort. We usually ended up carrying about one meal a day and had to procure water as we went. As for comfort, it was a poncho, poncho liner, canteen cup, knife or two, 550 cord (parachute cord) and 100 mph tape (green duct tape). If it was really cold, you could carry a sleeping bag. The only toiletry item was usually a small travel toothbrush in your pocket. There was never any smoking allowed in tactical situations, so most guys dipped snuff; that became like gold for trading.

He says he smokes 'em. Would you believe it?

He also says Marlboros are made in China, and he's heard they use the same stuff in cigarettes as in their milk and pet food, so he's bringing his own. :-/