What I will be doing later this summer:

"We walk individually into nature for a personal three-day quest in the area around camp. The gear that you are allowed for this quest is a pair of pants, t-shirt, socks, shoes, water bottle and knife."

What water bottle and knife would you take?

A large, unlined stainless steel bottle, usable for heating water, with a secure cap. A knife with a four inch blade, reasonably sharp and sturdy.

Actually for the equivalent weight, there are things I would rather have than the knife.....

For instance... what?

1)tinder and matches/lighter. 2) Then I would consider something, depending upon the situation and terrain, that would facilitate sheltering, like a survival blanket. 3) Perhaps a small light.

Then I would like a nice wine, a rare steak, a down bag, my foam bad, a hearty Thermos of tea....

Not sure what the terrain or temperatures will be for your quest, but if you are allowed to build a fire, I would have to go with a the large Victorinox Swiss Army knife that has a saw blade and a magnifying glass. I would also bring a large dark colored cotton button shirt to erect a sun shade with. You could cut some long thin sticks with the saw, lash them together in a dome shape with your bootlace ends and cover with the shirt. Use the magnifying glass to build a campfire and boil drinking water in your unlined, unpainted, stainless steel bottle.

As the above posters, I would bring a stainless steel unlined water bottle capable of water cooking and whatever knife you feel works for you and the conditions. I guess the lack of more gear is paramount to the purpose of this quest, letting you practice bare bones hard core fire making skills, shelter building and so on.

That being said--- would you consider paracord shoe laces cheating the purpose of this quest? (Can never have too much cordage... being so minimalistic equipped I figure those inner paracord strands would be much appreciated in shelter building.)

I really hope you feel like posting your experiences from the quest on the forum. I certainly enjoy reading your posts

I would go with any good size stainless steel bottle (say 26-32 Oz ish) as for the knife I would go with a Swiss army knife with a wood saw (maybe a vic farmer) as from your scenario there seems little danger and help nearby if needed,(sounds some what like testing your gear in your backyard)though like Byrd Huntr I'm whery of only having a T-shirt, a proper shirt seems better.

There's an interesting mod on the sosak forum where someone cut off a Philips screwdriver and put a brass tube over the stub to hold a flint that I think would be usefull

Largest Stainless steel waterbottle I could find,Merino wool pants,shirt,socks,& boxer shorts made of silk.A quality Large Knife w/7" or more blade,(you can always choke up on the blade if need be).If you are allowed a fire,a chunk of Granite & that large blade will produce sparks on top of your pre-gathered dried moss/bark & dried sap.

How are you all going to light this fire?
The Sock

Thanks for the input, everyone. I will post more about the experience after I survive it.

I am pretty sure paracord shoelaces are okay, but will ask claification and let you know.

Part of the lead up to the event has been primitive fire-starting with hand- and bow-drill. I struggle with both so we will see. I do have time to work on my technique.

I think I see a Guyot bottle in my future, in part because I like their gear, but will also be looking at simple pots.

I do not believe a multi-tool or SAK is acceptable and at this point intend to bring a robust but modest-sized fixed blade knife.

I am probably going to bring a long-sleeved tee-shirt but think that is as far as I can go shirtwise within the spirit of the exercise.

Edit: I do not care what anybody says, there will be underwear to go with my pants!