IMO, you have the right approach. The point of the trip, as you said is to practice, because you don't know if the things that you have read and experimented with in a controlled environment can be done under pressure in a survival-scenario. When you practice, you learn from your mistakes. If you intentionally are going to make mistakes (ie practice <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />), then it is a good idea to have a backup system.

Maybe, when you have developed confidince in your skills, then you can plan a "survival camp" with no back ups (I think that Ron and Karen Wood from Hoods Woods do these trips).

Have fun with your experiments!