Still works that way JPickett.

I don't understand why on a day hike, on pavement - as you relate - there's a need for a folding saw and two fixed blade knives. Besides increasing the weight of your pack to make the walk a more strenuous workout, what's the point (note clever pun ...)?

Well, it's her standard dayhike kit. No mention in her post of pavement or shopping for designer shoes.

It's easier to have a standard kit that you know and is ready to go. That's what I try to do: standard kit, grab that bag and head out the door. I tie the main compartment with a coloured twist tie that tells me I have replaced/refilled everything and am ready for blastoff.

Speaking of blastoff: If you survey the kit that new moms carry, you quickly realize that the Apollo astronauts were practically buck freaking naked in space. A new mom stroller could colonize Mars with stuff to spare.

OK, within the law, anyone is entitled to carry whatever they please. In a follow-up posting bpj said she was on pavement the whole way, which is where I got that info. My question is, why on a day hike would a Mom pushing a stroller need two fixed blades and a folding saw. If it's "standard kit" what's the point?

Maybe the baby needs a knife to help out mommy?

We've seen a number of posts from bpj where she is practicing firemaking skills, testing her gear, and teaching her older child survival skills. All with the perambulator and new addition as part of the entourage.

I absolutely see your point tomfaranda. (LOL!) I guess I need to clarify that this is my standard day hike kit, and for the average mom, it probably seems ridiculous. Funny what the word "mom" conjurs up, isn't it? (BTW, none of the moms here are what I would call average.)

I think I said in the video that my Mora LMF is my standard carry, but I had the BG knife and folding saw in there because of things we've been working on lately...

Mora = shavings, feather sticks, carving, whittling, etc.
BGUSK = chopping and batonning
Bacho Laplander = sawing pieces of wood to length
*These are all skills I often work on while I'm hiking, or taking a break from hiking

A lot of the trails we've been on recently are paved, but we've also been practicing lots of skills in the local forests. When I'm out with the bacpacbaby these days, I'm not venturing anywhere remote or difficult to access, where navigation tools are crucial, but please remember that I do go out with just bacpacboy and I am also a Scout leader and use this kit when I'm out with our Pack and Troop. I don't always take all three tools, but I often do, depending on what the plan is.


Maybe I should call it my Day Hike and Bushcraft Pack....

We don't do it that way in Canada, JPickett, though I wish we did. Cub Scouts don't get tokens. Many groups, including ours, teach them to use tools like knives and saws, but they have to wait until they are Scouts (11 yo) and earn their permits to be able to carry and use them unsupervised. They are permitted to have a folding knife in their survival kits if their Pack and parents say it's ok.

Exactly, Doug. Thank you. I've had some discussions lately with people who feel that they have to give up their outdoor pursuits because of their kids. I have the exact opposite approach. I'm trying to find ways to get dirt time with the kiddos. My son loves and thrives in the outdoors and is becoming quite the young bushman. My daughter loves being outside and hopefully will continue to feel that way as she gets older.

that piece of kit with the naked butt is really going to slow you down. I suggest that you suspend him from a tree branch using his t-shirt and some clothes pegs, and pick him up on the way out :-)

Pete2