Your pretty close to the way I feel about it... but a sharp rock will take the place of a knife.... The trouble with these threads is none of these tools, foods, shelters, and clothing will get the 1 thing you truley need...water.....<br>if you can get water then you can survive. perhaps besides water the next thing one needs most is WILL POWER to survive...... my 2 cents anyway....... the rest of the stuff is a luxury.....But we live in luxury, and since we can do better faster with tools, to be more comfortable each and every one makes sense. The trouble is having them when lease expected, and prayiing that they are still in working order.Mac<br><br>Came back in on edit: mebrad I think that you are selling primitive skills short. Admittedly these skills must be learned, but I don't think that is so hard to do. i have to question what you say about the bow drill, and about cordage. While it is true I have training in these crafts, anyone can learn them. it is the time factors you have set that I disagree with.<br><br>i am an old coon and I know you can tell.... i know what works for me, and i know it can work for most anyone too.<br><br>Unfortuantly hikers get hurt and killed here. They have the best of the best stuff. Far more money goes into the equipment than I ever could afford, but they freeze, and die.<br><br>There are 2 things that bother me about this. Since they have the best of the best, and did not even loose a plane in the process why is it that they abandon their gear and run?<br><br>Why is it they have no will to live?