>>as what I was trying to do was get people to think about the process of selection.<<

That's one of the reasons I love visiting ETS and this forum. It's designed as a platform to make folks use their best survival asset, their brain. The best kit components are those that serve multiple uses in different circumstances. Thanks

I agree. These forums are one of this sites biggest assets.

Does anyone recognize the black zippered pouch with the
'Day Hunter" kit on page 75? Know where I might obtain one?

Greg,

The pouch used for the Day Hunter was an old pouch from Eagle Creek, which has been discontinued. However, they offer a new pouch similar called the "Express Pouch", which is still available in black. It is an updated version of the old pouch. See www.eaglecreek.com and do a search for "Express Pouch". Hope this helps.

Fox10

Fox10,

For a CamelBack Blowfish size backpack what is your favorite emergency shelter? How would you set it up for cold and rain?

Thanks! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Craig phx,

I don't have alot of time to think about this question, or respond, but here is the short answer.

The only camelbak packs I work with are the militray models, so I'm not real familiar with the Blowfish. I checked quick online and it seems to be just slightly smaller than the M.U.L.E., which I do have, but have replaced with the Transformer. If I have the size right it should accomodate anything I carry.

Now keep in mind, as with all personal kits, what I carry may not be what somebody else carries. For Shelter, in the M.U.L.E. or Transformer (and even my Fatboy), I always carry a hooded All Weather Space blanket and an ultralite silnet Poncho/Tarp. With room, I also carry sveral HD Contractor garbage bags. Of course this doesn't mean I won't have emergency blankets, a coccon or a storm shelter. These might be additional if room permits.

In regard to how I would set up for cold and rain, it would depend on many variables such as location (forest, desert, etc) and season. I would assume you are talking about spring-summer-fall, as you would be carrying more than a Blowfish if it was winter. I am usually in wooded area such as the Catskills or Adirondacks, so I'll respond for that area.

Of course, before I considered a shelter, I would consider time available, weather, season, location, terrain, etc.

For an emergency set-up I would probably build an Immediate Action Shelter, using the poncho/tarp as a tarp (keeping it close to the ground) and the hooded All Weather Space blanket as a blanket (with the hood on). Contractor garbage bags would be filled with leaves and pine needles, with one used as insulation between me and the ground, and another as a comforter over me. This should get me through a night of rain and reasonable cold.

If time permitted, I would probably build an Improvised Shelter such as a Fallen Log, Tree Root, or Natural A-Frame Shelter (Tom Brown calls this last one a debris shelter). I would use the ultralite poncho/tarp to waterproof the top before completion, so additional sticks and debris keep it from blowing off. The blanket and contractor bags would be used the same.

Of course this is a quick response and anything could change after analyzing the situation. If I had any larger pack, such as my camelbak H.A.W.G., I would also have my hammock and larger utralite tarp, and I would be in heaven, so to speak.

Hope this answers your question?

Fox10