Ah! I forgot about your database suggestion! I'm glad you're jogging on that again.<br><br>I was (am) still interested in what others have to say because somebody is going to think of / use something I have not, and maybe it would improve my kit.<br><br><<...down to the point of entering the woods nude because, theoretically, you could build shelter, fire- make clothing, purify water, etc, etc from nothing man made>><br><br>Nope, not me, nu-uh. Maybe I would make it - depending on climate - but my known skill set does not include being "stripped down" that far. You must be thinking of folks like Chris or Hikerdon... I'm not that knowledgable/skilled.<br><br>Nothing unusual in what I carry. I dress for the season (not simply the forecast). Strewn about my pockets and person are basic tools like sharps, ignition sources, illumination, etc. My EDC stays about the same all the time, except I add a Wave on the belt, a Silva Whistle/button compass/thermometer/magnifying glass on a lanyard, a match safe, a white Photon II on a break-away lanyard, and maybe one or two other items depending on my mood. Oddly enough, I rarely carry a notepad EDC any more (Palm instead), but whenever I go "out", I add a small Rites-in-the-Rain notepad and a small "space pen" and cut-down pencil (leave the Monte Blanc at home) - even tho I still take my Palm. Guess I don't fully trust the Palm on an instinctive level. Oh - I add a sealed Altoids tin based PSK to one pocket lately, but I consider that a real dire case back-up kit. <br><br>I don't need to check my pockets to know that my EDC ALWAYS includes a very sharp 3 blade Old Timer, SAK, butane lighter, Hot Spark & very small MeyerCo lockback clipped together, turquoise Photon II, Leatherman Micra, red Photon II, a couple of mashed-down Spark-Lite tinders (wallet), Palm Pilot, and a couple of lengths of brightly colored nylon mason's line. My eyeglasses, randomly worn but always on my person, are UV blockers, anti-scratch coated, and impact-rated - as are my sunglasses, which I MIGHT have on a given outing (or not) in an Eagle Creek carrier dangling on me or in a pocket. Clean handkerchief (I should switch to a bandanna for EDC), wallet, keys, etc - normal pocket junque for an urban worker. Always a belt; depending on the trousers, suspenders as well (belt then is for holding things like the Wave - I'm not paranoid about keeping the trou up!)<br><br>My canteen is a US GI 1 quart with cup and cover and a bottle of iodine tabs. In winter/freezing conditions I substitute a Lexan 1 quart bottle (Nalgene brand) with a nesting cup in a home-made insulated bottle carrier (no iodine tabs) - I like the wide mouth, like the way it fits in packs, but don't like the form factor carried in an accessible location. The Nalgene bottle is carried slung cross-shoulder under my outer garment to keep it from freezing. Canteen shape is better for me most of the time. Both include a clean handkerchief between the cup and the bottle/canteen - strains big cooties, wipes out the cup, keeps things from rattling (although the canteen is fine in that regard as-is), etc.<br><br>I'll accept the food you mentioned - I will not starve - but that would be snack food for me - I carry about 3,600 calories emergency food normally; snacks/lunch is additional. There is also a "comfort ziplock" with 4 packages of "MRE" toilet paper, tea and coffee, sugar, salt, pepper, boulion cubes and other odds and ends - assume I have that with me; it's small. I'll leave the 4 oz Nalgene bottle of instant coffee behind this time <sniff>.<br><br>Unless specifically hunting with a long-gun, I usually carry a pistol instead (except not around here in Illinois, ahem...). If I do not have a long-arm with me, I carry/use a stave (hiking staff) of seasoned white oak - a little over my head in height.<br><br>I carry a poncho liner, minimum. In that goes. Disposable reflective blanket (they're cheap and I have lots - actually, I usually carry 2, but I'll cut down for the fanny pack). I normally carry a tarp (minimum is a rip-stop GI poncho, but my daypack usually has better than that) - let's call it for the GI poncho, since space is at a premium. Two 3 mil 55 gallon (black) trash bags, tightly rolled, stuffed into a USPS tyvek envelope, rolled, and wrapped with about 50 feet of brightly colored nylon mason's twine.<br><br>I usually carry a tightly rolled tyvek jumpsuit (big enough to go over all but winter clothes) ditto in a USPS tyvek envelope, but it will stay home this time.<br><br>1 Pair of heavy socks (wool - synthetic blend) in a ziplock. I pair leather gloves - either deerskin if not winter or cowhide (?) thinsulate if wintery - these are chore gloves, not what I apt to be wearing while trudging.<br><br>My personal 1st Aid kit, which is in a small plastic fly box doubly secured with "ranger bands", which also clench two current-issue compressed field dressings to the outside of the box. My repair kit goes everywhere with me, but it is not going to fit in the fanny pack, so I'll rely on the stuff in my PSK if I absolutely must make some minor repairs. (Mine includes a miniature awl/blade holder I machined up from an xacto clone #2 knife handle).<br><br>I'm guessing that this probably fills up the fanny pack, but I absolutely will have a sit-pad with me, period, because I ALWAYS carry one. Big time habit; I've even simply carried it stuck in my waistband (kidney side). Oh, I could throw in my Grohman-type fixed blade knife - it's what I toss in normally anyway, and I never carry that one on my belt. (I'll for sure leave an SRK at home this time). If I am small game hunting or fishing, I'll have a Gerber bird-and trout (don't think they make it anymore) instead of the Grohman. The Gerber is NOT suitable for splitting wood; the Grohman is. Assume worst case - the Gerber.<br><br>Oh - I always have a clutch of cord about my person when I go out. 12 foot lengths of dacron cord about 1/4" diameter or thereabouts - I know, I know, "it should be paracord" - I'm being honest. I carry paracord in my daypack, but this fanny pack thing is tiny to me. I'll have at least 4 pieces of 12' long dacron cord with me; that's for sure. It probably will be in a pocket because that's where it's handy for me. It's what I use for utility cord routinely, it's always with me in the woods. I'm feeling a little paranoid without more than the 4 hanks I keep in my pockets, but it will pass... There's some paracord wrapped around the PSK - there! I DO have some of that with me (whew! maybe they won't toss me out of the forum...).<br><br>Even around here I carry an Esbit stove and a basic load of tabs, but I'll drop that out of the fanny pack. If I'm in more hazardous surroundings, I carry a Peak I (no extra fuel for day trips), but that's not gonna fit by a mile. I will, however, leave at least one of the three trioxane bars in the fanny pack - that is my "Aw, shucks!" firestarter.<br><br>As I wrote earlier, I feel confined with the fanny pack, but that's all I think I could fit from my habitual carry into that space. I have made expedient camp many times over the years and can't recall ever being extremely miserable doing so... there were two times years ago that I screwed up big time and was NOT fully prepared. Grizzly bear bits broiled over a tiny coal fire are extremely tasty, actually (above tree line, indiginous coal, retreat to tree line was not a viable option). The other time darned near killed me...but hey, I lived. No animals were hurt during the making of this... Point is, although I'm slow (took me two times), I learned a long time ago to not leave camp unprepared to stay away from it for a few days, so I don't. Not even here in tame old Illinois...<br><br>That's my story and I'm sticking to it... now let's here what the more organized minds here would carry - some of you guys like fanny packs and probably have figured out how to stuff a small base camp in one <grin>. I am looking forward to reading these...<br><br>Regards,<br><br>Tom<br><br>