Several years ago I used to camp for weeks at a time in the Smoky Mountains with nothing but a blanket and a knife. Not bad for a girl huh? There were two things I missed most about civilization. Variety in food and seasonings. I finally solved that problem with my staff of life. It's a bamboo staff about 6 feet long and about 2 inches across. I put a metal cap on the end and put a variety of dry beans, rice, chicken bullion and seasonings in baggies in it and capped the end. It holds enough for a couple of weeks (longer if rationed) and it really isn't that heavy when you consider that you will be eating good. Each baggie contains one portion. Now I also carry a BOB with everything else I need in it.
[color:"red"] [/color] "Not all who wander are lost"

That's a neat idea, thanks... and welcome aboard.

Troy

Angel: you're an angel, welcome aboard. Nice to see that more and more girls are getting into survival and the outdoors. (you should ask to the girls in my class who can lite a fire without their daddy's help........ <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> )

About the ''staff of life'': Did you get the idea from Ranger Rick?

http://www.therangerdigest.com/ (click on ''Walkin sticks'')

Can you post a list of your BOB/PSK? Thanks.

Take care and welcome,

JIM

Actually , I came up with my staff after about 3 weeks in the mountains, a long time ago. I also keep 2 metal skewers in my staff and 2 clamps on my staff in case I need to attatch a skewer to the end. Mine doesnt look nearly as nice as those on the site you posted but it's what I need. As for my back pack, it changes almost everytime I go out. It's very basic though. Here's what I have in it now.

Ozark Trails 7pc. cook set (it's very compact)
silverware
potholder
small stainless steel bowl
Jar of chicken bullion, not the cubes
a variety of condement pks from resturants
sewing kit
small tupperware container with misc things in it (leatherman tool, signal mirror, cotton balls, fire starter, rubber bands)
1 spool of artifical sinue
2 spools of fishing line 6# & 20# test
duck tape
knife
hatchet
machette
flash light and radio that doesnt require batteries
small plastic jar of fishing tackle
extra socks
poncho
thermal blanket
a few tie wraps
maps of my area and one of the us in general
a compass
spool of nylon cord
about 50 feet of paracord
the plastic liner from a box of wine (just for around camp not to carry around)
a mesh hammock
small bottle of dishwashing liquid
2 pks soft pack baby wipes
first aid kit
Thats about it for now but like I said it changes.
When I was little , my dad always told me that the goal wasn't just to survive but to thrive. I was really lucky that he took the interest.

*bows deeply* Welcome, mi'lady.

I like this idea. Have you had any issues with spliting? My experinces with hollowed out bamboo never really convinced me of it's strength, but I'm also known to use my staff as a structural item in hasty shelters, or wack things with it.

I'm not really that rough with my staff. If something needs to be whacked I generally use my machette and unless its raining I dont really use a shelter. I've had the same staff for alot of years with no problems.

Cool - and welcome.

So do you routinely heat water and/or cook with an open fire?

Regards,

Tom

*sheepish grin*

Yeah, I'm sometimes a little hard on gear. And the shelter I use my staff for is only for fast moving rain that suprises me.

But it is still a good idea. I might be able to adapt it to something a little more Raven-proof than bamboo. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I always have a small campfire when I'm out but I am very careful with it and never leave it alone. I don't as a rule keep one going all the time.

Interesting.

So essentially you lived by fishing?