Emergency Camp/4x4 Bag - PICS

So this pack and contents are what I take on all my 4x4/off-road adventures. The pack is my 'backup' to the usual gear already in my jeep, and is basicaly the backup-backup of food. Meaning I always bring extra food and water but if for some reason that runs out I have suplys in my backpack. The pack comes wtih me if I drive or not. You will notice redundancy and luxury items (water treatment methods, hand warmers, aloe, shovel, etc) as well as probably more than enough of some items.

I'm looking for advice on items to add to the pack (still room).

Overall Pack Look:


Left Side


Left Side Contents


Right Side


Right Side contents


Main Zipper Pouch Contents

(Tuna is in indinvual ziplocks, and double wrpaped in freezer, and taped to prevent mishaps)


Main Pouch Pot/Cup Contents (stove & spork & replacement stuff for stove)



Main Sub-Pouch (tiny)


Main Sub-Pouch Contents

Tiny Front Pouch


Tiny Front Pouch Contents



Secondary Pouch Contents (Zipper)


Secondary Pouch Cup Contents


Secondary Sub-Pouch


Secondary Sub-Pouch Contents


First Aid Kit Modular


First Aid Kit contents

I have more pictures, and larger sizes posted in gallery too: [img]http://www.4x4shots.com/thumbnails.php?album=110[/img]

My friends Jeep broke once when we were leaving hte trail and we almost had to spend the night, I was sure glad I had the beef jerky and my hammock incase we did spend a night up there I was ready <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> That was the closest I had ever come to relying on the stuff for overnight stay that was unexpected. I've of course used items from the FAK too..

Items I think I should add.

Needle, thread, datrex rations (easier eating for me and taste better and ligther than mainstay).

What do yout hink

Looks good. 2 thoughts to add.Adventure Medical Thermo-Lite Bivy - Double

Equinox UL Tarp - 8 x 10

Very cool. I like your pack and the fact that you are a fellow jeeper. The only thing that I could add to your pack is 1 or 2 vacuum packed (or ziplock baggy) with some steel wool for fire starting. It is light weight and will burn unless dripping with water. It is the best tinder for starting a fire I have found. Other then that, I think it is a real nicely done pack.

I keep a signal mirror in my pack. (AOL keeps send me a new one every 6 months or so calling it a "CD" or something like that).

I am going to throw my hammock in my pack after reading your artical. Didn't even think of that. Good call.

I'm surprised you included the e-tool (folding shovel to the non-military types), as part of the pack kit. Wouldn't a shovel normally be part of your vehicle kit?

"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action."

Epirider - With the Trioxane, WetFire, 100+ Alcohol swabs my windmill ligther, Blast Match and lifeboat matches I don't see a reason to add bulk or an inferior (compared to the previously mentioned) fire starting method. This is just my opinion, and comes from testing almost every tender/firestarting product on the market as well as home brewed. I'm working on my review of all of these products. I have burn time, waterproofness, and a couple other statistics recorded that will be available soon.

Sorry, the signal mirror was covered by some paracord but it's in there <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


The hammock is awesome! It's light and I've used it for resting in camp while waiting for others to arrive when it was to hot to rest in the tent.

Woodsloafer- When we are snow 4wheeling we each have a snow shovel, and I like to have 2 shovels this way my passanger can help! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Normal summer trips we don't carry any speciality shovel... so this would be my only shovel, and sometimes others bring the same or similiar styled shovel. (For putting out a fire is the only use I've used it for in summer) That's why I hav eit on the pack, to have it all times <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Looks good. Only one thing....

While I assume some of the bundled items are shelter, I couldn't really identify them. There were also a few small, hand labled white packages that I think I know what they are, but aren't sure. Could you give us an inventory list? (Not a bad thing to have in the kit in any case.)

Also, I recognized the mine bag, but what is the pack you are using? It was't one I could place.

The main pack looks like the Maxpedition Vulture II:



But I can't identify the other pouches ... I've never been in the army and I don't know which pouch is a mine bag...

Frankie

Sorry, I don't have an inventory list yet... I'll make one and post it.

The white packages are 60 and 80gallon baggys, and the 3 small shiny packages are space blankets.

The pack is the Maxpedition that was posted. VERY heavy duty pack, and TONS of room, plenty for 3 day pack.

One MAJOR thing I need to add and can't stress the importance of enough is about 200ft of paracord.

This stuff has TONS of usages!

Just recently I was on hike at the lake and wanted to build a lil-log raft to float to the other side but I had forgotten to put paracord in my CamelBak! I had matches, I had FAK stuff, etc.. but NOT rope or paracord this time <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I highly suggest keeping paracord with you wherever you go!

Great looking kit! This is giving me some awesome ideas...

And I probably missed it, but how about a whistle?

Good catch!

Whistle, I haveone just not in the pack! I'll be sure to add it to my list of "To add".

Thanks!!

BTW: I also want to get another Nalgene bottle pack, and fill my other Nalgene bottle 1/2full of lightweight stuff that CAN'T get wet. This way I could put other can't get wet items from the pack into it if it was POORING. This is also another good handy storage container that could be detached and carried by someone else. I'm into modular units, especaily for this that I don't HAVE to carry on me.. but I could.

OK, musta missed it's naming.

The item I am having a hard time IDing is the black and red one that you have in your main zippered compartment. Is it a hydration bladder?

The item I describe as the mine bag is the kahki on that rides towards the bottom. CountyComm has them, they are modeled after the current claymore mine carrying bag.

I see... Thanks for the information Ironraven.

Frankie

It's drinkable water method #1 in the pack.

MSR Miniworks EX w/extra seal kit and cleaning supplys.

Cartridge Life: Up to 2,000 liters, depending on water conditions



In my other puch is a MSR Miox w/extra salt. (Uses same batteries as both flashlights)



Which is VERY VERY TINY.

In the FAK I have water purification tablets.

Super redundant <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The front removable pouch is a TAG Molle Utility Pouch.

There products (atleast this one I have) is just as tough as the Maxpedition backpack.

Ah, oops. I'm not as familiar with TAGs gear, the two pouches are nearly identical externally. The TAG is just a lot thinner.

What about this:

http://www.careplus.nl/website.asp?l=en

(Look at hygiene, than at water-filter.)

Todd, when you put together your item list, could you include the cost estimate? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I was all over the CountyComm site and did not see a bag like this... maybe you are mistaken. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

BTW: If you are not familiar with the TAG packs/bags how do you know they are a lot thinner?

I know that the TAG item is smaller becuase I can read.

http://countycomm.com/minebag.htm They also call it an "EOD Utility Bag". Little taller, little wider, and a lot thicker. I should have noticed that your pouch didn't have the carry handle and d-rings. I'm suprised you didn't see it, it's been a very popular item for them for about six months now.

The way I look at it is if it works for you, meaning if you go out and practice with the stuff you bring and really use the stuff, and you are happy with it and it works for you, great. Looks to me like you've got a pretty compact do-able system. I'm not sure where you are located, but kits tend to be geographically oriented. I live in Arizona so my GoreTex Rain suit stays in the closet most of the time, but if I lived in the Pacific Northwest.... Good Job

Thanks! That does look like a nice bag..

You mean thickness as in width? Or the thickness of the MATERIAL(this is what I thought you meant) ?

That bag is pretty big! I don't know if I would want to add that much weight. But it may serve another purpose <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, that's a big bonus as doubling the BOB as a camp/emergency pack... you get familiar with what you need and how to use everything.

That looks a heckuva lot like a Maxpedition Baby Condor...am I right? I've got one myself, but in khaki. I also use mine as a BOB/camping/hiking pack, works really well.

I have to ask though, how did you manage to attach your knife and sheath to the side of the pack? I don't see any attachment points, did you sew it on?

Depth, front to back. As much as I want one, there are things more important to use money on at the moment. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Oh in that case - yes the one you mentioned is WIDER, and I think overall larger (height too). I could never carry that + the pack talk about stress on the back.




No, this is bigger. Maxpedition Vulture II Pictured: Here

KNife connects to the side attachment points... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> knife spot is perfect.

Aha. Thanks for the link, that helps. Vulture 2 looks a sight bigger...and with waistbelt no less.

My pack is 2010 ci, yours is 2810...significant difference in volume. I was wondering how you jammed all that gear in there! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I see the attachment points in the pic, schwanky. Mine's not quite that cool, but I did manage to mount my knife to one of the shoulder straps via TekLok. Very secure.

Good post and kit, Todd. Have to get some shots of mine up sometime.

<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Ya be sure to document stuff.. I still need to do that.

I'll have to get pics and do a write-up on my CamelBak unit and kit...

Ok, I've added the army can opener, and the Sliver Gripper to the pack.

Bringing my old post up to update it.


Items to add:

-Hammock Rainfly or Tarp
-- http://www.mosquitohammock.com/ ( 3x4 RAIN FLY )
-- http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductD...SHP_CAMPING_TOC ($$ but light and small)

-Whistle
-More paracord
-Sewing Kit (EZ Stitch or something like that I forget the name, but I have one already with 6 spindles? of heavy duty thread)
-Tweezers
-Nalgene Bottle holder (replace current one)
Existing one flops around to much for me, thi sone is more secure.
http://www.tacticalassaultshop.com/cgist...id=4654235.2832
-Paper & Pen/Pencil (Waterproof atleast 1)
-Fishing Supplys (atleast a film canisters of trebbles)
-Can Opener
-UV Guard Zip Ties

Items to remove:
-MIOX (With the ability to boil water from 2 diff. containers, and also purify with the larger purifier quicker (instantly) and easier, and not require batteries, and the tablets I don't think the extra weight is needed nor the bulk or worry of needing batteries for it to run)



Also since the last update I have purcahsed a mine bag from: http://countycomm.com/minebag.htm
It works great on my vehicle in my 20mm army can. With it FULL it's almot as wide as the army can and I can fit more than 1 in the can.
Great modular system for tools, parts etc... I just wish it was 1 compartment and no "foo foo" stuff on it.

I know there's more I want to add but at this time I can't think of anything.. suggestions?

Cool kit. Thanks for sharing.

What's that outfit weigh?

Sue

Hi Sue-

It weighs a lot. I haven't weighed it but it's not something you'd want to hike miles with if you had not done it before.

I'm trying to scale it back some and re-organize. As you'll notice i'm taking off some thing(s) and adding even more.
The shovel can be left off for weight savings as well as some other modules.

It will be weighed, and a list will be created too as to final contents.

It's always being changed and is designed to work with my vehicle stuff too.

How many lexan containers? www.wiggys.com has a 32 oz S/S unit with accessory cup. It's a nice unit for cold climes AND ON SALE. You can sit steel in a fire, not lexan, nice as it is. Your 3 knives; a Busse/Swamprat/Becker? a Chris Reeves and a Victorinox Rucksack? Isn't there a can opener on the SAK? Do you have any sharpening kit? www.ragweedforge.com $20 gets you a two sided diamond plate, ceramic stick and shipping. TP? Aside from the obvious task you can make a small coffeecan heater with TP and alcohol. Finally, a cheap addition for the vehicle itself. Go out EARLY this Sunday and borrow the sunday edition from some obnoxious nieghbor. Slip it under the seat. You now have emergency insulation, tinder, TP, relatively sterile ( inside pages) dressings and reading material.

I have 1 Lexan Nalgene water bottle.
The other containers are Titanium and super light.
One of the titanium ones is rather large (cooking, boiling, etc)
The other will be great for soup, and drinkign water from (or from lexan bottle) with water from the larger one. the larger one is almost not denting the size due to the fact that the stove and heaters fit inside.

The larger knife on the side of the pack is a Ontario RAT-7 D2. The Chris Reeve's is worn on belt but figure'd id picture it. (This is one item I am debating removing due to it's weight and redundancy with the Rat-7 (wich I really really love the RAT-7 size, strength and #1 the "feel")) The Chriss Reve knife is VERY beefy but the round handle is very uncomfortable and makes your hand raw and hurts them in the cold even more. I was looking at getting the Chris Reeve Green Berret and seeing how I like that... I collect knives anyway so I'll end up with it some day <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The SAK is a Forester I believe. good call on the can opener! (Although the one I added was the mil. tiny one that goes on your keychain so not that large but now I will remove it!!!)

Great idea on the newspaper. As a kid I remember rolling up 2 pages really really tight for a longer lasting burn when we were starting a fire. A whole newspaper can go a ways.


After reviewing my kit multiple times I realize there are a LOT of luxurious items while I could get by on a lot les for long-term it is nice to have a lot of these things for short-term usage... such as breaking down when 4wheeling and needing to spend a couple nights FIXING the vehicle...

Thanks for replying Chris and if you have any other advice greatly apreciated.

The RAT-7 has a "generic" sharpening stone in the patch.. i'm sure it would work in a pinch but not for repeated or prolonged usage.
I'll look into that one you suggested.

More Items to Add:

-Salt & Sugar Packets (3/each)
-Tea/Coffee Bags (3)
-Work Gloves (MechaniX) [i'll have snow gloves if in winter]
-Mosquito Net

Ok, so as pictured I did a quick estimate of $800 worth of items over $50 not counting any misc. items.
I would put the value at anywhere from 1000 to 1300 coutning all the smal items and items I plan to add.

You can of course save a bunch by not going with the Chris Reeve knife, scaling down the flashlight, getting rid of the miox, etc.