Equipped To Survive Equipped To Survive® Presents
The Survival Forum
Where do you want to go on ETS?

Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 >
Topic Options
#23609 - 01/22/04 08:22 PM A seasonal BOB problem
joblot Offline
enthusiast

Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 258
Loc: Scotland
This question probably relates more to those living in a 3 or 4 season area, but I stand to be corrected.

As part of my BOB I have invested in a 4 season tent with all the trimmings. That with the rest of my equipment fills a 65L rucksack, and I still wish I had room for more. God forbid if I ever did have to bug out, I think the sheer weight and stress of carrying it any distance would kill me long before the "rampaging Hoards" or any "Dirty bomb" could - which got me thinking....

1/ I don't/shouldn't need the tent for at least 2 seasons out of 4, do I then put together 2 BOBs , one for the summer and one for the winter? I would save a lot of weight by not taking the tent. Would a couple of strong Tarps, extra clothing and more food be a more sensible use of the space in my BOB? It would also mean that one BOB suits all seasons.

2/ Assuming I come to the conclusion the tent is indespensible. Do you store the tent inside your rucksack or strap it on the outside and hope the rain doesn't soak it completly?

There are a number of solutions to my problem:
a/ I could find another means of transport bar my legs, and hope the Gestapo let me out of town
b/ Split my BOB into two parts where a bag of "extras" could be fitted in where the tent was.A layered approach to a seasonal problem. I would also have to pack the tent so it would have a quick release mechanism....! The downside of this is my BOB is never ready just to pick up and go with.
c/ Start saving (or maybe dreaming) and buy my self a bunker in the country, and store some gear there.

Has anyone thought this through and come to any sensible solutions?
Planning for disaster isn't easy...

Martin

Top
#23610 - 01/23/04 03:10 AM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
AyersTG Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/10/01
Posts: 1272
Loc: Upper Mississippi River Valley...
Martin,

It's knotty problem that I don't have a final answer for. There are all sorts of nuances - not simply the shelter. I seek a layered, modular approach to the whole "essentials" kit that ranges from what's on my person thru day-pack level to full-up expedition kit. Somewhere in the vast middle area are the kits I would call my BoBs.

I don't include a tent in any BoB pack. That's add-on gear for us in the BoB realm - but from separable FAK on up there is *something* stowed in the shelter category. Temperate zone here with all 4 seasons from hot and humid to frigid and dry.

Ahhh - I'm not sure I'm being clear...

I'd like to pick this thread back up Sunday PM - helping with homework right now and I have to pack up some kit for a weekend outing afterwards.

Regards,

Tom

Top
#23611 - 01/23/04 06:43 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
billvann Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 05/10/01
Posts: 780
Loc: NE Illinois, USA (42:19:08N 08...
To add a quick comment to Tom's reply. Consider using a modular/strapped on approach with 2 change overs schedule to coincide with the "2" season issue. That also an ideal time to review the contents to replace or recycle replenishables (food, meds, water, etc.)
_________________________
Willie Vannerson
McHenry, IL

Top
#23612 - 01/23/04 08:29 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
Anonymous
Unregistered


Personally, I'd go for option 1. I don't believe that a tent is nessecary in any season (bar arctic conditions). A tarp can be rigged in many different ways to creat a completely weatherproof structure. It is also much easier to use it in conjuction with found and natural materials to create a more sturdy shelter. It is also less conspitious and easier to repair.

However, having a tent is nice and a comfort to have, espessially in bad weather, and as you have bought it specially, I would change my BOB to suit the time of year.

(Sorry about the spelling)

Top
#23613 - 01/24/04 07:39 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
joblot Offline
enthusiast

Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 258
Loc: Scotland
Thanks for your responses. I'm erring on the side of leaving my tent outside my BoB, and use the tent for leisure activities.
However my skills useing a tarp are somewhat limited, and I won't rate any structure I could create against a winter storm.(Murphys law states that if a storm is going to hit, its going to hit while your bugging out!)
Does anyone else have a tent in their BoB? What do you do?
It'll be interesting to see what Tom comes back with.
No Pressure for an anwser Tom....honest! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Martin

Top
#23614 - 01/24/04 10:30 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
boatman Offline
Addict

Registered: 03/10/03
Posts: 424
Loc: Michigan
You should check out Blackhawk Industries.They make many pouches where you could attach the tent to the outside of your pack.You can also use these pouches to make a modular approach.Put your year round "gotta haves"in the main pack and put seasonal stuff in add on pouches.
BOATMAN

Top
#23615 - 01/25/04 01:57 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
joblot Offline
enthusiast

Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 258
Loc: Scotland
thanks for the link. I tried to access the site, but its so graphics intensive, I had to close the browser down before my 3 year old PC seized up. Talk about memory hogging!
Martin


Top
#23616 - 01/25/04 03:15 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
Anonymous
Unregistered


Don't give up on Blackhawk Industries. Yes it is owned by a friend of mine and yes I'm biased. I use a lot of their gear both personally and as part of a package we provide the military. They build great stuff and customer service combined with on time shipping/delivery is first rate or I wouldn't work with them. See if you can order a catalog from the website. Check out Hydrastorm at Blackhawk for hydration gear too. Bill

Top
#23617 - 01/25/04 05:35 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
aardwolfe Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 08/22/01
Posts: 924
Loc: St. John's, Newfoundland
Well, what sort of a scenario are you envisioning using your BOB for?

If you need to use it in summer, and you're reasonably sure that you'll be home by Christmas, then you won't need the 4-season tent. Otoh, if you're envisioning an extended vacation from civilisation, you'll probably want to be carrying at least enough stuff to get you comfortably set up for the cold season. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Another point is that, if you're planning on escaping by snowshoe, you will want to be hauling a sled - much, much easier than carrying 125 pounds of gear on your back. (Not to mention you'd probably need snowshoes 6 feet in diameter to support the added weight <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> ) So you might want to invest in a cheap plastic sled (Can$20 at Canadian Tire) and load your winter supplies in that. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."
-Plutarch

Top
#23618 - 01/25/04 07:16 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
Tjin Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
i would recomend a european brand, like snugpak, karrimor, london bridge, etc. they will give you more bang for the buck sort to speak, that is if you buy them in europe.
_________________________


Top
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 >



Moderator:  Alan_Romania, Blast, cliff, Hikin_Jim 
March
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Who's Online
1 registered (SRMC), 332 Guests and 70 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
GallenR, Jeebo, NicholasMarshall, Yadav, BenFoakes
5367 Registered Users
Newest Posts
What did you do today to prepare?
by dougwalkabout
Yesterday at 11:21 PM
Zippo Butane Inserts
by dougwalkabout
Yesterday at 11:11 PM
Question about a "Backyard Mutitool"
by Ren
03/17/24 01:00 AM
Problem in my WhatsApp configuration
by Chisel
03/09/24 01:55 PM
New Madrid Seismic Zone
by Jeanette_Isabelle
03/04/24 02:44 PM
EDC Reduction
by EchoingLaugh
03/02/24 04:12 PM
Using a Compass Without a Map
by KenK
02/28/24 12:22 AM
Newest Images
Tiny knife / wrench
Handmade knives
2"x2" Glass Signal Mirror, Retroreflective Mesh
Trade School Tool Kit
My Pocket Kit
Glossary
Test

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.