Howdy all. So happy to have found this place on the web. Commendations to Mr. Ritter. This is as fine a survival site as I've ever encountered, with plenty of good info.

I dunno what your policy is on product endorsements, so I'll reserve posting my opinions/observations until I feel more comfortable about it, or you all let me know if that's okay. I do spend a fair amount of time in the bush, and in remote, relatively inaccessible locations( I am responsible for maintaining comms equipment on mountaintops 365/24/7).

What else can I tell you? I am a certified Hunter Education instructor (volunteer) for the state of Washington, and I teach camp cooking using cast iron etc through our local community education programs. I also cater outdoors on occassion.

My best survival gear is a 77 Suburban 4wd that I am "Improving" in many different ways. I don't fly much, and my sea going days are a matter of history (US Navy 20 years ago) so my tactics for survival are pretty much land based.

Anyways, I don't want to ramble too much. I look forward to posting here regularly and reading your posts with great interest.

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

Welcome to the site.Reasoned reviews of products are always welcome. It is easy ( and I am as guilty as anyone) to let personal opinions, product loyalties and anecdotal experiences overshadow true merits. Gear that works spendidly for one person or region really can be horrid for another. In the end we all "sink or swim" in our own lifejackets <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Too true. I will endeavor to avoid brand name references, and instead address particular technologies themselves, like the Luxeon LEDs I mentioned in another post, or linerlocks vs. fixed blade knives.

Thanks for the cue.