Another thought just came to mind ... make sure you include a container (plastic bag) of some kind that can hold all this stuff when you need to use the bottle. You don't want to start losing vital gear whilst gathering/treating water.

I've got the Olicamp cup with my 1L Nalgene, but they're together in a Cordura belt pouch made to fit the bottle. I just use it as a canteen, though.

There are several brands on the market, some even insulated. This one (don't remember the brand) has delta-rings for a shoulder strap, a belt loop, & a drawcord top. They're available in numerous places for $10.00 or less. I keep a spoon in the cover with mine, too.

Even a few thinner turns of tape would provide a good friction fit, too. I had not thought of the rubber band, or bandana...great ideas.

Thanks.

David

I think that is simply because there is no room and as important as shelter is, the theory is that if your kit is too big then you leave it behind and then you end up with no gear at all.

This is true and I would not dare say that having some type of a sheet of plastic isnt VERY useful but then you must also consider kit size. Notice that even Cody carries no shelter in his smallest of kits (the one based on the knife sheath which is the one kit he says he is never without).

I know I for one am very guilty of making big all-inclusive kits and then leaving them in the truck when I venture out on foot. My large truck kit (designed to support 3 people) contains a vynil tube tent, and Storm Shelter Pocket Tent and several space blankets, bivy sacks and ponchos, but none of this ever goes with me when I venture out on foot. Improvising shelter is not too difficult if youre in a decent physical and mental state when it is needed. Of course when youre cold, wet, scared, have a broken arm, and are running out of time before freezing to death, a large sheet of plastic probably makes all the difference in the world. But still one must consider the fact that it's all useless if you wont carry it.

I day hike several times per week and backpack overnight (1 or 2 night trips) about twice per month. I often go off-trail so the potential to get lost is pretty good if I'm not careful. Lately what I have been carrying is a small PSK which is actually part of my normal EDC regardless of where I am (home, office, out in the woods, etc) and a knife (also part of my normal EDC). The only thing that really changes is that when I go on a hike I usually (though not always) swap out my 3.5" EDC folder for a 4.5" fixed blade knife. Of course it is still pretty warm down here in TX and I'm hiking without a jacket too. Heck this week we have had highs in the 90s. Granted, in February when it's colder and I'm wearing a heavy down coat then you will be MUCH more likely to find me carrying a Storm Shelter Pocket Tube Tent and probably a space blanket also.

Get a large tyvek envelope, such as a USPS Priority or Express mail envelope. Crush repeatedly in hands until supple. Roll tightly, fold, and secure with a ranger band or tie. To use, open envelope and stuff with vegetation, cardboard, paper - whatever is at hand. Seal envelope if desired. Sit.

This works extremely well with one caveat: It is slippery compared to a closed cell pad, so sitting on a slope can take a bit of exertion. There are ways to remedy the slipperyness, but this is the lightest and most compact "sit pad" surrogate that I have tried so far.

Tom

Excellent idea.

I don't usually even day-hike without a foam square, it can make a huge difference in comfort and retaining body heat (not to mention for an emergency bivvy, back against a tree), but never thought it practical for a kit. Thanks.

I agree, that is a pretty slick idea. No pun intended. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Craig,

I've been meaning to give this a try. To save some space, replace the flashlight with a Photon or a Photon clone; replace the compass/whistle/matchcase with a button compass, mini Fox-40 and a Sparklite; maybe add a garbage bag and a bottle of Potable Aqua. The generic knife could also be replaced with a real SAK or small multitool.

The sitpad use of the envelope works rather well - came up with it a few years ago teaching winter survival on a shoestring.

I found such an incredible array of uses for these envelopes that I now keep a few (pre-crushed for suppleness) in use in my packs as stuff sacks - twist and gooseneck closed and tie.

Here's another example: Cut off the self-sealing flap and cut open the bottom of the envelope. Slip over boot/shoe, gusset, and secure the gusset just "over the hump" of your calf with the 1/2 self adhesive flap and at the ankle with the other 1/2. Instant gaiter. Many variations just on that use - rest is left to the user's imagination.

I found that the key to unlocking my imagination on uses is the transformation that happens when you take that smooth, stiff, shiny envelope and crush the snot out of it until it's supple - uses start leaping to mind. And testing this out is "free" if you swing by your local USPS office...

I look forward to hearing what uses others come up with that haven't occured to me yet.

Tom

There's a few things I'd attempt to do (I don't know the exact size specifications) but I hesitate to mention them because I'm a fan of gutting kits and adding a lot of new things which might be inconvinent if budget is a concern.

I assume this is carried in addition to your normal hiking gear...

Personally, I'd try to....
-See if doug's kit will fit inside, and if it will, replace the match/compass/whistle with it.

-There are first aid kits that come in packages similar to doug's kit. If you can pick one of those up, it should save you some room. Naturally you can gut that and design it around your needs too.

-Replace the flashlight with a photon II or III, or other LED of your choice. They're tiny, they last a long time, and they're useful for signalling... not so much for finding your way, but that's what a surefire is for <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

-Agreed about the cup. It's a good idea to have 2 things that can hold water, that way you don't dirty up your primary drinking container with mucky water that hasn't been filtered or purified yet. You can also boil in it.

-Go ahead and get some purification tablets. I wonder if those survival straws are any good (as a backup?)

-You might consider adding a few items like 550 cord and small eye screws. Always useful. Eye screws can be screwed into trees and fishing line or 550 cord tied to each, that way you can drape a poncho over it for shelter. You can screw them into trees on opposite sites of a body of water, and lay fishing line/550 cord across to lay a trout line or gill net of some sort.

-Consider replacing the swiss army knife with a leatherman micra. Gives you all the features (except the toothpick) and makes for better sissors.

-Again, not sure if room is there, but a full sized multi-tool might be useful as well. Some have fish scalers on them, some have saws, etc

-Keep the poncho and space blanket

-Make sure you have nice sized ziplock to carry stuff when your water container is full of water!

-Toilet paper! MRE toilet paper works, small bag of tissue, anything that'll fit. You can use it to help light a fire, and it sure beats pine cones when it comes to comfort <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Pine Cones?!?!?!?! OOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />