Friend is re-entering active outdoor life after decades as a desk jockey. He has a Wiggy sleeping bag and a few miscellaneous personal items (notably a Leatherman Supertool) , but is really building his kit from the ground up.

I gave him a basic survival kit and a basic personal first aid kit, and a couple survival, primitive shills, edible and useful plant books. He is signed up for a land navigation and wilderness survival course in about 4 months.

Leaving aside the question of a decent fixed blade knife for now because he can borrow one, how should he spend his $600 budget?

I suggested a Goretex bivy sack, simple alcohol stove, a black anodized aluminum cook kit, a ground cloth, sil tarp, mucho paracord, compass, and a decent backpack. This will challenge his shopping, trading, scrounging skills.

What would you suggest?