Posted: 6/9/2013 3:33:17 PM EDT
|
I was hoping to get your assessment of my GHB. My bag is a Condor Hydration II pack. The contents are:Ghb Inventory
Water: -1 quart usgi canteen -1 500ml bottle -1 iodine tabs -1 hydration bladder 2.5L -1 platypus 1L fold away water bottle -1 platypus .5L bottle Food: -1 mre Fire: -1 mag fire block -5 vas cotton balls -1 lighter -1 box matches Tools: -1 50' of snare wire -msr pocket rocket stove -1 4oz JetBoil fuel can -100' of 550 -25' of 550 -1 multi tool -1 head lamp with extra batts -1 hh flashlight -2 fishing kits -1 medical kit -2 chem lights -1 poncho -1 carabiner -1 sewing kit Knife: Cold steel recon 1 Bm nimravus My AO is 22 miles from work to home, small terrain changes with one decent mountain to cross by road. Pack is always accompanied by my sidearm. Thx for the feedback |
|
As a Get Home Bag, you seem a little light on food. I don't see a need for snares and cooking utensils unless you are figuring on extended stays somewhere. I'd add more food and a water filtration apparatus and carry less water.
I'd also add a cheap disposable raincoat or two. I have four main course Mountain House meals, a 3600 calorie Datrex and a few Millennium bars. For water I have a Katadyn Vario, two canteens and some purification tabs. My commute to work is 37 miles door to door and that could take me three days of walking, I'm hoping I can do that at least. Just my opinion. |
|
Water -
I would add some kind of filter. Why so many containers? Food - Throw in a few power bars and some gatorade Tools- What's the jetboil & stove for? Add a change of skivvies and socks in colder weather. 22 miles could take up to 2 - 3 days depending on a number of things. Your bag seems ready for 1 - 2 days. |
|
I actually don't carry all the bottles, I've jus recently added the platypus water bottles so I've removed the canteen and 500l nalgene. I really intend on doing the 22 miles in one day, which with motivation is completely doable. I plan on taking my car as far as possible and have considered stashing a bike to where I can jus throw it in before I leave work. I have intentions on getting a katadyn mini soon. I can fill all water containers before I leave.
I will be putting a few powerbars in also. The two fishing kits are very small(business card size each), minimalist but effective. The fire kit contains a lighter, 2 boxes of matches, mag fire block, and a container of 5 vas soaked cotton balls. The intentions is to be light and fast. It's always progressing and this is what I've came to so far. |
|
Quoted:
I actually don't carry all the bottles, I've jus recently added the platypus water bottles so I've removed the canteen and 500l nalgene. I really intend on doing the 22 miles in one day, which with motivation is completely doable. I plan on taking my car as far as possible and have considered stashing a bike to where I can jus throw it in before I leave work. I have intentions on getting a katadyn mini soon. I can fill all water containers before I leave. I will be putting a few powerbars in also. The two fishing kits are very small(business card size each), minimalist but effective. The fire kit contains a lighter, 2 boxes of matches, mag fire block, and a container of 5 vas soaked cotton balls. The intentions is to be light and fast. It's always progressing and this is what I've came to so far. What you intend and what happens in reality are two different things. I could do 25 - 30 miles in a day easily when I was in my 20s. Now that I'm nearly 40, not so much. I could probably push myself to do 22 miles in a day, but I'd be ridiculously sore and unable to do anything else for a couple days afterwards... and in an emergency, if I pushed that hard to get home, and then got stuck at home because I was unable to go on until I healed up, that could be devastating. Hypothetically, of course. And what happens if you end up having to go several miles in the wrong direction to get around an obstacle like a large brush fire, flooding, roving gangs of zombies/tangos/looters? What if you are forced to hide out somewhere for a day while "bad stuff" is going on? What if you step on a loose rock or log and twist your ankle, greatly slowing down your ability to move. I'd consider, personally, at least 2 full days of food plus some energy bars. I like the idea of 4 full meals and then some energy bars and those 3600 calorie rescue bars. If worse comes to worse, that could be 2 days well fed, or 4 days of rationed energy. I'd ditch the MRE and get four good backpacking meals instead... they're lighter, better, and tastier (unless you like the taste of MREs). And full MREs are often full of other weighty junk you don't need or want anyway. |
|
Quoted: I actually don't carry all the bottles, I've jus recently added the platypus water bottles so I've removed the canteen and 500l nalgene. I really intend on doing the 22 miles in one day, which with motivation is completely doable. I plan on taking my car as far as possible and have considered stashing a bike to where I can jus throw it in before I leave work. I have intentions on getting a katadyn mini soon. I can fill all water containers before I leave. I will be putting a few powerbars in also. The two fishing kits are very small(business card size each), minimalist but effective. The fire kit contains a lighter, 2 boxes of matches, mag fire block, and a container of 5 vas soaked cotton balls. The intentions is to be light and fast. It's always progressing and this is what I've came to so far. If those are 2 boxes of standard matches, I would ditch them in favor of either better strike anywhere matches in a water-proof container or a couple more lighters. If you are using a "boy scout" mag block, I would trade for firesteel.com firesteel and be forever happy. You could even find room for a split pea lighter. Fire is essential, don't cheap out. I got a large pack of paper match books, double them up in small plastic pouches (sealed) and shove them just about anywhere. Get a life-straw, or similar. Cheap, effective, and works now. Better to have the straw now, than a nice katadyn later. Sounds like you are getting home in a hurry, but it is easy to take more time than you figure to put on 22 miles in a day, make sure you can spend the night (or 2) somewhere. Also, add extra socks and rain suit. Don't know you location, but plan for the seasons. Do you have a full climbing carabiner, or just a 'hardware' carabiner? Makes a difference. I would throw in some good zip ties. Million and one uses. Weight nothing. Put in 2 loaded mags for your EDC weapon. All I can think of for now. Oh, practice with it. Hike home one day (with cell phone to call for evac) if possible. At least take it on a hike. Personally, I have my GHB loaded down a bit more, but I can dump things I may not need if I must. Kind of a "ditch what I won't be needing when I leave the truck" sort of thing. Better to have it and not need it sort of thinking. AND what is in your IFAK?
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I actually don't carry all the bottles, I've jus recently added the platypus water bottles so I've removed the canteen and 500l nalgene. I really intend on doing the 22 miles in one day, which with motivation is completely doable. I plan on taking my car as far as possible and have considered stashing a bike to where I can jus throw it in before I leave work. I have intentions on getting a katadyn mini soon. I can fill all water containers before I leave. I will be putting a few powerbars in also. The two fishing kits are very small(business card size each), minimalist but effective. The fire kit contains a lighter, 2 boxes of matches, mag fire block, and a container of 5 vas soaked cotton balls. The intentions is to be light and fast. It's always progressing and this is what I've came to so far. If those are 2 boxes of standard matches, I would ditch them in favor of either better strike anywhere matches in a water-proof container or a couple more lighters. If you are using a "boy scout" mag block, I would trade for firesteel.com firesteel and be forever happy. You could even find room for a split pea lighter. Fire is essential, don't cheap out. I got a large pack of paper match books, double them up in small plastic pouches (sealed) and shove them just about anywhere. Get a life-straw, or similar. Cheap, effective, and works now. Better to have the straw now, than a nice katadyn later. Sounds like you are getting home in a hurry, but it is easy to take more time than you figure to put on 22 miles in a day, make sure you can spend the night (or 2) somewhere. Also, add extra socks and rain suit. Don't know you location, but plan for the seasons. Do you have a full climbing carabiner, or just a 'hardware' carabiner? Makes a difference. I would throw in some good zip ties. Million and one uses. Weight nothing. Put in 2 loaded mags for your EDC weapon. All I can think of for now. Oh, practice with it. Hike home one day (with cell phone to call for evac) if possible. At least take it on a hike. Personally, I have my GHB loaded down a bit more, but I can dump things I may not need if I must. Kind of a "ditch what I won't be needing when I leave the truck" sort of thing. Better to have it and not need it sort of thinking. AND what is in your IFAK? A lot of great ideas. I think a fire steel is more ideal and will prolly soon replace the mag fire block. The ifak is full of rolled gauze, tape, tourni, small amount of alcohol, scalpel, steri strips. Hospital grade stuff. |
|
Quoted:
Again...fishing/sewing/medical kits...what's in them?? -Emt1581 Fishing kits, one has 6 hooks, 50' of 15lb fluorocarbon, 6 sinkers. Sewing jus has a small spool of thread and 3 needles. Medical kit has hospital grade rolled gauzes, small tourni, 10cc syringe of alcohol, 10cc syringe of flush, scalpel, abd pads, mulitple tegaderms, steri strips, and the sewing/fishing kits can supplement as a suture kit. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Again...fishing/sewing/medical kits...what's in them?? -Emt1581 Fishing kits, one has 6 hooks, 50' of 15lb fluorocarbon, 6 sinkers. Sewing jus has a small spool of thread and 3 needles. Medical kit has hospital grade rolled gauzes, small tourni, 10cc syringe of alcohol, 10cc syringe of flush, scalpel, abd pads, mulitple tegaderms, steri strips, and the sewing/fishing kits can supplement as a suture kit. Personally, I would ditch the sewing thread and fluorocarbon fishing line and replace with 30lb spiderwire braid. Crazy strong, abrasive resistant, very thin per its strength. Works WONDERFULLY for sewing as well. While fishing, you won't be able to play a large fish very well, and need to wrestle it in, so heavier line than sport fishing is in order . ETA: Make sure you put some alcohol prep pads in your med kit, or your steri strips won't stick worth a shit (in my experience, but I have oily skin an band-aids don't stick on me very well). I like to put a small bottle of nasal saline in as well. It works as flush, eye drops if needed, and its intended use.
|
|
Questions:
Type of terrain ? 2. Rivers or streams to cross ? Good fishing in those streams if needed ? 3. 22 miles is a lot. Have you considered a cache in a bucket buried halfway ? 4. How about a bicycle ? or Mountain bike with small pack ? Just some thoughts. |
|
Quoted:
Questions: Type of terrain ? 2. Rivers or streams to cross ? Good fishing in those streams if needed ? 3. 22 miles is a lot. Have you considered a cache in a bucket buried halfway ? 4. How about a bicycle ? or Mountain bike with small pack ? Just some thoughts. The road winds thru the Appalachian mountains. Will only have to cross one mountain from a to b. the road follows the river so fishing is possible. The cache is very good idea, 5 gal bucket with couple mre's and bottle water buried would be awesome resupply. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Questions: Type of terrain ? 2. Rivers or streams to cross ? Good fishing in those streams if needed ? 3. 22 miles is a lot. Have you considered a cache in a bucket buried halfway ? 4. How about a bicycle ? or Mountain bike with small pack ? Just some thoughts. The road winds thru the Appalachian mountains. Will only have to cross one mountain from a to b. the road follows the river so fishing is possible. The cache is very good idea, 5 gal bucket with couple mre's and bottle water buried would be awesome resupply. I would seal the contents of the cache in the 5 gal bucket in mylar. One big mylar bag will do, or break it up into smaller bags. |
|
Quoted:
I was hoping to get your assessment of my GHB. My bag is a Condor Hydration II pack. The contents are:Ghb Inventory Water: -1 quart usgi canteen -1 500ml bottle ditch it, redundant -1 iodine tabs personally I'd opt for a light weight filter but to each his own -1 hydration bladder 2.5L I'm assuming this is like a camelbak -1 platypus 1L fold away water bottle ditch it, redundant -1 platypus .5L bottle ditch it, redundant Food: -1 mre get a couple of these and strip them down Fire: why so many options? this is to get you home, not go camping. Keep it simple. -1 mag fire block -5 vas cotton balls -1 lighter -1 box matches Tools: -1 50' of snare wire why? this is to get you home, not go camping -msr pocket rocket stove why? this is to get you home, not go camping -1 4oz JetBoil fuel canwhy? this is to get you home, not go camping -100' of 550 -25' of 550 -1 multi tool -1 head lamp with extra batts -1 hh flashlight -2 fishing kits why? this is to get you home, not go camping -1 medical kit -2 chem lights -1 poncho -1 carabiner -1 sewing kit Knife: Cold steel recon 1 Bm nimravus My AO is 22 miles from work to home, small terrain changes with one decent mountain to cross by road. Pack is always accompanied by my sidearm. Thx for the feedback Think about this and break it down. You ONLY have 22 miles to go, that's not that far and should at most take 2 days if you lollygag around and take lots of naps. You're carrying a lot of stuff that is extra for a short trip, get rid of some of that weight and help yourself in the long run. Also, you could swap out MREs for something like Daytrex rations and not need to stop and heat stuff up (although you can eat an MRE cold). Your whole goal should be to GET HOME as FAST as possible, not hump around a bunch of heavy junk on a joy hike. ONLY take what you NEED to get home quickly and leave the comfort stuff at home. The only thing I would add wound be a CCW pistol if you can do that in your AO, a couple changes of socks and some mole skin or duct tape. |
|
Plan on staying overnight, even if you think you can walk straight through. A simple shelter, like a tarp, and sleeping pad with a poncho liner will probably get you through.
I'd dump all of the water containers except 2. Also, I prefer a filter to iodine. A lighter should be enough, add a second fire starter if you want, but ditch the rest. 50' of para cord is more than enough for 2-3 days getting home. Dump he carabiner, chem lights and a fishing kit. Dump the big knife, get a nice folder that you can carry in your pocket all of the time. I also have a walk from work to home that is 22 miles, I always have old boots, well broken in, extra socks, gloves, a stocking cap and an old coat tucked under the backseat in the truck. Prepare for the worst, around here that is January and 20 below. |