Posted: 8/8/2010 12:52:29 PM EDT
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My nephew is moving from Houston to Idaho and I want to make a simple bag for him. He's been camping here in TX and is looking forward to going camping in Idaho, but I want to make sure that he has some gear that I'm fairly certain he doesn't already keep in his car.
Here's what I've got for him already -100 feet 550 cord and 4 bungee cords -poncho liner -USGI casualty blanket (here -esbit stove and heat-tabs (esbit and hexamine) -USGI medical kit (here) -Swedish fire steel, USGI magnesium fire-starter and a 2 pack of Bic lighters -USGI Aircrew Survival Knife -2 nalgene bottles, stainless steel nesting cup, USGI mess kit and Snowpeak Ti Spork What am I missing? ETA: possible additions: USGI sleep system, entrenching tool |
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I'd maybe skip the poncho liner and replace it with a USGI poncho or a decent tarp. That way he'd have some sort of shelter (that would double as raingear), and he can use the casualty blanket as a ground cover/sleeping bag.
Also, I'd ditch the mess kit. The Nalgene cup is good enough for emergency cooking. Also ditch the magnesium fire starter, as I've found the fire steel works as well or better, and he'll also have the two butane lighters. I'd add some type of sturdy multi-tool, a good flashlight and change of batteries, some toilet paper, and some zip-ties. You might also add a couple MREs and some granola bars or jerky to it just before you give it to him. I'm assuming this gear/bag will be mainly for use as a GHB? It sounds a lot like my GHB/travel bag. 
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Since you have the blanket already I would swap out the poncho liner for a tarp also. I would build the exact same bag for my nephew except he's not even 2 yet. Looks like a great place to start. Only other thing I might add would be some bottled water and maybe a hammock. ETA: Along with the other items posted.  |
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Keep the poncho liner (since you already have it). It's WAY more comfortable than a casualty blanket. Add the poncho to go with it (makes a ranger roll) and it's good to go.
Go through the medical kit and make sure it didn't get rat F***ed and has everything in it. Add extra band-aides. |
it's a cool gift. |
All good points, thanks for all the input. Anyone up in the Idaho area care to give some ideas for 4 season type stuff to add? I've got a pair of tire chains that I bought when I was there visiting family a few years back and never used. They aren't going in the bag, but I think they'll fit in his car. The good part is that the receipt is still in the bag with the chains, so if they don't fit maybe he can get them traded out since they are unused.
The duct tape was sitting next to the pile of stuff, guess I forgot to put it on the list. I'm going to be hitting a couple of surplus stores soon to get him a WC poncho. Probably going to put one of my old Surefires that's collecting dust into the bag with a 6 pack of batteries. It's been upgraded with a P60L so it's got great throw and excellent battery life. And I think I've got a spare Gerber multitool around here somewhere. The reason I'm putting in the USAF knife is I've got 3 and one of them was new/old stock with a broken snap(since fixed) that I got for some insanely low price because of the broken snap on the sheath. I'd really like to find a British issue "Basha", but those are scarcer than hen's teeth. He'll get the 3d one I find...after I put one in my bag and the wife's bag.
Also have to remember to make an inventory, so when he uses the bag, there's a list to show him what he needs to replace. Gotta get some ziploc freezer bags as well. |
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Quoted:
He will need road maps of his new State and maybe a couple hiking maps of the more popular hiking areas close to where he will be living. A compass too, even if he owns a GPS. doh! how could I forget that?? we have those in our bags, and we're all FROM here!!! |