Next Tuesday I will be back to the LDS to get a few more cases of supplies to put away. Been scouring EBAY and AMAZON for items as well, looking for a MSR water filtration pump for the wife for her BO bag. I have one and I would recommend them to anyone. Stephen has a Katadyn with a charcoal filter and it works for him. Duke just drinks straight out the water source. How he doesn't get the runs, I have no idea. Me personally, I don't like charcoal filters for a SHTF strategy. MSR employs a 80 micron ceramic filter that can be cleaned for longer life than having to buy more charcoal filters. Here is a pic of one.
Now, as far as SHTF items, I tend to go away from the norm, shelter in particular. All the group members have tents, and I even have one but choose not to use it during group overnight trips. I have got to a point where I am getting older, yes older. I have participated in athletics all my life and my body is feeling it now. When I do overnights now, I use a Hennessey Hammock. If you have no idea what they are, here is a file photo.
In my older age, I have found that I have issues sleeping on a hard ground. Basically my back "F"ing hurts in the morning. This hammock allows you to lie in it asymmetrically which allows for laying flat instead of a half moon shape. Now years ago, a former group member (Devil Dog Desk Jockey) had one on a winter trip and of course the guy couldn't figure out how to tie it up, nor figure the required distance you needed so you didn't look like "U" while you were trying to sleep in it. Stephen can attest, it was funny to see him in it. This hammock is considered a 3 season hammock, but I use a reflective window shade for your car or truck to make it a 4 season. While on our last group MLK weekend trip on a beautiful river, it rained the morning we left, I was up at 6 am sitting under the rain fly enjoying the rain instead of being confined to a regular tent. I have also been called "Metro-Sexual" by using it. Oh-well, sucks being smart doesn't it. If you want more info, search YouTube and you will find many videos about it. You may also find WARBONNET hammocks too. They are worth a look too.
One other item I would recommend, which Stephen and Duke have are the US Military Modular Sleep System. This system is awesome. I purchased mine off EBAY for around $70, and I got lucky. The one I received, still had the NSN tags left on the green summer bag, and Bivy cover. The black winter bag was slightly used and bag was in good condition. When you attach the two bag together along with the bivy cover, you will be very warm. Here is a file picture:
Last but not least, you need a proven cook system. A few years ago, I got lucky on Cheaper Than Dirt when they had the Trangia Swedish Alcohol Stoves for sale. Well I jumped and bought ten and sold a few to group members at cost and sold rest on craigslist. If you happen to come across one, make sure you find the stainless steel ones. There are aluminum ones floating around but I recommend the SS ones. They work off denatured alcohol, or rubbing alcohol. Get the rubbing alcohol with higher alcohol content, it will burn hotter and cause less soot on the bottom of the pot or pan. Denatured alcohol can be purchased at home depot or most hardware stores and even Walmart in quart size or 1 gallon sizes. This things will boil water in around 5 mins. Here is a file photo:
"NOTE: Do not use the stove on-top of plastic milk cartons"
Here are few things that I like. If you have any of these items, please feel free to chime in an share your knowledge on them so it can add to the conversation.
Senior
All good points - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWill post more when i get chance.
DeleteSenior - thanks for all of the tips in this post! first off - my Dear Duke is made out of concrete so what he drinks, where and when is of little matter to us mortals!!! we just found that 2 of our berkey filters were actually putting little black stuff in our water - we had to test all 7 to find the 2 defuncts! it was not what we had planned for our day and it threw me into high gear of worrying - we have relied on our berkeys for about 7yrs now - i really didn't need this today - but jambaloney just made us test each one and we found the 2 that were adding black stuff to our water and corrected it. so thanks for the info on the MSR filters as we are now checking into what else we could use. and thanks for all of the additional info - for me - if i am humping it, i get jambaloney to carry 2 duvets plus a hammock for me....makes for real comfortable sleeping. i also like a mosquito net and a sunscreen. maybe Dear Duke could carry all of that for you - bahahahahahahahahahah!
ReplyDeletelove these kinds of posts buddy! your friend,
kymber
I think Berkeleys are good but as far as a BOB, little impractical. Glad you found out what was causing the black stuff, charcoal right? When duke goes camping, he doesnt go light, so i wouldn't want to add to his pack. I would like to come up there and do some primitive camping, on problem is when do i have time.
Deletewe'd love to have you....and of course JUGM! and the boys! and it doesn't get more primitive than this! we have islands in our river that no human has ever stepped on! we got primitive in bucket loads. i am certain that the time will come when you have the time.
DeleteI'm glad you mentioned not to use plastic milk crates as a table for your stove.....as to who would do that? I won't mention any names but his initials are Stephen.
ReplyDeleteThat was hilarious. Just as his water was boiling and he reached for it, it went right through and spilled. We always have a good laugh whenever we are in the woods.
DeleteMy goodness...I didn't realize how much I've taught you pilgrims...the milk crate was nothing more than an actual object lesson. He grins....
ReplyDeleteNo comment, ha ha
ReplyDeletei love you guys! yer all such a hoot!
DeleteI 'like' that Hennessy hammock. Putting that one on the list! Thanks for the info as always!
ReplyDeleteNo problem shipmate. I got mine off ebay, cant remember the name of the seller, but they are out of Boone NC. If you get one from them, you can substitute the normal rainfly for the extended rainfly which is twice as big. I highly recommend doing that. I use the original one as emergency shelter for my get-home bag.
Delete