Worst Top Ten Essential Survival Gear.... Your opinion.....AT!

Wise Old Owl · Dec 20th 2016, 10:49pm

Hey Hey Hey! There is a load of crap that folks think they need on the AT. In your opinion what is dead weight on the trail?

I will start this off.... Great for Alaska... not

Appalachia.
one small gill net and an assortment of tackle such as hooks, flies, lines, sinkers,etc.

JimBlue · Dec 20th 2016, 11:05pm

cast iron skillet. Unless you need it for bear smashing...

I saw an object labeled machete. But it looked more like an implement to open up full plate armor. It just needed the long wooden pole instead of the short wood handle.

No. It was no a Pulaski with the wrong handle on it.

IMScotty · Dec 20th 2016, 11:13pm

A Crocodile Dundee sized knife...

youtube.com/watch?v=N_ED-NbwjwA

Socks · Dec 21st 2016, 5:12am

IMScotty wrote:

A Crocodile Dundee sized knife...

youtube.com/watch?v=N_ED-NbwjwA

Love that movie
I like the bar seen where Duncan is in the bar in walk-about-creek and gets on the phone with Mick whose in the US and says...

"Mick, GET STUFFED"

jimmyjam · Dec 21st 2016, 6:20am

Probably anything that is orange and has Bear Grylls on it

CoachLou · Dec 21st 2016, 7:38am

Wise Old Owl wrote:

Hey Hey Hey! There is a load of crap that folks think they need on the AT. In your opinion what is dead weight on the trail?

I will start this off.... Great for Alaska... not Appalachia.
one small gill net and an assortment of tackle such as hooks, flies, lines, sinkers,etc.

I had a kit in scouts that had tackle!

IMScotty · Dec 21st 2016, 8:17am

I will post in defense of some fishing gear. A drop line and a few hooks weigh next to nothing and can provide some fun and maybe some protein in at least a few places (Maine) along the AT.

There are heavier sins than this one.

jimmyjam · Dec 21st 2016, 8:49am

IMScotty wrote:

I will post in defense of some fishing gear. A drop line and a few hooks weigh next to nothing and can provide some fun and maybe some protein in at least a few places (Maine) along the AT.

There are heavier sins than this one.

yep. You could fish the James River where the AT crosses it. I hear it's a good spot.

Dmax · Dec 21st 2016, 9:21am

There's plenty of places to use a little line in the water. I wouldn't go on a long hike without it. 35mm film container carries all I need.

CoachLou · Dec 21st 2016, 9:52am

IMScotty wrote:

I will post in defense of some fishing gear. A drop line and a few hooks weigh next to nothing and can provide some fun and maybe some protein in at least a few places (Maine) along the AT.

There are heavier sins than this one.

When I pack in Montana, I always would pack a Film container with some flies, and line. Now I just a 3wt. with a box of what should be hatching and enjoy!!!

Sarcasmtheelf · Dec 21st 2016, 3:31pm

This horrific bit of Native Advertising/camping tips showed up in my Facebook feed recently...

buzzfeed.com/h2/fbac/bacardioa…erm=.keWWjWRnz#.kuBmkmJPG

Oddly enough, while the advice on the page is worthless, the "click here for more info" link directs to Andrew Skurka's site, so whoever made the page must have had some clue.

PaulMags · Dec 21st 2016, 5:36pm

IMScotty wrote:

A Crocodile Dundee sized knife...

My first ever backpacking trip? I took a Rambo style type survival knife in New Hampshire.

[IMG:http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/rambo/images/0/03/RamboSurvivalKnife.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121017183324]

I quickly realized I did not need a knife that big for backpacking. :O

Rasty · Dec 21st 2016, 6:47pm

Stove

Mountain-Mike · Dec 21st 2016, 7:02pm

PaulMags wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

A Crocodile Dundee sized knife...

My first ever backpacking trip? I took a Rambo style type survival knife in New Hampshire.

[IMG:http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/rambo/images/0/03/RamboSurvivalKnife.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121017183324]

I quickly realized I did not need a knife that big for backpacking. :O

Disn't you need it to open your cans of food?

Sarcasmtheelf · Dec 21st 2016, 7:15pm

Mountain-Mike wrote:

PaulMags wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

A Crocodile Dundee sized knife...

My first ever backpacking trip? I took a Rambo style type survival knife in New Hampshire.
[IMG:http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/rambo/images/0/03/RamboSurvivalKnife.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121017183324]

I quickly realized I did not need a knife that big for backpacking. :O

Disn't you need it to open your cans of food?

If I recall, Mags opens his cans of food using a fighter aircraft.

[IMG:http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/world-war-2/images/d/d2/P-38J_Air_Show.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140222045954]

chief · Dec 21st 2016, 8:01pm

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Mountain-Mike wrote:

PaulMags wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

A Crocodile Dundee sized knife...

My first ever backpacking trip? I took a Rambo style type survival knife in New Hampshire.[IMG:http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/rambo/images/0/03/RamboSurvivalKnife.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121017183324]

I quickly realized I did not need a knife that big for backpacking. :O

Disn't you need it to open your cans of food?

If I recall, Mags opens his cans of food using a fighter aircraft.
[IMG:http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/world-war-2/images/d/d2/P-38J_Air_Show.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140222045954]

i thought it was a Walther.

PaulMags · Dec 21st 2016, 8:33pm

This one actually

[IMG:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/P51-d_mustang_472216_arp.jpg/220px-P51-d_mustang_472216_arp.jpg]

Socks · Dec 21st 2016, 8:33pm

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Mountain-Mike wrote:

PaulMags wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

A Crocodile Dundee sized knife...

My first ever backpacking trip? I took a Rambo style type survival knife in New Hampshire.[IMG:http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/rambo/images/0/03/RamboSurvivalKnife.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121017183324]

I quickly realized I did not need a knife that big for backpacking. :O

Disn't you need it to open your cans of food?

If I recall, Mags opens his cans of food using a fighter aircraft.
[IMG:http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/world-war-2/images/d/d2/P-38J_Air_Show.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140222045954]

Ah, thee ole P-38!

Socks · Dec 21st 2016, 8:34pm

PaulMags wrote:

This one actually

[IMG:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/P51-d_mustang_472216_arp.jpg/220px-P51-d_mustang_472216_arp.jpg]

mustang or is that a spit fire?

Socks · Dec 21st 2016, 8:36pm

Mags not to one up ya...but I brought a machete on my first solo...yup, young and dumb.

jimmyjam · Dec 21st 2016, 9:42pm

meat wrote:

Mags not to one up ya...but I brought a machete on my first solo...yup, young and dumb.

Well that's certainly better than a chainsaw.

jimmyjam · Dec 21st 2016, 9:45pm

I hate seeing those people whose packs tower over their heads and they still have stuff tied all over the outside and are only out for a day or two.

Drybones · Dec 21st 2016, 10:06pm

jimmyjam wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

I will post in defense of some fishing gear. A drop line and a few hooks weigh next to nothing and can provide some fun and maybe some protein in at least a few places (Maine) along the AT.

There are heavier sins than this one.

yep. You could fish the James River where the AT crosses it. I hear it's a good spot.

I wish I had a dollar for every small mouth I caught in the James...used to catch them 2 at a time when they were really feeding...root beer colored big O in the 1-1/2"size.

Socks · Dec 21st 2016, 10:30pm

jimmyjam wrote:

I hate seeing those people whose packs tower over their heads and they still have stuff tied all over the outside and are only out for a day or two.

Ha, that's exactly what I looked like before getting my first internal frame pack, but then I guess we all did at some point. I love that Beverly hillbillies look comin' down the trail, usually comes with a good story that sometimes starts out with "hey, did you see a ??? go by here?"

IMScotty · Dec 21st 2016, 10:42pm

Mountain-Mike wrote:

PaulMags wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

A Crocodile Dundee sized knife...

My first ever backpacking trip? I took a Rambo style type survival knife in New Hampshire.
[IMG:http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/rambo/images/0/03/RamboSurvivalKnife.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121017183324]

I quickly realized I did not need a knife that big for backpacking. :O

Disn't you need it to open your cans of food?

I must be doing everything all wrong. I am not beyond bringing cans of food on a short hike. Nothing like some baked beans in the bush. I use a P38 to open them, however.

Wise Old Owl · Dec 21st 2016, 11:28pm

Rasty wrote:

Stove

Wow - not surprised. So you hike no cook like I do sometimes? That might be a good separate thread. The AT trip Socks alludes to was some four years ago and although I brought an alcohol stove, the wind was something aweful the first few nights. We were somewhat required to plant our butts on ridges at night. Something I never did when BP in Colorado! Luck as most of my stuff was no cook. We even passed 1950 campsites below the ridges that were next to streams and there were signs all over can't stay here. Glad I brought my Jerky and HB Eggs and bars. Cricket was eating Bagels and Cream Cheese quite a bit.

No Socks - I am not complaining just sharing observations.

Wise Old Owl · Dec 21st 2016, 11:30pm

Here is another...

Zippo - windproof...

I just discovered that IF your Bic pops inside the pack - the Butane will melt plastics. Possibly due to low or high temps.

Socks · Dec 21st 2016, 11:33pm

Your such a weirdo dude!

Wise Old Owl · Dec 22nd 2016, 12:05am

Thanks.. so you don't remember the wind? It was every day at sunset and wouldn't stop till much after.

PaulMags · Dec 22nd 2016, 12:17am

IMScotty wrote:

I must be doing everything all wrong. I am not beyond bringing cans of food on a short hike. Nothing like some baked beans in the bush. I use a P38 to open them, however.

To answer a question above, I bring a P51 (hence the mustang). The bigger brother of the P38. Part of my repair kit in winter and, as with IMScotty, I'll bring canned food on occasion. Hatch green chillis specifically! I always have a P51 on me. Neat little tool even in every day life.

meat wrote:

Mags not to one up ya...but I brought a machete on my first solo...yup, young and dumb.

Now I am merely early middle aged and not too smart.

CoachLou · Dec 22nd 2016, 5:41am

You guys!!!!!!!!

This does not fly, you have to make sure it's folded so TSA doesn't take it!

On Parris Island we call this a 'John Wayne'

Grinder · Dec 22nd 2016, 7:33am

meat wrote:

yup, young and dumb.

At least you got over the young part.

Socks · Dec 22nd 2016, 8:39am

Grinder wrote:

meat wrote:

yup, young and dumb.

At least you got over the young part.

Still as dumb as a bag a hammers though

PaulMags · Dec 22nd 2016, 12:35pm

Something I have on me everyday and always bring into the back country.

[IMG:https://i1.wp.com/www.pmags.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/p51.jpg?resize=500%2C375]

Tighten poles, scrape ice out of ski bindings, open packages...and open cans of Hatch green chili!

odd man out · Dec 22nd 2016, 6:11pm

Bear bells?

max.patch · Dec 22nd 2016, 6:15pm

odd man out wrote:

Bear bells?

we have our winner!!!

Sarcasmtheelf · Dec 22nd 2016, 6:21pm

odd man out wrote:

Bear bells?

max.patch · Dec 22nd 2016, 6:27pm

i'm sure everyone has heard the joke...

Outdoorsmen should also be on the watch for fresh bear activity, and be able to tell the difference between black bear feces and grizzly bear feces. Black bear feces is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear feces has bells in it and smells like pepper.

odd man out · Dec 22nd 2016, 7:35pm

There's a great on line lecture about bears by Tom Smith. At 46:30 he tells about his bear bell study. He's a great speaker (and funny). Anyway, he too has a low opinion on bear bells. There's another bit at 16:30. Also if you want to get the bottom line on what to do when you see a bear, go to 20:00

m.youtube.com/watch?v=PExlT-5VU-Y

Wise Old Owl · Dec 24th 2016, 7:32pm

PaulMags wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

I must be doing everything all wrong. I am not beyond bringing cans of food on a short hike. Nothing like some baked beans in the bush. I use a P38 to open them, however.

To answer a question above, I bring a P51 (hence the mustang). The bigger brother of the P38. Part of my repair kit in winter and, as with IMScotty, I'll bring canned food on occasion. Hatch green chillis specifically! I always have a P51 on me. Neat little tool even in every day life.

meat wrote:

Mags not to one up ya...but I brought a machete on my first solo...yup, young and dumb.

Now I am merely early middle aged and not too smart.

Hey Paul what's in your E-kit?

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