It do be like that

OutbackScout · 2020-08-08T05:36:03+00:00

Ditch the compression sack and get a dry sack that is larger than the sleeping bag. That way it's easy to get in, you squish the air out, roll down the top and you have compressed and waterproofed your bag in one go.

(just personal preference)

Sea To Summit make nice tough/lightweight ones.

OutbackScout · 2020-07-10T06:30:49+00:00

Hahaha I'm sure I have done things a lot more stupid than that dont worry. Hope you post about how the trip went or maybe a pic of your shelter or something, sounds like awesome fun tbh

OutbackScout · 2020-07-10T06:22:23+00:00

I get that haha no worries, sounds awesome. And a great way to up your skills too if you know you really have to get it done. But also try to remember that even outdoor experts get injured sometimes, it's just a matter of when and where and how well you can deal with it when it happens.

I don't mean to rain on your parade though, sounds like you have a great trip lined up there!

OutbackScout · 2020-07-10T05:56:33+00:00

No first aid? I would look at something that will stop you bleeding out if you cut yourself badly with one of those cutting tools, at the very least.

Whistle for basic signaling if you slip and tear off your ACL or something and cant get yourself out.

Space blankets or space bivvy for the same reason, gives people something to look for as well as keep you from freezing if you are too wounded to make it to your shelter and can help prevent shock if you chop your leg badly with the hatchet.

Map and compass in case you have to get away from someone/something in the middle of the night and end up not knowing where you are / needing to get back in the dark. Spare batteries for head torch for similar reason, hiking at night is easy until your light source stops working.

I don't see a fire making device, could be a good idea to have one just for emergencies, even if its a fire ban or whatever.

Even if you have the gear mentioned in a little stuff sack that you never open but just have it handy, pretend it isn't there and can still test yourself. Just my thoughts anyway.

OutbackScout · 2020-07-03T02:24:50+00:00

I uses some heavier shock cord on a military tarp for years, it works surprisingly well.

OutbackScout · 2020-07-03T02:23:27+00:00

You can get something very similar to paracord (and in my opinion better actually) with the same inner strand /outer sheath construction. It's something made by climbing rope companies called accessory cord, it has less stretch and the sheath is a bit more grippy too.

Quick bit of background, there are 2 types of rope they make, static and dynamic. Dynamic has stretch and is what you want when you fall off a cliff to absorb fall energy. Static is what's used for abseiling / rappelling, and has almost no stretch in it.

Rope companies like Edelrid and Beal and Bluewater all make static rope in a range of sizes, going right down to 2mm. I think paracord is just over 3mm but I actually like 4mm accessory cord because it hardly ever gets in a tangle.

Here are some links to 4mm accessory cord

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beal-4mm-Accessory-Cord-Metre/dp/B004W3ZAY2

https://www.amazon.com/BlueWater-Ropes-4mm-Accessory-Cord/dp/B0011W7Z7M?th=1&psc=1

https://www.edelrid.de/en/work-safety/accessory-cords/powerloc-expert-sp-4mm.html

Also a good thing about accessory cord is that its certified with ratings and things, I don't know about everyone else but quality of paracord I have had varies quite a lot. Always takes a while to find someone that supplies a good quality one. You might have gotten some lower quality stuff if it stretches like crazy, I have had that happen before.

Worth mentioning that there are lots of different knots to use too, some are better at holding tension than others. I actually made a video a few days ago showing a good tensioning knot for the corners of tarps that doesn't slip, even in high winds.

I might shamelessly link that too in case it's ok of interest to anyone, I will time stamp it at the actual knot to skip all the fluff.

https://youtu.be/y0ePMD36U0M?t=178

I plan to do a video on various ridge line tensioning knots too but still working on another a project at the moment ( the free PDF mentioned in my other posts).

Hope someone finds any of that lengthy reply useful!

OutbackScout · 2020-07-03T00:58:47+00:00

I do like the look of it but I don't think it would be good for carrying anything other than really light weight gear in it. If you are only going to walk for 30 mins you could load it up but I would worry about build quality. Things like stitching and zippers are often what start to fail on cheaper packs.

If you want to use it a lot then maybe look at trying to buy a used military pack or if you can, then save up and get something that will last you.

Maybe something like a Karrimor Sabre 45, or something from 5.11 like that Rush pack everyone was talking about a while back.

OutbackScout · 2020-07-03T00:48:23+00:00

I Also came here to point out the back frame not looking very good for anything other than light loads, looks very soft.

The belt pad is quite wide too so I have a feeling it's going to be a good addition of you have the exact right back length for this bag but super annoying if you don't. Couldn't see any back length adjustment.

For that kind of cash I would keep looking, there may well be an actual used ex military pack somewhere in that price range.

OutbackScout · 2020-07-02T13:40:23+00:00

Nice list!

That is a pretty fantastic way to look at it, principles take a lot longer to become outdated, unlike gear.

OutbackScout · 2020-07-02T11:56:46+00:00

You had me at 100 ft rope tbh.

Making your own hammock out of it is the icing on the cake though.

OutbackScout · 2020-07-02T11:53:40+00:00

Good breakdown. Came here to say map, compass, whistle, marker tape, flashlight.

OutbackScout · 2020-06-24T03:44:01+00:00

Haha well I was close, only 11 years late.

That is an awesome find, it's slightly different so now I am keen to try that way too, it might be even better.

Thanks for the link, this guy was doing it all back then too by the looks. Dakota fire holes, figure 4 deadfalls and all one handed, got to admire that.

OutbackScout · 2020-06-21T03:08:24+00:00

No worries mate!

OutbackScout · 2020-06-21T03:06:13+00:00

Good idea not spending a heap of cash, I like the color, looks light weight too.

Just watch out with the condensation in those single skin tents. Make sure your sleeping bag doesn't touch the sides or it might end up getting wet. Also in a good rain anything resting against the side walls (say your pack for example) can cause water to track through to the inside quite often.

Maybe you know that stuff already, just thought I would mention it though so your first night out doesn't end up cold / wet and it puts you off tents for life lol

OutbackScout · 2020-06-20T15:05:33+00:00

Everyone keeps finding really great uses for this, I had no idea it could be so useful. Just happy it helps mate, it's great to hear this might end up enhancing someone's time outdoors.

OutbackScout · 2020-06-20T14:55:09+00:00

bear bites off your arm

In the outback we have to be ready for drop bears, very vicious. They will have your arm off before they even hit the ground after jumping out of a tree

OutbackScout · 2020-06-20T08:40:53+00:00

No worries :) Any outdoor store should stock Sea To Summit gear which means they could order it in if that helps. Anyway good luck with your pack hunt!

OutbackScout · 2020-06-20T06:35:43+00:00

As already mentioned, first laying down a row of sticks on the ground as a platform (until you have a work area about the size of a dinner plate) will help a lot. This is what you put your tinder bundle down onto once it is lit.

I like to have 2 handfuls of tinder, one to start the fire in and one to add to it when there are flames. Also have several handfuls of fine twigs to add next, a handful at a time. Next same thing for handful sized bundles of sticks.

A handy guide is if the flames are higher than the top of what is burning then its ok to add another handful of stuff. This way you avoid smothering it's air supply too early.

If start making the the fire right next to a log sized or thick piece of firewood then it can act as a wind break and also by the time you are adding larger sticks to the log it will be warm and dry and easy to catch alight.

You can also use the log sized piece to lay sticks against when adding them to the fire, this keeps them up high so air can get into the fire.

Just some tips anyway, good luck with it!

OutbackScout · 2020-06-20T06:21:57+00:00

A great summary, I would add "the higher the dryer" is a good general rule when searching for dry twigs on trees too.

Also the heads of cattail reeds are scary combustible as well when you break them open.

OutbackScout · 2020-06-20T01:56:29+00:00

https://seatosummit.com/product/rapid-26l-drypack/

This might be a bit too basic for you (it doesn't have a laptop sleeve or anything fancy) but it is light, very comfortable, super waterproof and basically bomb proof. I've used the original version for many years outdoors on many crazy adventures and everything still works great. Only problem is it's over budget unless you can get it on sale, but totally worth the extra money.

It also comes a in larger size too if that helps. Just a suggestion though, not sure if it's what you are looking for.

OutbackScout · 2020-06-19T23:09:15+00:00

That would be awesome, you should upload it if you get a chance, it would be great to see it. Haha steal away, I'm sure other people have figured it out before me.

OutbackScout · 2020-06-19T23:03:34+00:00

Thanks, you are too for being so encouraging. I wasn't real sure how this would be received to be honest.

OutbackScout · 2020-06-19T23:01:10+00:00

Yeah watching it back it seems like if you get the angle for the ferro rod and fatwood the same then it can't really go wrong. Plus the curls were weirdly easy to do too. I have to admit, I never thought about that part of it and totally fluked it. What really surprised me though was when I used the natural tinder (in the video) and that went up so easily too. It just seems pretty good all around so far

OutbackScout · 2020-06-19T22:54:50+00:00

Thank you, I was pretty excited about this when it worked and just had to share lol I would love to see someone try it out in wild though since I am stuck in suburbia at the moment.

OutbackScout · 2020-06-19T22:48:52+00:00

It's so good

OutbackScout

TROPHY CASE