posted on Jul, 3 2014 @ 08:33 AM
Hello class, today i will be speaking to you about the things you will be taking with you when you go into the wilderness. If you have any questions
please wait until the end of the class to ask. shall we begin? Good.
Most people want to focus on a particular piece of equipment, IE; a firestarter or something of the sort, but i will tell you that to focus on any
piece of gear that you would carry in your kit before having focused on what it would be carried in is a huge error. I know what you're
thinking, but EOMS, i already have this super high speed hiking pack that everything fits in. and that's ok. If you have a pack that suits
your style, will hold all the items you need, and has the durability to last you years and years, this part isn't for you. However, if you don't
trust your pack to stand up to the challenge of life outdoors, listen up.
1) Durability.
Your pack should be made of a material or combination of materials that are considerably stronger than most medium to high end hiking backs. These
packs are made to be light weight and only really for carrying sleep items and a few daily needs items with maximum comfort and are expensive,
not something you would want to go trudging through wet foliage and mud with. In my experience, canvas and leather last the longest for bushcraft
needs.
2)Weather Resistance.
This is one of the more important traits of a good pack. You don't want something that will absorb and retain water, wet gear is ineffective. It gets
heavy, will destroy your need to keep dry luxury items, and it's all around a bad hit to your morale. There are numerous products out there that turn
a non weather resistant material into a weather resistant one but the downside is you need to reapply them. Dry bags are amazing and can be
used for numerous applications in the outdoors and i recommend having at least one. And remember, waxed canvas and oiled leather are your friend when
thinking about weather resistance.
3)Capacity.
This one is obvious. If it can't hold all your gear with a little extra room, you don't need it.
On the other hand, if it does hold all your gear with enough room to pack a small child, you don't need it.
Never underestimate the power of MOLLE webbing or other outer attachment points, having this on the outside of a pack will bring a whole new world of
what you can carry and how you carry it, but this isn't for everyone. Personal preference is always in play.
4)Comfort
What good is a pack if you can't haul it around? Try to find something that fits and has the potential to add other things to make life a little bit
better for you such as access to the back panel to add/remove padding, removable or sewn on shoulder straps, load displacement waist straps, or even
an extra lumbar pad and don't be afraid to make modifications. A little extra padding goes a long way.
5)Maintenance
Many amateur and novice outdoorsmen overlook this and almost always will lead to disaster. Your pack is your friend, take care of it. Materials that
are easy to clean will be a huge asset here. Cleaning the grit and grime off of your pack can and will add years of life to it. Brush out the dirt and
mud, oil up or repaint any exposed metal, if its waxed canvas, rewax the worn areas, if its oiled leather, reapply oil to any area that looks too dry.
If you take care of it, it will take care of you.
6)Customization
Its yours, why not make it your own? While using a pack the way it came is fine, some like to add or remove that little bit to really make it suit
them for example, adding pouches, changing straps, maybe that enclosure isn't working for you. Nothing is set in stone and you shouldn't resign
yourself to what the manufacturer says you need. Also, if you can make your own pack, go for it. It all comes down to this, You are the only
one who truly knows your needs and a pack can be viewed as an ever evolving creature.
That's the end of part 1A
if you have any questions or if i've overlooked(because im forgetful) anything feel free to reply, I'll answer/thank you in time.
Coming Soon- Bushcraft 101: Part 1B - Do I Need or Do I Want