- Location
- Smithfield Utah
When I was 16 I slid my Subaru off a desolate mountain road in So Idaho. Knowing that I would not see anyone for days I made the decision to walk out. Not too bad other than I was 15 miles away from any road and it was in the middle of winter. I walked all the way home in the middle of the night wearing a pair of tennis shoes, a t-shirt and no hat--I had nothing to make the situation any better. Doing push ups and jogging kept me warm but I still froze my butt off. At the time I was very embarrassed and mad at myself but in the long run it taught me a valuable lesson.
Since then I carry a BOB (bug out bag) or pack. I'm just going to share what I carry in my pack to aid me in preparing for the worst. This does not include spare parts or other things I carry pertaining to my 4 wheel drive. I don't plan to give a lesson in survival or anything but I just want to remind everyone that it is very easy to go from bad to worse when exploring back country and trails.
Remember that it is rarely a good idea to leave the vehicle especially in winter. In some cases like mine I knew full well that I would have been there for days as the road was rarely used. It is up to you to make the decision to leave. If you do make sure you know what you are doing.
Items in bag:
Light: You need flashlights--several flashlights. Keep LED and regular flashlights as both are better for different situations. Buy the best batteries and have a few extra as they will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
First Aid: Buy a good first aid kit and include some of your own medicin. My kit is made by First Aid Only and it has a lot of usefully things. I have also included two more small kits and a box of Pepto and Benadryl. If you know anyone allergic to bee's you'll know why Benadryl is so important.
Fire starters: Nothing sucks worse than trying to start a fire with two sticks--seriously nothing
I keep MANY cigarette lighters, a small candle, water proof matches and a small bottle of sanitizer as fire starting aids. Another great thing to have is Petroleum Jelly and cotton swabs. If you soak the swabs in the jelly they make for a great candle that can help start a fire. I also keep a length of hose to siphon fuel from the truck to help in starting a fire. Remember that the spark from touching jumper cables together will also ignite a fire--just be careful. I figure when you need a fire you need it now!
Clothing: No matter where you go if you leave the house wearing tennis shoes throw a pair of insulated boots in the truck whether you plan to use them or not. You loose most of your body heat through your head so throw in a few beenies and a head sock to protect your head and neck. Thick mittens, a few long sleeve shirts (dress in layers) a coat and insulated pants are a must too. These items take up very little space in the bag and are cheap insurance. I take my snowboarding coat as it is light, water/wind proof and warm. It also has vents that open (you don't want to sweat while outside or all that moisture turns to ice later on) in different spots. Think of others here too. Wife, kids and friends that are riding along that might not have these things.
Sense of direction: If you don't know where you are at you may be in serious trouble. Having some maps, a good compass and common sense will help a lot. A GPS is a good tool if used properly but don't rely on it alone to get you to safety. Also in case of emergency most cell phones will work via satellite and get you through to help if you dial 911. Again don't rely on it, but give it a shot.
Tools: Rope, small saw or wyoming saw, Multi tool (letherman wave is a good one), and a good knife are great to have too. I have put mine to a lot of use over the years. A reflector is good for signaling too.
Food and water.: Keep a small stainless cooking bowl for cooking food and thawing snow. I like to keep enough freeze dried food and canned food to feed 2 or 3 people for 3 days minimum. Also throw in a Nalgene or similar 1000mL bottle for water if there is snow around. Although it won't fit in the bag keeping a gallon of water or more is a MUST in the warmer months.
My pack is a North Face Terra 40. It is about the perfect size for me and what I use it for. Anything will work though and one similar to this doesn't take up much space at all.
This goes everywhere with me. Anyone can put together something similar for very little money. I have used it several times to help people that are lost and needed food and/or water. I have actually given out food to some high school kids that were snowed in and had to spend a night in the cold. It's a good feeling
Anyway if you carry something in particular that will help out post up! I'm sure I'm forgetting a few items...
Since then I carry a BOB (bug out bag) or pack. I'm just going to share what I carry in my pack to aid me in preparing for the worst. This does not include spare parts or other things I carry pertaining to my 4 wheel drive. I don't plan to give a lesson in survival or anything but I just want to remind everyone that it is very easy to go from bad to worse when exploring back country and trails.
Remember that it is rarely a good idea to leave the vehicle especially in winter. In some cases like mine I knew full well that I would have been there for days as the road was rarely used. It is up to you to make the decision to leave. If you do make sure you know what you are doing.
Items in bag:
Light: You need flashlights--several flashlights. Keep LED and regular flashlights as both are better for different situations. Buy the best batteries and have a few extra as they will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
First Aid: Buy a good first aid kit and include some of your own medicin. My kit is made by First Aid Only and it has a lot of usefully things. I have also included two more small kits and a box of Pepto and Benadryl. If you know anyone allergic to bee's you'll know why Benadryl is so important.
Fire starters: Nothing sucks worse than trying to start a fire with two sticks--seriously nothing
I keep MANY cigarette lighters, a small candle, water proof matches and a small bottle of sanitizer as fire starting aids. Another great thing to have is Petroleum Jelly and cotton swabs. If you soak the swabs in the jelly they make for a great candle that can help start a fire. I also keep a length of hose to siphon fuel from the truck to help in starting a fire. Remember that the spark from touching jumper cables together will also ignite a fire--just be careful. I figure when you need a fire you need it now!Clothing: No matter where you go if you leave the house wearing tennis shoes throw a pair of insulated boots in the truck whether you plan to use them or not. You loose most of your body heat through your head so throw in a few beenies and a head sock to protect your head and neck. Thick mittens, a few long sleeve shirts (dress in layers) a coat and insulated pants are a must too. These items take up very little space in the bag and are cheap insurance. I take my snowboarding coat as it is light, water/wind proof and warm. It also has vents that open (you don't want to sweat while outside or all that moisture turns to ice later on) in different spots. Think of others here too. Wife, kids and friends that are riding along that might not have these things.
Sense of direction: If you don't know where you are at you may be in serious trouble. Having some maps, a good compass and common sense will help a lot. A GPS is a good tool if used properly but don't rely on it alone to get you to safety. Also in case of emergency most cell phones will work via satellite and get you through to help if you dial 911. Again don't rely on it, but give it a shot.
Tools: Rope, small saw or wyoming saw, Multi tool (letherman wave is a good one), and a good knife are great to have too. I have put mine to a lot of use over the years. A reflector is good for signaling too.
Food and water.: Keep a small stainless cooking bowl for cooking food and thawing snow. I like to keep enough freeze dried food and canned food to feed 2 or 3 people for 3 days minimum. Also throw in a Nalgene or similar 1000mL bottle for water if there is snow around. Although it won't fit in the bag keeping a gallon of water or more is a MUST in the warmer months.
My pack is a North Face Terra 40. It is about the perfect size for me and what I use it for. Anything will work though and one similar to this doesn't take up much space at all.
This goes everywhere with me. Anyone can put together something similar for very little money. I have used it several times to help people that are lost and needed food and/or water. I have actually given out food to some high school kids that were snowed in and had to spend a night in the cold. It's a good feeling
Anyway if you carry something in particular that will help out post up! I'm sure I'm forgetting a few items...
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