Mounted search and rescue

["Jeff Hasse" <jhasse@comcast.net>]

Just my opinion:

-I presume two 1-qt water bottles (4# of water alone).  Carry them as close 
to your body as possible (heavy and dense).

-Unless you have a very reliable water source (e.g., treated), I would 
consider water purification tablets.  The Katadyn tablets are lightweight: 
http://www.rei.com/product/695229.  Depending on your activity level, two 
quarts of water per day may not be enough.

-That mummy bag is going to feel awfully cold without something underneath 
you.  I would consider a chunk of ensolite pad, even a shortie (about 9 
ounces):  http://www.rei.com/product/708521 or 
http://www.rei.com/product/781089.  You may even be able to fold it so that 
it pads the inside of your pack.  Try to place the sleeping bag low in your 
pack (light and bulky).

-The number of flashlights you carry depends on what you might be doing at 
night.  6 sources is overkill (3 FL, 3 light sticks).  If you are planning 
on staying put, one might be enough.  If you have to travel at night, the 
redundancy of three is a good idea.  I also carry a headlamp because of 
their versatility (the Petzl Zipka):  http://www.rei.com/product/793267 
(very light).  BTW, light sticks are good markers for things at night, but 
lousy light sources (too diffuse).

-Loose the hand/foot warmers.  If you have the ability to make fire, that is 
a better external heat source.  Carry the weight difference in extra 
food--internal heat source.

-I agree with Una's layering comment.  One well-known mountaineer is quoted 
as saying; "If you aren't wearing everything you have to stay warm at night, 
you carried too much."  Consider a light weight fleece hat to wear at night 
(mine is less than 2 ounces).

-I agree that this is a little much for fire-building, especially if you are 
only planning on building a single fire for the weekend.  Redundancy in this 
area isn't bad, but could be trimmed.  (Your notebook is also a 
fire-starter...)

-Apples are indeed tasty, but heavy (lots of water).  Dry snacks would go 
farther.  Go for high-fat, high-protein snacks (trail mix, etc.).

-A small amount of hand sanitizer with the TP is fine.  Don't get carried 
away.

-A trowel for digging cat holes isn't necessary.  A boot heel works OK in 
most soils.

-I agree that the tent pegs aren't necessary in most areas.  I would go with 
some extra lightweight cord instead (1mm).  Tie the corners to rocks and 
branches.

-For a survival weekend, I'd loose the toothbrush.  For camping, I bring it. 
(In other words, it is a luxury.)

-The metal cup is only useful if you are planning to cook something.  The 
foods you mention are no-cook foods.  You could leave this behind.

-I would add a bandanna.  Lots of uses.

Jeff



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lila Corey" <Caballera@embarqmail.com>
To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 2:48 PM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] What's in your pack


> 8/10 tarp
> first aid kit ( I have made it as small and light as possible)
> 2 water bottles
> tp
> meds for me
> extra set of clothes
> food ie:  1 apple,  1 pt. size bag salty snacks, 3 peanut butter crackers, 
> 4
> cheese sticks
> fire building material - long burning candle, waterproof matches,
> firestarter, 4 small cotton balls with pet. jelly in them, small cigarette
> lighter
> 1 compressable down mummy bag ( on the top of the pack) 3 flash lights 
> with
> extra batteries, ( all 3 are small LED) ( and duct tape wrapped around 1 
> of
> them
> 2 handwarmers/ and 1 set foot warmers
> compass
> gps
> petite gerber-type tool
> hand sanitizer (travel size)
> small fold up and light weight shovel (less than 6 inches)
> parachute cord
> travel size disp. toothbrush
> zip lock bag for map,
> small notebook in ziplock bag
> ball cap
> 4 tent pegs for building tent with tarp
> 3 light sticks
> 1 metal cup
> 8 zip ties
>
> That is it.  The bag I have does have good support around by waist, I will
> give it that, I am just worrying about the weight.  I only weigh 121 lbs. 
> I
> am in fairly good physical conditions thanks to hay bales and horse 
> saddles
> and manure buckets.......the guys on our team have the pack I just bought
> but they are bigger than me, and the one that is my size just got out of 
> the
> marines ---This pack doesn't put weight on my shoulder which is great, ( I
> just had shoulder surgery in Dec. and still can't tolerate a lot of 
> pressure
> on it).
> Thanks everyone for help here.
>
> Lila
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Una Smith" <una.smith@att.net>
> To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 3:24 PM
> Subject: [MSAR] What's in your pack
>
>
> > Lila Corey wrote:
> > >         I realize the support system in it makes it a little heavier, 
> > > and
> > > that may offset the disadvantage of weight?
> >
> > A good support system in the pack is worth several times its weight.
> >
> > >                                             I am going on a wilderness
> > > survival training this weekend and have packed and repacked trying to
> > > eliminate weight.
> >
> > If you list the contents in your pack, we might see some specific
> > adjustments you can make to lighten the load.
> >
> > Una
> > _______________________________________________
> > MSAR-Riders mailing list
> > MSAR-Riders@lists.ibiblio.org
> > http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/msar-riders
>
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