/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>363739
i suppose i should add i have basic tools, like a leatherman, hatchet, a very crude survival kit.

but what i need is to know what is really necessary for a 3 day stay.
Do i need to bring provisions? should i just kill one of the very many deer around? should i experiment with traps?(i have zero experience with traps), and so on

I have about 10 years worth of backpacking experience and can offer some decent advice. What you carry will largely depend on the hike itself. How many miles are you planning to cover? Will you camp at multiple points along the way, or will you be setting up a "basecamp" and exploring the area during the day?

>>363751
the first location i want to overnight at is on a large hill, about a mile into the hills from where i will get dropped off at. i hiked it last weekend, and i would be comfortable carrying a 30lb-40lb pack if that is whats needed. my idea is that the top of this hill will be my basecamp, and i could hunt and explore from here.
i have more to say, but as i dont get to use the internet often im making the most of my time and facebook messaging family

>>363751
i suppose i should ask you this:
what do you do with all the time you have?
which camp chores do you knock out quick, and which ones are constant?
is it better to bring dehydrated provisions, hunt, or both?

>captcha- thenheu spartacus

Oh, if you're only hiking a mile in before setting up camp, then it will be much easier for you. My most grueling experience was lugging around around 70 lbs of camping and climbing gear on a mountain climbing trip. I've spent a lot of time tweaking my gear list to get the weight down, and I can usually get by on a 15-20 lb pack for a one or two night stay. It really is worth it to put the extra money into lightweight gear.

If you're camping on top of a hill, keep this in mind. Everything will have to be carried uphill: fire wood, water, supplies, etc. You'll also be more exposed to the wind and weather. Also, be sure to look up before setting up a tent if you happen to be camping under a tree. You don't want to be speared through the gut when the wind knocks loose a broken tree branch.

If there was only one item I could carry, it would be a knife. You don't need a machete, but don't carry a small pocket knife either. With a good knife, you can make tools, skin animals, start a fire, etc. I'd leave the hatchet at home. That's just 5 lbs of steel you'll barely use.

Don't carry a big ass coat unless you're in the arctic. You're generally better off dressing in layers. It's easier to regulate your body temperature that way. Stay away from cotton as it will hold moisture against your skin when wet. Wool wicks away moisture and will keep you warm even when wet.

I would definitely carry a tent if you're expecting temperatures of 15-20. If you're camping alone, a small backpacking tent will be warmer than a dome tent. Don't forget the sleeping pad, either. Even the cheapest blue mat from Walmart is better than nothing at all because it will create an air space between you and the ground.

>>363751
i should also ask you what is procedure for bringing a friend? i have a very good looking lady friend that is almost DTF, and she has asked me before to bring her hunting or something.
Could you advise me on how to pack for two, assuming she carries a 15 or 20lb pack?

You'll have to decide on food, too. I tend to overpack a little on food, but I also always have a monstrous appetite while backpacking. For up to a three night trip, I usually pack three meals a day with some kind of trail snack (granola bars or trail mix) plus one extra meal just in case. I would never rely soley on hunting for camp food. It take time and energy. Food and water will likely be the heaviest thing you carry, so dehydrated foods are a godsend. Most of my trail cooking is as simple as boiling water and then adding it to a ziplock bag of oatmeal, noodles, etc. I like the Carnation instant breakfast packets for extra calories in the morning. Unless it's a dry season, I carry two 1L bottles filled with water. That lets me have one drinkable bottle while I wait for water treatment tablets to make the other safe to drink. Keep an eye out for water sources during your hike in. It's a terrible experience to not know where to find water during a hiking trip.

Homemade survival kits are better than any of the store bought kinds if you know what to put in it. I have a little bag that I picked up from some military surplus place years ago. Inside, I have a few different fire starters including a lighter, matches, wax soaked cotton balls, a tea light candle, and flint and steel. I have a tiny little fishing kit that includes about 30 ft of fishing line, a few hooks and sinkers, and some flies. That box has several turns of duct tape around it. I also have an ace bandage, gauze, bandaids, tweezers, and a few pills (asprin, antihystamine). I also keep one of those tiny multitools. Mine is by Gerber, and it's about 2" long.

You should start gathering firewood one to two hours before sundown. That's probably the most time consuming effort, especially if you're alone. When you think you've gathered enough, go back and collect more until you have three times the size of your original pile. It take a lot of kindling and tinder to make a fire hot enough to burn a thick log.

>>363773
If she's sleeping in your tent, she'll really only need to carry her clothes, sleeping bag, food, and water.

You'll have to decide on whether to cook with fire or to carry a camp stove. You can save some weight by using fire, but I prefer the conveniece of a stove. They sure make dinner time easier during foul whether, too.

I used to cook with a homemade alcohol stove. They're practically weightless, and they use regular denaturated alcohol available at any hardware store. Google "pepsi can stove" if you're interested. I paired it up with an old callapsible Esbit stove for use as a pot stand.

I forgot to mention parachute cord. Find a good 50 yd bundle of that. It can be used from everything to hanging bags out of animal reach, improvised slings/splints, fishing line, backpack repair, or guylines to keep your tent in place during heavy winds.

>>363774
the winds were my main concern if im on top of the hill. what qaulifies as a small backpacking tent? the only one i have access too cost 10$ and has a large rip and broke zipper.
do i need a source of heat inside a tent(lantern?)
really my trip should be fairly easy, there is a creek at the base of one side of the hill, plenty of dead wood(why i though hatchet), and its not far enough away for me to hate a heavier pack.
the thing i care about the most is food and staying warm at night.
do you have a good sleeping bag recommendation, or is a surplus down mummy bag enough?
what type of water purification is best?
and how large is a camp stove? i believe i have a pic of a soda can stove like >>363778 said

>>363780
If you can stand up in it, it's too big for hiking. I can fit two people in mind, but it's snug. Mine is just barely big enough to sit up in. You can get a tent repair kit for that rip, but I don't know what to say about the zipper. Does the tent have a rainfly? Tents are flammable. The material is petroleum based, so I would be careful with any internal heating. Just pack a few of those Hot Hands packs if you think you'll need them. A big, fatty dinner will help keep you warm at night. After you climb into your sleeping bag for the night, do some situps to raise your body temperature, and the heat will be trapped inside your bag. A surplus down mummy bag is probably warmer than what I use. Mine is a generic 20 degree bag that I got at Academy Sports years ago. Along with layered clothing, it's warm enough for me. I've slept on snow with it more than once.

>>363781
required

Where will you be camping? Are there dangerous animals around?

>>363790
only bears and mountain lions, but i will have my .308 with me

>>363780
Each method of water purification has its flaws. Boiling will kill parasites but will leave any chemicals. Filters may not remove some harmful organisms or viruses. Personally, I've used iodine tablets, boiling, and filtering with no ill effects. It really just depends on your local water quality. Obviously, you wouldn't want to drink the water if it has pesticide runoff from nearby farms.

Camp stoves are pretty light and compact now. A fuel canister is roughly the size of a big can of beef stew, and the stove itself os small enough to stash away inside some of my other gear.

>>363786
i was just going to purchase a newer tent. it did have a rainfly though. who knows, i may use it, but it doesnt fold up too small, and even though im not going too far, i only have soo much room. how small does yours fold up?

>>363791
I'd leave the gun at home and carry bear spray instead. Make lots of noise as you hike. The last thing you want to do is surprise a bear.

>>363793
My tent is about 14" long x 4" in diameter when rolled up.

>>363792
ok, bueno, i wouldnt say the water quality is bad, but it is an annual creek. i was going to use iodine or boil it, i figure id be ok with those. do you boil water in metal bottle or do you bring a small mess kit?

will this stove cut it?- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004U8CP88/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00

this is sort of my current tent, after thinking about it im going to patch with duck tape, no need for consumism
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28492#
>>363796 is the best way to pack a tent to roll it up and tie it? thats what im thinking.

what recommendations would you make to a new backpacker about general stuff? and when you make a fire do you dig a pit at all, or just clear underbrush and keep it easy? i dont want to burn down the county, even if its winter and lots of stuff is green

I'm not familiar with that particular stove, but the design is similar to mine. The cheaper ones tend to be a little less efficient in burning fuel, but unless you're taking a week long trip, it probably won't make too much of a difference.

That tent is a little bigger than what I would carry, but there's nothing wrong with making do with what you already have. I roll and tie mine, and then cinch it down in a compression sack.

General advise...just keep an eye on the things you carry along that don't get used much. That's how you trim down your pack weight for future trips. If you don't use something often, do you really need it? What can you carry that can have multiple uses instead of carrying unique single use items? I always carry a bandana. You can use it as a sweat band, an improvised sling, a bandage, a simple filter to remove leaves from water, and tons of other things.

I'm a fan of the "leave no trace" philosophy. If there are existing fire rings, there's no need in trashing up the woods for my one night stay. If there is no previous fire ring, use a stick or something to clear out a bare spot on the soil plus two or three feet all around to avoid catching everything on fire. Try and find some stones to build a fire ring. It will help keep the flame contained, and they can also be used to direct the heat in your direction.

>>363801
Another tip: dryer lint makes a great fire starter. Throw a handful into a ziplock bag before leaving for your trip to make things easier on you. Watch a few videos on youtube to learn how to start a fire, too, if you've never done it yourself. I don't mean videos of people using flint and steel. You need to learn how to set up your kindling initially, when to add more, and how to turn a small flame into a roaring fire. Having a second person really makes the job easier because one of you can feed the fire with air while the other adds wood.

from /k/ with love

>>363780
I would not try to heat a tent. There is zero insulation, and you could CO poison yourself while you are sleeping. Have lots of blankets to cover your sleeping bag or whatever. Also a knit hat and even have a facemask on hand if needed. Last time I was camping in below freezing weather, my nose felt frozen like an ice cube from breathing that air, even thought my body was warm.

The #1 thing about bears is never sleep anywhere near where your food is. The last thing they want is to f*** witha human, but they love our food. I had one shred through a screen tent that we used as a kitchen about 20 feet from where me and my friends' tents were. Good thing we were all drunk enough to sleep right through it! We probably would have all shot each other scrambling around to fire our guns at it.

op back, i love /diy/ and its never dying threads
>>363852
thank you /k/omrade
>>363861
thanks for the tip

well im about finished here i guess, unless someone else has stuff to add. but while im here-
>does anyone think that these camp items would be good to burn a 100$ amazon gift card on?

>>364314
Doesnt look bad. Ive a Katadyn Hiker Pro water filter for the water purifying but still have 2 bottles of iodine tabs, just in case. I dont suggest the collapsible jug myself, Id rather have a hydration bladder, easier to pack, and if you do it right you can hook the hiker right up to it so you can pump water into the bladder without even taking your pack off, much less unpacking. Check out Campmor for cool cheap stuff if you already know what you want.

>>364351
I agree. The fold-a-jug is probably not the best option. You don't need to be lugging around a gallon of water at a time. I have a 3-liter hydration bladder and unless it is in the 90's (maybe it is often where you live?) I only put 2 liters in it.

>>364351
I also meant to mention that a water filter is without a doubt the way to go. Chlorine and iodine will (in many cases) purify your water to the point of safety, but they also make it taste like crap. I use an MSR MiniWorks which is much bigger and heavier than the Katadyn Hiker, but I like it.

Also, where I live... the tablets don't kill everything. We have tape worm nasties here that are not killed by chlorine or iodine. You either have to filter or boil. I prefer to filter.

The Finlanders brought the tape worms here. Thanks, Toivo.

>>363739

a cheap and easy way to sleep outside with a sleeping bag, and no tent, is simply a plastic tarp and a roll-up pad like a Thermarest or something. lay tarp down, then pad, then sleeing bag. fold tarp over you.

it'll keep moisture from the ground out of your bag (DAMP BAG SUCKS BIG TIME). 90% as good as a tent for very light rain, and 100% as good for morning cold dew.

folded over you, it's stops wind/breeze infiltrating your bag, sucking out all your heat. you can open the tarp if it gets too warm.

you could use a piece of 10-mil plastic sheet, it just wouldn't last as long, but it would be stupid light and carryable.

sometimes car camping i'll take a fold out cot, put the tarp on that, and sleep in the open.

>>364351
ill look into that filter soon, at the moment im looking for a few nifty items under 10$ a piece. i plan on purchasing more expensive gear in the coming weeks
>>364640
>>364643
thanks for the tips, i plan on getting a filter soon, for now i think tabs will suffice. also, in the summer/fall temp is regularly well above 90*F

OP just from your initial questions I would give up on this notion or at minimum wait until summer.

I used to drive a tour bus in Alaska and some of the questions you ask sound like the ones asked by people the rangers went looking for.

Ten degrees is really getting into the danger zone. If you haven't done it before don't do it. Wait for the summer and pack lots of bug spray and a water filter.

>>364787
i would agree with you except that where i want to start is really not that "bad", it just gets chilly. my location isnt too terribly far innawoods(about a mile from nearest dirt road, then a few more to highway).
i already have the bare essentials covered, and am waiting on a few luxuries.

i figure i have to start somewhere, and here, now, with a little help i believe a 2 night trip is well within my current abilities. i really want to prove this to myself, and by the time summer comes around i want as much practical knowledge i can get because of all of the exploring i plan on doing.
>that and since ill have my rifle and a big bag of weed what can go wrong?

off topic, but while your here what kind of mushrooms were those in that other thread? i didnt get "gourmet"

>tents 2012
>ishygddt

>not owning a bivy

>>364800
Show me a bivy big enough to hold not only a person in a sleeping bag but the pack as well.

>>364800
actually was thinking about picking one up fairly soon, but i want to walk before i run.
also want to be able to bring second person eventually
also anon, that is one of, if not the, most homosex names i have seen on all of 4chan

>>364800
I never like being THAT GUY, but your post clearly states that it is now 2013. Trust me, I checked it three times.

>>364811
made me laugh

>>364800
i guess i should have been more clear, leafeon the most homo evolution of evee, and the text you used is almost as bad.

back to topic, since im basically a virgin backpacker, would anyone like if i put together an infographic on what it takes assuming all goes well?
im sure more of you guys, and maybe /k/ too, would like it iff someone made a "this is all you really need" graphic. not something like the innawoods guide of various BoB kits, with their useful but unnecessary items?

>>364811
well shit how could I forget

>tents 2013
>ishygddt

>>364808
Canadian British or american military ones would work if you don't have a huge pack just try and find a large/"tall" one

>>364829
homo stuff aside, take comfort in the fact that you implanted the thought of purchasing a bivy into my head, ill probably pick one up soon depending on how the next few weeks go

>>363739
Look up the "Ten Essentials" for backcountry travel. That'll tell you what you need. You mention that it's gonna be chilly, so fire is something not only to keep you warm, but keep beasts away and give you something to do with your down time. Hunting on a 3-4 day backpacking trip seems a bit silly, unless the trip was a hunting specific trip. If the girl is DTF and it's 20deg, she is no longer DTF. Be practical. Also, I like the dryer lint idea, but you need something that keeps burning so the (possibly wet) wood will catch. I've always had easy fires with cutoff pieces of those Chimney Sweeping Logs you find at the grocery.

>>364833
just look up a "modular sleeping bag system"

Make sure to bring a sleeping pad or inflatable pad with you. The most important thing to staying warm it to put layers between your bag and the ground.

>>364837
it does seem silly to some people, but some people havnt seen the some of the bucks out here.
the 20deg temp would be a mood killer, but i could get a larger bag perhaps, or figure out something, because i will be tapping that.
i was thinking about one of the smaller "firestart" logs, thought they might be silly, but i guess not, thank you anon.
>>364839
ok
>>364840
a nice self inflating pad is the most pertinent thing im lacking right now

how do you not get bitten by dangrous bugs when you sleep?

>>363739
Hey I have one of those too

>>364871
>2013
>being scared of bugs
meh, the only ones that i wold nope over would be millipedes, and despite various opinions, i will be innatent, so not worried
>>364871
i like it so far, i love it because its large enough to fit a small .22 rifle fully assembled, my 12ga pump with its barrel separate, a days worth of snacks, with plenty of room to spare for the deer we were planning on. i like the way it sits on your waist, has made my job seem easier the last few weeks.

>>364824
Some might, but your time is probably better spent elsewhere. When hiking (not indefinitely) you really only need to cover three basic needs - shelter, food and water. Most everything else is a luxury, and in my opinion if you're looking for luxury while hiking you might as well be staying in a camper and wearing flip flops.

>>364871
Insect repellent. You can either buy it or make your own with stuff like citrus and cedar oils.

But really, unless you're camping in the tropics bugs aren't really that big of a deal.