Are You a Modern Day Minimalist?

[Dee]

I was looking thru my fanny pack today to see if I could lighten it up a bit, and decided not. Takin inventory I have in it, a railroad flair wrapped in 3/8 nylon cord, 2 space blankets wrapped in long leather boot laces, 1 40 gallon trash bag, 1 sample bottle full of vaseline soaked cotton balls, a Boy Scout compass, a small led flashlight, a magnesium fire starter, fishing line, and very small bobbers, and perch hooks, and a few dry flies, a homemade first aid kit containing bandages, band aids, a small magnifying glass, polysporin, a knife sharpener, and a hotel bar of soap. Also included is 2 tins of smoked oysters. On the pack belt, a razor sharp sheath knife.
This may to some sound like a lot, but the main compartment (2 compartment fanny pack) has LOTS of room left for possibly some more food, and extra ammo.
This fanny pack stays in my Jeep, and when I hit the woods, I have it, usually a 13 shot Lever Action, and sometimes a small pistol, and because I have to hunt alone, a cell phone.
If I camp, I have a cot that folds out into a combo "cot-tent" cover, and if I plan on staying more than a night I have a good canvas tarp that goes over the expedition rack of my Jeep making a nice awning. I am not a camp ground kinda guy. I'm a backwoods, creek bottom kinda guy. I don't want neighbors.
How about you. You travel empty, light, or heavy?

[PowPow]

Single shot rifle, 4-6 cartridges, warm clothes, knife, 2WD Jeep, cell phone, credit card, phone number for a local towing service.

[Dee]

That's cuttin it thin alright.

[Graybeard]

Nope I'm more of a maximilist. I take errything but the kitchen sink and I have an extra one of those to take I just never seem to have room left over to put it.

[MarkNJ]

OK, my fanny pack (we call 'em bum bags over here) is a broad belt variety with 5 zipped pouches thats coloured blaze orange. In it I carry my knife, headlamp, torch, a disposable lighter, a friction lighter, a folding saw, 6 rounds of ammo in elasticated holders and more wrapped in toilet paper, a light first aid kit, parachute cord, foil sealed refresher towels (from KFC), a small survival kit in a tin, a survival blanket, a small pair of binoculars, a white crayon (for writing on trees/rocks), compass, GPS and there is still room for a 600ml water bottle and a camera. No cellphone - no service.
Thats what I take at all times, it sits round my waist all day and is hardly noticed.
Now, if I want to stay out for more than a few hours then I include my day pack. That has a 3 litre hydration bladder, storage for another 10 rounds, laminated map, foil sealed 'one square meal' bars and in the pack I store a cold weather jacket and a large trash bag. A tin of Tuna and some cheese as well.
This too, is not restrictive and dosn't weigh me down after a day out in the bush.
I guess I don't travel light

cheers

[teamnelson]

I am moving to less and less. Got a new smaller pack coming, like a maxpedition raptor 2 minus the label and $100 cheaper. I'm fairly certain I can make it with a good knife, but wouldn't mind a few more amenities.

[PowPow]

Forgot to mention one thing...my wife won't let me go anywhere without a can of Vi-eenas.

[Victor3]

 I used to be. Pops and I went camping/hunting/hiking with minimal stuff. He always had a dedicated pickup with a camper shell that was 90% loaded up and ready to hit the road in under 20 minutes. Main 'luxury' item was a Coleman stove, food was always canned stuff and other non-perishable items like crackers. All we usually had to load was water, guns/ammo and fuel for the stove.

 Then I married a girl who grew up camping with her family in a big trailer. Then we had a child, and every trip seemed more like we were moving out of state than just going camping for a few days.

 We've come to somewhat of an equalibrium after 20+ years but still bring way to much stuff for my liking. If it takes more than half an hour to set up camp, I start mumbling that we should have just gone to a hotel.

 That said, today I would never take my Son to where Dad and I went without more survival-type items. I cherish the memories, but if Mom ever found out about some of our "adventures" back then, it would have been all over for us. Looking back, Dad wasn't all that careful for our safety 100% of the time.

 Since Dad's passing, I've been dribbling out stories to Mom now and then. That's always fun around the holiday dinner table...

[Hooker]

I like to carry at least 2 types of each necessity or single items that can handle multiple duties.
For fire starting I carry a Gerber Strike Force and fire piston both are impervious to moisture.
For tinder I have Wet Fire tablets, cotton balls, vaseline, and fire starting paste. (I keep the cotton balls and vaseline separate that way they can pull other duties as needed)
Knives I like to have 3 of them a single blade folder for light work (Buck 110) a medium fixed drop point something like the Buck Vanguard or Alpha Hunter, A large heavy blade (an old Western Bowie with a carbon steel blade easy to sharpen heavy enough to chop wood)
A Gerber Multitool one of the larger ones this is a must have if you don't have it stay home.  (seriously)
Military green duct tape (Not the cheap stuff) Most of us have a bottle or can in our kit, rap about 50' of this stuff around it. It dose not take up much room and it is with out a doubt the best piece or survival gear known to man.
50' of paracord, 12' repelling rope and small roll mono fishing string.
Military poncho it makes a shelter , you can ware it and it can be used to gather drinking water. It will roll up nice and small so it does not take up much space. It can be worn over your kit to keep it and you dry. I roll a pair of Frog Tog bottoms up in mine the poncho is good but you will be soaked from the knees down in the rain.
This is good spot to remind everyone about the most over looked piece of kit, an extra pair of socks preferably Goretex. In a survival situation next to your brain your most valuable asset is your feet take care of them they may have to carry you a long way.
A good firstaid kit I have one of the small one in a slip together cases they are cheap you can add to it for your own needs. I carry Midol don't laugh it is one of the best over the counter pain meds you can get. Just ask any of the ladies. (in my vehicles I carry full blown first responders kits it's larger than whole survival kit)
Most every thing else can depend on where you are and who you are.
My old Scout Master told us that survival was divided into 3 areas one as important as the other.
1  having the ability to avoid the situation.
2  having the tools you need.
3  having good skills.
He said that if you are lacking in the first 2 areas you had better be expert in that 3rd area. 
One should be able to make fire and shelter with out any kit at all .
If you can do that then surviving with a good kit is just camping.( My Scout Master was a  Marine he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars )

Pat

[teamnelson]

In lieu of a poncho you can get a cheap plastic drop cloth. If you use a non-framed pack, fold the drop cloth    to be like a frame, pack it close to your back.

[PKnTX]

Been reading here for a while, thought I'd join in this one.
Not that I've alot of "new" ideas, just find it interesting and informative.

Used to think I carried alot when planning to be out all day.
That is, until I saw some lists (on another forum).  Since then,
I just may be a Modern Day Minimalist.

This is in a "fanny pack" that has an extra zipper compartment
on one side and an open pouch on the other.

Toilet paper.  Yes, I listed it 1st.  About a 1/3 roll, mashed flat, in a ziplock.
Actually has more uses than the obvious butt... I mean but that's for another thread.

Water.  My canteen fits in the open side pouch of the pack.  enough for the day.

1st aid.  couple of 4x4 bandages, a few lrg bandaids, small bar of soap, tweezers, tape,
couple days worth of my arthritis meds, pain meds (just in case) in a ziplock.

Small flashlight (AA mini-maglight w/ extra bulb & batteries) disposable lighter, matches,
space blanket, shoe laces, unbreakable mirror, small compass, basic multi-tool and some
light fishing line w/ small foam bobber and a few small hooks and split shot.  Again, in a ziplock.

20 ft of nylon cord/rope.  If whitetail hunting also a drag strap (much better than just rope).
You guessed it, in a ziplock.

A true luxury item is my GPS.  A Garmin E-Trex (the inexpensive yellow one).
This thing has saved me thousands of footsteps when it came time to get back
to the truck.  It fits in the side zipper pouch along with my cell phone and a disposable camera.

On top of all this is some food.  Usually some type of high energy/dense bar for "just in case"
and, what else but a good ol' sandwich.

On the belt is a Gerber Gator. 

In the bottom of the pack is an extra large heavy duty trash bag and an extra
ziplock bag or two.
 
Hey, them things are handy as a pocket on your shirt!!!!
They'll keep stuff sorted and easy to find in your pack.
Good for protecting and collecting other stuff.  Cheap & lightweight.

I got some good ideas from y'alls posts, thanks for sharing.

[teamnelson]

A buddy and I once planned to take one of the Tom Brown classes - never did. But story goes Tom worked himself down to walking in nearly naked and coming out fat, dressed and healthy; in different terrains. Seems like it was a consuming personal goal for him. I've walking a lot of miles with a heavy pack and more often wished I left a few things out than wished I brung more.

Something I began carrying a few years back and have sitting next to me right now is a plain ol' stainless steel coffee cup. I've shaved in it, cooked in it, brewed coffee in it, and drank out of it a few times too. I pack small stuff in - its bomb proof, literally (tested once). Push comes to shove, that cup and a kbar dangling from my loincloth and I'd feel like a rich man.

[SHOOTALL]

My day pack ( stays in truck most of the time . Lighter , matches , vaseline , cotton balls , commerical fire starter . 100' cord , socks , GI first aid kit, emg. blanket , poncho , poncho liner , 55gal. trash bags , water bottle, food , compas , mini mag lite , extra bat. , family channel radio ( has weather chl.), ammo., gloves , ka-bar , fishing stuff , sunscreen , bug repel. moon floss , couple-3 rags , Ivory soap and survival guide . This changes from time to time .

[Dee]

This pic is on another thread concerning maximising your equipment, but it fits here also, and has what I think are good ideas of using even the smallest of storage compartments or turning small openings in to compartments.
It is the pistol grip obviously on my M4. It has a magnesium striker and an old military can opener, which can be used with the magnesium fire starter, and also as a knife. It is held in water tight with part of a bicycle inner tube, and strong rubber bands of different widths from the inner tube which could also be used for other things.
You will also note that there is about a 12" piece of the inner tube on the butt of the sling. This piece keeps the sling from sliding off the shoulder, and can be removed and used for everything from pinching off one end and carrying small amounts of water, to making more rubber bands to storing items in with the ends closed.

[PKnTX]

The SS cup is a good call.  I've got a small one that was
taken out of my pack for some forgotten reason. 
It will go back in before I go back out.

[SHOOTALL]

I forgot a leatherman is also in the pack

[Badnews Bob]

Yep I am with you guys I find my pack is getting lighter every time I go thru it. I have an old surplus alice pack with frame, It is amazing how much you can put in there you don't really need.

[Dee]

LOL! I used to use one of those when I was working marijuana patches on the Ok.-Tx border in the Red River Bottoms. I had so much crap in that thing it weighed a ton. I was about 31 or 32 then, and I thought I needed all that sometimes for only a day. I kept it in the trunk of my unmarked patrol unit all the time. That thing was low tech in the way of comfort and practicality for my line of work.

[SHOOTALL]

I still have one also .

[Dee]

I gave my to a youngster years ago, that liked packin heavy.

[SHOOTALL]

I don't carry it the truck does .

[Badnews Bob]

Yep low tech and low buck. I bought that thing about twenty years ago for $15.00 from a surplus place. I think I could live for a month outta that thing.

[sachel.45]

im kinda in between i guess my dad on the other hand is a hardcore pack everything kinda guy we went backpacking and my dad had 500' of paracord 5-6 knifes i think he had 2 handguns and we were out for 2 days i asked how much his pack weighed when we got back it was about 50 pounds mine was closer to 20

[Empty Quiver]

Dee, Lose the flare, fishing equipment, and trash bag, then put it in a Camel Bak day pack, full of water and you have my kit. The Camel Bak has enough room for a rain suit and down vest, plus lunch if needed.

I will tell you this, I went through that bag every morning trying to lighten it on a recent elk hunt. Water is heavy and was the majority of my load, it was also the one thing I most wanted through the day.

Now my vest pockets also carried range finder, bino's, 6 extra rounds, led flashlight, and a GPS W/extra batteries.

[Dee]

The fishing equipment (hooks, line, sinkers, bobbers) could be put in a film canister, the corks also. The flare? NOPE! Ain't gettin rid of that. It will start fires REGARDLESS of the weather. I carry my water, in a military canteen with the cup on the bottom, in an unused possibles bag, with an inside pocket. The pocket contains coffee, and tea bags that come in tinfoil packaging.

[Empty Quiver]

I can't say as I argue with carrying a flare. They are pretty dependable, and have the added benefit of signaling at a moments notice. I do have some of the shorter burn ones around here that wouldn't be as heavy and bulky. My first thoughts went to the big rascals that burn about twenty minutes and have the big nail in the end.

[Swampman]

I don't carry hardly anything, but I can live for several days with what's in my small pack.  It's with me any time I'm in the woods.

[Dee]

Nope! This is a railroad flare about 8" long with the striker as the cap. Hardly weighs anything at all. You could about weld with these things, and wet or dry, if it will burn, a railroad flare will get it going. It will even light a tire.

[rio grande]

OK, my fanny pack (we call 'em bum bags over here) is a broad belt variety with 5 zipped pouches thats coloured blaze orange. In it I carry my knife, headlamp, torch, a disposable lighter, a friction lighter, a folding saw, 6 rounds of ammo in elasticated holders and more wrapped in toilet paper, a light first aid kit, parachute cord, foil sealed refresher towels (from KFC), a small survival kit in a tin, a survival blanket, a small pair of binoculars, a white crayon (for writing on trees/rocks), compass, GPS and there is still room for a 600ml water bottle and a camera. No cellphone - no service.
Thats what I take at all times, it sits round my waist all day and is hardly noticed.
Now, if I want to stay out for more than a few hours then I include my day pack. That has a 3 litre hydration bladder, storage for another 10 rounds, laminated map, foil sealed 'one square meal' bars and in the pack I store a cold weather jacket and a large trash bag. A tin of Tuna and some cheese as well.
This too, is not restrictive and dosn't weigh me down after a day out in the bush.
I guess I don't travel light

cheers

How do you keep that 'torch' from burning your 'bum'?  
Seriously.
Lots of good ideas here. I like the flare idea.
Lighter sure is better, I've a big Kelty internal frame, but the bigger the pack the more you're tempted to shove into it..so that you might fall backward and not be able to get up and just have to lay there on your back like a dyin' bug.
I've carried a smaller German Army Ruck, the newer one, not the old leather-strapped one, and it's way more practical, comfortable too.  I think it'd do just fine for 3 or four days.
I've also a very light Brazilian-style hammock with net, it's good in the mountains (if not too cold) where there is little level ground, and even though there's not many mosquitoes around there the net keeps the pesky flies off you.
 Good where the ground is wet and mosquitoes bad, too, except the big ol' skeeters here near the Gulf and the rice marshes will just stick you right thru the bottom of the hammock! 
Bivy sacks for ground use.
GI ground pads are great for insulation and light (but they sure ain't a feather bed), and they work w/ hammock or bivy sack.

TeamNelson's stainless cup is a good thought, and I like American-made (not Chinese) Nalgene water bottles over the plastic bladder type, as thorns could puncture those. I have a stainless cup that the large Nalgene bottle fits into.
Saws are good, lighter than an ax and quiet. Plastic tarps and trash bags - yes.

[Dances with Geoducks]

A military waterproof bag, wrapped in a garbage bag (urban camo). Inside SAS LBE, will everything I might need to live off the land for months.

Dont forget the butt wipe. I have 40 "C" ration wipes in a seal-a-meal pouch, you never no when you might have to go.

Even tho both my canteens are fitted with nefty filters, I also carry an extreme purification system, and bleach tablets.
Water is life

On flairs, I carry both aerial, and road, The road flairs made dandy wet weather fire starters. It rains a lot here