| When I travel into the wilderness I prefer to go light. If it doesn't fit into my shoulder bag, I will leave it behind. I'm always sure that what little gear I do take is of the highest quality, thoroughly tested, and the best that I can afford.
Most of the gear I take with me is for the "just in case" scenario. I prefer to make what I need when out there. I should also mention that much of my gear selection and use is based around the extensive training and experiences of Ron and Karen Hood. The following list is a good representation of what I like to have with me on a trip although there are some variables. For instance, I will not take every tool with me at one time that I listed below. I will always have the Rucksack with me, but may alternate between the hatchets, knife, and saw. It all depends on what I have planned. I may also choose to take along either a polytarp or canvas shelter half. Again, it all depends on the situation and what I would like to accomplish on that particular trip. I'm not overly concerned about wearing the latest trendy outdoor fashions in the wilderness. What does concern me is that the clothing stands up to the repeated abuse I put it through and protects me from the elements. Without having to result in the attention gathering camo type patterns, I prefer to wear colors that will blend in with my surroundings. I've been wearing the same set of clothes in the wilderness for several years now. So far, I've only had to make one small repair in the seat of the pants. I've also replaced the shoestrings in the boots. This clothing combination has worked very well for me. There's always the possiblity I could find myself separated from my main gear. For this reason I always carry my Mini-Kit, iodine crystals, Rucksack, and one trashbag in my pants pockets. With these items I can trap, fish, construct shelters, treat water, mend clothing, as well as many other survival related tasks. I always carry a large caliber sidearm for defensive purposes. Even though there are no moose, elk, or grizzly bears (last living individual was seen during 1924 in Sequoia National Park) in the High Sierras, I am exposed to black bears and coyotes. And because Ranchers bring their stock up into the mountains for grazing, there's always the chance that I may encounter a bull. Animals of the two legged variety are a concern as well. Clothing and Sleep Gear
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(Top Row L-R) 100% wool blanket, 85/15 blend Mexican poncho, bodybag
| (Middle Row L-R) 65/35 blend Combat Cloth BDU pants,50/50 blend Hanes sweatshirt,60/40 blend Dickies longsleeve shirt, wool hat, Thorlos Backpacking (formerly Trekking) socks, head rag, ass rag (Bottom Row L-R) Cabela's Mountain Hunter boots (discontinued), leather belt, Lowe Alpine Express shoulder bag (discontinued), hickory walking stick Shoulder Bag Contents
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(Top Row L-R) *Maxi Kit, maps, journal, pencils, Rik Palm Spork, Nalgene water bottle
| (Middle Row L-R) cotton balls, steel wool, magnesium firestarting tool, Ted Cash brass tinder box w/burning glass lens (Contents: Tai Goo striker, flint, jute twine, steel wool, char cloth), Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 80 camera, Ultrapod camera tripod, Casio Triple Sensor watch (Bottom Row L-R) ceramic sharpening rod, Infinity Task Light, lip balm, carabiner, **Mini-Kit, hunting/fishing licenses in Omniseal Waterproof Holders, iodine crystals (not pictured) *Maxi-Kit components: **Mini-Kit components: Cooking Gear
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Other than the occasional spoon, the only piece of cooking gear I take with me on trips is the 1 quart coffee can. Not only is this handy item useful in cooking, but it also serves as a makeshift shovel. In the past I have used a wire clothes hanger as a bail but found that after a while the wire would fatigue and end up breaking. Instead, using a heavy wire bail from a five gallon bucket, I fashioned a bail that was much sturdier.
| Bail in its "Stowed" position
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The nice feature about this new design is that the bail lies flush against the can when stowed. This in turn, allows the cookcan to be packed away in my shoulder bag much easier and with little concern of puncturing it's contents or the bag itself.
| Wilderness Tools
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(Top to Bottom) 21" Svensaw, Victorinox Rucksack knife with ferocerium rod, Rob Simonich Nordooh knife, Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet, Gransfors Bruks Mini Belt Hatchet
| Firearms
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(Top to Bottom) Marlin 882 22 Magnum w/Rocky Mountain Arms Turnipseed package, Ruger Redhawk 44 Magnum
| I use CCI Maxi Mag+V cartridges in the Marlin and Garrett 330-grain +P cartridges in the Ruger. New Gear
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These are some new items I will be testing out this year.
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The Jacket is a Filson Mackinaw Cruiser, the rucksack is made by Duluth Pack, and the axes are from Gransfors Bruks, the larger being an American Felling Axe, and the smaller, a Small Forest Axe. Items not pictured: Roselli Hunting Knife, Geier Elkskin Gloves, Becker Patrol Machete Eric
Copyright © 2001 by Eric Stoskopf.
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