Kit lists
Firstly to answer a question I get asked a lot, like
probably every other bushcraft person, there
is no such thing as a definitive ‘essential’ kit list
– it is purely personal and depends on what you’re doing…
The recommended basic items list again depends very much on
what you’re up to. As an example, here are a few lists for specific
events:
A night out
- Knife;
- First
Aid kit;
- Shelter;
- Cooking
gear;
- Sleeping
gear;
- Fire
making kit.
Trapping
- Knife;
- First
Aid kit;
- Traps/snares;
- Bag
for game.
Wild fishing
- Knife;
- First
Aid Kit;
- Fishing
kit;
- Bag
for catch.
Short hike in good weather
- Knife;
- First
Aid Kit;
- Trek
pole(s);
- Map
& Compass/GPS.
As you can see, each list is different yet there are 2 basic
items that should be in any kit – a knife and a First Aid Kit.
Obviously I’ve deliberately missed out footwear,
clothing, snacks, etc.
For cold weather trips you may need extra clothing, a
heavier sleeping bag, snow shoes, trek poles, etc.
For hot weather you may need bug spray, sun screen, extra
water bottles, a wide brim hat, etc.
One great idea though is to try to find items with several
functions rather than take 10 items, each with only one use. For example a US
Army poncho and liner can be used as:
- A
poncho;
- A
warm poncho;
- A
blanket;
- A
sleeping bag;
- A
shelter;
- A
water collector;
- A
cover for a coracle;
- A
stretcher;
- A
pack over.
See, one item with 9 uses…
But for those of you who a quick
guide to suitable kit lists, here are a few for you to base your kit on.
Day hike
- Anti-bacterial gel.
- Binoculars.
- Camera.
- Clip top bags.
- Comfortable clothes.
- Compass.
- Crockery.
- Day pack.
- Drinks making kit.
- FAK.
- Hat.
- High calorie snacks such trail mix.
- Jacket.
- HFS.
- Knife.
- Lunch.
- Map.
- Notepad and pencil.
- Personal water supply.
- Small stove.
- Spare socks.
- Spotters guides.
- String.
- Sun screen.
- Survival bag/thermal blanket.
- Tissues.
- Trek stick/walking stick.
- Walking boots or shoes.
- Walking socks.
- Whistle.
Overnight
trip
o
Day hike kit.
o
Axe.
o
Cookware.
o
Fire kit.
o
Food stuffs.
o
Foot powder.
o
Saw.
o
Sleeping bag.
o
Spare batteries.
o
Small back pack.
o
Tent/hootchie/basha.
o
Torch.
Long trip
o
Clothes.
o
Large FAK.
o
Medium-large back pack
o
Overnight trip kit.
FAK
o
Adhesive tape.
o
Assorted plasters in individual wrappers.
o
Crepe bandage.
o
Disposable gloves in sterile wrappers.
o
Medium dressing.
o
Safety pins.
o
Scissors.
o
Sterile dressings.
o
Sterile wipes.
o
Triangular bandage.
o
Tweezers.
Fire kit
o
Lighter/matches/fire piston/flint and
steel/steel and striker.
o
Tinder.
o Waterproof pouch/tub.
