Survival Shovel

Coming up in a few months (this summer), I plan to try to survive in the North Carolina mountains for five to seven days. I have minimal experience camping/hiking, so I come to you for help.

As far as gear goes I plan to bring:
- Backpack
- Striker to make fires
- Axe/small knife
- Fold-able shovel
- Rope/string
- Tarp
- Collapsible pot (do they make these?)
- Metal rack (like the ones that are on grills)
- MRE packs only to use in emergency
- Flash light?

Still undecided on if I am going to bring a small tent and a fishing pole, would like to try to build my own shelter and would like to see if I could catch food without a fishing pole. Is there anything that I left out that may be needed?

Any tips as to what find of food I should look for? My dad suggested crawlfish. Any other tips of hints you might have would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

There are small light-weight camping/backpacking mess kits that all fit a small pot and it's lid, usually containing eating implements, the handle folds over and secures the lid to the pot.

You should also take a decent first aid kit. An injury in the wild can be devastating and greatly threaten your chances of survival.

If you are going to take a flashlight, take one that is a windup or charged by shaking. That way you don't have to worry about the batteries going dead and leaving you in the dark.

Take a hat and gloves. Sunburn is nasty and splinters are nasty.

Take a good space blanket (as opposed to a tarp). They can be used as a tarp, can be used as a blanket and can also be used to distill water from the sun.

Instead of MRE's you might want to consider freeze-dried foods, which are more lightweight and come in a wider variety of entrees.

Make sure you take an extra pair of socks or plan on rinsing your socks out every night. Ask any experienced hiker and they will tell you to take care of your feet and they will get you where you're going.

you would be wise to take a small water filter or water purification tablets. You might not always be able to build a fire to heat and purify the water, so a back up plan is always good.

If you are going to try and live off the land, then I would recommend you take a small guide to the edible wild plants in that part of the country. You can set small snares and catch small wildlife, but be aware of any hunting laws in your area. Even fishing without a license can get you into trouble with the local game warden.

2009-02-28 08:54:11 by Smithy

Which e-tool is best for a bug out bag? The Gerber Gorge or Cold Steel Spetsnaz shovel? Weight, durability, dependability and ergonomics ...

Coming up in a few months (this summer), I plan to try to survive in the North Carolina mountains for five to seven days. I have minimal experience camping/hiking, so I come to you for help.

As far as gear goes I plan to bring:
- Backpack
- Striker to make fires
- Axe/small knife
- Fold-able shovel
- Rope/string
- Tarp
- Collapsible pot (do they make these?)
- Metal rack (like the ones that are on grills)
- MRE packs only to use in emergency
- Flash light?

Still undecided on if I am going to bring a small tent and a fishing pole, would like to try to build my own shelter and would like to see if I could catch food without a fishing pole. Is there anything that I left out that may be needed?

Any tips as to what find of food I should look for? My dad suggested crawlfish. Any other tips of hints you might have would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

dont eat ,then try one day/ nite in back yard ,,using same,//, ok to buy few craws, fire wood ,jug water,mushrooms , tomato , snickers bar,, pork chop,or fish ,to use, if find it just have other hide them, ,seperatley my grand kids had same ,ideal,,not like used to be ,,taking what you need as avaliable,,hook, line an gun, an bag of beans,, three kids ate 4 mushrooms, mesquite beans and i can viennas,few minnows in trough in two days, an nites on 1,200 acres of flats ,then took map ,to find dinner, from bbq barn,, fire skills were lacking,,

2009-02-28 10:45:28 by Smithy

Price: $29.70

Features durable blade crafted from carbon steel
Designed with easy push button slide mechanism
Ergonomic handle made from glass-filled nylon with rubberized overgrip

So..basically, we're hiking, and apparently going call-of-the-wild washroom [shovel + garbage bags..] and we're all camping [boys and girls] ... I need help with basically endurance & survival of hiking and camping..
any tips for camping and hiking for a first timer?
Thanks a million :)

Just go with the flow. It's easy. No big deal.

2009-05-29 21:38:16 by Aurora

Price: $17.95 $11.70

Snap lock adjustment keeps shovel head secure
Handle unscrews to reveal a 5.5-inch blade saw
Handy two-in-one device from Texsport made of heavy-duty steel

Say the desert vs the arctic- in the desert I'm talking about just sand, lizards, maybe a few low-lying scrub bushes, indicating potential small reserves of water far beneath the sand. In the arctic environment I mean just snow, maybe fish under a layer of ice.

In both instances we will say you are equipped with the appropriate clothes and have the necessary tools for creating fire, a knife, a shovel, basic survival gear, but no food or water.

You only have to survive a few days, not long-term.

Which is the "easier" environment to shelter yourself from the elements, get enough water, food and just generally survive in for the short-term?

Personally I hate being cold. But if placed in a survival situation for say, 3-4 days, I'd take the cold. You can dehydrate in half a day in extreme heat. Plus you'd be threatened by heat stroke. Cold would be uncomfortable but much more survivable especially under your proposed scenario of having clothes and fire making ability.

2008-06-08 08:15:37 by Heldor

I'm going camping in about 2 day and i began packing everything up already. Am i missing anything.


shirt
shoes
jacket
socks
boxers
pants

food
energybars
water
snacks


tent
blanket (not bringing a sleeping bag)

survival kit
knife
multitool
compass
maps
shovel
silverware
poncho
flashlight
batteries
lighter



am i forgetting anything???
I forgot to add

toilet paper
baby wipes (keeps your butt fresh)
magnesium striker

and for the food, i just freeze dries foods that you just add watter to so i dont need a stove

Not to be mean, but you don't have a clue what to pack! That is definetly not enough, even if it is only for 1 day. Tell us how long! 1 day requires PJ's, extra clothes (like 3 of each articles, in case), HEAVY clothes, boots, extra socks, emergency first-aid kit, extra blankets (like maybe 5 or 6? Last time I went camping with just my dad and I had 3 blankets under and 2 on top of me, and it was like fall, and it was SUPER COLD!), lots of little snakcs like, hmm, maybe chex-mix, chips, beef jerky, little-debbie treats, anything, because that requires a lot of energy! Also bring a cooler with some milk and at least 5 water bottles, don't forget the canteen! Trust me it is probably not what you expect (weather, foundation, wildlife.) so be sure to pack what you wouldn't expect for.

Make sure you have tooth paste and tooth brush, hairbrush, all that hygiene stuff. Before you leave, though check every single bag and make sure for the absolute 10 things you need are their!

Pillows are important too! Maybe a few books or puzzles in case things don't go well. Get wild-life and survival books. Make sure you bring extra money in case of emergencies. Bring your cell, in case.

Deodrant?
Journal?
Pictures?
Dinner meals?
Water?
Bring lots of different weathered clothes, from jackets to Antarctic Winer coats, to shorts and pants, to even snow pants and tank-tops.

Bring the camera for scenery, wild-life, and pictures of fun things you find, or maybe some of yourself for good memories.

Oh yeah! Duh! Bring matches (Like 3 packs) and a lot of tinder sources (Hair, paper, wood.) and some marshmallows and chocolate and graham crackers for smores, if you want.

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-02 11:10:36 by kalbuir38