The Novice Survivalist
A novice outdoorsmen learning camping, fishing, bushcraft and survival. "KNOWLEDGE IS A SURVIVAL SKILL"
Do I really need all these survival “gizmos and tools” and other stuff…..
Hello to all. Well now that I have finally started to get me feet on the ground in the new play ground…..Minnesota. I went on my first Kayak camp. Playing safe I went to a small State park not to far from home. Rice Lake State park. Its more of a walking, hiking , car camping park. Although they do offer 5 kayak/canoe paddle in sites. The lake was very shallow and kept that way to help the wild fowl in the area. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed my overnight camp. It was fun, as any camp trip for me is. Anywhere in the out doors makes for fun.
However once again I had issues with the way my Kayak performed when loaded up. Granted a Hobie Outback is really designed as a fishing kayak it can hold a lot of gear. Its naturally a slow wide stable kayak.
That’s why I bought it. Looking at pictures from the trip I noticed how overloaded I am. This was an over nighter. It was packed to the hilt. I seem to have gone back to over kill again. I need to slim down. No not me, what I carry on my kayak trips. This is also going to affect walk in camping which I plan to start doing, now I am in Minnesota. Minimal is the word. Well not absolute but as minimal as possible. This is my new mantra…”Minimalize as much as is possible while being as safe as possible.”
This means taking a look at survival/emergency gear I am carrying. As well as the other “normal camping stuff” I carry. I need to look at my walk in packs and my kayak packs dry bags etc. I currently carry when camping.
So new task coming up.
- minimalizing my kayak camp equipment
- Minimalize my walk in camp equipment
I will have to pull out each dry bag, pack, stuff bag etc. and go through them one at a time to remove any culprits that’s really don’t need to be there. Size and weight being what I am looking to get rid of. So off to pull out the “Gizmos and tools” I seem to have so much of, and start whittling down. Stay tuned.
Remember knowledge is a survival skill.
The Novice Survivalist
A new look at My Camping Equipment and other Big Changes
Source: A new look at My Camping Equipment and other Big Changes
Latest Blog post. Its been awhile read and find out why. All very exciting for me.
TNS
A new look at My Camping Equipment and other Big Changes
Welcome back campers.
Sorry been a little busy with life. Most of you will have noticed I have relocated to Minnesota. Big change for me, Although so far I have found Minnesota very welcoming. Lots of outdoor activities here.
I will certainly have to pick up my game in the outdoors. New things to learn and see.
Couple of new tasks I will have to set.
- Get to know my new play ground
- Learn rules and regulations for Mn
- Change my camping patterns and methods
- The BIG one for me is to plan on a true bush crafty camp in the national forests. something I have always wanted to do.
- Make the necessary changes to my equipment nd mind set for camping and the outdoors in MN.
Check out my first video from MN.
Obviously there is a big difference from California to Minnesota. I now need to make sure I am prepared for the Minnesota outdoors……They have seasons here. California not so much.
The big one WINTER, Camping and other outdoor activities.
So a new adventure begins. Join me in my learning Minnesota outdoors and safety and survival. Camping, fishing and Kayaking.
Don’t forget to stop by the Recourse page to see all the new Videos I have added. See the section welcome to Minnesota 2CG.
Enjoy and remember to subscribe to my You Tube Channel for up dates to Videos I add.
Knowledge is a survival skill. Never stop gaining yours.
The Novice survivalist
Updates to Blog and Resource page on my website
Just added a new Video on tarp setups to the resource page. Also new blog up date on the 10 C’s check it out. NS
Canvas Needle. The last of the 10 C;s
Although a play on words, A Canvass needle is more than likely to be replaced by a small modified sewing kit. What for you ask. Well lets look at some needs for a sewing kit.
- Clothing repair
- Cover repair. ( Tarp tent etc.)
- Medical use
- General item repair
Looking at this list I can see why it is the last Item on the 10 C’s Of survival list. It has limited use but would be handy to have. Simply being able to repair or modify your clothing would be the most obvious use. Having a number of different sized needles as well as suitable thread is a must. Using a standard sewing needle and thread to repair some heavier material than your average clothing is not going to work.
A good kit should have at least this
Some Utility Cord
Duct Tape.
Brass wire
Needle Holder
Assorted Needles
Heavy Duty Straight Pins
Assorted Buttons
Assorted Safety Pins
Heavy Duty Nylon Thread
Needle Threader
Metal Thimble
Durable Waterproof Patch’s
Hopefully a kit that contains these Items will get you through a basic repair. remember all your emergency items are really based on a 72 hour survival situation. The 10 items in the list will certainly get you through.
Next up a look at my Emergency kit I have developed over the past couple of months. Although not really a separate kit. It is part of my camping kit. Simply integrated to make for easy access and all in one kit.
Depending on your situation and survival scenario the emergency kit may be separate. Or there are multiple kits for a group situation. For me having my Back pack for camping integrated with my emergency kit items works for me.
Although we have basically covered the 10 C’s I will continue to add posts on my learning more. I am sure , In Fact I know Ill be changing the items, either to replace or improve the item.
Remember to regularly check your kit for wear and tear. Some items may need to be maintained regularly (Cutters) or replaced . (Expired food items, etc.)
As always
Remember .
Knowledge is a survival skill. Keep up to date.
The Novice Survivalist
Dirt time 9- Cargo Tape
Source: Dirt time 9- Cargo Tape
This is number 9 on my list. Check out my site on my learning some basic survival skills. Maybe you will learn something too.
Dirt time 9- Cargo Tape
This is one of the “not really required” items on the 10’Cs of survival list. However its a very versatile item to have in your bag of survival tricks.
Cargo Tape, number 9 on the 10 c’s list, also known as Duck Tape or Gorilla tape or 100MPH tape. What ever you call it is one of the multitaskers in the survivalists bag of goodies. Very strong and durable tape. It has many uses for the survivalist. There at lists and lists on the web about uses for Duck tape.
Not all pertain to survival, but I have seen survival lists that have 50 uses for Duct tape. Some are a stretch, some trivial, but some are very useful. Personally for me Tape has 3 main uses. For my planning which is to get home from a emergency scenario while out solo camping.
Having said that, I do have 3 different bags/packs for different things.
- My kayak solo camping emergency bag. Its small enough to fit into my kayak and is really designed for a 71 hour situation. (See my video on I got tagged on my You Tube channel.)
- My EDCC, everyday car carry bag. With me when I am at work or driving any distances.
- And my back packing setup. Which is a bigger back pack , which has all my camp items, plus survival kits. Really a longer than 72 hour pack. ( actually just a nice big bag to keep all my camping stuff in. Convenient to just grab and go should I decide to camp, with out my Kayak.)
Back to tape. For me the uses include
- Patching, Repairs to my Kayak, Tarps, Tent, clothes, sleeping bag etc.
- Make shift tying. By cutting the tape into long thin strips and doubling over. ( long side) it can be used to tie up shelters, wood or any items you may need to bundle or tie together.
- Medical kit, Can be used to hold a cut together, used to make a splint.
As you can see here is just 3 simple uses I would use tape for. As I mentioned above, a quick look /search under uses for duck tape or survival uses for duck tape will give a multitude of uses. You will be surprised.
Till next time, Number 10 …Canvas needle, sowing anybody…
Stay safe, be prepared and remember
“Knowledge is a survival skill.”
Novice Survivalist
Dirt Time 8 – Compass
Source: Dirt Time 8 – Compass A basic tutorial on using a compass
The Novice Survivalist 