Journals…more than just notes?

Are journals more than just for jotting down notes and drawings of your adventures?  

Maybe it is the prepper in me, but I augment my kit with redundancies, especially when it comes down to my journal or note taking “gear”.  

I utilize a Rite in the Rain notebook and cover made by tactical tailor.  I have been using Rite in the Rain for years, this is not a product recommendation, just stating that it is my trusted go to.  

Where I may differ from most is, that I choose to use a binder type book.  Meaning I can add, remove pages etc.  I find the versatility of this more beneficial, so I can get rid of scratch notes, scribbles and transfer the full note to a page and replace it in the book.  

Maybe I am an organizational freak, but I have it divided into sections where I or someone else can easily access the information from within.  

What I like about this it allows me to keep information that I find useful, not just what I discover or write down.  For example, I keep temperature conversions from between Fahrenheit and Celsius for both weather and cooking.  I keep food measurement/conversions.  Things I don’t want to try to remember and can easily refer to.  As I research, learn and get more confident in some other skills, I will include more wild edibles information, maybe with pictures for reference, medical remedies from wild edibles, and specifically list some of my medical issues.      

Now for the good stuff, what do I keep in there that is not written down!  

-Various needles for repairs.

-A magnification card (helps me to read small print, and other uses)

-A smaller rite in the rain booklet for navigation points

-Protractor for map navigation and or measurements (there is also a standard 7” ruler on the binder along with a metric ruler on the opposite cover)

-Several small safety pins 

-One 16P nail

-Pencils, Pens, and Marker

-Ready made butterfly bandage

-The zipper pull is an exotac tinderzip, it has a core that is a highly flammable, waterproof, and easy to ignite.

The paper can be used as tinder, or trail markers for travel/rescue, the ideas of how to use a simple journal can probably go on and on.  I have not weighed the journal, but if you are already bringing it and the small very light items added make the very little extra weight negligible.  

DIY Map Case

Years ago I learned an old trick or tip if you will for a cheap DIY map case.  The Dollar Store Map Case. 

I was at a school doing a Land Navigation course and a Recon buddy in my group had this plastic case with paracord and tape everywhere that he pulled out of his shirt and put his map and protractor etc in.  He showed me that it was just a make shift map case that he learned from some older Recon Marines. 

So here you go with the shopping list: 

-3 to 4 feet of paracord/550 cord or whatever cord you want to use.  

-100 MPH, Duct, Gorilla tape, any kind of thick tape of that nature.

-1 clear pencil case from the dollar store.

THAT’S IT!!!!

Simply wrap the tape around the case, you can do it above the zipper or as you can see in the pictures I did what appears to be upside down.  I did this because I flip the case up when I need to get things in/out from it while around my neck.  The tape reinforces the holes for the neck lanyard and/or case if you choose to use it.  You can just use the cordage through the holes that are already in the pencil case. 

 

What I love about this DIY map case is that you can store your compass, pace beads, protractor, map pens/pencils or other navigation equipment when not in use or while you are on the go.  You can tuck the map in your shirt if not trying to be seen, wear it outside if you don’t care, be able to have quick reference to see your points, since it is plastic you can do your route planning on the outside of the case if you set your map in it to use as a route planner. 

The best thing is; build it to your comfort/standards. Hope this helps if you are in the market for something like this on the cheap.  

 

Traditional vs. Modern

Let’s face it, we’re all gear junkies. I like anyone else enjoy looking at knives, guns, packs, clothes and the list goes on and on for outdoors gear. I’m a huge fan of older gear because it has been time tested and has a nostalgia about it. My go to for the most part have been ALICE packs because that’s what I’m used to and they have been reliable in their use with so many folks. So on my journey back into the outdoors, I've found myself often stuck between traditional maybe even retro as opposed to modern packs. Who doesn’t love good waxed canvas or oilskin?

Is this an age old debate or a struggle for most?  Personally, I have been back and forth with this for a while now.  Recently, I was in the market for a new pack, and I had been eyeing a very traditional looking pack with a fairly high dollar value and described as an “heirloom” quality pack.  I still have a desire to own this pack for sure, I have researched it, asked about it, had friends who own that brand attest to how well made their packs are.  I also have friends who attest to the quality and functionality of a newer style pack and how well it performs.  Both have great reviews and fanfare, so I know either would be a great purchase.  So now is it about price point, or durability, or functionality, or customization?  It’s just a back pack, how hard could this be.  

Well we’re gear junkies, we have to dissect the type of fabrics and stitching, so we’re looking at every facet to poke holes in our decisions!   

To be honest, what it came down to for me was functionality.  A more modern pack is a little more customizable, a little more modular.  It wasn’t about cost (I’m always looking to not spend so much), or look, or even brand.  It truly became about what was best to suit my needs for a “buy once, cry once” type of purchase, to allow me to have what I consider the four season pack for me.  

I started thinking about this, and realized I struggle with this for most of my purchases for gear and equipment.  Is this knife traditional looking enough for me, am I looking for an optic or how well it’s made?  Does it hold an edge, is it durable, or is it the next catch all tool?  Sometimes we go down the rabbit hole of ridiculousness.  Does this rifle have the look I want, does that even matter so long as it shoots true?  Crazy thoughts sometimes.  The first rule of being cool is looking cool right?

I think the look of things appeals to us, a lot of us strive to learn the old ways, but does that mean we have to carry traditional only?  Does it make your experiences in camp any better or worse if you use a oilskin trap, and use an air mattress to save your back?  I think the old timers would have loved some modern comforts they were not privileged to have, like instant flame.  Just some thoughts...how do you feel about Traditional vs. Modern?

REPs to pREP

 

REPs (REPair, REPurpose, REPlenish, REPlace, REPetition) to pREP

The below discussion/examples include home, vehicle, pack but can be used for any situation by using your imagination.  I chose to use home/vehicle and pack because during any given time we spend the majority of our time in our home or vehicle and typically we have a pack in our vehicle or on an outing:  

REPair:  Sounds pretty obvious, but looking over your gear and ensuring it is serviceable and in good working order like maintaining your knives by sharpening, honing, stropping and oiling.  Is your clothing good to go or does it have holes or is it worn out, maintenance of equipment, oil changes for your vehicle, maintenance of your home (leaks, power, water heater etc), if you have a generator is it serviceable.   

REPurpose:  What gear do you have that is multi-use?  You have Meal Ready to Eat in your pack, what can you do with the heavy plastic bag it is wrapped in?  Most of the time we field strip them, losing a heavy duty plastic container, which can be used for water collection or collecting tinder/kindling and keeping it dry.  The boxes that the meal is in can be used as tinder material.  We are looking for multi-use items, like using a shovel as a pan to cook, and an axe to chop small wood and kindling for a fire. 

REPlenish:  A lot of folks keep bug out, go bags, everyday carry bags or whatever you want to label them as.  I often wonder how often do they use the items in it?  I have always been taught to train like you fight, so when you have items that you exhaust like consumables and perishables you have to replenish your supply prior to the mission.  Some examples in an outdoor setting are batteries, food, cordage, medical/medications (expired), tinder materials, Bic lighter fluid, matches, fatwood, charred materials and so on.  

REPlace:  Look for damaged/broken gear, bulbs for lights, irreparable items.  Some more considerations could be seasonal items, such as switching out to a lighter sleeping bag for summer, or a wool cap for winter.  Cutting tools (buck saw vice folding saw) axe for hatchet or large saw.  So many items can be switched out regardless of circumstances.  

REPetition: Simply do it over and over until you know exactly what is in your gear and it's state.  If you have never heard of the 5W's, you need to know them for your gear, who, what, when, where and why.  Create the muscle memory, so that you can get gear day/night without having to see it in the event you forgot to REPlenish your batteries, which of course you did not because you followed the REPlenish part.   

One last nugget that I hope helps you out:  Remember to INSPECT what you EXPECT!

Tripod Gantry

Have you ever been cooking over a tripod and wanted to raise/lower or adjust your pot and felt like you are stepping into the fire?   Here is a viable solution for that situation.  The tripod gantry.  A quick easy to fashion method for adjusting your cook set without having to step in. 

Tripod Gantry in action

 You’ll first need stick (provided you have already constructed your tripod) about thumb width or slightly larger to the length of your choosing; recommend about finger-tip to elbow in length.  You’ll want to drill a hole with an awl about 1/3 of the way on an end of the stick.  Then you will want to square off about three to four inches to the left and right of the hole, this is where the most pressure will pull on the stick, and allow the stick to set into the natural triangle of the tripod.  Run some cordage through the hole and attach a toggle on the end.  One method that works well is using a jam knot to set the stick to the tripod and run that cord through the hole.  Options are plentiful so use your imagination!  

Finally all you have to do is turn the stick to lower or raise your cook set, as the remaining length of the stick should be off to one side of the tripod allowing you not to step into the fire/coals.  Then the most critical part of any campfire cooking…enjoy the meal you just cooked in the great outdoors!!!  

Tripod Gantry