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.