Backpacking and wilderness survival tips?

I recommend you get an updated state ID and leave your SS card and birth certificate at home. It sounds like this is your first rainbow gathering. My daughter used to go to them and about all she took was a two-person tent and sleeping bag. She would buy some food before she arrived at the location of the gathering. You know, they set up big kitchens on site. Maybe you are hitch hiking across the country, you didn’t say. Be safe.

I don’t know what a rainbow gathering is, or how long you’ll be off the grid, so I can’t be more specific.

I would nab some duct tape- perfect for fixing a hole in the tent, controlling blisters, repairing shoes etc. Should be easy enough to dumpster it. You don’t mention underwear/socks- just make sure you take high-wicking varieties as you’ll probably be sweating buckets and no one wants chafed feet or privates.

@perspicacious…. i don’t have the time to get my ID updated…and i have no home to leave my SScard at…i am homeless right now…but thanks for the suggestions :D

@gemiwing…thanks for your insight….i don’t have any socks or underwear…i’ll just have to deal with those consequences

and as for how long i’ll be off the grid…i plan to be totally off it indefinitely

duct tape is a great idea though thanks

as far as what Rainbow gathering is, here is a few links

http://www.welcomehome.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjXxVgNiUkE

thanks to both of you…namaste’

@sunyata_rakshasa Keep you SS card and birth cert on your person while there. I have heard about dirty drugs at those things too; I don’t know as I’ve never been. Be safe.

I totally agree with duct tape, especially since I fear that you will need a new pair of shoes but not be able to afford them if your cousin doesn’t come through for you. You should take special care of your feet. Maybe you can do some handy man work to earn some cash on your way? Or stop by a Payless or Goodwill and try to get a decent back up pair. Good luck!

I think you need a knife shorter than a machete (too big for most tasks) and separate from the multi-tool (you can only do so many things with a multi—they are clumsy as a daily tool). But not sure where you would find a regular hunting knife at no cost (Goodwill doesn’t have knives)

If you can get a flint and steel it (perhaps by barter at the gathering), they will be more reliable than a lighter (that will only work for so many clicks). I couldn’t make it without my compass, but then again I am not trying to get lost.

flint & steel, some wire for making snares, since money is an issue as well as portability I can’t think of anything else. Good luck!

I never camp without 50 feet of fishing line and a few hooks in my wallet and is a good way to pass some time with a stick pole. I would update your 1st aid kit to included OTC meds especially anti diarrhea stuff and some rehydration packs to add to your water. Make sure your sleeping bag is rated for the temps you will be in and get one rated 10 – 20 degrees colder than what the temps will be. A small light weight tarp is very useful. Bug repellent and sunscreen would be smart. The other thing is scrap the cotton and get the poly or silk clothes especially socks. My favorite stay warm item is called Underarmor and is super warm in the cold and comfy in the warmer nights. “Cotton kills” they say in survival speak as it will retain moisture and make you miserable even in the summer or especially cool nights. Here is a link that explains…
http://www.outdooradventureclub.com/newsletter/cottonkills.htm

Have a safe trip.

A wooden hiking stick is far too heavy to be practical. Toss/trade it.
Machete is unnecessary. Learn to baton wood with your multi-tool. Toss/trade it.
Soap. Bars don’t travel well. Dr. Bronner’s works well. Dabbing smelly spots with hydrogen peroxide works as well.
Three cotton tees are two too many. Toss/trade.
Two button downs is too many.
rapackage the first aid kit into a zip lock to save weight.
Make a wood stove from a large can. Look online for directions.
Get a flashlight to see at night.
Trade in your cotton gear for wool or polyester. They will dry much faster after getting a hobo wash.
Get a book called “SAS Survival Handbook”. It will keep you entertained and busy in the woods.
Hand sanitizer.
Food. Learn to cook pinto beans and pasta on your wood stove.
Test out your gear. Spend a couple days and nights with only your gear.
Borrow some duck tape. Re-wrap it around something cylindrical in your pack. 2m goes a long way.

I spent a year on the road, sleeping rough, and there is one major thing I regret: I learned the hard way that there is a huge difference between a water-resistant tent and a water-proof tent.

(Also, make sure you pack a sleeping pad. It’ll help smooth out lumpy ground, and if the ground it colder than you are, you’ll regret it if you don’t have a sleeping pad; waking up again and again, all night long, teeth chattering and bones aching, is no fun at all. Sleeping pads are lightweight and roll up quite small.)

Wow you are taking an awful lot with you to carry around on your back.
1.Try loosing the lighter and buying a pack of Ohio Blue Tip matches, waterproof matches. Split them in half and use those instead.
2. Buy yourself a small magnesium fire starter, they are about $10.
3. Go purchase a blue or orange tarp and cut it in to four pieces.
4. Safety blanket! It’s a must.
5. Water purifier or Iodine drops.
6. Wrap some duct tape around a flashlight or around a floatable match case.
7. Cut your soap bar in half.
8. Wool is better than cotton however keeping things clean no matter the material is key to feeling good and keeping warm.
9. Loose the machette, it is big and you are not creating trails (why would you do that?) and get yourself a nice folding knife or a bowie knife and make sure it is sharp.
10. If you have room get yourself a flare for that just in case moment.
Have a good time.

thanks every one for the insight

i can’t afford to switch out the clothing but i did just acquire some roll up vacuum type bags to keep my cloths clean…and i am narrowing down the number of shirts and pants i am taking

in regards to the machete…i will need it when i make it to Costa Rica…as my friends down there are having us make trails through the jungle

i am for sure going to get a whet stone for sharpening my blades…and the meds mentioned

i’ll try to acquire the fishing line and hooks…i’ll call my uncle

and the magnesium fire starter i have been searching for

thanks again every one this has been realy realy helpful

A water filter

avoid the vacuum bags. If your clothes are at all dirty they will stink like hell when you open the bag. You need to let funky clothes breath.

@arpinum I would argue the V bags would be ideal for keeping the clean clothes clean and dry and neatly packed and they greatly reduce the space element of lugging everything you own.

I doubt OP will have very clean clothes.

I doubt he will have a vacuum where he is going too! At least out the door OP will be all tidy and organized. I love vacuum bags for going camping….it’s coming home that is a bitch!! LOL!

well the vacum bag i was geting could be rolled to get the air out as well….

but non the less the funk factor is duely noted

as for the water filler….the friends i will be traveling with have a filter pump thing…you stick the hose into any water source and then pump the hand pump to push the water through a carbon ceramic filter system (or something) and he gave me a water pack that fits the base of this filter where the water comes out

so any how…just got a beter rain jakcet today from a friend so the poncho is out…but i also descoered i need a rain fly for my tent…fuck…any how…thanks every one