Winter survival

[dandavidson]

With the weather really cold right now, what are you guys packing in your packs, just in case you don't make it back to your truck, want to keep it light, but don't want to end up like hachet jack in Jerimiah Johnson!!!

Just wondering what I am forgetting!!
D

[bob baldwin jr]

What Temps are you describing as REALLY COLD ?

[dandavidson]

10 degrees to 15 below zero.

Thanks

[sourdough]

Survival is based on being prepared for the conditions that are handed to you and out side the comforts of home the conditions could be anything. Other than dressing for the weather you should have something to start a fire with and not just one type of fire starter, but a couple different ones and some tinder. no one wants to spend the night out in the woods with out a fire and it's the surest way not to make it home. I always take a day pack with me winter and summer no matter how far I think I might or might not go. I keep enough things in it without over loading myself. Keep it simple, but real. Flash light, matches in a water proof container, a lighter, and I also keep a primitive form of fire starter, toilet paper is not only good for doing ones business, but is good tinder and a couple chunks of pitch wood, space blanket, compass, map of the area, GPS, tin cup, and water container, 100 ft parachute cord, knife, small pruning saw and a dry pair of socks, throw in some small food stuff, jerky, candy bar, what ever, but something that will boost your energy lose when fatigue sets in. I have never found myself in a position to ever have to call upon my things in my pack, but they are kind of like a life preserver on a boat, you never hear about rescue personnel finding a person at the bottom of the river with a life vest on.

sourdough

[imchestnut]

Good list, only thing I would add is a 15 minute road flare. You can start just about anything on fire with one no matter how wet and cold the wood is or your hands are!

[BJ]

flares are what i carry as well like to have two of them for the freak chance that one wont ignite. small foods and a flare and water.
bj

[dandavidson]

Thanks guys!! The road flair is a must, I am headed to checker auto!

[imchestnut]

Ya, I carry a couple, cheap, light and almost always ignite! You can light them with matches also.

[Josh Hill]

Another good tender is dryer lint in a ziplock bag. It burns good and it is light. I spent the night out in a blizzard when I was 12, no matches, no winter clothes, no survival gear, no fun. The frost bite on my feet still give me trouble. I dont smoke but I have a bic lighter in my pocket, pack,coat and usually an extra to give to anyone I might go into the woods with.

[houndnem]

Here's my pack.and I have spent the night below zero qiut a few times the last few years.
rope (I like the parachute cord, but where I'm at you might need to repell with it ) one of those crack torch lighters, a few matches and a bic.(can never have enough fire starters in the pack) my buddy has a secret recipe for some vaseline/gasoline stuff we keep in pill bottles. it will burn with a small spark and even a bucket of water can't put it out. extra batteries, a knife, water tablets, small first aid kit,(had to use that last time i skinned a cat ) I put a couple of those glow sticks in. they put off enough light for a group of people to walk or set up camp if needed. snakebite kit, rain poncho, t.p. or wet wipes.(nice for when it gets western). a camera, wyoming saw, a knit cap, and lots of liquid. copenhagen, a small flask of whiskey for(medicinal purposes only) jerky and salted nut rolls for snacks, sandwitches for all dayers. man no wonder why my shoulders look like a w.w.f wrestler. another important part is dressing to stay dry. cotton kills, I try to wear long johns with some light slicky waterproof pants under my levis. upper body layers of fleece and wool. gators if ya got em. wool,or wicking socks, thinsilate gortex boots. that is pretty much enough stuff for me to stay out till the wife isn't even mad anymore and is planning my funeral and deciding how to spend the life ins check .

[kordog]

onions to go with the liver of course.

[catdogs]

Knife, lighter, flashlight, 2 AA batteries (for Astro or light) and 2 Probars.

[bob baldwin jr]

It is amazing how quickly under the right conditions HYPO-THERMIA can set in Not that I like spending money ,but always Buy the Best you can afford . VERY VERY little I wear has come from WALMART . Never spent the Whole night in the woods but have come out at 2-3 AM After a couple of those you will know why

[cougarhound]

i always have a small tarp 6x8 or 8x8 for a quick shelter, and i have had to use.if you want the details of why i had to use it i will tell the story,it was a bad accident cat hunting a few years back.

[nait hadya]

a few matches,a bic,maybe a knife.