Extended trip, minimal food and gear.


556mp

556mp

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I'm looking for a challenging trip. Getting kinda bored of the usual.

Anyone ever go out for around five days in winter with minimal gear and food?
I'm thinking a roll of plastic sheet, emergency blanket, wool blanket, para kit, 20ga with box of ammo, small fishing kit(?), bow saw blade, knife, stone, sack of potaoes.

Is that dumb? I'm bored.
 
I've done the 5 day thing a few times, kayaking. The camp wasn't minimal, but we got most of our meals off the land. It was salmon season and blueberry season and so we had fish and berries and beach greens and other edibles. I always enjoy that.
 
only thing I'd say is take enough dried soup packets to tide ya over in an emergency.

Last time I tried it was about 10 years ago....it was a 7 day trip...about 3 of which...I got really tired of my stomach growling at me!

seems I can catch plenty of fish when I go out...until the times I pack no food and plan on eating not much else but fish! lol!

seriously, bro....you won't starve in just a week anyway - go, do , have a ball - and then tell us all about it! :D
 
solocanoe said:
only thing I'd say is take enough dried soup packets to tide ya over in an emergency.

Last time I tried it was about 10 years ago....it was a 7 day trip...about 3 of which...I got really tired of my stomach growling at me!

seems I can catch plenty of fish when I go out...until the times I pack no food and plan on eating not much else but fish! lol!

seriously, bro....you won't starve in just a week anyway - go, do , have a ball - and then tell us all about it! :D
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That's what the spuds were for but good idea on the soup mix...
 
I'd like to try a night or two during the winter but my hands get so cold that they ache
even with silk or wool liners,heavy mitts and hand warmers it still happens.
guess I best stick with spring,summer,fall outings :)
 
Wyndigo said:
I'd like to try a night or two during the winter but my hands get so cold that they ache
even with silk or wool liners,heavy mitts and hand warmers it still happens.
guess I best stick with spring,summer,fall outings :)
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Even with heavy gloves and socks my feet get the same way in cold but hands bother me a whole lot more.
 
Easy_rider75 said:
Even with heavy gloves and socks my feet get the same way in cold but hands bother me a whole lot more.
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Same with me. Have you tried Mittens instead of gloves? I switched over and the mittens seem to keep my fingers warmer. Mittens allow for the fingers warmth to be distributed amongst each other.
 
I have been toying with minimalist outings a lot lately so I understand the appeal. I've not done a trip like this in the winter but I'd like to work my way up to a winter minimalist trip eventually. Few things I'd do if it were me:

1) Sleeping bag instead of a wool blanket (or in addition to). Something that can keep you warm enough in an emergency without a fire.
2) Be close enough to a road or similar for easy evacuation if it goes south (e.g. you start getting hypothermic and can't warm back up) and have a cell phone for emergencies, assuming one works where you're at.
3) I'd bring more food, but then I'm not a hunter and I don't fish so I'd be a lot less confident in my ability to provide food for myself :p You won't starve if you've got a sack of potatoes but I'd say bring a few extra food items with you just to liven things up if you can't find game.

If you do it definitely take pics and be sure to tell us all about it :)
 
Love the idea, I would have to add a pot, not sure if that would still be minimalist.
 
redmech said:
Love the idea, I would have to add a pot, not sure if that would still be minimalist.
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That's a great point! even my minimalist trips I always have at least a canteen and cup with me. It seems like it adds exponentially more work if you don't have a good water carrying method and a cooking pot for boiling water and cooking food.
 
I did one two years ago in Pisgah national forest NC...after 4 days of being alone I got very homesick, would do one up to couple weeks but not by myself....the mental stress of loneliness is the main reason Les Stroud quit doin Survivorman....
 
I would try it with 5 Mountain House dinners and a real sleeping bag. Sorry but a wool blanket in really cold weather is just not going to cut it for me. Of course if it is summertime I could get by with the blanket and might even be willing to try it with less food. You can always find cattails during the summer if you are truly hungry. Though 5 days of cattails would be bad.
 
I did something sililar in the summer once. Up in the North of Norway, accross Eastern Finnmarksvidda. It was a 9 day trip, where I took my fishing rod, rice and pasta, and a couple of other side dishes... oh yeah, some dry dogfood as well. I ate like a king: arctic char, trout, pike, whitefish. The dog got to eat his fill everynight also.

I took a little more gear than you describe though. I had a small tent and a sleeping bag. I also took my dog for company.
Halfway through the trip I met up with a friend and his wife. They were backpacking the length of Norway in a similar fashion, so we planned to meet at the foot of the largest mountain in Eastern Finnmark, Rásttigáisá.

While it's not exactly as you are planning, there is that very satisfying element of being self sufficient, being able to live off the land. I think you are going to really enjoy that aspect. It stands out in my mind as the best trip I've ever taken. I say go for it brother.
 
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Sounds good to me, Would be an awesome time to put your skills to use.
 
In my opinion extended 5-7 (week) trip, in minimalistic style is: bag of rice, some noodles, some beef jerky, few cans of canned meat, tarp, warm blanket or good sleeping bag, knife, firesteel, little survival kit/first aid kit(for emergency), small fishing kit. And must be sure about fresh water source.
Got everything and you good to go...
 
fire steal.... snire wire.... canteen... towlet paper, frozen pinecones would suck... DONT BRING YOUR AXE!!! just kidding we all love you dude... keep your knife sharp and have fun!
 
I like the idea, and think it is completely sane. I am hoping to get to the skill level to do just that, but my practice runs will be this spring. lacking land to do it on until after deer season. I have been getting out in the back yard playing, but even right now there are 2 vehicles parked on the landline on a hunting lease, walking the border. I was out watching as the day broke. If you are thinking of doing it, get us a kit picture up to peek at. edit; forgot to add, I would personally take beans instead of potatoes.
 
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Part of your checklist is to make sure you are up for this physically. I know you have been on the mend but with this type of challenge you may not have the strength yet in your left hand. Just a thought.
 
Sounds good!!
If you have the skills to pull it off, why not go? I'd might be the expoerience of a lifetime!

On the other hand; if it starts to get cold and/or wet, how well would you be able to take care of yourself, taking your wristhealing into account?
I had some serious healing to do for a winter or 2 and these sore spots really were a pain in...... what ever area they were in...
 
I would do a overnight shakedown first to make sure you are going to enjoy it. Also due to you recent injury, I would say that hand is going to be very prone to the cold. Taking only a blanket in the winter can be pretty tough. You will be relying on a fire to keep you warm at night. Five nights of firewood is a lot of work. You are going to need a resource rich area. It will need to have a supply of bedding materials, and lots of wood. So you need to be sure you are allowed to harvest those resources legally.

I am not trying to talk you out of this endeavor, I will be doing a minimalist winter outing in a a few weeks. They are a lot of fun. But, you always need a plan B. A good first aid kit is a must.

Keep us posted.
 
That was just a general list/idea. If I decide to roll with it, I'll put together some gear and ideas.. If I can't do it with my hand I can just walk out and go home.


redmech said:
Love the idea, I would have to add a pot, not sure if that would still be minimalist.
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I forgot to type -- pot, canteen, and canteen cup.

rob/saltrock said:
don't forget the first aid kit. just kidding with you (not really)
rob/saltrock
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Absolutely. One is on me 24/7 now. I keep it in my shirt/coat pocket.

Peacelovingirl said:
fire steal.... snire wire.... canteen... towlet paper, frozen pinecones would suck... DONT BRING YOUR AXE!!! just kidding we all love you dude... keep your knife sharp and have fun!
Click to expand...

Fire steel is on my belt, dish towels, I have one on each shoulder strap of my pack. Once for cleaning dishes, one for cleaning me. No axe. Knife and stone, check :p

Ron said:
Sounds good!!
If you have the skills to pull it off, why not go? I'd might be the expoerience of a lifetime!

On the other hand; if it starts to get cold and/or wet, how well would you be able to take care of yourself, taking your wristhealing into account?
I had some serious healing to do for a winter or 2 and these sore spots really were a pain in...... what ever area they were in...
Click to expand...

I'd only be a mile or two from the road. So I could walk out if I had to. I've been going to this park for about 15 years so I know it very well.

jloden said:
I have been toying with minimalist outings a lot lately so I understand the appeal. I've not done a trip like this in the winter but I'd like to work my way up to a winter minimalist trip eventually. Few things I'd do if it were me:

1) Sleeping bag instead of a wool blanket (or in addition to). Something that can keep you warm enough in an emergency without a fire.
2) Be close enough to a road or similar for easy evacuation if it goes south (e.g. you start getting hypothermic and can't warm back up) and have a cell phone for emergencies, assuming one works where you're at.
3) I'd bring more food, but then I'm not a hunter and I don't fish so I'd be a lot less confident in my ability to provide food for myself :p You won't starve if you've got a sack of potatoes but I'd say bring a few extra food items with you just to liven things up if you can't find game.

If you do it definitely take pics and be sure to tell us all about it :)
Click to expand...

I could bring my 3season bag instead of the wool blanket

Road is close, a mile or two in any direction.

I was thinking that a bag of flour would be good, maybe instead of taters... or half and half. Plenty of squirrel up in that area.
 
IA Woodsman said:
I would do a overnight shakedown first to make sure you are going to enjoy it. Also due to you recent injury, I would say that hand is going to be very prone to the cold. Taking only a blanket in the winter can be pretty tough. You will be relying on a fire to keep you warm at night. Five nights of firewood is a lot of work. You are going to need a resource rich area. It will need to have a supply of bedding materials, and lots of wood. So you need to be sure you are allowed to harvest those resources legally.

I am not trying to talk you out of this endeavor, I will be doing a minimalist winter outing in a a few weeks. They are a lot of fun. But, you always need a plan B. A good first aid kit is a must.

Keep us posted.
Click to expand...

I was going to say pretty much the same thing...

Plus, you will have a tough time sleeping. I myself am doing am experiment shortly trying extend sleep centered around a wool blanket.
 
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